I am Legion (Fantasy, military) - Page 4 - Writers Forum

Cefor · 02-07-2008, 01:41 PM

I've come to like Mercius a lot... I think he has spirit

I can't believe that those grammar mistakes didn't jump out and hit me in the face... otherwise I would of said something...

Sometimes I get too engrossed in what I am reading

columbo1977 · 02-11-2008, 03:32 AM

Hi All

I came across this Forum last night as I am starting to try and write a fantasy book, I started reading this and It seems really good, keep posting.

I cant wait to find out what Tristam's skill (or skills) is??

Cefor · 02-11-2008, 11:29 AM

Hmm, I have a suspicion it's archery related...

Maybe, maybe not

Kittenification · 02-16-2008, 12:10 AM

SHAZAM

Section the next is here

************************************************** *******

Nighttime now. The students had set up their camp, and while several of them finished it up- building shelters and digging latrines, Tristram, Ryan, and Catherine had been picked by Liam to accompany him on a scouting trip. “We’re looking for a large gang of bandits that call themselves Red-arms. Not only are they repeatedly raiding the small towns in this area, but they refuse to recognize the normal bandit king.” said Liam, scrambling lightly up a small rock face “The biggest clue to when your seeing one as opposed to a normal bandit is the fact that they all wear red bracers constantly.”
“Are we going somewhere in particular sir, or just looking around?” asked Ryan
“I’m going to assume we’re going somewhere specific. We’ve been traveling in a straight line for three hours” said Catherine, pausing to re-tie her hair into a loose twist.
“Hush, both of you. I think we’re close now” Liam said, his voice barely audible over the quiet breeze “over this ridge, theres a small valley. Since we’re above timberline, the whole thing is barren. If we’re seen by anything, run as fast as you can until you’re clear of the vale, then just get back to camp. I don’t want you to take any chances. Now lets see what there is to see down there.”

Tristram climbed over the last ridge as quietly as he could and dropped quietly to the ground on the other side. Pulling three arrows from his quiver, he held two in his bow hand and nocked the third. As he moved forward, picking his way through the boulder field, he heard the noises made by his classmates dropping to the ground and spreading out behind him. Shivering, he pulled his hood up and carefully ascended a stack of rocks. Clinging to the top of the highest stone, he lay flat, the wind rushing over his prone form Liam will be on the opposite side of the valley by now, and Ryan and Cat are probably just a little ahead. Lets see what else we can see.

After a moment of searching, he spotted Ryan, leaping across a small gap between boulders. As he watched his friend, he noticed movement, a figure slowly trailing behind Ryan, all in black with scarlet red bracers on its forearms oh hell, they know we’re here. Sliding down from his vantage, he ran quickly towards where he had seen the figure last. Once he reached the chasm he had seen Ryan clear he stopped, sliding down into it, waiting, watching. After several seconds he heard a shout, not far from him, and saw a flash of light reflect against the stone above him, followed by the noise of running footsteps coming his way. Aiming directly upwards, he held his breath as Ryan leapt the crevasse, and then, as the second pair of feet leapt, he released.

The snap of his shot was instantly followed by a splintering crunch, and he climbed quickly out of his hiding place to see Ryan standing several feet away, the body of a large man at his feet “Thought he had me” he said “then I thought he tripped.” rolling the figure over with his foot “then I saw the arrow” Tristram’s blood froze. The man must have looked down as he jumped the gorge, because the arrow had entered his head through his left cheek, and the point stuck out of the back of his collapsed skull. Squeezing his eyes shut, Tristram held his breath. When he opened them to the sight of the slain man, his stomach attempted to rebel, but he hadn’t eaten in hours so all that came up was hot, sour, water. Turning his back to the figure, he breathed deeply “Ryan, please… move him” he said. His head… collapsed like an eggshell, the blood spreading slowly, trickling over the lip of the rock. He heard the sound of a heavy object being dragged and then felt a hand on his shoulder. “You did well” said Liam “a good scout is able to kill without mercy, but I would be worried for your soul if you felt no remorse when you killed a man.”
“You were watching?” asked Tristram
“Most of the time. I saw your shot.”
“Oh.” Said Tristram.

“And now I am going to circle this valley.” Liam said “I want you and Ryan to find Catherine and explore the central area.”
As Liam ran off to the west, Tristram turned back to Ryan. Seeing the large blood smear on the ground he flinched, but kept his stomach under control. “Lets find Cat” he said, walking purposefully back toward the large rock he had used as a vantage before, drawing a new arrow and placing it to string as he walked.
At the stone they watched for several minutes before spotting the golden blonde of Catherine’s hair
“There she is” Ryan said, pointing
“Alright, lets go get her.”

Running quickly, arrows nocked, the two boys reached Catherine right as she came to a small creek.
Once they were together they moved in a tightening spiral towards the center of the valley, finding nothing but rocks, tundra moss, and the occasional marmot.
“Maybe that one fellow was just a scout then” said Ryan as they neared the center
“Perhaps. He had a lot of armour” Tristram said, endeavoring not to think of the man in the pool of blood
“You know, I don’t think he was” said Catherine from atop a larger stone
“why is that?” Tristram asked. She just pointed past a row of flat stones. “What is it? More Red-arms?”
“Yeah” she said, moving so that he could climb up next to her. “I count five outside, in addition to however many are in that.” Following her gaze, Tristram saw what looked like a large flat rock. After staring a moment, he realized that it had a door cut into it, barely visible “Alright, we need to get out of here” he said “but remember where this is. Liam will want to know.”

As they moved away, Liam suddenly stepped out from between two large boulders “Very nice work.” he said “Now we need to get out of here fast. They’re dispatching search teams for their missing guard.”
Back at the camp they settled onto blankets in the “fire ring”, a large fire pit, with a circular wall woven of slender branches a few feet from it to reflect the heat. Tristram was leaned against the wall when Gareth sat down next to him “Liam told me what you did.” he said, looking Tristram in the eyes “I just wanted to say I’m proud. Don’t let it bother you too much.”

Tristram stared into the fire “its not… it isn’t the fact that he’s… that I killed him.” he whispered “But it was just… his head was just… open.”
“Its alright lad. Its right rare to hit someone in the face with an arrow. It gives all of us the shivers. Just be proud that you saved your friend’s life, and try not to think of the dead man.” clasping Tristram’s shoulders in a brief hug, he stood “Get some sleep. Tomorrow most of us go to the valley, but I think Liam might be taking some people for a special mission. I guess we’ll find out then.”

************************************************** ****

As for Tristram's talent, it has been vaguely hinted at, but kind of not.
Should show itself in all it's glory sooner or later though.

Have fun reading.
Kit

A-L · 02-16-2008, 09:18 AM

So, far your story is really good. Its entertaining and keeps me reading. Please read and comment Metropolis (science fiction, fantasy) anything would be appreciated.

Kittenification · 02-25-2008, 11:02 AM

And here I am again, with a surprisingly short bit this time. I'll probably put up another later today.

************************************************** *****

Belting on a clean linen kilt, Mercius strode out of the door which was held open by the same large servant as the day before, walking quickly out to the courtyard where he found Tommy waiting “Morning!” the smaller boy said cheerily “sleep well?”
“Yes, I suppose so.” said Mercius “what are you so happy about?”
“well after the run we’re goin’ to jump off the cliff again, which will be excellent.”
Laughing, Mercius nodded “fair enough. Now are we waiting for ‘master’? or do we just head off on our own, assuming he’ll catch us up?”
“I would suggest the latter” said the tall servant “I will tell him you have gone”

Nodding, Mercius began jogging, Tommy close behind. “This is our chance!” he said as they left the gate “once we get around to the far side of the house, we can easily just slip off into the woods!”
“Why though?” asked Tommy
“Why do you think, We’re captives, we should escape.”
“I dunno” Tommy said, in between breaths “This southie has treated us really well, and we don’t know which way it is back towards Ruaglond, and we have no supplies.”
“Alright, fair enough” said Mercius “but in that case we should escape at a later date, once we’ve got some supplies set aside”
“look, Mercius, I really don’t see why we should, at least until three years are over” Tommy said.
“And I don’t want to just give up and become one of the enemy!” Snapped Mercius “I want to train like a NORTHERN boy, at the university!”
“Well, I’m not actually northern, so I don’t really feel you on that one” said Tommy, grinning slightly “but for now, lets stay, alright?”
Mercius frowned, rounding the corner quickly “fine.”
Accelerating on the straightaway, he quickly left Tommy behind Well I suppose he’s right. he thought but he’s still a prat. I guess I’m stuck here a few more days at least. Keeping his pace at a near sprint, he was surprised when he heard footfalls rapidly closing on him. Looking over his shoulder he saw Tresivant’s large form catching up rapidly. As he drew even, the slaver slowed, matching his pace to the boy’s “Trust me, you are better off staying here with me corpse-child. Runaway slaves are put to death in this country, and a boy your age so obviously from the north is nearly certainly such a slave.”
Glaring at him, Mercius attempted to move faster, but the tall man kept pace easily “Guess I can’t trust Tommy then” he hissed, puffing for breath
“Slow down boy, you’re going to kill yourself” said Tresivant “You can trust him, and you should. But even if you had never breathed a word of your plan to escape, I would have known, had you thought it”

Oh wonderful… He can mind read thought Mercius.
“I can’t see what you’re thinking specifically” Said Tresivant “but I see the image of anything you think of and I can see you’re emotions however well you hide them.”
“So that’s why you aren’t worried about us escaping” Mercius said, “you know we’re planning the second WE know it.”
“yes. So just try to be happy here little man. I will let you write home if your thoughts are good.”
Pulling away, Tresivant sped off around the corner, leaving Mercius to his thoughts.

After the run, the quarry, and breakfast, they went back to the courtyard, where they took up swords again “Alright, today I’ll have you practicing with Mehmed, Bleach-bones” said Tresivant, gesturing to the large servant who had woken Mercius up both mornings.
“Good afternoon” Mehmed said, twirling his practice sword “come on guard now”
Raising his sword in salute, Mercius dropped down into a low crouching stance, holding his sword directly above his head in both hands, the blade standing straight up. As Mehmed took a step forward, he lunged, chopping down quickly. The massive man stepped back out of reach then immediately back in, attacking steadily and methodically. His swings were all right along textbook attack lines, and while they did not come with great rapidity, the force behind them made Mercius retreat quickly before stop-thrusting suddenly, nearly scoring a hit, I’m better than him he thought, and for a second, he felt strange, all of his muscles tensing, and his vision becoming brighter. Then Mehmed knocked his extended blade aside and continued his attacks.

For nearly an hour they fought back and forth. Mercius was a more innovative fighter, but Mehmed’s strength still pressed him back easily. Eventually both of them were shining with sweat, small bruises and cuts from minor hits studding their bodies, but neither one prevailed. Finally, Tresivant stepped in. “Very good, bird-bones, I wouldn’t have thought you could endure for so long. Now perhaps we will go back to the quarry briefly before…” he paused, grasping Mercius’s chin “Your eyes are the strangest colour” he said, before releasing and standing up straight “in any case, after we drop in the quarry I have some things to take care of. You two be good. Perhaps try the library, up over the gymnasium.”
“Yeah, I think I will” said Mercius “I want to read about this ‘arena’ some”
“very nice” said Tommy “Now lets swim!”

In the library, Mercius found a shelf that held several books on the Arena Lets see… “Famous Arena Combatants”, “Arena Construction”, “Arena, an Overview” hmm, that one sounds good . Selecting the third book, Mercius walked over to where Tommy was seated reading a book with a large skull and crossbones on the cover. Dropping into a chair, Mercius began perusing the book, perusing passages that appeared interesting the Arena is 200 years old. Gladiators fight animals, other gladiators, or condemned criminals. There is a separate arena at the docks where naval battles are held. Three years without a loss and a gladiator earns his freedom. Traps. Obstacles. Unfair fights. Audience favour determines the death or life of a fighter. I would do well to learn all I can about the types of combat before I ever have to experience them. Settling back, he read on.

**********************************

for some reason when I copy-paste it in here it ignores things thata are italicized so I have to go through each time and re-do them, apologies if I miss a couple.
hope everyone enjoys it,

Kieran

Jax1108 · 02-25-2008, 11:43 AM

Oh yea remember talking about the title and how it closely sound like "I am Legend" etc?
Well I was watching Justice League the other night (yes I am a BIG fan

) and that was the name of one of the episodes! "I am Legion" ! I thought of you! haha
but VERY very nice stuff I love it ^ ^

Kittenification · 02-25-2008, 08:55 PM

I believe I said I would put up another piece today.
here it is.

************************************************

Tristram woke early, rising before anyone else in the camp except for the three who had been assigned watch duty from midnight until morning. Yawning he walked through the trees to the small mountain stream that passed the camp. Kneeling on its bank, he plunged his head underwater, the cold bringing him to full wakefulness instantly. Standing, he shook his head, the water flying off in every direction.
“That was attractive” said a voice behind him
“I try, really, I do” he said before turning, the grin vanishing from his face when he found that instead of one of his classmates, there was a woman with a rapier, the point of which was now at his throat.
“Now then, I think you should come with me. Put your hands behind your back.”

Taking a deep breath, Tristram placed his arms behind his back and closed his eyes. As the woman stepped behind him and began wrapping a leather cord around his wrists, he spun quickly and lashed out with his foot knocking out one of her legs before ramming his shoulder into her chest, sending her into the icy river. Twisting his hands free, he sprinted back into the camp, quickly strapped on the belt that held his claws and knife, and ran back out to the river, where he found the woman laying on the bank, shivering convulsively. Taking her sword away, as well as the knife in her belt, he picked her up and carried her into the camp next to the fire.

Feeling a hand on his shoulder, he turned to find Liam standing behind him.
“Who is this?” asked the instructor.
“I don’t know. She tried to capture me when I was down by the river and I knocked her in.”
“Alright, well I want you to wake Ryan, Catherine, and Damien, and for all of you to suit up for a long trip.” said Liam “I’ll give her to Lizzie, and then meet you by the river.”

After waking the other students Liam had named, and putting on his coat, his quiver over it, and the bow on his shoulder, Tristram walked back out to the river, where he found Liam perched on a flat rock in the middle of the stream.
“You seem to be having quite a time of this trip, Tristram” said the teacher without opening his eyes
“I guess it’s just my luck sir” said Tristram.
“Luck changes”

As Catherine, Ryan, and Damien walked into the clearing, the instructor leapt lightly from the stone to the riverbank. Pulling a roll of cloth out of his belt, he unrolled it onto the ground in front of them “Alright, begin studying this” he said “the better you have it memorized the faster we can pull this off.”
The map showed a single door opening onto a long hallway, which branched into several smaller passages, spreading in all directions like a spider web. Marking several rooms on it with crosses and circling others, Liam pointed to the largest one, in the very back. “That’s the place you’ll want to avoid more than any other, because that’s where all of them who are off duty congregate” he said. “Any room that’s crossed out, you should stay away from. The circled rooms are storage for food, water, weapons. Get into them and destroy everything you can. Throw weapons and food into the wells, and then get out. Stay in pairs, Tristram, you’ll be with Ryan, going to the west, while the other two go in the opposite direction. The storerooms there are the third and eighth on the left, and the fourth and seventh on the right. Catherine and Damien, you get the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth rooms on the left side of your hall. I’ll meet you all out at the waterfall. Good hunting.”

Rolling up the map, Liam strode quickly uphill. For two hours they walked, before they reached the edge of the valley, where Liam motioned for everyone to be quiet “There should be four or five guards. Tristram go for the farthest left, I’ll get farthest right, and Catherine and Damien take the next inwards. If there are five, Ryan will take out the center one.” As the group moved forward, all of them placed arrow to string. Crouching on the flat rock Catherine had spotted the door from the day before, Liam counted “Three, Two, One, Now!” he whispered fiercely, and the five of them all rose to fire at once.

Tristram pulled his bowstring back smoothly, aiming, firing, and reloading in one smooth movement and watched as the four figures below dropped to the ground laying still. Keeping his arrow knocked, he ran down the steep rocky slope towards the door, Ryan close behind him. Once they reached the bodies, Liam quickly searched them and made certain of death by sliding a slender dagger into each one’s back, before removing the red bracers and tossing them to his students “wear those. Its enough of a disguise to keep you safe if you’re smart down here.” He said, before opening the stone door and vanishing into the dark.

Looking back at Ryan, who shrugged, Tristram strapped the bracers to his arms and stepped through the door into the dark tunnel beyond. As his eyes adjusted to the lower light, Tristram found himself in a long torch-lit hallway. Checking the bracers, he walked as calmly as he could down the center of the hallway, his heart thudding in his chest. For the entire length of the hallway, nobody spoke, and they didn’t hear a sound until they approached the end. The hallway ended in a small circular area with several side passages, and a large double door which, by the sound of it, obscured the off-duty room Liam had mentioned.

“Alright, we split up here. See you two outside” whispered Ryan.
“Good luck” Catherine said. “Don’t be stupid”
“We’ll see what we can do” said Tristram. Locking hands with Damien, he leaned in “Don’t let her get hurt” he whispered “I’ll see you outside”
Turning on his heel, he jogged to catch up with Ryan, who had started down the hallway.
“Three left and four right, then eight left and seven right” Ryan said under his breath, walking quickly, stopping at a nondescript wooden door. “Third on the left. This is the first one”

Opening the door quickly, Tristram padded quickly down the stairs, finding himself in a large, pitch-dark room. Seconds later he was forced to cover his eyes when Ryan entered the room, his hands shining brightly
Breathing deeply, the boys set to work, opening the well and throwing everything they could find down into it, before closing it and moving on to the next room quickly, the next, and finally the last room at the end of their hallway. As they left the final room however, they were stopped.
“You two” growled the large man standing at the top of the stairs “who authorized you to be in here?”
“Nobody sir” said Tristram “we were just hungry.” Exhaling hard, he continued “Now we’re needed for door guard duty sir, and it would be better if we weren’t late.”

Instantly he knew he had made a mistake, as the man stepped forward, gripping his shoulder.
“Son, I think you’re lying to me, and now is really not a good time.”
Ryan stepped forwards quickly “Sir, he meant no disrespect. He’s just trying to get out of punishment”
“hm.” Releasing Tristram, the man scrutinized the pair carefully “I’ll tell you what. If you two help me with something… dangerous, I‘ll let you off easy. Follow.”
Raising an eyebrow at Ryan, Tristram did as the man said, staying close behind him, his hands resting on the grips to his claws, as Ryan walked behind him, arrow held loosely to string.
“I was sent word that theres an intruder” the large bandit said “I want you two to help me find and capture him, as quickly as possible.”
“Where do you think he is?” asked Tristram It’s probably Liam… But we still have to act like we’re helping.
“He was seen in the deeps, But apparently he was much too fast for them that spotted him, and he got away easy. I’m supposed to find him because my talent is to see heat, and so I should detect him without much trouble”

As they came back into the main hallway, he lead the boys down a steeply spiraled staircase, into a cavernous empty room. “Alright, seal doors!” he called, and Tristram heard the grind of heavy wood doors on stone. “Alright, you two stick together, as he’s dangerous. If you spot anyone, shout for help.” Said the guard, moving off into the dimness of the chamber.
Tristram and Ryan quickly walked in the opposite direction to him “Think it’s Liam?” Ryan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“I can’t think who else it would be” replied Tristram “If it is, perhaps we’ll get to see how good he really is. After all, he’s in this room, assumedly.”
“Why yes, yes I am.” said a familiar voice “Alright, I want you boys to raise an alarm and chase me. Stay close.”
Nodding, Tristram drew his claws, and Ryan checked that his arrow was nocked “Alright sir. Lets go.”

Instantly, Liam was off, moving through the darkness at such a speed that the boys were forced to enter a full on sprint just to keep him in sight “WE FOUND HIM!” Ryan yelled “HE’S GETTING AWAY!” when they came in sight of the base of the stairs, the bandit standing there drew his sword, hefting his shield, and stood his ground. Without breaking stride, Liam whirled past him, hands flashing as he dodged a clumsy slash. The boys followed quickly as the guard fell to the ground, his blood spreading slowly over the floor.

As they reached the main level, Liam ran quickly down the main hallway, the boys behind him.
“Shoot him!” a bandit shouted from behind them, and Ryan quickly fired his bow, the shot ricocheting off the floor by Liam’s boot. As they came to the main entrance Liam slowed slightly, seeing a row of guards, all arrayed with long spears. Ryan fired again, his shot “missing” Liam and striking one of them in the leg. Seizing the opportunity, the teacher ran at the group, shoulder charging through the injured one, his hands flashing to the sides and dropping another pair of guards.

As he scrambled up the rocks outside, leaping agilely from one to another, the boys followed, as did three other bandits. As they cleared the row of flat rocks however, the snap of bowstrings was followed by the sound of two of the real bandits tumbling to the ground, and then a blur of movement streaked out from behind a boulder, colliding with the third and sending him to the ground, where he lay with Catherine’s boot placed firmly against the back of his neck.

“Excellent timing you two” Liam said “and Catherine dear, take that man’s weapons and send him back over to his friends. We don’t need him.”
As she moved to do so, Liam looked quickly over the edge. “Alright it would seem they aren’t going to follow us. Now, did everyone do what they were supposed to?”
“Yes” Tristram said, “Sir, what were you doing down in the cavern there?”
“Well I was seeing if this hideout was connected to a proper cave system, going down through the mountain, which it is” Said Liam “Knowing this, when the main group comes up for our attack on these bandits, I’ll lead a second group in through the cave.”
“Alright professor” Catherine said “Shouldn’t we be on our way?”
“Yes. Let’s hurry. I need to work out the rest of our plan with Gareth before tomorrow.”

***********************************************

I'm glad people are enjoying the story.

have a nice evening everyone

Kieran.

Destroyer2000 · 02-29-2008, 09:09 PM

Very nice...a few grammar, punctuation mistakes, but otherwise, very nice.

Rynash · 03-09-2008, 03:57 PM

wow very nice

Kittenification · 03-13-2008, 11:26 AM

And now, live from Charlottesville Virginia, it is my exquisite pleasure to bring you another segment of writing.

************************************************** ***

Mercius watched Tresivant carefully as he crouched, inspecting the ground. Looking up, the large man grinned “I do not think it will be so long now. These tracks are fresh.”
“Master, What are we tracking?” Tommy asked. Tresivant had gotten the boys up earlier than usual that morning and given them crossbows, taking a spear himself, in addition to the long knife in his belt.
“Why don’t you tell me?” Tresivant, gesturing towards the ground where he had crouched.

As the boys inspected the ground Tommy laughed in surprise “Sir, is this a footprint?”
“Yes boy, it is. Do you know what from?” Tresivant asked.
Tommy shook his head, and Tresivant turned to Mercius “You?”
The footprint was large, nearly as big as Mercius’s chest, and fairly round, with three toes.
“is it one of the animals that bestiarii are made to fight against?” he asked, looking up at Tresivant.
“Why yes” Tresivant said “I suppose you read something of the arena yesterday?”
Tristram nodded.
“Well this track here is from a rhinoceros” the slaver said “They are big, they are tough, and they are fast, but they can’t see so well, so between us three, we should get it without too much trouble.”

Moving quickly along the trail, Tresivant led the boys to a large open plain, and then to a canyon. “It looks like he’s gone in here boys. When we come out you will have an idea why rhinos are thought to be more impressive to watch in the arena than nearly anything else. This wont be easy.”
Gripping his spear tightly, he moved into the canyon, pausing from time to time to examine a scraping on a tree or a vague footprint between rocks. Suddenly, he held up his hand, cocking his head slightly “I think its just ahead now. Stay alert, and when you see it, start shooting as fast as you can. I’ll try to bring it down quickly.”

Breathing deeply, Mercius checked the quarrel in his crossbow “But… where should we aim?”
“that’s a good question” Tresivant said “I’m not certain, but I would guess the neck is a weak spot. It is on everything else I’ve ever hunted.”
Nodding, Mercius cranked the bow’s cocking lever, locking the bolt into a ready to fire position “Well lets get it then.”
Grinning broadly, Tresivant turned, moving quickly through the last stand of trees, Tommy close behind. Mercius exhaled slowly, then followed.

The beast was immense. A mountain of grey flesh, with a hide so thick it looked armored. Protruding from its face were two horns, one at the end of its nose, the other slightly closer to its eyes. When they entered the clearing, it raised its head, snorted, and began trotting away. Raising his crossbow to his shoulder Tommy fired, the quarrel striking the rhino in the shoulder. Instantly it whirled, bellowing.

As it thundered towards them, Mercius raised his bow slowly, focusing carefully on where he wanted to hit, and then gently squeezing the trigger. As the bow sang, the bolt lodged itself in the huge animal’s shoulder, making no visible impact on it’s charge.
“Here’s where we separate the men from the boys…” muttered Tresivant under his breath before charging forcefully at the beast, roaring loudly.
Seeing this headlong attack, the rhino slowed, then stopped, confused, trying to judge what this puny creature planned to do. Before it could resume its charge, Tresivant reached it. Continuing his charge past it, he twisted as he ran, ramming the spear point deep into the side of the rhino’s chest, while maintaining his speed, the momentum yanking the spear out of the wound it had made violently.

Grunting, the wounded animal turned to face Tresivant. It would not halt its charge again. As it began running, Tommy fired, the shot sticking into its large rump, and apparently causing no harm. As it reached Tresivant, he threw himself to the side, avoiding its horn, but getting bowled backwards by its shoulder, as the spear flew several more feet. Rolling to his feet, Tresivant flung his knife which ricocheted off of the beast’s forehead, flying onto stick in the sand at Mercius’s feet. Picking it up, he hefted it. A knife this big is basically a sword. He thought I think I’ll see what I can do.

“Hey wrinkles!” He shouted, raising the crossbow. The rhino whirled to face him, snorting loudly. Squeezing the trigger, he watched his shot speed forward, striking right where he had aimed, in the animal’s left eye. “Shoot away from the head!” he called out. Then he rushed in, dropping the bow as he ran.

Close to the animal, he became much more aware of how BIG it was. While Mercius stood at average height for a boy of twelve, one of this creature’s legs would have weighed about the same as him. Sprinting to it, he capitalized on the blind spot he had created, to dive in between its front legs. Turning quickly, he stabbed the knife deeply into the back of one of the grey pillars that surrounded him, wrenched it back and forth as the beast bellowed, and dove for the safety of open ground. As he came to his feet, he looked over to where Tresivant was crawling slowly towards his spear. With a Twang! Tommy fired again, this shot finding it’s mark in the creature’s neck. For a moment the beast whirled in place, then it stopped, standing stock still, watching the boys.

Mercius glanced over at Tresivant to find that he had stood and regained his spear, and was now creeping slowly towards the rhino from behind. We can do this he thought, grinning we can win. Surging with adrenaline, he sprinted forward, dodging the horn and leaping, scratching, scrambling his way to mounting the back of the rhino’s neck. When he felt it shudder from Tresivant’s thrust, he raised the knife in both hands, ramming it down where the neck and head met. As the animal slowly collapsed to the ground, he leapt clear, rolling in the soft sand.

“What the fuck was that!?” Tommy shouted “Mercius, do you have a death wish or something?”
“No.” Said Mercius, wiping the knife on his kilt before returning it to Tresivant, who looked him over slowly.
“you aren’t hurt at all?” he asked
“No, it didn’t touch me” Mercius said
“Hm. Well be careful next time.” Said Tresivant, kneeling and beginning to sever the rhino’s head.
“I was careful. I just knew I could get it.”
“Fair enough. You certainly moved faster than I would have thought you were capable of.” Cutting through the last sinews of the neck, he sheathed the knife and lifted the tremendous head to his shoulder “Alright, it would seem that we are finished here. The desert animals will deal with what we leave.”

Back at Tresivant’s estate, they sat at the table, relating their hunt to Mehmed.
“Mercius” said Tresivant “you said you ‘knew’ you could get the rhino. How?”
Taking a bite out of an apple, Mercius considered. “Well, I saw you sneaking up on it, and I just knew. From there it just seemed like the easiest thing in the world.”
Mehmed laughed quietly “My friend, attacking a rhinoceros is never ‘easy’ Tresivant and I believe you may have used your skill in some form today. Time will show.”
“Well what kind of skill would it be?” Mercius asked “I moved fast, but not as fast as people with speed as their skill, I hit hard, but not as hard as people with strength, and I was aggressive, but not like a berserker.”
“We aren’t sure” said Tresivant “but once a skill begins to manifest it is rarely long before its purpose becomes clear.”

*************************************************

Hope everyone enjoys.

Have a good one,
Kit

Kittenification · 03-22-2008, 07:51 PM

Sincerest apologies for the long wait between posts, I was on vacation the last couple weeks and didn't get online much (I did get a good bit of writing done though, funny how a change of scenery helps)
More on that story at eleven (not really)

But more on THIS story now.

************************************************** *****

“So everyone” Catherine said “Damien learned his talent today”
“And it is….” asked Tristram, after several seconds of silence had passed
“well he wouldn’t tell me what it was” she said, frowning “So I decided to tell all of you”
“Oh, so now we get to suffer curiosity with you. How thoughtful of you.”
“Funny thing is” said Damien “She never actually asked me what it was.”
“Oh, ha ha” Catherine said “yes, you’re very clever Damien. Now what is it?”
Damien shrugged “Why don’t you guess” he said, pointing at her slowly.
Catherine frowned as a powerful blast of wind whipped her hair out of its loose braids.
“That’s stupid, why wont you tell me?
“This way is so much more fun” he said, cracking his knuckles.
Immediately the wind stopped.

Tristram and Conor both began laughing, and Catherine turned to them.
“What, whats so funny?” she snapped.
“Oh, you know, the weather.” said Conor
Frowning, she turned back to Damien, “if you wont tell me, can you at least show me, so it’s easier to guess?”
“Of course” he said, smirking slightly as a small twisting dust-devil rose up around her, before stopping dead. In the stillness that followed, a single harsh blast of wind knocked her to the ground before the air was still again.

“oh” she said
“yes” said Damien “hence the laughter”
Scowling slightly she kicked at Tristram “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“What? Why me?” he said “everyone here got it except you, why do I get kicked?”
“well” said Dom “Actually I didn’t get it either.”
“Fine, everyone except you and Pecs-for-brains got it.”
“I don’t know” she said “I just had to kick someone and you were closest.”
“Alright little ones” Lizzie said from behind Tristram “I need to steal Tristram, Catherine, Dom, and Conor”

Leading them over to the fire where the teachers sat, she gestured for them to sit.
“You four are the strongest students” Gareth said “Tristram and Catherine you exceed all of your classmates in woodcraft and archery, and Conor and Dom are better fighters than many grown men are.”
“In light of this,” said Liam, “You four are being designated squad leaders in tomorrows raid. Each of you will get to pick four of your fellow students. Scouts, you’ll be attacking the main entrance with Lizzie and Gareth, drawing the redarms out into the rock field, where we will systematically remove them. Meanwhile, I will lead the fighters through the caves to attack where we will be least expected. Sorcha will accompany the scouts and O’Neill will wait at the cave entrance to relay any vital information from one team to another.”

“So, we each get four teammates? Said Catherine “How do we decide who gets who?”
“Well you take turns picking obviously.” Said Gareth “bear in mind as you do, that you and Tristram need teammates who are good at ambush, archery, and skirmish fighting. Conor and Dom will require the stronger close fighters”
“Now go!” said Lizzie “Pick your teams. You need your sleep tonight.”

Eventually it was settled that Dom got Ian and Ryan, reasoning that a single archer would be an asset to each of the tunnel groups, while Catherine chose Padraig- to have at least one heavy fighter, and Damien. Conor was with several of his blue housemates, and Tristram with four boys he had never even spoken with. Sitting around a fire with them, he looked them over slowly. “Each of you tell me your name and what kind of fighting and weapon you’re best with” he said.
“I’m George” said the first, a tall skinny boy, with angular features and a mop of black hair “I prefer extremely long ranged shooting with a crossbow”
“Which range do you practice at then?” Tristram asked “I thought I knew everyone who was there often.”
“Oh, I don’t use the ranges, it’s too short a distance.”
“Wait, so you can consistently hit targets at more than a hundred yards?” Tristram asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, definitely. The crossbow I have with me can reach more than twice that, and I can hit something as big as a mans chest at anywhere in that range, provided theres not too much of a changing wind”

Tristram nodded “Very good. Next?”
“Caleb Torpenhow” said a somewhat heavier young man in a green cap “I’m best at long crossbow too, we practice together. Or I can use a morning-star up close.”
“Interesting.” said Tristram “Has either of you two” gesturing to the other two boys “any kind of extremely long ranged ability?”
“Nah, We’re best at throwing spears, me’n Abe both.” Said the shorter of the two, gesturing to the boy next to him “Maybe set up in two ranged pairs, one close and one far, while you fight close?”

“No, not quite” said Tristram “I think I have a good plan in mind though. Abe and…”
“I’m called Quiet. Because I’m not. I talk a lot.”
“ Yes, right, I can see that.” said Tristram “How are you two at close fighting?”
“we’ll I’m crap at it, but Abe has his skill, so he should be able to beat most people easy.”
“And what might that skill be?” Tristram asked, looking at Abe.
“oh, he makes people drunk.” Said Quiet.
“Alright. I think I have something in mind. All of you sleep well now, I‘ll see you in the morning.”

As Tristram was walking over to where he slept he was stopped by Catherine “We should talk strategy for tomorrow.” she said “I don’t want to be unprepared, and we’re leaving early.”
“Sounds good” he said, dropping to sit next to the fire, “what all do you have at your disposal?”
“Well Padraig, who’s a close fighter, Damien who can be either, but these days he’s best at close too, I can be either, then two who are capable of switching between swords and bows, but they both prefer bows.”

Tristram nodded slowly, picturing the cave entrance. “Alright, your group is obviously more suited to skirmishing than mine. I have two javelin fighters and two crossbowmen who claim they can consistently hit targets at absolute maximum range, plus me.” scratching a rough circle around a large rock, he continued “I think we should trade. Your archers for my javelins. That way your group will all be close fighters, and mine all distance. That way you five can enter the bowl around the entrance, while my five fan out at the ridge above and cover you.”
Catherine nodded slowly “That could work well, but what about once we’re in the tunnels?”
“Padraig will take point,” said Tristram “but beyond that I’m not sure. I can’t remember if the tunnel is wide enough to shoot volleys down.”
“Oh it definitely is. All ten of us could stand shoulder to shoulder and only barely touch either side”

Drawing two straight lines in the soft soil, Catherine drew a series of small symbols “Pretend the exes are crossbows, the crescents bows, and the lines javelins. The circle is Padraig.”

O
X / X \ X
( ( ) )

“How does that look?” she asked, looking up at him
“I think that would be great, except the part where you’ll be shooting Padraig in the back of the head.” He said “Lets put him in back instead. If someone starts getting close he can rush and buy us time to draw our swords and follow suit.”

Dropping to the ground in between them, Padraig grinned “I heard my name. What am I doing?”
“Well to start, just fighting normal.” Said Tristram “In the tunnels, you’ll be our only close fighter though.”
“Oh fun” Padraig said “And what are the other groups doing?”
“Moving in through an actual cave that connects to one of the deep rooms” Catherine said “They’ll probably wait until most of the red-arms are in the main hallway before coming up behind them so we can crush them between us.”

*************************************************

Have fun, and have a good spring vacation (regardless of whether it has already passed or is yet to come.)

Celereon · 03-23-2008, 06:42 PM

I absolutely loved it. It's the kind of story that just makes me sit down and read the whole thing. Keep writing, it's really good

Kittenification · 04-01-2008, 09:20 PM

Always nice to hear that people are enjoying the story.

Heres a bit more.

************************************************** ****
Mercius stretched luxuriantly, feeling how tense all of the muscles in his arms and back were from all of the weight training Tresivant had forced the boys to endure “How often did he say we’ll do that?” he asked Tommy, who floated in the quarry pool, several feet below the ledge Mercius was perched on.
“He said every three days.” Tommy replied “I guess he really does want us to win in the arena.”
“Well of course he does, he only stands to make money off it if we do.” Said Mercius “and if we do well enough we’ll get to go home.”

“Yeah, definitely” Tommy said, “still we should have fun while we can. Want to come down to the village with me?”
Mercius shrugged “Not really. I was going to read some more, then Mehmed wanted to teach me some tracking stuff.”
“Well” said Tommy, climbing out of the water “if you decide to join me, you know the way, right?”
“yes.” Mercius said “Maybe later.”
Scrambling quickly up, Tommy threw a sloppy salute from the cliff top before running off toward the small village.

As Mercius walked slowly back toward the house he considered the differences between himself and Tommy. Neither of us really minded being taken as slaves he thought I wanted to escape, but once I figured that I couldn’t I just gave up, and he never really wanted to. He probably thinks I’m boring, or too serious. I certainly think he cares too much about having fun when in less than three years we’ll have to fight for our lives, many times over. Reaching the library he grabbed a book entitled “talent reading for idiots”
And settled down to read.

Several hours later, he had finished the book and followed Mehmed down a narrow forest trail, having everything that indicated an animal or human’s presence pointed out to him. After returning to the house he decided he would walk down to the village and find Tommy.
Following the dry-dirt road, Mercius reached the village where he found a group of boys picking teams for a game.
“I’m with Mercius!” Tommy called as he saw him running over to stand with him.
“Whats going on here?” Mercius asked
“we’re going to play king of the hill” said Tommy, gesturing to the large mound of earth behind him “but since theres so many of us we’re going to do it as teams of two.”

“Alright” said a slightly older boy “everyone knows how this goes. Smallest boys start on top.”
As the youngest pair reached the top of the hill and turned to face the mob below them, several of the boys began running towards the top. As Mercius started upwards, Tommy stopped him “Wait just a moment” he said “then right as whoever takes over gets the top, knock ‘em down.”
Nodding assent, Mercius began to clamber up the hill, keeping pace with Tommy.

After several seconds of scuffling at the top, two new boys stood clear of the mob, back to back. In a rapid surging charge, Mercius and Tommy displaced them, crouching low at the hilltop as the village boys came up, an endless charge, inevitably ending with a tumble down to the foot of the hill.
As one of the older boys seized Mercius’s foot, yanking him off balance, Tommy lunged, slamming the boy’s chest with both forearms, sending him and Mercius both downhill. Finding himself alone, Tommy began the little dancing step he had preformed before knocking Tresivant over on their second day in his house, and as the advancing groups grew close, he entered a rapid whirling series of kicks, slashing with his heel, flipping, cannoning a boy downhill with both feet.

Rushing back up, Mercius yanked the back of a boy’s shirt, sending him downhill, while clawing back to the pinnacle. For several minutes, the two boys held the hilltop, shoving, hurling, and kicking all comers back down the hill, until the game was called, everyone being tired.

“Where are you two from?” asked the older boy who had announced the games start
“North” said Mercius “we were taken as slaves, and now we’re being trained as gladiators.”
“So you’re slaves?” the boy asked
“No.” Tommy said, before Mercius could answer “Just, students”
“Oh alright.” said the boy “well come down here again sometime. It was a good game with you.”
Nodding, and waving, Mercius and Tommy began walking up the road to the house.

“Why did you say we weren’t slaves?” Mercius asked “are you embarrassed?”
“No, no” said Tommy “but they probably wouldn’t let us play if they knew.”
“I don’t know if that matters so much” Mercius said “Personally if they would care that much over something so stupid, then I wouldn’t want to play anything with them.”
“Maybe. But I prefer having something fun to do, and these boys know what there is to do around here.”
“I suppose” said Mercius, and they walked silently the rest of the way back to the house.

************************************************** *

Looks like it was quite a short bit again, so I'll probably do another tomorrow.

Have a good one.

Kit.

A-L · 04-02-2008, 06:25 AM

Another good post Kit. Though as you said, it was short.