Post by Anari on Aug 12, 2014 12:28:53 GMT -8
It was early morning, and most of the people in town were still having their breakfasts as Anari strolled (as much as she strolled anywhere) around town. She was on another of her ‘patrols,’ though to be honest they were very much more of a formality than a necessity. The routine was a comfort; she was very much a creature of habit, and for some odd seven years she had been doing such patrols. Even as a watch lieutenant, she had insisted that she be a part of them, letting the people of the town she protected see her, knowing that it wasn’t just the grunt of the watch doing all the work. It also had kept up morale amongst the watch, making them feel better than if a situation erupted they couldn’t handle, they had one of their superiors within easy whistle blow or shout.
As she took a turn, glancing at the tavern as she passed and heading on, Anari couldn’t help but wonder how they were getting on. Had the captain picked a good replacement for her? What had he thought when he returned from his vacation to find out his lieutenant, whom he’d hand-picked to join the watch, had not only run out on the town, but had also slain a dragonknight and a dragon beforehand? Likely he would have had to denounce her, as would everyone there, to spare themselves. She could only hope (dare she say it, pray?) that the DHS hadn’t exacted too high a toll on the town for her actions. It had been the one reason why the woman warrior had departed so publicly, so everyone could point out the direction and say ‘She fled that way.’ It had been her last means of protecting the town that had sheltered first her mother, then herself for so many years.
Dashing away a small tear of homesickness, Anari shook her head at her foolishness. She was here, and even if no one ever knew it doing something important by just existing; she kept the artifact out of their wicked talons. Absently her fingers stroked over the grip of her flail, snug in its harness at her left hip. Yes, it had served its purpose before it had been reforged, defeating villains who had threatened those under her care, and it would continue to do so for this new home. Yet still… Anari couldn’t hold back a soft sigh. She had a purpose, but was it enough by itself? Why did it feel like she longed for more?
Abruptly, as she turned a corner, she saw a building she had never noticed before. It was large, rather beautiful, and had of all things dozens upon dozens of rabbits and hares around it! But not just normal rabbits and hares, no. These had of all things feathered wings! A small, delighted smile found her face, watching them scamper and hop to and fro, foraging at the grass that surrounded the building, some hopping their carefree way inside or coming hopping out. They were so adorable (though she thought some of the hares looked like they could pack a mighty kick if they were threatened). Her curiosity about the building grew, especially as she heard what sounded like a splash from within, so the former watchman made her way carefully among the rabbits and entered.
The instant she set foot inside, she realized what place she had found: a temple. Four alters were set to opposing sides, one dark and ominous, one cluttered, one neat and organized, and one bright as if bathed in a continual beam of sunlight. As she approached the heart of the place, walking with reverent steps out of ingrained habit from childhood, she saw a pool of pure clear water directly in the middle of all the alters. Standing at the edge, she saw four fish circling each other, chasing the tail of the fish before them.
For a long moment, she just stood there, as if transfixed by the pool, then slowly lowered herself to sit, legs to the side, at its edge. Anari’s eyes were unblinking, she didn’t move. Every thought faded from her mind. There was no urgency, for there were no deadlines to beat. No need to patrol, or worry about her place, or fear the Dragon Highlords following. There was only quiet serenity.
An indeterminate time later, Anari blinked. She looked about dazedly, as if awakening from a long slumber. In fact, had she awoken laying beside the pool of water, she wouldn’t have been surprised. But, although she still sat upright, she found no sore or stiff muscles, no part of her protested as she slowly started to rise. Part-way up though, she paused, somewhat startled and then amused. With her leg injured as it was, she’d found that the easiest way to stand was to bend her left leg and push up off of it to straighten, then put her right leg under her. And that, combined with the way she faced, made it seem as if she knelt in homage to the pool.
Which, in a way, felt right to Anari.
Smiling, she actually remained in that position for a moment longer, then fully stood, turning to go. She’d just stepped back into the sunlight – the sun had moved, meaning she’d been there for some time – when a sudden realization made her pause. Rubbing the back of her head in wonder, she glanced back over her shoulder at the pool. When she’d approached, the entire area around the pool was perfectly dry.
So… why had Anari heard a splash?
(word count: 937/500 early, deadline, toll)
As she took a turn, glancing at the tavern as she passed and heading on, Anari couldn’t help but wonder how they were getting on. Had the captain picked a good replacement for her? What had he thought when he returned from his vacation to find out his lieutenant, whom he’d hand-picked to join the watch, had not only run out on the town, but had also slain a dragonknight and a dragon beforehand? Likely he would have had to denounce her, as would everyone there, to spare themselves. She could only hope (dare she say it, pray?) that the DHS hadn’t exacted too high a toll on the town for her actions. It had been the one reason why the woman warrior had departed so publicly, so everyone could point out the direction and say ‘She fled that way.’ It had been her last means of protecting the town that had sheltered first her mother, then herself for so many years.
Dashing away a small tear of homesickness, Anari shook her head at her foolishness. She was here, and even if no one ever knew it doing something important by just existing; she kept the artifact out of their wicked talons. Absently her fingers stroked over the grip of her flail, snug in its harness at her left hip. Yes, it had served its purpose before it had been reforged, defeating villains who had threatened those under her care, and it would continue to do so for this new home. Yet still… Anari couldn’t hold back a soft sigh. She had a purpose, but was it enough by itself? Why did it feel like she longed for more?
Abruptly, as she turned a corner, she saw a building she had never noticed before. It was large, rather beautiful, and had of all things dozens upon dozens of rabbits and hares around it! But not just normal rabbits and hares, no. These had of all things feathered wings! A small, delighted smile found her face, watching them scamper and hop to and fro, foraging at the grass that surrounded the building, some hopping their carefree way inside or coming hopping out. They were so adorable (though she thought some of the hares looked like they could pack a mighty kick if they were threatened). Her curiosity about the building grew, especially as she heard what sounded like a splash from within, so the former watchman made her way carefully among the rabbits and entered.
The instant she set foot inside, she realized what place she had found: a temple. Four alters were set to opposing sides, one dark and ominous, one cluttered, one neat and organized, and one bright as if bathed in a continual beam of sunlight. As she approached the heart of the place, walking with reverent steps out of ingrained habit from childhood, she saw a pool of pure clear water directly in the middle of all the alters. Standing at the edge, she saw four fish circling each other, chasing the tail of the fish before them.
For a long moment, she just stood there, as if transfixed by the pool, then slowly lowered herself to sit, legs to the side, at its edge. Anari’s eyes were unblinking, she didn’t move. Every thought faded from her mind. There was no urgency, for there were no deadlines to beat. No need to patrol, or worry about her place, or fear the Dragon Highlords following. There was only quiet serenity.
An indeterminate time later, Anari blinked. She looked about dazedly, as if awakening from a long slumber. In fact, had she awoken laying beside the pool of water, she wouldn’t have been surprised. But, although she still sat upright, she found no sore or stiff muscles, no part of her protested as she slowly started to rise. Part-way up though, she paused, somewhat startled and then amused. With her leg injured as it was, she’d found that the easiest way to stand was to bend her left leg and push up off of it to straighten, then put her right leg under her. And that, combined with the way she faced, made it seem as if she knelt in homage to the pool.
Which, in a way, felt right to Anari.
Smiling, she actually remained in that position for a moment longer, then fully stood, turning to go. She’d just stepped back into the sunlight – the sun had moved, meaning she’d been there for some time – when a sudden realization made her pause. Rubbing the back of her head in wonder, she glanced back over her shoulder at the pool. When she’d approached, the entire area around the pool was perfectly dry.
So… why had Anari heard a splash?
(word count: 937/500 early, deadline, toll)