nother story. This is from last season when the Weretortoise attacked. (I'm finally catching up)
Zothoabo anxiously paced back and forth in the small bedroom he shared with his family. The alarm had gone off 20 minutes ago, and after securing themselves, the children had quieted down… which only made his anxiety worse. “She should have been back at least 10 minutes ago” he muttered to himself. His hands rapped nervously on the wooden wall of the room. “She was just going to get firewood, what could have gone wrong?”
His musings were interrupted by his eldest daughter Donu. “Papa.” She waited for him to stop fidgeting, “When’s mama coming home?”
“She’ll be back soon.” He waited in silence for what seemed like an eternity. “Wait here children, I’m going to go get mama. No need to fear, Ino will keep you safe.” He left with that, hopeful that the ignorance of youth would keep his children from noticing the lack of conviction in his words.
The fort was busy. There was no word as to whether or not it was safe outside yet, and people could be seen scurrying to and fro, or huddled into alcoves whispering the rumors about what had the River Guard on edge.
“I hear there’s another wereskink out there” came whispers from one of the halls. “No, it’s the knife ears. An elven ambush.” Zothoabo felt the blood drain from his face. He had seen the elven invaders kill his parents and most of his village before his eyes when he was but a child, and didn’t want the River Guard to suffer the same fate.
As he rushed around the corner, he bumped into a guard. After regaining his composure, he desperately grasped the woman’s cloak and begged, “Please my wife is still out there. What raised the alarm?”
“A Weretortoise.” She said gruffly, and gently brushed Zothoabo aside, ‘I need to get my gear, the Guard is mobilizing.”
As the guardswoman marched down the hallway, Zothoabo leaned against a wall. Weretortoise, he thought. Guess there’s only one. She can run away from a weretortoise. And, if she gets injured, I can take care of her. I am a doctor after all.
He got up, and began returning to his room, before realizing the fallacy of his argument. Werecreatures don’t try to kill. They try to maim. To spread the curse of their hubris when they insulted the gods. If Hustra wasn’t killed, she would be turned into a monster. Locked away to protect the town until she was either killed, or died of old age, abandoned by the gods, society and her own family. It was a fate worse than death, and the thought caused Zothoabo to collapse into a nearby chair.
He reached across the table and wrapped his fingers around a half empty mug. His shaking hand brought it to his lips and he began to slurp down the alcoholic contents in order to ease his racing fear. He heard a murmur go up from some of the people around him, and tried to ignore it, not wanting to hear any bad news.
As he continued drinking, drowning out his own dark thoughts a light emerged, a voice distant but strong. “Zothoabo!” He turned to see Hustra running down the hall towards him. “I’m fine. They killed it.” She said as Zothoabo stumbled out of his chair and raced to embrace his wife.
After learning that Hustra was safe, Zothoabo looked at her asked, “Were you bit?” and began examining her for blood.
‘No, I’m fine.” She responded, putting his fears to rest. “How are the children?”
“They’re scared, but alright.” He paused and gave Hustra a smile, “Can’t you take a job inside?”
“You know that’s not how The Guard works. We all contribute.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek, “I’ll be more careful from now on. There’s no need to worry.”
He hugged her back, then straightened, and composed himself. “Let’s go to the children, If you ever feel unsafe, talk to me, I may be able to get you a safer job as a nurse. “
She smiled, and grasped his hand, “You don’t have to be so serious all the time. I know you have an important job, but right now, let’s just enjoy the time we have together.”
He squeezed her hand, “I will.”
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Topic: Mong Kima - The Nation of Pearls (DF 0.47.05) (Read 240311 times)