Elina hummed as she danced about the kitchen preparing dinner, her waist-long brunette hair swinging about her waist. Her father, Pharon, would be home soon and she wanted to make sure that she had a full meal waiting when he arrived. After all, he had been working so hard lately, trying to get the fields all plowed. Her mouth puckered into a frown as she thought. It was getting much more difficult for him, considering his age. She pleaded with him to hire a farmhand, but he wouldn't hear of it. She sighed and went back to her cooking; the least she could do for him was make sure he ate well. Her brown eyes watched the bread as it baked in the brick oven as she stirred the soup. This meal was going to be a good one. She licked off a drop of soup that had landed on her tanned skin and laughed. She should really pay more attention when dealing with hot things!
She heard a knock at the door. Was her father here already? That couldn't be a good sign. Readying herself for bad news, she went to the door and opened it.
"Oh!" She gasped in surprise. Instead of her father, as she expected, it was a boy. Elina stepped back, closing the door a little. Her father had always warned her against opening the door while she was home alone. Now she knew what he was talking about. This boy was not from around here. His deep blue eyes, set into an oval face, watched her every movement, staring. His hair was cut very close to his head, though she could tell it was nearly black. He had very fair skin in the places that weren't burnt bright red from the sun. And that happened to be a very large area of skin as he had no shirt on, weird, and- was that a sword on his back? Around his neck was a turquoise necklace with a metal pendant that had some weird symbol etched on it.
He said something, pulling her from her study of him. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" She flashed him a smile, hoping that he wasn't one of those men her father was always telling her about. He said something again, but it was completely unintelligible, reaffirming her belief that he definitely wasn't from around here. Why in the world was a random traveler here? They were pretty far from anything. In fact, the nearest town was 10 miles away, at the edge of their land. And the main road went the other way through town, completely bypassing her father's farm. Whatever the reason, she couldn't understand a single word he said.
"I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you say." She shook her head, showing him that she didn't know what he was saying.
"Oh, I apologize. I forgot that you wouldn't understand me." Elina paused in the middle of shaking her head. What? She looked at him puzzled.
"You speak our language too?" He nodded.
"Shouldn't I? You don't understand mine." He had a point.
"Alright, that makes sense. It's just that most travelers only know one language: ours or their own. You're the first I've ever seen that knew two."
He didn't say anything, just continued that blank stare. She wrinkled her brow. He certainly was an odd one. Now he seemed to be waiting for something. What could he be waiting for? Oh. Right.
"Can I help you?"
"I need a place to stay for the night." Elina hesitated. He hadn't given her any reason to distrust him, and surely, judging by the looks of his arms and chest, he could have gotten past her into the house whether or not she agreed. Still, her father's warning words were playing in her mind. "Please. I've come a long way and my body is exhausted." He really did look tired. She made up her mind, though it might get her in trouble with her father.
"Alright, come on in." She led him into the house, mentally beating herself up for not having cleaned it up earlier. "Okay, so, this is the living room, over there's the dining room, and around that corner is the kitchen." He merely watched as she pointed, looking to each room as she gestured. "I'm sure you must be really tired, so I'll show you where you can wash up and then you can sleep until dinner." He looked at her and she felt her face flushing. She then cursed silently at herself for being so silly. She purposefully marched up the stairs and down the hall to the washroom. She showed him the pitcher and the cloths for washing and then took him to their spare room.
"Now that you know where everything is, you can just stay here until I call you when dinner's ready, okay?" He nodded and unbuckled the sword belt, tossing it on the bed, along with a pack she hadn't seen earlier. Elina then realized she should probably leave so he could wash and so she could finish dinner. As she was walking through the door, she turned and asked, "What's your name?"
"...Christopher."
"Okay. It was nice to meet you, Christopher.
With that, she hopped down the stairs and into the kitchen, reflecting on her strange visitor. She could almost hear her father yelling at her now...
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Questions: 10th Installment
Lily jerked awake. What a nightmare. She had dreamt that the Initiation Ceremony had happened and Nannoc had...she gulped. Of course that couldn't have happened. Nannoc loved her; he had even said that he would die before he would be the one to kill her. She waved the remaining shreds of the terrifying dream away.
Slowly moving her stiff body into a sitting position, Lily mused over the fact that she had slept at all. She had spent a good portion of the night worrying over whether or not she had given Nannoc the right answer. And had she? The dream again came to her mind, in particularly the face of indifference on Nannoc's face when he had completed the act. She shook her head violently. That wasn't going to happen. He had been very clear on that point and she was merely being silly. But had she given him the right answer? He had seemed so sure she would say yes, and it would have definitely saved her life. But what kind of life was it if she had to stay down here? She wanted to be able to go above ground, to see her family again. And still, when she had seen how his face had fallen when she had said no, she began to doubt herself.
Damn it! Now she couldn't let it go. Had she done the right thing? Lily tucked her knees to her chin, trying to think. She really did like him, maybe even love him, but she didn't want to be stuck down in this absolute hell of a place. She wanted to see the sun. Suddenly something hit her: if she had said yes to being with Nannoc, she wouldn't be killed. Instead she would be with him, a valid part of the People. Then no one would care if they left together; they wouldn't see it as betrayal! Was this what he had been trying to tell her when he had come in so excited the other day? It must be! He was right, it would solve all their problems! And she had been so focused on the marriage part that she couldn't see past it to the bigger plan. How could she be so stupid?! She should have said yes! And she was going to. She was going to tell Nannoc that she had changed her mind; she wanted to be his wife so that they could escape together.
She turned around to where he had fallen last night after they whipped him, excited to tell him the good news. He wasn't there. Lily crawled over to the spot; she was sure he had been right here! She pulled up her hand only to find it slick and red. Horrified she saw that the stone all around this spot was stained dark with blood. Surely Nannoc wasn't dead! They couldn't have just let him die! Could they? His back had been bleeding pretty badly, but he couldn't be dead. He just couldn't! She had to tell him that she had changed her mind, had to tell him that she loved him and wanted to run away with him. The longer she stared at the ground, the surer she became that Nannoc was gone. Tears flooded her eyes and began to roll down her face. She laid her head on her hands and started sobbing.
A loud noise from the tunnel to the nursery startled her out of her thoughts. She quickly wiped her face; she would not give them the satisfaction of knowing they made her cry. It obviously wasn't Nannoc or there would have been no noise. Sure enough, one of the bodyguards she had seen yesterday came into the room, a look of disgust on his voice, swearing loudly at the rest of the captured Outsiders. He narrowed his eyes when he saw her watching him and stalked quickly across the cavern. He drew a large knife from the sheath and held it over his head. Lily ducked instinctively. He laughed and sliced through the rope that held her to the stake in the ground. Grabbing the end of the rope, he yanked. Lily fell forward, trying to keep her neck from breaking. He laughed again and pulled her to her feet using the back of the collar. Before she had even caught her breath, he yanked the rope, pulling her forward.
"Move. It's time to go." With that, he started off quickly down the hall. Lily had no choice but to follow him and try to keep up. When she her legs faltered from disuse, she had to jump immediately up; he wasn't stopping for anything and would drag her if she stopped. In this way they proceeded to the main hall.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Day began with the People in a frenzy. Today was the Initiation; today Nannoc would become a true member of the People. None were more excited than Elliott. After this, after that stupid girl was gone, Nannoc wouldn't be asking any more stupid questions. Nannoc would see that he, Ellliot, was right all along and would finally be happy. They could go back to how it had been, doing their jobs together as they had before when they were both Children. Of course, they would never be equal. Elliott was obviously chosen before Nannoc for a reason, therefore he was obviously that much more important. Although, Nannoc was much better at skill for hunting than Elliott was. No matter. He was chosen first, nothing to be done about that. He was apparently more important than Nannoc in the Elder's eyes at least.
Elliott was among the first People to arrive in the main hall. Since this wasn't as formal as the Announcement, the People chose their own seats instead of sitting according to age. He wanted to make sure he had the best spot to watch Nannoc's face as he sacrificed that nasty little witch. He spat at the thought of her; she had undoubtedly poisoned Nannoc's mind with her narrow Outsider views, leading Nannoc to question the authority of the People and the Elder himself. Elliott had been shocked and outraged that Nannoc, perfect citizen in all other accounts, would have the audacity to have even thought those accusations he made. Elliott was sure: he never would have questioned his role if it wasn't for that girl!
Speak of the devil, here she came, stumbling as one of the Elder's bodyguards pulled her across the room. Elliott laughed as she fell over multiple times. She deserved it. Finally they arrived at the wooden altar where she would be sacrificed. The bodyguard undid the collar around her neck. Now she tried to run, to escape, but her legs were so unused to walking after their months in the nursery that she couldn't even go two strides before she fell, scraping her face on the stone floor. Everyone in the room laughed hysterically; how comical! To think she even had a chance of getting away, even her legs worked. Soon she was tied down to the altar, completely unable to move anything but her head.
Now the People poured into the room. Someone lit the fire in the middle of the room, smaller than the one they had used yesterday, just beneath the raised area where the altar was. Soon it would be time.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lily was terrified. Somehow, though she had resigned herself to death a while ago, now that it was truly going to happen, she didn't want to die. She struggled against her bonds, to the amusement of the guards standing near her, but they didn't budge. She knew they wouldn't. After all, they had been doing this for centuries. She stopped moving, once again beginning to cry. Nannoc was surely dead and here she was, helpless to do anything, soon to be dead as well. At least they would meet again in the afterlife.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The hysteria in the crowd was growing. Rumors were flying across the room. Someone had seen Nannoc already and he had deep wounds across his back, as if he had been whipped. Someone else had heard that there was a commotion down in the nursery the previous night. Another had heard that he had asked the Elder if he could have her for a wife, turning down several of their own girls. Someone had said that Nannoc had died and someone else was going to be the Cutter today. One person said he had asked a Healer to verify the stories, and she wouldn't say anything. Whispers of That must mean it's true and Of course it can't be. He couldn't be that stupid were heard everywhere. Then shouts were heard and the Cutter was brought out.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Elliott breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't believe any of the rumors, but the longer it took, the more he doubted. Nannoc's appearance assured him that everything was okay. Except...He wasn't wearing his robe. Instead, he was bare chested. He heard the questioning murmurs in the crowd as they noticed the same thing he did. This wasn't natural. Why wasn't Nannoc adhering to tradition? Then he turned to take the ceremonial sword from the Elder and the congregation gasped collectively.
His back was covered in blood seeping from gashes that made it look as though he had been whipped harshly. He heard one of the men who had been spreading rumors say, "I told you so!" So, that much was true. What had he done to deserve that? There was absolutely no way the rest of the rumors could be true. But were they? At least one had been true...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Her first reaction was joy at the fact that he was still alive. They must have come to heal him some time in the night. But when he turned and Lily saw the cuts from the whips, she thought That's my fault. I did that when I refused his offer. She could do nothing but watch him as he strapped the sword to his wounded back and turned to the altar. He must be in so much pain! But his face never changed. He had gone back to the blank stare that he had used the first day she had seen him.
Her heat beat faster and faster as he walked slowly up to where she was lying. She took courage in the fact that he had said he wouldn't hurt her, though his face was frightening in it's indifference. The doubts raised by her dream came back. Oh God, he couldn't! He wouldn't! He said so himself! No, he couldn't!! Her eyes widened in fear as he slowly approached the altar, sword in hand.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nannoc watched Lily's face as he drew nearer to the altar. Was that fear? Didn't she believe in the afterlife? Why was she afraid of death? He knew it wasn't death that scared her, but how she was about to die. At his hands. A bitter smile stretched across his face. Afterlife my ass he thought. Sephirin only cares about what we do now, in this life. This is what we have. As he watched her go stiff with terror, the smile left his face. Now I understand why the People think they're better. They don't lay down their lives as if there's no choice. No, they fight to the bitter end. He turned to the bodyguard who was still standing by the altar. The guard understood that his duty here was done and left, but not before giving Nannoc a smug smile, laughing at his pain.
Pain. If Lily had taught him anything, it was that emotions only brought pain. The way he was before was better. No problems, no heart ache, no gashes in his back, no infuriating questions. Just duty. And that's all there was left now. He stepped up to the altar. He paused a moment before bending down, getting himself close to Lily's ear. He knew that the entirety of the People were leaned forward, aching to catch what he was about to say to her.
"Nannoc..." Her voice was small, almost a sob. "Nannoc, I'm sorry."
He put his hand on the back of her head. She closed her eyes, a relieved look on her face. Then he spoke, "I told you I'd get you out any way I could." She turned to him, not understanding at first, then her eyes growing wide. That's right. You understand now. He lifted the heavy sword above his head and then let it drop through the air. With a thud, it hit the wooden altar. Lily was dead.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The People cheered, some of the younger ones jumping up and down. Another Child had just become and Adult. Elliott was proud. Now that the girl was dead, Nannoc would be his old self; there was nothing left to worry about. Then, little by little, the crowd fell silent. What was wrong? Elliott glanced back to the altar. Normally the new Adult would be cheering just as much as the crowd was. Nannoc was just standing there, watching the blood drip from the sword still in his hand. Why hadn't he cleaned it? What was wrong with him?
Momentarily Nannoc woke from his reverie, cleaned the sword, and sheathed it, wincing when it hit his back. Then he stood there, staring at the crowd as the two aides went to collect the blood. After a few minutes of silence, Nannoc started to speak.
"Disgusting." His voice was thick with contempt. What was he thinking? "The way you all revel in blood and death. It's sickening. Here you are cheering for the murder of a young girl, so similar to us, who's done nothing to you." He spat at them. Elliott could hear angry mutterings from those around him. Was Nannoc trying to get himself killed? Already he had the wounds on his back; any more of this and he'd have another set on top of those.
The aides finished collecting the blood and handed the jar to Nannoc. The jar was as large as his torso and he held it, studying the jar. The crowd started to get excited again, thinking that he was going to finish the ceremony. Elliott merely watched. He knew Nannoc better than that. This wasn't over yet. As soon as he finished this though, Nannoc began to speak again.
"So, you relish the sight of blood, do you?" The People were getting frenzied again. Of course that's what they want; that's what they came here for. What are you going to do, Nannoc? Elliott thought. As if reading his mind, Nannoc glanced over to where Elliott was standing, raising the jar over his head, and said, "Then relish in this!" Elliott suddenly realized what he was about to do and started towards the place where Nannoc was standing. Before he could get there, Nannoc had already smashed the jar down on the fire, spilling the blood and quenching the fire.
The People screamed and began running into the tunnels, trying to get to the light. Most of them could not see in the dark the way those like Nannoc could. As the stench of burning blood permeated the cave, Elliott heard retching. Yet he kept on his search for Nannoc. Elliott knew Nannoc would be heading towards the exit to the Outside and ran in that direction. He didn't need to see; he knew the tunnels like the back of his hand. Battling the flow of bodies in all different directions, Elliott sprinted to the exit. He knew as he ran that he was too slow, he would never catch Nannoc. Still he ran. This stupid boy whom he used to call "friend" had just screwed everything up. He called the People disgusting. He condemned them for their sacrifices. He had blasphemed against Sephirin and Ophelia. He had to be caught and brought to justice.
At last Elliott reached the exit to the Outside. He burst into the light, shielding his eyes. He paused and waited for his vision to come back. He peered in every direction, searching for any sign of Nannoc or his trail. He didn't find any. He laughed bitterly. Of course he wouldn't find any trail; this was Nannoc, the one with the best skills as a Hunter the People had ever seen. Elliott pledged, looking off into the woods, that he would find Nannoc and would be the one to show that traitorous bastard what happened when you insulted the People and disobeyed Sephirin. With that, he turned and went back into the cave.
Slowly moving her stiff body into a sitting position, Lily mused over the fact that she had slept at all. She had spent a good portion of the night worrying over whether or not she had given Nannoc the right answer. And had she? The dream again came to her mind, in particularly the face of indifference on Nannoc's face when he had completed the act. She shook her head violently. That wasn't going to happen. He had been very clear on that point and she was merely being silly. But had she given him the right answer? He had seemed so sure she would say yes, and it would have definitely saved her life. But what kind of life was it if she had to stay down here? She wanted to be able to go above ground, to see her family again. And still, when she had seen how his face had fallen when she had said no, she began to doubt herself.
Damn it! Now she couldn't let it go. Had she done the right thing? Lily tucked her knees to her chin, trying to think. She really did like him, maybe even love him, but she didn't want to be stuck down in this absolute hell of a place. She wanted to see the sun. Suddenly something hit her: if she had said yes to being with Nannoc, she wouldn't be killed. Instead she would be with him, a valid part of the People. Then no one would care if they left together; they wouldn't see it as betrayal! Was this what he had been trying to tell her when he had come in so excited the other day? It must be! He was right, it would solve all their problems! And she had been so focused on the marriage part that she couldn't see past it to the bigger plan. How could she be so stupid?! She should have said yes! And she was going to. She was going to tell Nannoc that she had changed her mind; she wanted to be his wife so that they could escape together.
She turned around to where he had fallen last night after they whipped him, excited to tell him the good news. He wasn't there. Lily crawled over to the spot; she was sure he had been right here! She pulled up her hand only to find it slick and red. Horrified she saw that the stone all around this spot was stained dark with blood. Surely Nannoc wasn't dead! They couldn't have just let him die! Could they? His back had been bleeding pretty badly, but he couldn't be dead. He just couldn't! She had to tell him that she had changed her mind, had to tell him that she loved him and wanted to run away with him. The longer she stared at the ground, the surer she became that Nannoc was gone. Tears flooded her eyes and began to roll down her face. She laid her head on her hands and started sobbing.
A loud noise from the tunnel to the nursery startled her out of her thoughts. She quickly wiped her face; she would not give them the satisfaction of knowing they made her cry. It obviously wasn't Nannoc or there would have been no noise. Sure enough, one of the bodyguards she had seen yesterday came into the room, a look of disgust on his voice, swearing loudly at the rest of the captured Outsiders. He narrowed his eyes when he saw her watching him and stalked quickly across the cavern. He drew a large knife from the sheath and held it over his head. Lily ducked instinctively. He laughed and sliced through the rope that held her to the stake in the ground. Grabbing the end of the rope, he yanked. Lily fell forward, trying to keep her neck from breaking. He laughed again and pulled her to her feet using the back of the collar. Before she had even caught her breath, he yanked the rope, pulling her forward.
"Move. It's time to go." With that, he started off quickly down the hall. Lily had no choice but to follow him and try to keep up. When she her legs faltered from disuse, she had to jump immediately up; he wasn't stopping for anything and would drag her if she stopped. In this way they proceeded to the main hall.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Day began with the People in a frenzy. Today was the Initiation; today Nannoc would become a true member of the People. None were more excited than Elliott. After this, after that stupid girl was gone, Nannoc wouldn't be asking any more stupid questions. Nannoc would see that he, Ellliot, was right all along and would finally be happy. They could go back to how it had been, doing their jobs together as they had before when they were both Children. Of course, they would never be equal. Elliott was obviously chosen before Nannoc for a reason, therefore he was obviously that much more important. Although, Nannoc was much better at skill for hunting than Elliott was. No matter. He was chosen first, nothing to be done about that. He was apparently more important than Nannoc in the Elder's eyes at least.
Elliott was among the first People to arrive in the main hall. Since this wasn't as formal as the Announcement, the People chose their own seats instead of sitting according to age. He wanted to make sure he had the best spot to watch Nannoc's face as he sacrificed that nasty little witch. He spat at the thought of her; she had undoubtedly poisoned Nannoc's mind with her narrow Outsider views, leading Nannoc to question the authority of the People and the Elder himself. Elliott had been shocked and outraged that Nannoc, perfect citizen in all other accounts, would have the audacity to have even thought those accusations he made. Elliott was sure: he never would have questioned his role if it wasn't for that girl!
Speak of the devil, here she came, stumbling as one of the Elder's bodyguards pulled her across the room. Elliott laughed as she fell over multiple times. She deserved it. Finally they arrived at the wooden altar where she would be sacrificed. The bodyguard undid the collar around her neck. Now she tried to run, to escape, but her legs were so unused to walking after their months in the nursery that she couldn't even go two strides before she fell, scraping her face on the stone floor. Everyone in the room laughed hysterically; how comical! To think she even had a chance of getting away, even her legs worked. Soon she was tied down to the altar, completely unable to move anything but her head.
Now the People poured into the room. Someone lit the fire in the middle of the room, smaller than the one they had used yesterday, just beneath the raised area where the altar was. Soon it would be time.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lily was terrified. Somehow, though she had resigned herself to death a while ago, now that it was truly going to happen, she didn't want to die. She struggled against her bonds, to the amusement of the guards standing near her, but they didn't budge. She knew they wouldn't. After all, they had been doing this for centuries. She stopped moving, once again beginning to cry. Nannoc was surely dead and here she was, helpless to do anything, soon to be dead as well. At least they would meet again in the afterlife.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The hysteria in the crowd was growing. Rumors were flying across the room. Someone had seen Nannoc already and he had deep wounds across his back, as if he had been whipped. Someone else had heard that there was a commotion down in the nursery the previous night. Another had heard that he had asked the Elder if he could have her for a wife, turning down several of their own girls. Someone had said that Nannoc had died and someone else was going to be the Cutter today. One person said he had asked a Healer to verify the stories, and she wouldn't say anything. Whispers of That must mean it's true and Of course it can't be. He couldn't be that stupid were heard everywhere. Then shouts were heard and the Cutter was brought out.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Elliott breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't believe any of the rumors, but the longer it took, the more he doubted. Nannoc's appearance assured him that everything was okay. Except...He wasn't wearing his robe. Instead, he was bare chested. He heard the questioning murmurs in the crowd as they noticed the same thing he did. This wasn't natural. Why wasn't Nannoc adhering to tradition? Then he turned to take the ceremonial sword from the Elder and the congregation gasped collectively.
His back was covered in blood seeping from gashes that made it look as though he had been whipped harshly. He heard one of the men who had been spreading rumors say, "I told you so!" So, that much was true. What had he done to deserve that? There was absolutely no way the rest of the rumors could be true. But were they? At least one had been true...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Her first reaction was joy at the fact that he was still alive. They must have come to heal him some time in the night. But when he turned and Lily saw the cuts from the whips, she thought That's my fault. I did that when I refused his offer. She could do nothing but watch him as he strapped the sword to his wounded back and turned to the altar. He must be in so much pain! But his face never changed. He had gone back to the blank stare that he had used the first day she had seen him.
Her heat beat faster and faster as he walked slowly up to where she was lying. She took courage in the fact that he had said he wouldn't hurt her, though his face was frightening in it's indifference. The doubts raised by her dream came back. Oh God, he couldn't! He wouldn't! He said so himself! No, he couldn't!! Her eyes widened in fear as he slowly approached the altar, sword in hand.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nannoc watched Lily's face as he drew nearer to the altar. Was that fear? Didn't she believe in the afterlife? Why was she afraid of death? He knew it wasn't death that scared her, but how she was about to die. At his hands. A bitter smile stretched across his face. Afterlife my ass he thought. Sephirin only cares about what we do now, in this life. This is what we have. As he watched her go stiff with terror, the smile left his face. Now I understand why the People think they're better. They don't lay down their lives as if there's no choice. No, they fight to the bitter end. He turned to the bodyguard who was still standing by the altar. The guard understood that his duty here was done and left, but not before giving Nannoc a smug smile, laughing at his pain.
Pain. If Lily had taught him anything, it was that emotions only brought pain. The way he was before was better. No problems, no heart ache, no gashes in his back, no infuriating questions. Just duty. And that's all there was left now. He stepped up to the altar. He paused a moment before bending down, getting himself close to Lily's ear. He knew that the entirety of the People were leaned forward, aching to catch what he was about to say to her.
"Nannoc..." Her voice was small, almost a sob. "Nannoc, I'm sorry."
He put his hand on the back of her head. She closed her eyes, a relieved look on her face. Then he spoke, "I told you I'd get you out any way I could." She turned to him, not understanding at first, then her eyes growing wide. That's right. You understand now. He lifted the heavy sword above his head and then let it drop through the air. With a thud, it hit the wooden altar. Lily was dead.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The People cheered, some of the younger ones jumping up and down. Another Child had just become and Adult. Elliott was proud. Now that the girl was dead, Nannoc would be his old self; there was nothing left to worry about. Then, little by little, the crowd fell silent. What was wrong? Elliott glanced back to the altar. Normally the new Adult would be cheering just as much as the crowd was. Nannoc was just standing there, watching the blood drip from the sword still in his hand. Why hadn't he cleaned it? What was wrong with him?
Momentarily Nannoc woke from his reverie, cleaned the sword, and sheathed it, wincing when it hit his back. Then he stood there, staring at the crowd as the two aides went to collect the blood. After a few minutes of silence, Nannoc started to speak.
"Disgusting." His voice was thick with contempt. What was he thinking? "The way you all revel in blood and death. It's sickening. Here you are cheering for the murder of a young girl, so similar to us, who's done nothing to you." He spat at them. Elliott could hear angry mutterings from those around him. Was Nannoc trying to get himself killed? Already he had the wounds on his back; any more of this and he'd have another set on top of those.
The aides finished collecting the blood and handed the jar to Nannoc. The jar was as large as his torso and he held it, studying the jar. The crowd started to get excited again, thinking that he was going to finish the ceremony. Elliott merely watched. He knew Nannoc better than that. This wasn't over yet. As soon as he finished this though, Nannoc began to speak again.
"So, you relish the sight of blood, do you?" The People were getting frenzied again. Of course that's what they want; that's what they came here for. What are you going to do, Nannoc? Elliott thought. As if reading his mind, Nannoc glanced over to where Elliott was standing, raising the jar over his head, and said, "Then relish in this!" Elliott suddenly realized what he was about to do and started towards the place where Nannoc was standing. Before he could get there, Nannoc had already smashed the jar down on the fire, spilling the blood and quenching the fire.
The People screamed and began running into the tunnels, trying to get to the light. Most of them could not see in the dark the way those like Nannoc could. As the stench of burning blood permeated the cave, Elliott heard retching. Yet he kept on his search for Nannoc. Elliott knew Nannoc would be heading towards the exit to the Outside and ran in that direction. He didn't need to see; he knew the tunnels like the back of his hand. Battling the flow of bodies in all different directions, Elliott sprinted to the exit. He knew as he ran that he was too slow, he would never catch Nannoc. Still he ran. This stupid boy whom he used to call "friend" had just screwed everything up. He called the People disgusting. He condemned them for their sacrifices. He had blasphemed against Sephirin and Ophelia. He had to be caught and brought to justice.
At last Elliott reached the exit to the Outside. He burst into the light, shielding his eyes. He paused and waited for his vision to come back. He peered in every direction, searching for any sign of Nannoc or his trail. He didn't find any. He laughed bitterly. Of course he wouldn't find any trail; this was Nannoc, the one with the best skills as a Hunter the People had ever seen. Elliott pledged, looking off into the woods, that he would find Nannoc and would be the one to show that traitorous bastard what happened when you insulted the People and disobeyed Sephirin. With that, he turned and went back into the cave.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
So..
It's been awhile since I last posted. Been just a little busy. A couple tests just came and went (did a lot better on those than I thought I was going to), last weekend was the first home game of the season, this weekend I went to Newton, then home to watch the Urbandale Marching Invitational, got sick halfway through and went home before seeing any of the bands I particularly wanted to watch. This week is homecoming, and another quiz is just around the corner. So...Sorry to everyone tearing their hair out waiting for the last bit of Questions. Hopefully it will come out soon. Probably next week at the earliest.
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