Re: A Fable Tale: This being an account of one James Hunter...
Lol, thanks for clearing that one up guys!
Here's first part of chapter 13.
Chapter 13
A heavy silence fell across the land. In the sky, the clouds hung over cast, tinged orange by the dying sun. No wind blew, no bird sang, not even a human’s voice could be heard. Nothing but silence remained. At least, that’s what it seemed like to Briar Rose, who stood at the top of a small cliff that overlooked the desolate landscape. Stretched out it front of her, it was covered in the bodies of fallen men, some dead, others dying, their moans of pain filling the air, although in her despair, Briar refused to hear it.
She turned away from the depressing sight, and instead faced the temporary shelter that had been set up. Yet the scene that greeted her gaze was a sight more heart wrenching then the carnage field had been. Sitting with their backs against the wall were a small group of armed soldiers, the only people aside from Briar to have survived the fight. A few sat with their head in their hands, weapons discarded, the picture of hopelessness. Others had their heads leaned against the wall, tears streaming from their eyes, their faces contorted with despair for their fallen comrades. Still others knelt on the ground, doing what they could to help those who were badly injured, and yet still had the strength to escape from the battle field. In some cases, the most they could do was comfort their comrades in their dying moments.
Briar heard a scuffling of boots against rock behind her, and turned to see one of the soldiers carrying a wounded man over his shoulder. He too wore the familiar expression of sorrow upon his face.
“That’s the last of them, miss,” he said, in a calm voice that surprised Briar. “John here was the last of the men I could find that wasn’t already dead or close to death.” He set John down gently, passing a hand over his face. He took a seat on the ground, crouching over the fallen man, and pulled a health potion from his belt. The soldier tipped it into John’s mouth. It wouldn’t heal all his wounds, but it would save him from death, and ease some of his pain. Briar took a seat next to the soldier, sighing as she did so.
“Why did this have to happen?” she asked, more to herself than to anyone else, “What’s happened to the world lately? Is this our future, to be constantly faced wit death and fighting?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have the answers to those questions, miss,” the soldier answered humbly, “Although I’ll admit that something odd is going on. Seems just like yesterday that we 5th Regiment boys had nothing do to. Now, however…”
Briar nodded sadly, knowing what he was aiming to say, but couldn’t possibly voice it. Lately, it seemed like everywhere they turned, there was death and destruction. There was no escaping it. Small wars and skirmishes broke out all over the place, and they couldn’t figure out who the ring leader of all this was. Briar had her ideas, but she dared not voice them, for fear of causing panic. The two of them lapsed into silence, until the soldier seemed to realize something.
“How will you be getting home, miss? If I remember right, the Captain of our Regiment said that the teleporting pads had all been disabled.” He sounded worried, as if he truly cared about Briar getting back safely.
“Oh, that’s easy,” Briar replied airily, “I’ll simply sail home, provided that there are ships that still dare to leave these shores.”
“I’m sure there are. Many brave sailors come from this land, most willing to make the trip overseas if it means helping out our country. And the Guild, for that matter.” He stood up, brushing himself off. “In fact, I’m sure we could get you one right now. The faster you leave here and report to the Guild, the better.”
“I have to leave so soon?” Briar blurted incredulously, forgetting herself for a moment and coming off as slightly rude. “But there is so much more that must be done! So many more people to be healed and protected! I can’t just leave now!”
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to, miss,” the solider replied. “Regiment rules. Much and all as you’re a Heroine, women cannot be kept in the war zone.”
“I think I have proven perfectly well that I can cope in a battle field,” Briar said coolly. “You’re Regiment might want to rethink its rules. The Guild will not be pleased to hear about this.”
And we these words, Briar turned on her heels and departed, fuming. He was just like her father, always doubting a woman’s abilities. Well, fine then, she’d go back home. But he’d be hearing from her again, that much she was certain of. Briar stormed down to where the Regiments horses were being kept. She’d have to use one to get back to one of the costal villages, seeing as teleporting was out of the question.
Briar strode up to one horse, a powerful Morgan with a glossy coat, and swung herself onto it. As a child, she had ridden these creatures, and so she was comfortable in the saddle. She squeezed the sides of the horse gently, and he began walking at a gentle pace. Briar didn’t bother coaxing him to go faster; she wasn’t much in the mood for any fast paced riding.
Guiding the horse along the twisting lane, Briar looked about her, taking in the dreadful appearance if the landscape. Whole forests had been burned down, the trunks now black and charred. Some of them still smoked from the recent fire. No birds sang, no creatures crossed her path. Briar hoped dearly that things were better back home.
Finally, she arrived at the outskirts of a coastal town. Just beyond it, Briar could see the comforting sight of the glittering sea. Soon, she would be out of this depressing place. At least, that’s what she hoped. Urging her horse forward, she arrived at the town gates with haste, hailing the guards as she approached.
“I’m requesting entrance into town!” Briar called down to him, “I’ve just returned from the battle, and must return to the Guild as soon as possible.”
The guards nodded, and tugged at the large, oaken gates. They opened with a loud groan, and one of the guards motioned to her, permitting her entrance. Briar inclined her head in thanks, and coaxed her horse into a brisk trot. The gates closed behind her with a resounding thud.
All around Briar, the townsfolk were bustling, wandering from shop to shop, striking up conversations right in the middle of the road. The cries of vendors rang in her ears, and the familiar sounds of a hectic town were somewhat of a comfort to her. It reminded Briar a bit of Bowerstone South on market day, the only time she’d ever bother to go to that side of town. Otherwise, she avoided the slums.
Parting the crowds around her, she made her way down to the docks of the town. They were just as busy as the rest of the town, with all the sailors and dockworkers busily carrying boxes of supplies to and from the various ships that sat in the glimmering water, their sails furled. Briar cast her glance over all of them, from the small sailboats all the way up to the impressive barques. One in particular looked oddly familiar to her, and she wandered over to it, weaving her way between all the workers.
Briar froze when she saw the name, painted in ornate letters, on the side of the black and red hull. The
SV Archon Castle. The first ship Briar had ever sailed on, and the ship her mother had died on.
“Quite a beauty, isn’t she?” a vaguely familiar voice said behind her. Briar turned around, to face the newcomer. He looked familiar, but Briar couldn’t quite place where she’d seen him. A Captain’s hat sat perched on his head, and he smiled at her faintly. “What brings you down to the docks? We don’t often find women down here.”
“I’m looking for a ship that’s headed for Albion,” she replied, still trying to figure out where she had seen this man, “You wouldn’t happen to know of any that are leaving soon, would you?”
“As a matter of fact, I do,” he replied. “The
Archon Castle is heading out tomorrow morning, as it were. She’ll be heading to Bowerstone Port. If you’d like, I’ll let you come along. She can fit one more person.”
Briar nodded, but felt uneasy. Would she really want to sail on the ship her mother had died on, on account of her? She thought about this for a moment, but then berated herself. It would do no good to dwell upon the past. In any case, she couldn’t be guaranteed that another ship would be leaving so soon. And besides, it was best if Briar sailed on a ship she was already comfortable with.
“Well then, I accept your offer,” Briar replied. The Captain nodded, pleased. Then he paused, staring at her strangely, as if he too felt he had already met her. Then his face took on a look of pure disbelief.
“Briar?” he croaked, “Briar Rose? Bloody hell, is that really you?”
With a jolt, Briar realized who she was talking to. “Captain Rigel Drummond?” she said hoarsely.
He grinned broadly, something Briar remembered he rarely did unless he was truly happy. “I wondered when I’d be running into you again. Last I heard, you had been admitted into the Guild. Your father must be proud.”
“Actually, as a matter of fact, my father threw me out. He blamed me for the death of my mother,” she said quietly, not looking him in the eye.
The Captain scuffed his feet uncomfortably. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he replied softly. “I didn’t know.”
“It’s fine,” Briar assured him. “It happened long ago, so I don’t think about it much anymore.” There was a long silence, in which neither of them said a word to each other, until finally the Captain broke the silence.
“Well then, I suppose we should get you settled in.”
Briar acquiesced, following him onto the ship. He led her down into the fo’c’sle, the place where the sailors slept. Briar passed her glance over the familiar quarters, breathing in the familiar scent of wood mixed with salt. She picked out an empty bunk, and sat down on it, smiling. It even had the same old beds.
“Well, you make yourself comfortable, Briar,” Rigel said. “I’ll be back in a few hours. You can look around the ship if you’d like; get used to it again and all.”
Briar nodded, grateful. She’d enjoy that, despite all the bad memories it held. For there were good ones too, Briar could recall. She sat there, lost in her thoughts, while the Captain departed.
