Looking In

At this point in time, I’d almost welcome death as a relief from pain. Waking up crying every morning due to the pain is not something I enjoy. I have tried to keep myself in as calm a state as I can, but it is increasingly difficult. Since the emergency room has sent me home twice now with no change I am reluctant to go back a third. Everyone keeps telling me to just hang in there. So I have 16 days to go. I pray for strength to get through this.

I’m not an overly religious person, I’ve said that before. As I work into my 3rd month of constant pain I find myself praying out loud, that I will try to be a better person in absolutely every aspect I can if I can only be relieved of the pain, even for just a short while. I’ve never thought I was a particularly bad person before, I’ve never tried to hurt anyone on purpose but we’ve all lost our temper at one time or another and we’re all faced with trials and tribulations. There is always room for improvement. I’ve realized over the last three months just how much I took for granted. Friends, family, health. I have such a huge appreciation for every day basic life. Being able to go outside when you want to take some pictures, being able to get up out of bed. The ability to eat food and not wonder if your chest is going to start to spasm or whether or not you’re going to be bedridden for the next week because you had something.

I have an appreciation to my friends and family who have been taking care of me, and listening to me talk about this for the past few months. My numerous trips to the emergency room and lately my tears as I’ve been running out of steam to deal with this. Everyone keeps telling me I’m strong and that I’m doing really well but inside I feel as though I’m falling apart. Every day is pain. It’s all I know and all I can see and it hangs over me, not to mention I’ve been suffering through some horrible anxiety because of the pain which complicates things more then they should.

I’m trying, and right now at least it’s just not working.

Today was the second time I headed to the Emergency Room with incredible pain. I was pushed in for blood work right away, they checked my gallbladder and liver for toxins, no fever, and both tests came back normal which means that I don’t have an infection or a blocked duct, which is good. On the other hand it’s also bad because it means they did very little more for me aside from prescribe Tylenol 3 (codeine anyone?) and give me an ECG which also turned up normal.

I’ve been pretty adept at handling the pain for the last two months. It’s been constant but for the most part bearable. This morning it was too much for me, and it’s followed by the fact that I belch every single time I breath in deeply from my mouth. Embarrassing when the doctor is checking me and asking me to breath and all he can listen to is the sound of my gas.

I’m hoping that this gas is the current cause of my pressure, and that it will die down, soon. It’s been like this since 11pm last night and it’s now 11pm the next night. In the mean time, I continue to wait. I felt good later on today and it was probably because I went without food all day. I certainly can’t give up eatting. I came home and had one piece of toast along with some animal crackers and vola, pain back in full force.

It’s frustrating to say the least. Every day all I want is no pain, just for a single day. I hope that the 17th of July comes fast, and the 27th even quicker.

Sighs.

Last night was the most painful night of my life. I typically don’t like to rant about my problems (which is why I post on this particular blog so rarely) but honestly if I don’t talk out my issues I’ll go insane sooner or later. So far there’s no way for doctors to determine whether or not I actually have gallstones aside from waiting for my ultrasound which is scheduled for the 27th of July. That is quite a ways away. I knew it would be a long wait but damn.

In the mean time I have learned that there is absolutely nothing at all that can be done about the incredible pain I feel until they check me out. I have constant pain, in my back and shoulders on my right side (some times it radiates) and starting yesterday it was so bad I can’t bend over. Or rather, I can bend over, I can’t straighten back up without biting my lip and grimacing. I feel like such a little old lady.

I have been doing fairly well with attacks or lack there of – until last night. Whether it was the milk I drank, the salmon, the rice, or the sauce I used on the fish I have no idea but something did not agree with me at all and at 12 I woke up nauseous with incredible pain and ended up getting sick in order to release some pressure I felt in my chest. As disgusting as it sounds, getting sick tends to make me feel 60% better, and I calm from there.

My mood has been suffering greatly from this. I’ve been in constant pain for over two months now with no release. I can’t ignore the pressure in my chest though I have tried. I feel worse in the car, and I’m constantly checking what I eat to make sure it is low in fat and won’t trigger my attacks – which is hard because I don’t even know what triggers the attacks. Then of course there’s the fact that we don’t even know if this is gallstones (although if it is not, I will be VERY surprised) and the uncomfortable hindrance of simply waiting to find out what happens next.

All I want is to be able to feel normal again. You know that constant feeling when you know something is not quite right and you’re so close to feeling right? That’s what every day is like (when I’m not having an attack). So close to feeling perfect, but something is just slightly off.

Again my friends and family have been amazingly supportive, and I owe them so much. I smile weakly and tell them just another month to go as they listen to me go through another attack. The intense pain lasts for about 2-3 hours but the aftermath of throbbing pain (as though my muscles are sore) lasts for a few days. I have been reading comments from others online who have this same issue and have felt comforted to at least know that I am not alone. I wonder how on earth people deal with this for 2+ years, and how people work and go about their day to day lives with this sort of pain. I’m lucky I can work from home because other wise I would have to take some sort of leave, there are days the pain is so intense I have to lay in bed and do nothing.

I realize in the grand scheme of things my problems are not that important and that there are certainly bigger issues out there, and that I WILL eventually feel better. In the here and now of it though, I’m counting down the days until my ultrasound and doing a lot of praying. For someone who is not overly religious, it’s become my mantra to deal with each wave of pain, and it helps.

Sorry for ranting, but I suppose that’s what places like this are for.

Hugs.

I should have known better then to get all excited when I was beginning to feel well. For the past three days I was feeling about 95% better, no heaving chest pains, no issues eating. I was feeling some general stiffness and soreness along my upper back but nothing that I couldn’t handle. I even went out Friday to the local chapters (though I did return quite quickly it was nice to get out). I had been in better spirits then I had in the last month, and I was confident that perhaps this whole condition could just be because of some muscle problems that were finally beginning to heal after a long painful month of almost continuous pain.

Of course I had to be proven wrong, and yesterday ended up being one of my worst incidents to date. I have no idea what brings the episodes on, but when they do I lose all sense of rational. I called my mom frantically talking to her on the phone before I burst into tears, in incredible pain, upset that I was dealing with everything once more, frustrated that it just won’t go away. After I talked to her for a bit (and emptied my stomach a few times, ew) I was feeling much better although the pain was still very persistent it’s better then the panicked feeling and inability to breath and the great amounts of pressure that occur.

So. I lay in bed trying to ease the discomfort. It’s all I can do.

Tomorrow (Monday) I head back to the doctors and request that they run more tests. There is very obviously something wrong and I don’t care if they have to run every test they have I want them to figure out what’s going on. I used to think that I was more then capable at handling pain but being in constant pain 24 hours a day 7 days a week for this length of time is testing even for me.

I’m so very frustrated by all of this. I have things I want to do and am unable to do them which makes it all the more annoying. I wanted to send Brenda a little something for being so supportive these last few weeks, and send  a camera to Thomas. I want to go to the Medieval Festival next weekend but if I can’t even wander around the house without discomfort there’s no way I’ll manage a two hour drive and an all day event. Simple things like doing groceries and laundry are out of my range for now.

On the plus side (and there are a few) Princess (my cat) has not left my side on the days that I’m in so much pain. She spends her days sleeping at the end of my bed, or curled up beside me which is uncommon for her. On days that are better she wanders off to her own beds which are spread throughout the house. I have amazing friends and family who are helping me through this, and I’m eternally thankful for that. I have every bit of confidence that whatever is going on will pass, or will be figured out, or in the very least I’ll get some pain killers to allow for more comfort.

I hate ranting about this sort of thing, but if I don’t I’ll just end up being more upset then when I started. My fingers are crossed, and thoughts going out that whatever is going on will figure itself out soon.

Hugs.

A friend asked me a pretty reasonable question the other day: Why bother ranting or talking about my life online on a blog or any other sort of site. What was the point. Did I honestly think or feel as though people care? Was I looking for attention and sympathy?

At first I was a little put off that they worded the question that way, but thinking about it they had every right to ask.

In response – no, I am not looking for sympathy, or attention. I typically blog about my life at least a little bit (I never have on any huge scale) because it’s important to me that people realize I’m just your average woman. I have good days and bad days just like everyone else. I struggle through some things and other things come easily. It’s important to me that people realize even on a small scale that they’re not actually alone and maybe if they’re feeling down they’ll feel notice some sort of connection and it will grant them some amount of comfort or maybe that will persuade them to reach out and talk to me.

I also use it as a venting mechanism for myself. Sure, I have personal journals where I go into far more depth then what you’ll ever find online but it is a nice form of release.

Just in case anyone else was wondering – there you have it! Pretty average answer I think, hehe.

I’ve been sick off and on for about three weeks now, without the doctors knowing exactly what I have. It’s exceptionally frustrating to say the least. I’ve tried to keep in good spirits, and tried not to rant an exceptional amount about things but I have my good days and bad days. Today happens to be one of the bad days (which is probably why I am writing, as a venting mechanism). It starts with a tightness in my chest, and what feels suspiciously like a head cold (stuffed nose, fullness in my ears, front portion of my head) and then progresses to a cough, getting sick, dizzy, chills, inability to swallow, and numerous other small factors. I don’t have a fever at all and the first time this happened I had blood work, an EKG, and xrays that all determined I was just fine. Despite how I physically feel, I am getting plenty of oxygen, and my heart is fine. So that rules out the major issues.

You would think that would quell my thoughts, but instead it just makes them run ramped. I considered panic attacks but this ‘condition’ I have lasts for hours and even days on end and nothing in specific that I can pin down seems to trigger it.  Esophageal spasms were another consideration but I’m starting to rule that out as things progress. Perhaps an issue with muscles in my neck that are causing these symptoms. I have no idea. There are literally millions of conditions out there that can have symptoms such as the ones I am describing.

The really frustrating part (aside from general discomfort) is that I can’t go outside for more then an hour or two without this happening. Allergies? Maybe but I’ve been taking medication for allergies with no release. Cold and flu medication did seem to dim down the symptoms some what and are the only method of getting me to sleep at night without constantly waking. I dislike taking medication in a huge way. I will (typically) do everything in my power to avoid it. I’d rather live through headaches then take medication.

My friends and family have been exceptionally supportive as I go through all of this. They have listened to me rant about my episodes, they have brought me groceries, made me meals, and kept me company. I feel horrible that I have imposed on them for so long, it’s not like me. In fact none of this is like me which is another reason why I hate it. I really don’t like not feeling like myself. I know what ‘healthy’ me feels like, and this is not it. There is a medieval festival coming in June and I had high hopes of attending but if I can’t handle being outdoors for any length of time then that won’t happen.

I try not to be upset about the whole thing because I can’t exactly help it. Yesterday I went out for lunch and to EBGames and had a fine time, felt great. An hour and a half after though I felt completely misrable and almost got sick in a grocery store parking lot, and had to come home. Since then I have felt horrible. Today I’m relaxing and taking it easy, and I’m sure tomorrow I’ll feel better. I’ve been here before, and I know the routine. Breathing out of both nostrils would also be swell.

In the mean time I have work to do. Deadlines coming up and articles to write. I have a book I’d like to start writing and lots of other small projects that I want to get going on. I keep being told to rest and take it easy and that drives me insane because all I seem to do for the past three weeks is rest and take it easy. I can putter around the house easily enough (dishes, laundry, cleaning) but anything more then that seems beyond me.

I’m not an especially religious person (lets not turn this to a discussion of my beliefs) but I spend a lot of time praying and begging lately. Just wanting to feel better. It’s all I want. I keep trying to convince whatever powers are out there that I will be a better person (not that I’m an especially bad one) if I only start to feel better. It’s a scary thought, being reduced to such comments.

So there you have it. My life (lately) laid out for all to see. I should try to keep up with the posts, I know. Maybe that will become a part of my daily routine as well. Don’t let this lackluster post fool you, I still have plenty of hope and aspirations and I’m sure whatever this is I can get over it. Today is just not a good day.

While most people probably fill their calendar up with daily events, scheduled meetings and all of that stuff, mine is filled up with games. Because I write freelance for multiple companies (Beckett MOG and MMORPG.com) I have multiple games that I write about – and my own personal choices as well. This makes for a fairly hectic schedule. For example, in two weeks time I need to have five articles completed as well as one review. In total that’s four different games that I’ll be writing about (EverQuestII, Vanguard, Wizard101 and Hero Online) and none of them are my current personal game of choice. In order to learn how to manage my time wisely (which was a very difficult thing for me to learn) I’ve had to plan everything out. There is a huge difference between playing a video game for fun, and simply enjoying it – and playing a video game because you’re going to write an article about it. The immersion level is pretty much non-existent, unless you get to write creative stories and role play articles.

I always promised myself that when gaming became ‘not fun’ any more, I’d stop writing about them. I never wanted to lose sight of the reason of WHY I play these games to begin with. So far, it hasn’t been too overbearing, and I’ve managed to fit in quality ‘me’ time into my gaming as well as getting my work done. I figure with well planned time management skills it will continue this way.

Lately, I’ve been contemplating getting out of this line of work for a few reasons. It’s not that I don’t like the games, or the work, the deadlines, or the people I meet, in fact it’s quite the opposite. I adore each of those things and so much more. But. There are also a LOT of people right now trying to get into the exact same industry, a lot of people I know who are all doing the same thing as me or who want to be doing the same thing as me, and being who I am I’m wondering if that’s not a sign that I should move on to something else, some new project. I know a lot of them are better then me and could do a better job. Not that I doubt my abilities, but I do know theirs.

One of the projects that I’ve been debating (and talked about with a few friends now) is writing a book. What kind of book? No idea, and even if I did have an idea I probably wouldn’t write about it here, for fear of it not actually coming to frutation. Once you put it in writing (as I am quickly learning in this industry) people hold you to it. I do have a few ideas rumbling around in my mind, and which one I’ll decide on is still a mystery.

I’ve contemplated (over the past four years of writing about games) giving up my web site, giving up the games and just moving on to something completely different. There’s my art, my photography, and other creative venues that have piqued my interest in much the same way that gaming has. There are times I wonder if I’m not getting too old for the industry, typically when I read the comments left by others on my articles over at MMORPG.com. Then again it takes a particular sort of person to be able to brave the brunt of the comments that are left there. When I started writing barely anyone blogged about games. There were a few, always a few, but I enjoyed doing it for that reason. Now (and I’ve made this comment before and shall again) so many people are doing it. Which it’s fantastic and great to see so many opinions on so many games, it feels as though my own light has dimmed some what. Now, I realize that sounds egotistical, after all none of us are all THAT unique or that special that we should be doing something no one else is doing – but in the end, that’s what it comes down to.

The point of this long drawn out ramble? There isn’t one. I just wanted to clear my mind a little bit. When friends tell me how lucky I am that I get to play video games and write about them and that I get paid to write about them – I agree, I am lucky. I think every single day I’m lucky. However, when they associate the line of work with being easy, or easier then other jobs, I quickly beg to differ. You have to be apt at time management, you have to be able to work under a lot of stress, you have to be able to make yourself available to your editors for whatever whim they’d like you to cater to – and if you can do that they’ll shower you with more work which is good and bad. You have to be able to take criticism from people who may not have a single clue what it is you do, or what you’ve done, or how long you’ve spent playing a game or what depths you took it to. You have to be able to let that stuff roll off your shoulders which is something I don’t think I’ll ever be good at doing. People’s opinions matter to me, even people I’ve never met before or those who are exceptionally cruel in their words.

Just to end things – I really hope my friends and family know how much I love and appreciate them. Even when it doesn’t seem like I do, or when I’m going through a bad day, or I may seem distant and quiet – I appreciate everything. Every day. I’m so lucky.

(( PartIII of the story I wrote for NaNoWriMo – please keep in mind this has NOT been edited whatso ever. So it it very uh, well, bad. ))

• NaNoWriMo – PartI
• NaNoWriMo – PartII

When the sun came up the next day Echlon made no haste in packing up the remainder of their meagre campsite and moving out. The deserted temple he spoke of was 10 hours to the south, through a thick forest. If the forest was still standing that was. It had been many years since Echlon had traveled out this way and he had to be prepared for anything. Conversation was sparse throughout the morning, both the hunter and the priestess left with their own thoughts. Echlon rode on a mount that Ellithia had failed to notice tied to one of the trees the night before, he had Ellithia walk beside him, the rope from her wrist hanging limp between. Kuro padded behind the horse, though at times he would spot some a rabbit or a bird in the brush and would go pouncing after those, only to return a few minutes later.

Eventually after an hour or two of walking the pair came to the forest edge. Ellithia wrinkled her nose.

“What’s wrong priestess, does the scent of death and decay still bother one so ‘seasoned’ as you?” Echlon teased her. The forest was quite different then what she had remembered. Trees bent over at odd shapes and the sky seemed darker beneath the canopy. Roots and twigs cracked and broke under their steps. Echlon seemed impervious to it all. When Ellithia grew tired he stopped for a second or two and let her catch her breath, it was never quite long enough though. “Have you heard the stories of these woods, priestess?” He asked her after some time. “It is said that the souls of those killed unjustly wander these woods. That they seek revenge for their deaths, haunting anything that breaths life, driving them slowly insane.” He shot her a quick grin.

“You’re making that up!” She accused him and wrapped her arms around herself as she walked. The stories couldn’t be true. As much as Ellithia had faith in her powers and in the goddess she worshipped, she knew that spirits and ghosts were made up fairy tales used to scare young children at night.

“Oh, I am?” Echlon stopped his mount a second and pointed ahead of them. There beneath the trees was a sight that made Ellithia bite her lip hard enough to draw blood. Two ghostly figures blocked their path. Old armor covered their bodies, their hair looked matted and wild. Ellithia bit back a scream as Echlon approached.

“We wish to pass, good friends.” He bowed low to each of them in respect. “I grieve for the lives you have lost and fight on your side. In time perhaps the pain will end.” He spoke formally, which surprised Ellithia. She figured that he would have fought his way past these spectral creatures.

“Beware, hunter.” Spoke one of the forms, raising a finger and pointing at Echlon, the finger tip barely brushing through his chest. “You are followed. Do not bring more pain through these woods.” The spector spit out the last bit of his word, almost as if cursing. Echlon did not have enough time to react to the warning before he heard Ellithia’s scream. His mount reared up and tried to take off at a gallop, he whistled for Kuro who had dashed into the bushes after something. Three men from the army had pursued him after he left the village with Ellitha the day before. He cursed under his breath, he should have known better.

“Come with us now to the commander and no one will get hurt.” They brandished their swords and grabbed Ellithia, twisting her in front of them as a shield.

“Woah now, calm down. Under what grounds am I being told to go to the Commander?” He held his hands up showing that he held no weapons.

“You will find out once you’re there.” Sneered one of the three men, holding his sword up against Ellithia’s throat. Echlon gave the situation a brief thought and let out a loud whistle. Kuro came bounding out from a nearby bush, and when the three men looked over to see what was going on, the hunter delivered a sharp kick to the thigh of the closest man, spinning he grabbed his dagger from his side and plunged it into the mans thigh without a second thought.

“I don’t think I’m ready to go back yet.” He grimaced and looked over at Kuro who had managed to pin the second man against a tree. The one holding Ellithia walked backwards a few paces, his sword still flat against the skin of her neck. He jabbed at her and a thin stream of blood trickled. She bit her tongue and said not a word.

“We know who you are, Echlon.” The man growled. “What’s more, we know WHAT you are.” On that note he pushed Ellithia out in front of him into Echlon, and charged with his sword out intending to impale them both. Echlon danced to the side, letting Ellithia fall in a heavy heap on the ground. He spun sideways and caught the man by the arm, drawing his dagger up to his throat and slicing. The warm blood pooled down his arm and Echlon kicked the body to the ground.

“You will not stop me.” He spit on the fallen soldier. “No one will.” Kuro had ripped his own plaything in half, the mans torso stuck awkwardly to the lower tree branches, his legs wrapped around a tree trunk. His head was completely missing. Echlon looked away and Kuro padded over to him, sniffing the hunters arm. His fur was matted with blood.

“Are you ok?” He helped Ellithia to her feet as she brushed the dirt from her robes, her long hair had come undone and fell in waves down her back. She didn’t say anything for a moment or two, trying to catch her breath and play over what had just happened in her mind.”

“Those men..” She started to talk and looked around at the three victims.

“You don’t want to suddenly save them or bring them back to life do you?” Echlon looked at her startled.

“No, no.” She shook her head trying to collect her thoughts. “I simply meant thank you.” She decided to keep quiet about the incident for now. Her mind was filled with thoughts, why were they after Echlon, why had they not just killed her right away. What exactly was this curse he kept mentioning. She didn’t know when would be a good time to bring it up, but while they were standing around in haunted woods surrounded by three dead bodies was probably not the best of times. Echlon found his mount grazing a few feet away as though nothing had happened. He gave the horse a pat on the neck and secred the rope holding Ellithia to him before urging the horse into a walk. He never looked back at the three men killed, and refused to look Ellithia in the eye.

A few hours passed in silence before Ellithia could no longer hold back her thoughts.

“Are you going to tell me what all that was about back there, or am I going to have to guess.” Echlon frowned and looked straight ahead.

“You’re going to have to guess unless Kuro feels some urge to tell you.” His voice was deadpan giving nothing away.

“Alright then. So you must have stolen the Commanders knickers and now he wants them back. They’re magical knickers that give him the ability of ten men in bed and his wife is very upset and distraught.” Ellithia tried to get a smile out of the hunter. It almost worked. He looked down at her walking beside him and his eyes twinkled briefly, both of them for a moment.

“Well now, that was some very creative thinking there priestess. Alas, no. That is not what they are after.” His voice grew quiet. “Have you heard the story of Nhrath? The dragon man?” He looked straight ahead and not at the priestess. Ellithia had heard of the tale before, just barely. It was a part of her studies when she was still under guidance from old masters. She nodded her head at Echlon, and continued to walk with him.

“Aye, I have heard the stories. That’s all they are though, stories. Right?” She looked at him pointedly. Echlon gave a deep sigh, and refused to look at the priestess.

“The stories speak of man and dragon as one. Great wings protruding from his back and claws sharp enough to rip through any material. Eyes so black they remain devoid of any light.” He looked down at her, frowing slightly. “It is said that a woman fell in love with a dragon at one point in time, years ago. Far too long for anyone to remember. Of course it was frowned upon, a woman and a dragon, that could never be. The couple could not be separated though. Eventually the Gods heard of this tale and became outraged. In their displeasure they cursed the woman, telling her that any child she gave birth to would be seen as an outcast. Some sort of demon child who could only destroy and cause hatred. The woman did not care so long as she had her love. He was a mighty red dragon, one of the largest the realms had ever seen. He thought to fight the gods, in protection of his love. The fight proved to be his last though. He was killed in battle, and the woman in her grief flung herself off of a cliff.” Ellithia let out a low gasp as Echlon told his story. She had never heard it in such detail before. “The babe she carried lived. Eating its way out of her cold dead body smashed on the rocks below. Cursed, a demon spawn by all who saw it. This dragon man could not love as regular people did, nor could it ignore its feelings as a dragon and simply live as beast. He would always be a painful combination of the two. Eventually his lust would overcome anything else, and it would force itself upon a woman if he had to. These dragon men creatures are always male. The instant it lays with a woman, she becomes pregnant with its spawn, there is no way around it, it is just another one of the benefits to this ‘curse’.” Echlons voice grew husky. “and so, here I am.” His story trailed off in such a way that Ellithia had a hard time believing it.

“So you’re telling me that—“ Echlon cut her off.

“That my mother was forced upon by this dragon man, and yes, I am the result of that. I know I look fairly human to you but my time is running out. I have used magics to hold the dragon side of me at bay for years and I can feel it even now. An itch crawling up my spine, aching for release. I do not want to be some demon creature. I am Echlon, hunter of Ta’Naw. You, can help me.” He looked down at Ellithia gain, his eyes clouded by memories. “It is my last hope, priestess. There is no other options for me after this one.”

“How are you so sure I can help you.” Ellithia wanted to know the entire story. She had a hard time believing what she had heard so far. “You just randomly picked me from a list, or did someone give you my name or how did it work exactly.” She was naturally curious.

“A few years ago I paid good money to see a man by the name of Jarra. He was a prophet. Or lunatic depending on who you asked. I had it on good authority that his ravings were actually more fact then not, and that’s why I sought him out. I tried for months to get him to see me, and he refused. Had the door slammed in my face more times then I can remember. Finally one day I had had enough, and broke into his home as he slept. When he awoke, he found himself tied t his bed. Fearful, of course. Don’t look at me like that I had no choice,” Echlon said roughly. “I asked him if there was a cure. A way to be rid of this curse. He looked at me like I was the one who was a raving lunatic and I could hardly blame him seeing what I had been reduced to. He spoke a few words of prophesy on my behalf. It mentioned you, where you were, and that you had great powers beyond your knowledge. That together you and I would stop the armies rampaging across the lands and that when we did a cure would be found along the way.” Ellithia just stared at Echlon, completely stunned.

“How do you know any of this at all is true?” She asked, more the a little meek. Echlon stopped his horse and jumped to the ground. He turned away from Ellithia and pulled his woollen tunic off of. Ellithia gasped. Protruding from his back were two very small nubs, where it looked like wings would go. His skin had taken on a dark sheen, and if she looked hard enough she could vaguely make out the definition of scales.

>“Does it matter if anything more then this,” He motioned to his back, “Is true? I won’t stop searching until I find a cure for this curse.” Ellithia nodded at him and looked away as he put his shirt back on.

“How come you couldn’t have just told me from the start, and asked for my help instead of just taking me.” It was a question that has been plaguing her lately, he seemed so different depending on what actions were going on. One minute he was preparing a simple meal for the two of them and the next he was fighting an army and swinging his dagger with deadly precision.

“You wouldn’t have agreed.” He simply said.

“You don’t know that.” Ellithia huffed.

“Of course I do. I know your type.”

“My type?” Her voice grew dangerously icy.

“Right. Your type. Self righteous healer you may be, with all the snobbery that goes along with it.” Echlon shot her a grin and Ellithia could have thrown daggers at him with the gaze she gave back.

“I’m not like that you know.” She said in such a way that Echlon simply laughed.

“We’re here.” Echlon said, pointing.

Before them was a field of dark green grass, swaying in the mid day air. Ellithia looked past the field and gasped. It was absolutely beautiful. At one point in time the temple must have been something magnificent even though now it lay in broken heaps and piles. A few towers still proudly stood, their stone untouched by time or weather. Flowers grew between broken down rocks, and the air was sweet with their scent. Along one toppled over wall was a black scorch mark, as though some great battle had taken place years before.

“Why was this never restored?” Ellithia asked, carefully making her way across the field. A few of the bushes had thorns on them and she carefully picked them off of her robes careful not to tear it.

“Out of respect.” Echlon said, leading them towards one of the still standing towers. “No one comes here any more but back in its day this temple was one of the three most sacred. When the armies began raising their campaigns and the gods turned their backs on us a great war happened here. It is out of respect that the place remains untouched. Though of course there are rumours that the temple it still protected by some god or goddess and that is why it remains as such.” Ellithia was stunned that Echlon knew so much about the history and era. She felt like she had spent so much time out of touch with the real world.

“So what exactly are we doing here?”

“You sure do ask a lot of questions,” Echlon snapped. “We’re here to search for a library of sorts. Apparently this temple was host to quite alarge one and it should have some books we need. I don’t know if we’re looking for an item or a ceremony or some sort of magical creation, the prophet did not tell me all the grand details. He did tell me to search for the missing library in the ruins of (name) with the priestess by my side. Here I am.” Ellithia nodded and tried to keep pace with Echlon. “The day is getting dark already, we should find a room safe enough to sleep in tonight and then we can start searching tomorrow.”

Kuro padded around outside of the tower, sniffing and sticking his nose into places it didn’t belong. He was hungry, and gave a loud growl before vaulting off after something to eat. He knew the drill by now. Echlon pried open one of the doors to the standing tower, a pile of dust and grime quickly following. Ellithia was overcome by a fit of sneezing.

“Sorry about that,” He said, secretly smiling to himself. The inside of the temple was just as grand as the outside, with a layer of thick dust covering everything. This must have been one of the simple study rooms. Books and pages lined the floors, a toppled over table and old candle sticks. Echlon motioned to the far corner. “Make yourself comfortable, I’m going to search a little tonight.” He took the rope tied to his belt and wrapped it around the leg of a massive wooden table. “Please don’t try to run off. Remember, Kuro WILL find you.” He pointed at Ellithia.

“Can’t I go with you?”

“Again with the questions! No, I need a little time.” Echlons voice grew cold. The man was impossible to read Ellithia thought to herself.

“Fine, have fun.” She snapped back. Echlon left his bags on the floor by her feet, and threw her bedroll along with the remaining supplies. Ellithia would not have thought to run anyhow, where on earth would she go after all, she didn’t know the lands at all. In fact she had never been past the first little area outside of Ta’Naw.

Echlon stretched and walked along the deserted corridors thankful to have a little time with his thoughts. The urges of the dragon kin inside of him had been pulling at his mind all day long and it took everything he had not to simply give in. He was not a creature though, he was a man, human. He fought every day with this half of himself and had for years now. Becoming some demon spawn was not a part of his plan, curse or no curse. He was so lost in his thoughts that he did not feel the weakened floorboard beneath his foot. He didn’t have time to do anything more then gasp as it gave way under his feet and he fell plummeting to the ground below. Dust and debris followed after him, and his head smacked against the floor sharply, knocking him unconscious. A few rooms away Ellithia heard a strange grinding sound but thought nothing of it, imagining that it was Echlon or Kuro getting into something she was better off ignoring. As the late afternoon changed to early evening and the room grew darker, she began to worry just slightly. Where was Echlon? Shouldn’t he have returned by now? What was she to do just lay for the entire evening? Her stomach growled reminding her that she was also hungry.

Kuro came padding into the room with Ellithia and nudged her hand with his head, waking her. She was only slightly startled at having a wet cat nose push her into awareness. If anything she had been becoming more and more accustomed to odd things happening to her.

“What’s wrong Kuro, is Echlon back yet?” She spoke to the beast as if it were human without giving it a second thought. She knew the beast had at least some understanding of what was going on. The great cat nudged her arm again and let out a low howl as if he were in pain. “Is it Echlon?” She asked again growing more concerned. She pulled at the rope that was wrapped around her arm, motioning to Kuro that she was tied and would be unable to help if he could not help release her. She had no idea if her thoughts actually got through to the cat or if it was her actions. Perhaps a combination of the two. Kuro took the rope in his giant maw and bit down on it hard, Ellithia’s arm free from its restraint for the first time since she had been taken from the hospital. “Great.” She said, rubbing her wrist. “Freed at last by a giant cat who is more likely to eat me then not, in pursuit of someone who is missing and I haven’t the faintest idea of where to start looking. Ellithia sighed deeply. Kuro took the end of the rope in his mouth and started walking towards the entrance of the room, tugging Ellithia along with him. “Alright, alright just hold on a second here kitty, let me grab a few supplies before you go dragging me all over these ruins.” She was always well prepared in her travels and despite the emergency now she was not going to act any differently. She gathered together a few scraps of food from Echlon’s supplies, figuring that he was not around to mind them being taken to start with. She found a small dagger in one of the saddle bags as well, and strapped it to her waist. She could defend herself in an emergency if she really had to. Looking around the meagre campsite one last time she wrote out a quick note for Echlon should he return while she was off searching for him, and left it on top of their remaining supplies. Kuro looked bored. Bored and impatient, never a good combination for a great beast like him. “Please, lets get going, don’t eat me.” Ellithia said quickly, in the back of her mind chiding herself slightly for talking to the creature so often.
Kuro lowered his nose to the ground, sniffing his way along. He made soft whining sounds deep in the back of his throat as he pulled Ellithia through the hallways, twisting and turning here and there. The floor was scuffed with Echlon’s foot prints, and Ellithia wondered if he was alright. She became slightly lost in her thoughts as she followed the black cats gentle tugging on her rope. One foot in front of the other they continued their way along. Ellithia was beginning to wonder where Kuro was taking her exactly when he gave a sharp tug on her rope backwards, pulling her away from something. Peering down she saw a deep hole in the floor where the brick and stone had fallen away. Echlon’s foot prints led into the hole. “Ah shoot!” She said, gathering her robes and kneeling on the floor, peering into the hole. “Echlon!” She whispered loudly, not wanting to disturb any critters that may be calling the ruins their home. “Are you down there? Are you ok?” She heard her voice echo back to her and knew she would have to lower herself into the hole to make sure he was alright. She looked at Kuro. “If I drop down there do you think you can hold me on this rope?” She made wild hand gestures to try to make her point. Again she was unsure of whether or not the great cat actually understood her, but she didn’t exactly have time to waste translating.

She sat on the ground at the edge of the collapsed floor, dangling her feet. She wasn’t sure how deep the hole went or how far Echlon had fallen if he was even down there. Grimacing she bit her lip and jumped into the hole. Just as she started imagining her own death of being smashed on the floor below, the rope grew taunt and she stopped in mid air. Kuro whined above. She let her eyes adjust to the darkness, and saw that the floor was just a few feet below her. So was a large tumble of rocks though, and from one of those rock she saw blood. She tugged on the rope and Kuro inched his way further to the edge of the hole. He must have had far better eyesight then her, because he shrugged slightly and jumped in following her. Ellithia landed with a loud thud on the ground, and Kuro landed gracefully on his feet.

The priestess ran over to the fallen rocks, breathing heavily. She had no idea what she would do if Echlon was hurt too badly for her to heal. She needed him to get out of this place. She spotted his arm lying limp, covered by fallen rocks, and started digging at them with her nails. Her fingers quickly became scrapped and bleeding, but she managed to uncover his body. His head and chest had escaped being crushed by the rocks due to an archway that had fallen along with the flooring. All she could see was blood, and she had no idea how badly he was hurt. “Echlon, come on, you’ve got to be ok.” She spoke out loud as she worked on him, her fingers dancing over his skin to free him of his clothing. “I can’t help you free yourself from your curse and stop armies if you’re dead.” Her voice hitched up a little bit at the end. “Please.” She knelt beside him, Kuro a few feet away looking at her intently. She pulled some clothes out of the bag she had carried with her and when she ripped open the bottom portion of Echlon’s pants she cried out loudly. His legs were a tangled mess of flesh and bone. Stark white shards glistened through dark blood, none of it where it was supposed to be. Ellithia had seen many wounds over her career as a healer, and she also knew her limitations.

Kneeling low on the floor she grasped the amulet she wore around her neck and pulled it free, setting it on the ground. Her eyes closed in prayer, and she worked by touch alone, running her hands over the broken muscle and tissue. Her voice cracked as she spoke but she did not let it distract her from the work she needed to do. Never before had she felt such desperation in her healing, she did not just call upon the goddess, she fell into her powers headfirst in all of their glory. The amulet began to sparkle and glimmer, shooting bright white waves of light out and across the room. Kuro growled, unaccustomed to this behaviour. Ellithia remained oblivious to everything around her, and continued to beg the goddess to save her friend. Friend? This man she barely knew? She knew him well enough to call him friend, yes. Her hands tingled and burned, as they knit the flesh back together again. She saw a whole leg in her mind and worked on moving the portions of his back to where they should be. She infused his body with fresh blood, the goddess working through her hands. Ellithia spoke in strange tongues, words and prayers that even she had thought were lost over time. Her voice carried out through the temple, echoing and reverberating along each and every stone. Outside of the temple the sky grew a dusky rose colour, and for those who were out at that time of night (though it was surprisingly few) they would have sworn that they saw a bright white burst of light surround the area that the temple was in. Ellithia knelt for hours, working and feeling the priestess move her hands. She made sure that every inch of Echlon was complete again before pulling away. When she did finally pull away her amulet turned ice cold and clattered to the ground. Ellithia strung it back around her neck, and lay weak on the floor beside Echlon. His chest rose and fell in a calm pattern, resting. Ellithia felt her own chest heaving with the strain of her healing. She had not ever brought someone back like that. She had never knit bones together before. She had never felt the powers of the priestess envelop her so completely. She could have wept for joy were she not so completely drained. When the white glow had faded from around the two bodies lying prone on the floor, Kuro walked over and nudged Echlon. Echlon reached one shaky hand up to Kuro and pat his head before letting his hand fall back to the floor. It would be ok, was all the touch said.

>Hours passed with both Echlon and Ellithia lying on the dust covered floor. Kuro grew bored and paced around nervously, his nose picking up scents that made him uncomfortable. There were others in this place, and he did not like them. They also did not welcome him or the company he traveled with.

Echlon was the first to wake. Groaning he pushed himself to a sitting position, and looked at Ellithia. Her hair was strewn about her shoulders in an untidy heap. He could remember everything. He had lain there conscious but unconscious at the same time, able to watch the work that went on but unable to respond in any way what so ever. He had watched Ellithia knit his bones together again. He watched her as she spoke prayers that had not graced this realm for thousands of years. His heart had quickened to feel the presence of the goddess as she worked. He felt almost small and unimportant in the mean time, as odd as that must have sounded.

Ellithia opened one eye and saw Echlon staring at her. She propped herself up on her arm. “Oh good.” Her voice was tired and drained. “You’re alive.”

“I..” Echlon fumbled for words. He had taken her here to help him remove his curse not expecting anything more. He was stunned that she had helped him. “You have my thanks, priestess.” He said simply. No other words would do.

“It’s my job.” She said, brushing away a strand of hair from her eyes. “Besides. You would have done the same.” She left off the part that he would have only done the same so that she could still continue to help him be rid of his curse. “You saved my life too you know.” She cracked a grin. “We both know that the armies wouldn’t have been satisfied for long. Who knows what they’d do once they didn’t need me to heal their men any more. I did not exactly think that far ahead when I started.” She trailed off and stood up, stretching. Echlon just nodded. “So where are we? Your cat here came and dragged me after you when you fell.” She nodded towards Kuro who was purring up against the hunter.

“The floor gave way when I was upstairs.” Echlon said, looking around the room they had landed in. “I didn’t exactly have time for the guided tour as I was falling through the air, but if I had to guess.. “ He moved off to the side, examining a pillar that leaned slightly to the left. “If I had to guess, I’d say we’re in one of the rooms leading towards the catacombs.” He ran his fingers along the ancient marble text. “This here, this is ancient (language here). It speaks of the dead and protecting them. It speaks of ceremonies and royal families buried down here. It also says to be wary if you mean ill harm.” He looked at Ellithia.

“Well, none here on my end.” She held her hands up meekly. “Did you have any idea where this library we’re looking for is when you lead us here? Some floor plans or something?” Echlon shook his head no.

“There are no plans, they all vanished once the armies started moving in. The council voted to burn them rather then risk losing the books they had stored here. Ancient texts of history.”
“Maybe more then just that, if I’m supposed to find something here to free you of your curse.” Ellithia pointed towards a doorway. “Well, should we keep exploring? Or rest for a bit.”
“We should stay here for a bit, you look tired and I could use a little while to get my bearings.”

“Get your bearings in a place you’ve never been before and have no idea how to get to eh,” Ellithia smirked. “I like those odds.” Echlon cocked his head to the side, listening. He put a finger to his lips, motioning for Ellithia to remain silent. After a few minutes where Ellithia heard nothing more then the rise and fall of her own chest he shrugged.

“Must have been the wind.” He said. Ellithia was not so sure. “Was this all you brought down with you?” Echlon sneered slightly at the meagre supplies. “We have no way to get back up yet to get the rest of our belongings.” Ellithia felt slightly ashamed. She knew it was not completely her fault, she had no idea that they’d be falling through a floor and forced to camp in a new location for a while while everyone got their bearings.

“Didn’t exactly know what to expect,” She said meekly, “I was worried, so I grabbed what I could and I ran here as soon as I could.” It was Echlon’s turn to blush and be slightly ashamed at his actions. Here he was snipping at a woman who had just saved his life.

“No worries.” He said roughly. “We’ll make due with what we have. At least you brought some food.” He moved over the sacks carefully, aware that he was probably not fully mended yet despite how great he felt. He pulled out a loaf of bread and broke it in half, rummaging through one of the open sacks to add a slab of cheese to the mix. It was not much, but it would do.

“We’ll rest here for the night and pick up in the morning,” He said stifling a yawn.

“How do you know what time it is or when morning will be?” Ellithia was beginning to sound like a broken record with all of her questions. She was starting to learn just how very little she actually knew about life in general.

“Easy, an internal alarm clock. I’ve been trained to know what time of day it is based on what my body is feeling.”

“Well now, that’s a handy thing to learn.” Ellithia took the bread and cheese from him eagerly, pausing to sit beside him before starting to gnaw on the food. It was one of the more disgusting meals she had eaten in her short life, but it was a meal none the less and she treated it with no less occasion.

“Tell me something about yourself.” Echlon asked, ripping into his chunk of bread. Ellithia thought for a moment before answering.

“I can walk on my hands.” She said, grinning. The hunter just shot her one of those disbelieving looks of his and started to choke on a piece of cheese that he had swallowed too fast. He managed to cough it back out, eyes watering.

“I sort of meant something about your life. Who you are, your family. Those sorts of things.” Ellithia nodded and got comfortable on the floor.

Well. There’s really not much to tell. I’m your very average woman you know.” The hunter just rolled his eyes, motioning for her to continue with the story. “I grew up raised by two of the sweetest parents I have ever met. I am the oldest of three, all of us girls.” Ellithia ticked them off on her fingers. “We used to cause so many issues for my poor father, but he loved us, ever one.”

“Loved? Past tense?” Echlon questioned.

“He was killed, along with my mother when the armies started ransacking villages. I was only spared because I could heal. I’m not even really sure what happened to my sisters. It’s been quite some time now. I have hope though that they are happy some where, enjoying their lives.”

“When did you know you wanted to be a priestess?”

“Ah. I never knew. I was simply told one day that is who I would be. I’m not sure how families do it with boys, but girls are born into their roles. It is just lucky enough that the goddess found me and welcomed me into her embrace. I went and trained for a number of years with truly blessed healers, people who could perform miracles on such a grand scale simply by asking the goddess, it left me in awe. I always wanted to help others, and they did it as easily as if they were breathing. That was my goal, some day.”

“Wouldn’t you say you accomplished that priestess, and more? Especially today with this whole incident.” Echlon made a motion towards his leg.

“Perhaps.” Ellithia said, lowering her head slightly, becoming lost in thoughts. The two remained silent for some time, Kuro laying beside his owner on the cold floor. After a while the only sound was Echlon’s soft snoring. Ellithia remained lost in her thoughts.

(( Sorry for the odd question marks that show up in these posts where special characters should be. No idea what is causing it and I’ve tried to figure it out but haven’t managed to fix it yet. I’ll keep trying! ))

NaNoWriMo – PartI

Ellithia’s mouth felt like cotton and her eyes were no better. It felt like someone had glued them shut and at the same time had smashed her head against some sort of brick wall. Her hands were pulled painfully behind her back and after an attempt or two of trying to wiggle her fingers she discovered they had been tied together. Her legs were free but covered with a woollen blanket and they may as well have been tied up for all the lack of movement she had. She felt warmth on her face from a camp fire, and she could feel the ground hard beneath her, hard and rocky. She tried to listen and gain a little more insight as to where she was, but it was difficult without letting those around her know she was awake.

Echlon dropped the pot of water onto the fire, flinching as a few stray sparks flew up at his face. He looked over at Ellithia, laying on the ground. He knew she was alive and just fine, despite the fact that she looked vaguely comatose. Kuro was laying down a few feet away from the fire gnawing on the bones of some creature who had failed to avoid his sharp claws. He had done what he needed to do. One way or another the priestess was going to help him get rid of his curse. He had searched for too long for help. When he had first discovered the curse he tried to get help. Echlon had spoken to some of the finest healers around. They had sneered at him and laughed, he did not have any coin to pay for their services nor did he have a name that anyone recognized. He was a vagabond, wandering the lands. A plague in their eyes. He had lived with the curse long enough, and as time wore on he discovered his own ways of dealing with things. He wouldn?t call it stealing exactly. It was more like reliving people of the extra burden of their possessions. Or something like that. Echlon had still not figured out exactly how he was going to get the priestess to help him without implicating her in the curse, but that would come later.

Ellithia opened one eye and saw Echlon standing by the fire, watching her. She tried to lick her dried lips but they only cracked with the movement. The man must have known she was in some sort of pain, and walked over to her, offering her a drink from his pouch.

“It’s water, and it won’t hurt you.” He said, lowering it to her mouth. Ellithia felt like rolling her eyes at him but refrained. She didn’t think it would help matters any. The water felt delicious as it ran down her throat, she coughed a little back up.

“What’s your name?” She asked when she could muster enough liquid in her mouth to form the question. Echlon just looked at her as though she had asked what planet he was from. Did she not want to know why he had kidnapped her or what he wanted from her? The very first question she asked was his name? It threw him off guard a little and he was not sure how to react.

“Uh.” He fumbled slightly, then quickly shook his head and got his bearings. “Echlon. Not that it matters.” He took a seat at the fire, a few feet away from her, watching.

“Echlon.” The word rolled off of her tongue easily and she tried to forget the stinging pain in her back from being curled up on the ground. “I’ve no idea why you’ve taken me where ever we are, but I can guarantee that I’m not worth enough to try to gain a profit from. I’m a nobody, and so if you’d just be willing to untie me, I can save us both a lot of time and effort.” She trailed off when his gaze turned to stone. “Please.” She closed her eyes and offered a quick prayer to the goddess.

“Look. You’re not going to be going anywhere, so please get that foolish thought out of your head before you get disappointed. You’re the only one who can help me, and I’ve got to admit, I’m not quite so keen to give that up just yet.” He looked at her pointedly.

“Help you? I’m nothing but a simple healer, I stitch wounds and give prayers of thanks. I have a very small amount of magics at my disposal. No doubt that whatever you want me to take care of for you, I will be unable to do it.” Ellithia’s voice rose up at the end sharply.

“See, now that’s where you’re wrong. I have it on good authority that you actually can help me, even if you don’t know it or don’t quite believe it yet.” He stood up as he talked, waving his arms about. Kuro watched from a distance and yawned. Ellithia bit her lip and took a few minutes to think, this was going no where. She needed to at least get free of her bonds and maybe think of a plan from there. She sighed, disliking every option available.

“Ok, lets say I can help you. Wouldn’t it be easier for both of us if you untied me so I could try?” She asked pointedly.

“Try?” Echlon smirked. You mean untie you so I can let you try to run away. I don’t think so. You may be tough, and admittedly stronger then most women I’ve ever seen, but I know your type. The instant I untie you you’ll bolt and I’ll have to use Kuro here to drag you back to camp and that won’t be pleasant at all. Tough or not Kuro here doesn’t typically play nice. To make his point he giant cat stood up and let out a low growl, pacing back and forth in front of the fire as though he was eager to stretch his legs out some more. Ellithia let out a long drawn out sigh. Why were men always so difficult. It didn’t matter what city they were from or what rank they held, they all acted the same.

“I give you my word I won’t run.” Ellithia said quietly. She really did want to think of a better plan before she just took off in the middle of the night anyhow. What could it hurt to listen to this mans story and perhaps find a way to end his suffering, or whatever it was.

“Your word?” Questioned Echlon. Now I’ve heard everything!” He burst out laughing. “Did you hear that Kuro?” He turned and looked towards the beast. “This woman her wants to give us her word!” If the cat could give a bemused look, he would have done so right then and there.

“You do not exactly have a choice!” Ellithia replied hotly, not enjoying being made fun off one bit. “How on earth am I supposed to help you if I can not even move.” She sounded cross. Echlon thought she almost sounded cute, and then pushed that right out of his mind. He could not afford to be distracted, especially not now. Echlon stood up again and walked towards Ellithia. When he was less then a foot away he leaned forward and took her chin in his hands. His one brown eye looked at her, searching. The single black one stayed dormant, the red streak barely showing up against it. She looked back, her wide hazel eyes begging and pleading. In her mind she gave another quick prayer to the goddess, eager to be rid of this mess. That’s exactly what it was too, a mess.

“You may have a point, priestess.” He let go of her chin and reached behind her, grabbing the rope that held her hands together. Pulling a knife from his boot he sliced the rope and then pulled her to an upright position. She bit her lip and held back a curse. “Sorry.” He said roughly. “If you try to run, Kuro here WILL find you. So I advise you to stay put while we get better acquainted.” Ellithia did not doubt that at all, the giant cat positively glared at her from across the campsite.

“Thank you.” She said once her hands were free, rubbing them together. She had almost thought he took her for her word about not running, when he tied one end of the rope around his belt loop, and the other to her left wrist. She sighed inwardly. So much for that idea. Not that she could blame him. Obviously it was something quite drastic that caused him to kidnap her. Growing up Ellithia had been teased for always being such an optimist, and here in this situation it was actually keeping her sane on some fronts. That?s what she attributed it to at least.

“You mentioned a curse?” Ellithia sat back down on the ground as Echlon fed the rope a little leeway. She had a few feet to walk around if she wanted to at least. The hunter turned to the fire, poking it with a stick while the pot of water began to boil.

“Aye, a curse.” He spat on the ground. :An old one passed from family member to family member. One that every male in my family has had before me, has tried to get rid of before me. None of them succeeded, and now they are all dead as are those they cared about.”

“Dead?” Ellithia was beginning to sound like a broken record, simply repeating everything Echlon said. “What sort of curse is it that you have?” She sounded genuinely interested in what was going on, Echlon had to give her that much.

“Does it matter?” He growled faintly. “All that matters to me is that I get rid of it some how before the same fate happens once again.” He stood up and grabbed some spices from a sack on the ground, walking back to the fire and dropping them in. He added a few sliced up vegetables, and in a few minutes the pot was simmering soup. It smelled delicious. Ellithia’s stomach grumbled loudly and she blushed faintly, not being able to remember when it was exactly that she last ate.

“Those army men, are you in league with them?” She tried to sound casual, switching topics to something else.

“Only in a manor of speaking. They get my sword, I get their money. It works out in the end.”

“Ah. I see.” Said Ellithia, even though she didn’t quite see. She couldn’t understand why this man would want to work for people who were slaughtering towns and innocents by the thousands. It was hard to believe actually, he seemed quite nice despite having kidnapped her.

“Here, eat.” Echlon pushed a bowl filled with soup towards Ellithia, filling one for himself as well. He knew Kuro preferred something more filling then soup, and trusted the beast would take care of himself. It was simply how things were. “Tomorrow we heard for one of the deserted temples on the south side of the forest. I suggest you sleep and try to get as much rest as you can. The trek will not be one you’re used to, not filled with fun and games. Since the armies have moved in the land has changed.” His voice trailed off slightly, as though he was recalling some memory he was reluctant to share. Ellithia snorted.

“You think I have not seen?” She cocked her head to the side questioningly. “You give me so little credit. I may be a priestess of Tharasa but I have worked in the field practically my whole life, moving from one war torn area to the next. It is all I have ever known. Though my mother.. my mother used to speak of a time when this was not so.” Her voice grew quiet and she sighed slightly.

“Get some sleep.” Was all Echlon said. He took the bowl from her and packed the dishes back up in his leather sack, then lay down on his bedroll and stared at the sky, lots in his own thoughts. Ellithia sighed again and closed her eyes, laying down on the cold ground. It could be worse, was her only thought before she drifted to sleep.