Torment

[pearlypat823]

Elana gasped, and clawed frantically at the moist dirt to back away. Her soaked gown that was once white, picked up the dirt quickly, and she was soon covered in mud. She finally managed to stand and turned to run, not caring which direction she was headed.

In her panic, she didn't pay much attention to her surroundings and was soon victim to yet another large tree root obstructing her path. This time, she fell hard. Her ankle seared in an explosion of pain, as her foot remained caught beneath the knotted root. She pulled herself up, gasping for air. She made a valliant attempt to free her foot, but every time she moved it, the pain made her want to scream. She finally abandoned her efforts and turned to the dangerous-looking man who had persued her. She gazed up at him with wide, terrified eyes, wondering fearfully what he would do next.

[Evoth]

Alix looked down upon the young lass as she tried to run away from him in utter fear. She fell to the ground hard as he drew even closer. Then the eyes of a creature trapped looked him straight in the eyes. The soldier saw nothing but terror within the gaze. He held his hands up and knelled down beside her trapped foot. Carefully and gently he freed her foot from the root.

"I don't wish you harm." he spoke gently as he rose back to his feet, "I just want to know why you were watching us." Alix tilted his head ever so slightly and looked at the fragile creature. Questions began to pop in his head. She had such a peculiar look about her. Alix had to put that aside for now, "I must know; are you friend or foe?" he simply asked. The soldier didn't wish for their location to be revealed to the enemy search parties that would be in the area.

[hermitcrab1112]

Reynard, knowing he couldn't follow them, even if he had the inclination, remained where he was.
Finally, deciding to test his powers of balance, he moved toward the horse, stopping only when he had reached the beautiful creature.

Not the best experience of his life, but....not the worst either.
For some odd reason he felt traitorous, as if telling Alix about the girl had been wrong.
He'd done the right thing, of course; people shouldn't spy on them. Besides, Alix would probably not hurt her.
-d-

[pearlypat823]

Elana continued to stare dumbly at him, as if she had lost all abilities to speak. Even when her foot was free, she remained motionless. Staring. She looked from Alix to Reynard, and from Reynard back to Alix again, and swallowed. She knew she had to say something. But what?

In a flood of adrenaline, she rose to her feet and tried once more to flee, but as soon as she stepped on her twisted ankle, she cried out in pain and had to lean against the nearest tree for support. There was definately no way of escaping. She had to face this man.

Slowly, she turned, looking him in the eyes again, trying desperately to will her mouth to move. She found it nearly impossible to formulate words. "I- I meant n-no harm." She stuttered in her poor English. Elvish was her native tongue, but her father had taught her English, since it was indeed the common tongue. Her accent remained, however, smooth and fluid. Swallowing hard, she pressed on. "I've j-just never s-seen a human before..." She prayed that would be enough of an explanation and fell silent once more, staring into his eyes, silently begging him not to hurt her.

[Evoth]

"It's okay. Just calm down." Spoke Alix softly, "We don't need you to hurt yourself any worse then you already have." He slowly drew closer to her. Not wanting to scare her any more then he already did, Alix removed his sheath and placed it aside. Now he was completely unarmed. "As long as you mean us no harm then we mean you none. My commard and I are just passing through the forest so we can get home."

Alix could tell she was a scared. Her voice seemed to waver with every word, "Look, we're about to leave before the daylight comes. Are you going to be okay with your ankle in its current state?" Not wanting to leave anyone injured behind was something Alix couldn't do. He couldn't help it. He got his kindness from his mother.

[pearlypat823]

Elana watched him silently, taking in each word slowly. He meant her no harm. Just passing through. What was that? She watched him put his weapon aside, still somewhat dazed. And then he asked her a question. It took a few moments for it to register. Her ankle? Then she remembered. It was injured.

She was quite a mess. Soaking wet from head to toe, covered in mud, and now with a badly twisted ankle. She didn't know if she would make it home on her own. The sun was rising fast. It would be light dreadfully soon. "I-I must go now..." She managed to say and tried to walk away. Once again, the moment she stepped on her bad ankle, a painful reminder was shot up the rest of her leg that she was indeed crippled. She froze, clenching her teeth against the pain. She then turned slowly back to Alix, a pained expression in on her face as she tried to hide her urge to cry. She knew she couldn't get home like this... Now what?

[Evoth]

Her stuttered words caused him to stand. "Okay." he said meekly. Alix watched as she tried to take a step. The look upon her face was clue enough to show that she had damaged her ankle in her attempt to flee from him. Alix kind nature began to take over him. Drawing closer to her; he knelled down and studied her ankle.

It looked like it was swelling up. He looked up at the strange girl with emerald eyes, "You've either sprained your ankle or twisted badly." his tone was that of a docter, "If you allow me I'll take you back to the 'camp' and try to help you." Alix had a few supplies that could help both her and Reynard.

[pearlypat823]

Elana's first instinct was to say no. Of course she couldn't go with him! It would be daylight soon! She had to get home! But how? Alix surely couldn't take her. If she were seen with these humans, she'd be punished for sure, not to mention what might happen to the humans she was with!

The prospect of going with them was beginning to look like the only way. She could then return home and pretend she had simply lost track of time....for the first time in her life. She could hardly believe the words were coming from her own mouth as she said them.

"H-how far is your camp?" She nearly whispered, afraid of what the answer would be.

[Evoth]

"Well, you were looking at it before you ran off." Alix got to his feet and pointed to the path she ran. "Just beyond those trees. If you permit me I'll-" his words were cut short. Alix stubbled forward. There came a great pain in his back. Reaching back he felt a long shaft, an arrow. Alix drew his shaking hand back and looked at his palm. It was covered in blood. Turning to where his back once faced Alix could see an archer.

"They're over here!" cried the Archer. More came to the archer's cry, "Damn! They found us!" Archers drew back their armed bows. "Fire!" The volley of arrows were launched directly at Alix and Elana. Instict took over Alix's body and he ran in front of Elana. The volly hit Alix hard; his body was pierced by dozens of arrows. Ragged breath's came as he feel to his knee. "Run." he said. Blood ran down the side of his mouth, "I'll...hold them off....as long..as I can."

Alix forced himself to his feet and charged at the archers. Without any weapons of his own, he was on a sucide mission. The will to ease a troubled soul had caused him to throw his weapon aside.

[pearlypat823]

Elana cried out in terror, paralyzed with fear. It took her a long time to register what Alix had just said. Her silver eyes were wide with shock. It wasn't untill Alix had taken off running towards the archers that Elana was able to spring into action. She stopped thinking, and let instinct take over. First, she bolted to Reynard, who was still supporting himself against Alix's horse. Without saying a word, she took his arm and helped him to the nearest group of bushes. "Hide here!" She whispered urgently before taking off at a sprint towards her home.

Her feet new these paths well. She didn't have to think about where she was going. She ignored the burning pain in her ankle. The horrid image of Alix with bloody arrow wounds flashed through her head, only urging her to run faster. Soon, the familiar glow of lanterns appeared. She wove her way through the Elven settlement untill she reached her home. She took the winding staircase 3 steps at a time, and quickly reached the door, gasping for air. Her ankle screamed in protest as she burst into the room. Her father had been standing at the window, his forhead creased with worry. "Elana!" He exclaimed when he saw her; his tone a mixture of anger and relief. Before he could question her, Elana cut in. "Father!" She started in rapid Elvish. "You must come! Bring archers! They're in trouble! Quickly now, we must hurry!" She started to head for the door, but her father caught her shoulder and whirled her around to face him.

"What are you talking about?" He asked. "Who's in trouble?" Elana sighed, knowing she would have to spill her story sooner or later. "Two men in the forest. One of them helped me. They're under attack, and one of them is hurt. Badly!" Her father looked angry and was about to protest. "Please father! There's no time! Help them now and I can explain everything later!" She looked him tearfully in the eye, hoping he would understand how important this was to her. "Please!" She whispered.

Her father looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself. After a few moments of pondering, he nodded. "Stay here." He ordered before collecting his bow and a full quiver and heading out the door. Elana wasn't about to wait. She followed him down the staircase and watched as he gathered a small group of skilled archers. They all looked very confused, but ready for action nonetheless. "Which way?" Her father asked her when they were all ready. Elana pointed, and they silently disappeared into the trees.

Despite the searing pain that had extended through her entire leg by this point, Elana followed quietly. Creeping through the underbrush, she found the spot she had left Reynard and knelt down beside him, subsiding to the pain in her ankle. The muffled cries of a battle sounded through the dense foliage. Elana prayed silently that no one would be badly hurt before turning back to Reynard. He looked as confused as everyone else, and Elana didn't quite know what to say to him. Instead, she finally acknowledged her injury and massaged her swollen ankle. The pain was excruciating, but she still could not shake the bloody image of Alix from her thoughts. All she could do now was hope he would be all right.

[hermitcrab1112]

His military mind had analyzed the situation the moment he'd been pushed into the bushes, and, though he cursed every second, he stayed where he was. He could be no help.
Except, maybe.....?

Pondering the idea, he turned his attention to the girl, who had returned. Poor thing. She looked dreadful, and extremely frightful.

"Listen, please. Can you help me stand? I think I can walk, but I can't get up alone."
His plan was simple, and although he was so scared he had barely forced the words out, he had a feeling it would work.
Perhaps he coudl distract the archers long enough for Alix to get away. If that happened, he would either be killed-the better option-or be taken back to their camp. The thought was terrifying.

But somehow, his spirit had returned to him, and he swallowed the fear and pain, hoping they would recognize him just long enough to shoot him-not long enough to capture him.
-d-

[pearlypat823]

Elana couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You'll be..." She started in Elvish, then quickly corrected herself. "You'll be killed! There's nothing you can do in your state. You must stay here. My father and his archers will be able to fight." She couldn't believe she was ordering him around like this. She knew nothing of battle, and he was probably a war captain.

Her words had spilled out as if she weren't even the one saying them. However, her response had felt right. She hoped she was telling the truth. Right now, they had to stay hidden if there was any chance for their survival. She couldn't help but wonder fearfully what had become of Alix at this point.

[hermitcrab1112]

Smiling wrily(sp?), Reynard replied, his voice firm.
"Rather the point, Miss. Alix is going to be killed out there. I can distract them. And if, as you say, your father and his men can fight, they are going to get here too late if they aren't here soon. Alix has a sword, they have archers. Archers move faster, and he won't be able to get away for long. Now, please?"

The thought that he was pleading a woman to help him up /had/ crossed his mind. Surprisingly, he didn't feel embarrassed by it, knowing she could probably deck him if she tried. There wasn't room for embarassment anymore.
-d-

[pearlypat823]

Her eyes full of concern, Elana finally nodded. She decided she would stand him up, and once they were seen, perhaps they could drop behind the bushes once more and crawl away. It was a rough plan, but a plan nonetheless.

Carefully, she pulled his arm over her shoulder and heaved him to a standing position. Her ankle felt it would burst. Ignoring the pain,she looked around for the enemy archers. There were none in sight.

Suddenly, out of the darkness, an arrow came whistling toward them, and embedded itself deep into her right shoulder. Elana cried out and fell to the ground, dropping Reynard and clutching her shoulder. Crimson blood flowed easily from the wound, staining her gown even further. Her naturally pale face was now a ghostly shade of white.

[hermitcrab1112]

Reynard had barely supressed a gasp as she pulled him to his feet, knowing it was probably murdering her ankle. When the arrow hit the girl and she fell to the ground, he staggered for a moment, as if he would fall.

Regaining his balance, he surveyed the situation desperately, guilt clawing at his heart. Perfect. Now he'd gotten the poor girl harmed, just so he could try and rescue someone.

Oh gods. What had he /done/. First his men, then Alix, now this poor elf who'd tried to help them.
Surveying her wound, he knew instantly that it had to be bound...quickly. She was losing a lot of blood.

Kneeling, teeth clenched to keep from crying out with the effort, he thought quickly.
By all the gods. There was absolutely nothing he could do.
She needed the bleeding to stop, yet his hands wouldn't be able to tear a strip of cloth from the hem of her gown if he tried--much less tie it closed.

Feeling desperate, pain making him woozy, he stood slowly, speaking quietly.
"Listen. I'm going to go out there. I need to get help, because I can't tie your wound closed. /Don't fall asleep/, and try to stay focused. Recite plant names if you have to, but stay /awake/."

Adding firmly, half under his breath, a desperate promise to himself: "I'll find Alix or those elven archers--if it's the last thing I do."

Casting a last glance at Elana, he walked into the glade, searching for Alix.
"Come on...you've got to be here somewhere."
-d-