Elendor
Funny Games
Keldean and Asht babysit Liuni. Harsh words are spoken and a plan is hatched.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: The Angle
Weather: Weathery
Description: At the Angle
This is the point at which the Loudwater flows into a greater river, the Hoarwell. Between the two rivers is a narrow stretch of land, the Angle, a flat region overgrown with brush, scrub, and tangled trees. On this shore the country is more open, however: a pleasant region covered with hardwood, predominantly oak trees, with occasional breaks in the forest cover.
This is rich country, the soil dark, and there is much game, but there is no sign of inhabitants, save for an occasional ruined building, reduced to a tumble of stones, and near the shore a line of hills too regular to be natural, reminescent of the barrows on the downs far to the north.
Contents:
Cordelia
Liuni
Keldean
Rhifaroth
Nauthcel
Obvious exits:
East leads 31 miles E.
Fords leads 2 miles NW.
Southwest leads 33 miles SW.
Northeast leads 32 miles NE.
There is a definite chill in the morning air and the wind rises gently in the east. Amidst the scrub and twisted trees of this narrow place the rangers have set up camp. The fire has all but gone out smoke rises gently, moved by the wind.
RAgainst the bole of a tree lies Asht. The sallow skinned man doesn't move, his eyes are closed. His hands and legs are bound and there's a long length of rope which ties his ankle to the branch of a nearby tree. His face is still covered in blood, his nose is obviously broken and there's a dirty bandage around his head.
Keldean has only just woken up, his slumber so deep that he didn't move at all while asleep and now the teen is stiff and sore. Liuni tugs at his arm and he almost falls over from his loose seated position. He looks sharply over at the girl when he realizes what she asks. "No!" He hisses softly. "You have to stay near me, all the time. Okay? Stay -close-."
[Liuni(#22296)] Flopping down on the ground, Liuni sulks. "No wanna stay close. Wanna play. Not fair."
@emit The wind increases slightly, but the sun is beginning to warm the morning air. Overhead a flight of birds can be seen, heading south, too high up to be identified. In the east a bank of clouds can be seen, perhaps threatening raing later in the day.%R%RThe sound of voices has perhaps caused some response in Asht. The man rolls slightly and grunts, falling into an uncomfortable position against the trunk of the tree.
The wind increases slightly, but the sun is beginning to warm the morning air. Overhead a flight of birds can be seen, heading south, too high up to be identified. In the east a bank of clouds can be seen, perhaps threatening raing later in the day.
The sound of voices has perhaps caused some response in Asht. The man rolls slightly and grunts, falling into an uncomfortable position against the trunk of the tree.
[<#23332>] Keldean rubs his shoulder, trying to ease the stiffness. Liuni's complaints earns her a scowl. The teen leans in to whisper to her after a glance around, "... fair? ... you ... one ... ... ... ... grab ... and ... ... ... ... ...? ... ... ... .... ... only ... ... ... nice."
[Liuni(#22296)] "They don't like me either. No one likes me and and..no one wants me!" the little girl says, tears streaming down her face. "They didn't wanna even give me food, why would they take me?"
A brief moment of lucidity and Asht is suddenly awake. He groans softly and tries to open his eyes, but can't. Perhaps his eyelids are crusted together with dried blood? Perhaps he's too weak? Either way it matters not, as he shivers visibly and passes again into the depths of unconsciousness in a few short moments.
Keldean shifts his hand from his shoulder to his face, rubbing his temple as he shakes off the last vestiges of sleep from his head. "Shhhh. Cordelia loves you, and that's all that matters. We'll take care of you. Don't worry about anything else." He reaches to place a hand on her arm, then snaps his gaze over to Asht when the man groans.
Keldean slowly rises and approaches the man, but stops a good five paces away. He stares intently at the sickly wretch, his gaze narrowing in anger. "They're going to kill you.." He says in a soft voice, his tone dark.
[Liuni(#22296)] Obediently, Liuni follows Keldean, a pace behind him. She looks at Asht carefully, her thumb straying to her mouth. "Are they going to kill all of us?" she asks softly.
It's not clear whether Asht has heard Keldean or not, or, indeed, whether the sickly looking man is not just talking in his delirium. His eyes open, almost with a snap, revealing the whites of his eyes, the pupils just visible at the top. "Good morning, mother," he says briskly, his voice high, piping even. The vacant stare remains, somehow directed at Keldean but it's likely he can, in fact, see nothing at all.
[Keldean(#23332)] Keldean's gaze widens at the reaction from Asht, and he draws back a step, bumping into Liuni. Then the teen seems to remember that the man is most definitely tied up and lets out a slow breath. "No Liuni. We didn't hurt anyone like Asht did.." He reaches back blindly for her hand, unable to tear his eyes from the man.
[Liuni(#22296)] Frowning, Liuni comes to sit on Asht's lap and wraps her arms around his neck. "Uncle said Daddy liked you for Cordelia," she whispers. "Maybe Uncle was lying, cause you're kinda mean, but I kinda like you anyways."
There's no response at all from Asht as Liuni speaks to him, but his eyes remain open, the bloodshot whites of them staring blankly. After a long moment, his eyes close and he slowly shakes his head. Then the eyes open again, dark pupils in their proper place now and he tries to speak. The words get caught in his throat and he chokes. It seems he's having trouble breathing or perhaps it's something else.
[Liuni(#22296)] The little girl shakes Asht's shoulders for a moment and then leans up to kiss his cheek. "Wake up, Unca Asht."
[Keldean(#23332)] "Liuni! What are you doing?? Get away from him!" Keldean rushes over to try and pull her away from Asht, his words a mix of anger and panic. The child truly gravitates towards dangerous men, like a little crazed moth to a flame.
A coughing fit overcomes Asht for a moment then he draws in a sharp breath. Dark eyes flick from Liuni to Keldean and back again, the pupils focused, his pale face grim. For a time Asht is silent after Liuni kisses him and he seems a little confused.
Another cough then he says softly "Where am I?" He looks sharply at Keldean. "And what are you doing here..." Words trail off. He's either lost in thought or having trouble staying conscious. His body shakes uncontrollably for a few seconds then he is still.
[Liuni(#22296)] "The mean people who scare Keldean and Cordy tied you up. We're not 'pposed to untie you or maybe even talk to you." This is easily the most verbal the little girl has been in Common for weeks.
[Keldean(#23332)] "Liuni! Cordelia wants you to listen to me! Come away from him. -Now-!" He'll reach for the girl's arm, intending to drag her away from Asht whether the child agrees or not. His tone is growing more fearful now, his face worried. If the rangers hear..
A soft sigh comes from Asht now and his eyes refocus, looking directly at Liuni. A calculating expression forms on his face then he speaks softly to the girl, trying to make sure Keldean can't hear. "They are mean, aren't they?" he says, a thin lipped smile on his face. "Perhaps later you will loosen these ropes for me, yes. That would be fun, wouldn't it?" Asht clearly has no experience with children, his manner is stereotypical and almost condescending.
Raising his voice, he turns towards Keldean and say sharply, his voice carrying the usual venom "And what exactly are you afraid of, boy? Do you think I'm going to eat you?" With an idle kick of his feet he indicates the ropes that bind him.
[Liuni(#22296)] Leaning in to kiss the man on the cheek again, the little girl whispers. "Maybe, if I can get away." and then stands up to walk towards Keldean. "You sound like Grandma."
Keldean scowls down at Liuni, her little jibe doing little to ease his irritation. "Maybe I should have let the elves have you." He mutters, losing some of his self-control and better judgement with it. He doesn't even -like- kids. "Don't talk to him. He doesn't care about you. He would have hurt you." Keldean looks back up at Asht finally, and only musters up a rather lame, "Shut up.."
[Liuni(#22296)] At the mention of elves, Liuni actually physically shivers and the tears come back. "You would've let them eat me?" Her bottom lip quivers.
A slow shake of the head and Asht clicks his tongue softly. "No, no, I wouldn't hurt you," he says softly to Liuni, "And I certainly wouldn't give you to the elves. But don't get into trouble- perhaps we can play later, when it's dark, that would be fun wouldn't it?"
Even the few short sentences he's spoken seem to have exhausted Asht. He looks up at Keldean, his pale face betraying his tiredness. "Are you scared, boy?" he asks softly, in the same sachrine tone. "I can't blame you, of course. I will not always be tied here, you know, and then we will have an accounting, yes?" Asht licks his lips.
[Liuni(#22296)] The little girl nods to Asht, but she holds her hand out for Keldean.
Keldean actually lifts his eyes to the clouds, trying to summon up a shred of maturity to keep him from throttling the child. "No.. Liuni. I haven't done anything to hurt you, and you know that. Don't say things like that." He manages to keep a measure of control over his tone and the words are level. Asht is given a cold glare even as that slightly sick feeling of fear twists Keldean's gut. "They're not going to let you go. They're furious about that man you killed." He takes Liuni's hand and holds it tightly now.
Flashing the child the sweetest smile he can compose, Asht turns to Keldean. "You can live in hope, boy," he says, his voice becoming a hiss. "But if things do not come about as you wish, what then? What then indeed? Perhaps that thought will haunt the darkest places in your mind, yes? Perhaps in your darkest nightmares you will see me staring back at you..."
Asht's voice drops off now and his eyes close. His breathing falls to a steady rhythm, all be it shallow. His colour has improved slightly but the dark circles under his eyes belie his true condition. He remains still, now, apparently asleep again.
Keldean clenches his free hand into a fist, a dark glare still on Asht. He wishes fleetingly that he still had the knife, but even if he did, it's unlikely that the teen would use it. He doesn't have the nerve to kill someone in cold blood. Not yet, at least. "Come on, Liuni. Let's go find something to eat." He murmurs after a long moment, then heads away from the bound man.
This is the point at which the Loudwater flows into a greater river, the Hoarwell. Between the two rivers is a narrow stretch of land, the Angle, a flat region overgrown with brush, scrub, and tangled trees. On this shore the country is more open, however: a pleasant region covered with hardwood, predominantly oak trees, with occasional breaks in the forest cover.
This is rich country, the soil dark, and there is much game, but there is no sign of inhabitants, save for an occasional ruined building, reduced to a tumble of stones, and near the shore a line of hills too regular to be natural, reminescent of the barrows on the downs far to the north.
Contents:
Cordelia
Liuni
Keldean
Rhifaroth
Nauthcel
Obvious exits:
East leads 31 miles E.
Fords leads 2 miles NW.
Southwest leads 33 miles SW.
Northeast leads 32 miles NE.
There is a definite chill in the morning air and the wind rises gently in the east. Amidst the scrub and twisted trees of this narrow place the rangers have set up camp. The fire has all but gone out smoke rises gently, moved by the wind.
RAgainst the bole of a tree lies Asht. The sallow skinned man doesn't move, his eyes are closed. His hands and legs are bound and there's a long length of rope which ties his ankle to the branch of a nearby tree. His face is still covered in blood, his nose is obviously broken and there's a dirty bandage around his head.
Keldean has only just woken up, his slumber so deep that he didn't move at all while asleep and now the teen is stiff and sore. Liuni tugs at his arm and he almost falls over from his loose seated position. He looks sharply over at the girl when he realizes what she asks. "No!" He hisses softly. "You have to stay near me, all the time. Okay? Stay -close-."
[Liuni(#22296)] Flopping down on the ground, Liuni sulks. "No wanna stay close. Wanna play. Not fair."
@emit The wind increases slightly, but the sun is beginning to warm the morning air. Overhead a flight of birds can be seen, heading south, too high up to be identified. In the east a bank of clouds can be seen, perhaps threatening raing later in the day.%R%RThe sound of voices has perhaps caused some response in Asht. The man rolls slightly and grunts, falling into an uncomfortable position against the trunk of the tree.
The wind increases slightly, but the sun is beginning to warm the morning air. Overhead a flight of birds can be seen, heading south, too high up to be identified. In the east a bank of clouds can be seen, perhaps threatening raing later in the day.
The sound of voices has perhaps caused some response in Asht. The man rolls slightly and grunts, falling into an uncomfortable position against the trunk of the tree.
[<#23332>] Keldean rubs his shoulder, trying to ease the stiffness. Liuni's complaints earns her a scowl. The teen leans in to whisper to her after a glance around, "... fair? ... you ... one ... ... ... ... grab ... and ... ... ... ... ...? ... ... ... .... ... only ... ... ... nice."
[Liuni(#22296)] "They don't like me either. No one likes me and and..no one wants me!" the little girl says, tears streaming down her face. "They didn't wanna even give me food, why would they take me?"
A brief moment of lucidity and Asht is suddenly awake. He groans softly and tries to open his eyes, but can't. Perhaps his eyelids are crusted together with dried blood? Perhaps he's too weak? Either way it matters not, as he shivers visibly and passes again into the depths of unconsciousness in a few short moments.
Keldean shifts his hand from his shoulder to his face, rubbing his temple as he shakes off the last vestiges of sleep from his head. "Shhhh. Cordelia loves you, and that's all that matters. We'll take care of you. Don't worry about anything else." He reaches to place a hand on her arm, then snaps his gaze over to Asht when the man groans.
Keldean slowly rises and approaches the man, but stops a good five paces away. He stares intently at the sickly wretch, his gaze narrowing in anger. "They're going to kill you.." He says in a soft voice, his tone dark.
[Liuni(#22296)] Obediently, Liuni follows Keldean, a pace behind him. She looks at Asht carefully, her thumb straying to her mouth. "Are they going to kill all of us?" she asks softly.
It's not clear whether Asht has heard Keldean or not, or, indeed, whether the sickly looking man is not just talking in his delirium. His eyes open, almost with a snap, revealing the whites of his eyes, the pupils just visible at the top. "Good morning, mother," he says briskly, his voice high, piping even. The vacant stare remains, somehow directed at Keldean but it's likely he can, in fact, see nothing at all.
[Keldean(#23332)] Keldean's gaze widens at the reaction from Asht, and he draws back a step, bumping into Liuni. Then the teen seems to remember that the man is most definitely tied up and lets out a slow breath. "No Liuni. We didn't hurt anyone like Asht did.." He reaches back blindly for her hand, unable to tear his eyes from the man.
[Liuni(#22296)] Frowning, Liuni comes to sit on Asht's lap and wraps her arms around his neck. "Uncle said Daddy liked you for Cordelia," she whispers. "Maybe Uncle was lying, cause you're kinda mean, but I kinda like you anyways."
There's no response at all from Asht as Liuni speaks to him, but his eyes remain open, the bloodshot whites of them staring blankly. After a long moment, his eyes close and he slowly shakes his head. Then the eyes open again, dark pupils in their proper place now and he tries to speak. The words get caught in his throat and he chokes. It seems he's having trouble breathing or perhaps it's something else.
[Liuni(#22296)] The little girl shakes Asht's shoulders for a moment and then leans up to kiss his cheek. "Wake up, Unca Asht."
[Keldean(#23332)] "Liuni! What are you doing?? Get away from him!" Keldean rushes over to try and pull her away from Asht, his words a mix of anger and panic. The child truly gravitates towards dangerous men, like a little crazed moth to a flame.
A coughing fit overcomes Asht for a moment then he draws in a sharp breath. Dark eyes flick from Liuni to Keldean and back again, the pupils focused, his pale face grim. For a time Asht is silent after Liuni kisses him and he seems a little confused.
Another cough then he says softly "Where am I?" He looks sharply at Keldean. "And what are you doing here..." Words trail off. He's either lost in thought or having trouble staying conscious. His body shakes uncontrollably for a few seconds then he is still.
[Liuni(#22296)] "The mean people who scare Keldean and Cordy tied you up. We're not 'pposed to untie you or maybe even talk to you." This is easily the most verbal the little girl has been in Common for weeks.
[Keldean(#23332)] "Liuni! Cordelia wants you to listen to me! Come away from him. -Now-!" He'll reach for the girl's arm, intending to drag her away from Asht whether the child agrees or not. His tone is growing more fearful now, his face worried. If the rangers hear..
A soft sigh comes from Asht now and his eyes refocus, looking directly at Liuni. A calculating expression forms on his face then he speaks softly to the girl, trying to make sure Keldean can't hear. "They are mean, aren't they?" he says, a thin lipped smile on his face. "Perhaps later you will loosen these ropes for me, yes. That would be fun, wouldn't it?" Asht clearly has no experience with children, his manner is stereotypical and almost condescending.
Raising his voice, he turns towards Keldean and say sharply, his voice carrying the usual venom "And what exactly are you afraid of, boy? Do you think I'm going to eat you?" With an idle kick of his feet he indicates the ropes that bind him.
[Liuni(#22296)] Leaning in to kiss the man on the cheek again, the little girl whispers. "Maybe, if I can get away." and then stands up to walk towards Keldean. "You sound like Grandma."
Keldean scowls down at Liuni, her little jibe doing little to ease his irritation. "Maybe I should have let the elves have you." He mutters, losing some of his self-control and better judgement with it. He doesn't even -like- kids. "Don't talk to him. He doesn't care about you. He would have hurt you." Keldean looks back up at Asht finally, and only musters up a rather lame, "Shut up.."
[Liuni(#22296)] At the mention of elves, Liuni actually physically shivers and the tears come back. "You would've let them eat me?" Her bottom lip quivers.
A slow shake of the head and Asht clicks his tongue softly. "No, no, I wouldn't hurt you," he says softly to Liuni, "And I certainly wouldn't give you to the elves. But don't get into trouble- perhaps we can play later, when it's dark, that would be fun wouldn't it?"
Even the few short sentences he's spoken seem to have exhausted Asht. He looks up at Keldean, his pale face betraying his tiredness. "Are you scared, boy?" he asks softly, in the same sachrine tone. "I can't blame you, of course. I will not always be tied here, you know, and then we will have an accounting, yes?" Asht licks his lips.
[Liuni(#22296)] The little girl nods to Asht, but she holds her hand out for Keldean.
Keldean actually lifts his eyes to the clouds, trying to summon up a shred of maturity to keep him from throttling the child. "No.. Liuni. I haven't done anything to hurt you, and you know that. Don't say things like that." He manages to keep a measure of control over his tone and the words are level. Asht is given a cold glare even as that slightly sick feeling of fear twists Keldean's gut. "They're not going to let you go. They're furious about that man you killed." He takes Liuni's hand and holds it tightly now.
Flashing the child the sweetest smile he can compose, Asht turns to Keldean. "You can live in hope, boy," he says, his voice becoming a hiss. "But if things do not come about as you wish, what then? What then indeed? Perhaps that thought will haunt the darkest places in your mind, yes? Perhaps in your darkest nightmares you will see me staring back at you..."
Asht's voice drops off now and his eyes close. His breathing falls to a steady rhythm, all be it shallow. His colour has improved slightly but the dark circles under his eyes belie his true condition. He remains still, now, apparently asleep again.
Keldean clenches his free hand into a fist, a dark glare still on Asht. He wishes fleetingly that he still had the knife, but even if he did, it's unlikely that the teen would use it. He doesn't have the nerve to kill someone in cold blood. Not yet, at least. "Come on, Liuni. Let's go find something to eat." He murmurs after a long moment, then heads away from the bound man.
Players: Keldean, Liuni, Asht
