River and Rapids

[King Thedriol]

The River that runs past Elidwen is wide and fast-flowing. At this point in the river, it runs sharply down hill, forming a short series of rapids. While it has proved deadly in one or two cases, the river is crystal clear before and after the rapids, and a soft white foam over the rapids.

[Kai]

Kai stumbled along the edge of the river trying not to slip. He had come far and it had taken him a few weeks. He sighed and sat down. He took his water bottle out of his pouch and dipped it into the river and was soon filled with cold water. He then took out a small loaf of bread and broke a bit off, he then proceded to eat it.
"This looks like a good place to practice" Kai thought.
He stood up and closed his eyes beginning to focus. He could hear the wind moving the trees and the sound of the creaking branches. He heard it. That sound his eyes flashed open and he opened his clenched fist. He made a complicated movement and suddenly out of nowhere a tornado appeared out on the river, he moved his hand a little bit and it moved over ctaching more and more water. Then he clenched his fist and it stopped. Then he moved his eyes over to a fallen log he created a powerful rush of wind and lifted it up. He dropped it next to him before collapsing onto it. He panted and took a long drink of water. He was out of practise. He was tired out after just a few seconds that wasn't good. He would stay here for a couple more weeks. As he looked up he realised how much he missed other peoples company. Especially Rogans. Though he could be annoying he was a good friend if only he could find some more...

[Kai]

After a couple more days of practise he was getting better at working for longer times. But he was getting increasingly tired. He was on his last parts of food and they were barely scraps themselves. He stomach rumbled and he sighed. He was starving and tired. Working his magic was taking its toll. His green eyes looked up and stared up to the pale blue moon. Slowly his eyes closed and he dreamt.

Kai's teacher stood up. "Class I'd like you to welcome Kai to our class, he moved into the area a couple of months ago but has been helping at his fathers farm. Please treat him kindly." She then turned to the rest of the class and started telling them basic survival skills.
He was in his training camp. Nothing more than a couple of tents in a forest. His parents had sent him here in hope that he'd be able to forget his past and move on. Kai walked down to the back of the tent and sat down on his own. He bought his legs up and hid his face. Even now he could hear them already, the kids whispering to each other about him.
"It's that kid that freak. I've heard he can kill you if he touches you." And things worse than that. "He can curse you if you just even look at him, he'll trick you into being his friend and then turn on you. That's what I heard." "Don't go near him he's got a terrible disease you'll catch it."
Things didn't get any better and as days went by he became more and more isolated from the rest. The teachr didn't notice but whenever it came time to chose teams he'd be chosen last. And the he'd be told by the rest to stay hidden until the end. And he always did. At meal times no one would sit near him and if they did they would just fling their scraps at him telling him to eat it. Then it happened. When the ring leader found out that Kai could do none of this he decided to take Kai out. At breakfast he came over to Kai and started a friendly conversation. Kai began to relax and talked back believing the boy to be his friend. Suddenly the boy reached forward and threw Kais' food and drink in his face. Laughed and watched him picking food from his hair. Kai stood up and walked out of the tent. The rest of the boys snickered and followed. When they were out of sight of the camp one kicked Kai in the back of his legs causing him to fall over. As he picked himself up he spat mud from his mouth. Then the older boy put his foot on him and pushed himback down. After they stopped kicking him Kai thought it was over. But it wasn't. One of the bigger boys picked him up and made sure he couldn't run. The others started to jeer at him as one of the boys punched him in the stomach. They threw him back to the ground telling him to fight back. As he stood up he realised he they had made a ring with the largest strongest boy in the middle. Kai didn't fight back he knew if he did the punishment would be worse, besides even if he did manage to throw the other guy off the rest would hurt him. Before he could decide what to do he felt a terrible pain in both his legs. His scream pierced the forest and this pleased the rest of the camp greatly. Kai couldn't stand up. Both his legs were broken. They lifted him up and took him to the edge of the cliff and threw him....."

Kai woke with a start. And slowed his breath. He looked around him. He was alone but what had made him think of that? He'd managed to push those memories out for a long time.....maybe it was being in the forest. He shook his head and decided to go back. He needed more supplies and could use some company.

[cien]

Cien held her eyeglass roughly an inch away from her left eye between her thumb and index finger. Puru-puru perched noiselessly on the top of her head, neither bouncing nor murmuring. She sighed.

'Is this wrong, Puru-puru? An intrusion into someone's private life?'

Her inaudible whisper was met with a soft "Pu~"
If curiosity would kill the cat, she was willing to be a sacrifice. The streak she had seen across her eyeglass before was something she had only seen once before but had been 'unable' to further investigate. At that time, it had been fear that drove her to run away, and now she saw fear of the same colour radiating from Kai, eventhough for just a moment. Having observed him for only a while, his power confirmed her suspicions.

An elemental.

Replacing her eyeglass, she saw that he intended to return and turned to leave when Puru-puru leapt into the air. Groaning at the bad timing, Cien made a sweeping gesture to catch it, but it jumped out of her grasp. In an attempt to catch it before it hit the water's surface, she herself slipped and fell into the river with one last thought...

'Oh. Great.'

[Rose]

Rose had been riding up the river to the town of Elidwen, she had left the city in the early hours of the morning and had decided to take the scenic route to her house. She had it all planned; she'd follow the river up to the small track that led through the fields almost directly behind her house. Only there was one problem: she passed that track 15 minutes ago.
Rose loved nothing more than being outside, and riding through the woods beside a river was no exception. She knew the town of Elidwen well, after all, she had been restricted to its borders for the first 16 years of her life and she had often swum in the river when she was younger. She was tempted to do so again, but she could imagine the look on her mothers face if she turned up at the front door sopping wet. No, swimming was not a good idea.

The trees along the sides of the bank thickened, there was a small coppice somewhere along here. Rose was annoyed that she had forgotten where. That was the problem with woods; they were constantly growing and changing. She dismounted and left Whisper ripping up some dandelion plants by the footpath. She had chosen one of the steepest parts of the bank to climb down, admittedly not one of her cleverest ideas. She used the skinny tress either side of her for support and levered herself down to the bank. Gripping the edge of the bank with her toes for balance she leant over as far out into the river as she could without falling in. No, the coppice was not where she thought it would be. Perhaps I’ve already passed it she thought to herself, and turned to climb back up the bank, when she froze. She heard someone shout and then a splash, or a splash then someone shout, she wasn't sure which.

At the same time as she had decided to hitch up her skirts and wade into the river to investigate, a foreign thought invaded her own. It was Whisper who, bored with the dandelions, had decided to come down to the waters edge. He was thirsty, and also wondering what was so interesting by the water. It didn't look very interesting to him. Unfortunately, as he was lacking in the opposable thumb region, Whisper had nothing to hold onto to lower himself down the steep bank and as the earth crumbled beneath his hooves; he slid down the bank on all four legs and, with a snort of triumph, straight into the river. Rose had dived into the water to avoid being bowled over by Whisper and she was so busy dragging herself up out of the muddy bank, she hadn't noticed what was happening slightly further downstream.

[Kai]

Kai suddenly heard three splashes not far from where he was standing. He shivered as thoughts of his past returned. He turned round and under the pale moon he noticed two girls lying in the river along with Puru-puru. He ran back along the bank and handed his hand down to the first girl. "Cien right? You ok?" He thought he could see Rose and a horse and called out to her. "Are you ok...err....Rose? I'll be there in a minute." He thought quietly to himself did either of them see? Do either of them know I'm an elemental? As that thought struck he panicked if they did they might hurt him. They might run away. They might not care but that was unlikely. He tried to get a hold of himself and one again passed his hand down to Cien. He thought to himself
"Please say neither of them saw. Please say they don't know my secret.....

[cien]

Cien smiled and accepted Kai's hand. Her eyeglass had fallen off and was hanging by her side, but she didn't need it to tell her that Kai was nervous... his hand was cold enough.

Out of the water, the wind that blew around her gave her shivers. Cien shook her head and reached for Puru-puru, who was making small sneezing noises and looking very surprised with itself. "Don't catch a cold now, just sit here and don't move," she said, laying it in a sunny spot. Still dripping, she waded back into the shallower part of the river to help Rose, but before that, she turned back and gave Kai a reassuring smile.

I know your secret, but I won't tell anyone, and I won't run away.

[Rose]

Rose, with the help of Kai and Cien, managed to coax Whisper out of the river. She was slightly worried that he would be swept downstream by the current, but she needn't have been. Soon enough they were all standing on the track, Cien, Rose and Whisper dripping wet and Kai looking somewhat pale.
"Thanks" said Rose to both of them and threw a sidelong glance at Whisper, who had enjoyed his brief swim.
"But no thanks to you!" she said frowning down at her ruined dress. My mother is going to kill me... she thought to herself. She turned back to Cien and Kai, and began to ask why they were both by the river, but stopped. She didn't want to make them feel awkward...she didn't know why they were both by the river; none of them had any fishing rods or swimming gear. Maybe they came together? Rose wondered. Well, whatever the reason, she needed to get to her house and the quickest way was to go through the town.

She mounted Whisper, nearly sliding right off the wet saddle.
"I really ought to go, I'm on my way home and, well, I took a detour and now I'm really late. Thanks again for giving me a hand." she said and made as if to ride off, but pulled the reins tightly, having a sudden thought. Whisper gave a snort of annoyance. She felt rude just leaving Kai and Cien, sopping wet after they'd helped her. She couldn't take them to her house to dry off; her mother would probably turn a purpley red colour if they arrived at the doorstep. Instead she thought of the second best thing.

"If you like, I could give you a lift into Elidwen, I’m on my way to the town now. There’s a warm pub there where you could dry off" she added, able to understand how cold Cien must be and Kai had gotten quite wet helping them all out.
"That is, unless you want to stay here or return to the city…" she added “But, you know, I'm going that way so it wouldn't be any trouble..."

She looked between Kai and Cien, she didn't need though magic to sense something unsaid was going on between them, she wondered what it was, but said nothing.

After all only Whisper had seen Kai, and he had no reason to think anything of it…

[Kai]

"I think I'll make my own way back. Thanks for the offer though I...I need to be alone for a while... I'm glad your both ok.." He knew he must be pale and when he touched his skin it was stone cold. Whether it was from being in the water or from nerves he didn't know. Kai turned round and started to walk. He was glad neither of them had seen or if they did had said nothing. It was a first. Something about his powers had gone right. He thought to himself as he turned to face them both "Thank you for treating me with respect even if you didn't see..." He picked up his things and walked toward the town and his face broke into a smile briefly.

[cien]

Cien smiled inwardly. There had been enough said. Turning back to Rose, she shook her head. "I think I'll dry off here.. Besides," she held up a very muddy Puru-puru, "I need to wash it off. Once the mud sticks, it will be a permanently brown furball..."

[Karei]

Karei quickly dried her hair, thankful that she had washed out all the dried blood. Arai was rolling in the grass on the shore, also trying to dry off. A soft sigh escaped the girl as she laid back in the grass, an exhausted sigh escaping her. her eyes, usually full of life, now seemed to hold a remorseful appearence. The bay stallion stood up, shaking himself, and canter around playfully, tossing his head low. He came up to her, nudging her shoulder playfully.
''Sorry Arai, I'm just not in the mood...''
Kar said with a soft smile, sending him off again.

[theprophet]

Cody lay holding his wounded ribs. He had bruised them significantly the arrow had pierced deep into his side and he was still coughing up blood from time to time. He hated that Dark Knight, he hated the Circle and its leader, Damion Armond. He watched as Karie and Arai played by the river. He slowly made his way over sitting down in pain next to Karei. Arai nodded gently in his direction as he continued to play in the grass. The sound of the running water was very relaxing. Thinking about the water he wondered if Dahrin had escaped and was okay.
"Thank you Karei. I owe you my life." His baby blue eyes gazed down on her as she lay in the grass. He ran his hands over his bandaged ribs. He had removed his armour allowing Karie to bandage him earlier.

[Karei]

Karei looked up at him, smiling softly.
''It was nothing.''
She replied, propping herself up on her elbows.
''After all, you would have done the same for me.''
A soft squeal came from Arai and she looked over at the horse. A dull look crossed ehr features when she saw what was wrong. The stalion had torn the wound on his leg open again.
''That's what you get for running around with a bad leg...''
She murmered as he limped over. Kar sat up, examining the wound quickly, then tightened the bandages on it.

[theprophet]

Cody grinned, she always seemed to downplay her accomplishments.
"Its not everyday someone would save the Last Colossus. I thank and I owe you." He watched as she fixed the bandage on Arai's leg.
"Did you ever find out who the dark knight was?"

[Karei]

Karei sent Arai off and then regained her seat, looking over at Cody.
''Darhin knows him...I'm almost positive. The dark knight went to kill him specifically. He had a chance to kill me, but didn't do so to get to him. And Darhin acted strange when I asked him.''
Kar let out a sigh, running her hand through her still-damp hair.

[theprophet]

Cody watched her, she was so beautiful. He slowly stood up and walked over to the waters edge and cuped some water tossing it on on his face. Then slowly slipped into the gently running water letting it flow over his wounds and body. He could feel the cleasning water run in his wounds. He let out a quick gasp as he felt the cold water run into the arrows wound. He coughed up a little blood. He stood in the middle of the river as he let the water clean his body. He then slowly made his way out of the water grabbing some more bandages and changing the dressing. The sunlight was bright as it cast down on him. His tattoos were now clearly visible. He had about his entire chest tattoed and his back and shoulders. He turned and sat back down next to Karei.
"I have to ask how did I do? I passed out before the end."

[Karei]

Karei watched him curiously, sea-blue eyes studying the tattooes on his body. She tilted her head to one side as he sat next to her again and blinked in surprise at his question.
''You destroyed practically half the army.''
She said with a slight smile.
''You fell just as Darhin was going to the dark knight. I let him go on and hurried you out of the battle grounds. After that there was an explosion...can't remember much after that.''
She said with a sigh, brushing her hand through her hair again. She watched Arai as he trotted around, still energetic.

[theprophet]

Cody sat his eyes locking with her eyes.
"Do you wonder what my tattoos mean?" He ran his right hand over some of the symbols. Not all of the tattoos could be seen because of the bandage but a great number of them could. He ran his other hand through his white wet hair as he pushed it out of the way making his hair a real mess.

[Karei]

Karei looked back at him and nodded.
''Yes, I am curious. Are you willing to tell?''
She asked curiously, blinking a few times. Her head was tilted to one side again, studying the markings again.

[theprophet]

He ran his fingers over the circular sybmols on his belly. "These Karei, mean that when I was born the stars were in perfect alignment. That means that I would have a blessed long life." He then took his hand and ran it near his left peck where a symbol of a circular like tribal tatto covered his entire left side of his chest. "This one means I am a Colossus.'' Then he ran his hand over the right side of his chest where a almost similar tatto lay, only instead of complelely filled in it had a hole in the center of the circle. "This one means I have passed the Trials." He then turned showing her his back. The tattoo followed up his back and to his wrapping around to create the tatto that covered his face. "This one on my back only means that I am the first born of the Colossus Chieftain." He turned back around as he ran his hand over the left shoulder A symbol of a sun was tattoed on it had ten flames on the side. "To my people it is called the Great Harvest Tattoo. It means it would bring luck in battle." Then he turned touching his right shoulder it was a long tattoo coming down to his wrist, it was of lightening. "This one means that I am deeply in touch with my ancestors and the spirits of earth. It goes to my wrist because of my ability to speak to them." He then run his fingers over his face tatto it came up the rigth side and curled around his eyebrow. It had sharp points and was very tribal like. "This one Karei is very special to me. It means that I have reached man-hood. My people believed age had little to do with being a man. It had everything to do with leadership. I lead some of my people into hiding so i was awarded this tattoo."
Cody's eyes grow distant a tear wells up in the side of his as he thinks of his people.