“What letters?”
“I guess it’s for the best,” she mumbled sadly.
“What are you talking about? What’s going on? Please, tell me,” Lucas pleaded.
Isella said nothing. Lucas waited, hoping she would answer, but she just stared at the ground in front of her with those sad eyes. “Please…Isella. Please tell me. All these months—I—I just...I wanted to find you. I had no idea where you were, or what happened. So please. Tell me.”
She rolled over to her other side, facing the wall so Lucas couldn’t see her face. After a moment’s hesitation, she answered. “Every month I left a letter for you with your parents.”
He shook his head, confused. “What? They never gave me any letters. They thought you were killed.”
“That’s because they burned them.”
With those words, a sinking feeling overcame Lucas. His own parents knew better than anyone how worried he was about Isella. “W-Why? Why would they do that? Why wouldn’t they tell me?”
He pleaded her with his eyes, searching for answers, but none were returned. He rattled the cell bars in frustration. “Tell me, Isella! What the hell is going on?!”
Isella body shook with silent sobs. She had already said too much. She promised herself she would hide everything, for his sake, but she couldn’t bear it. And now, knowing more would only make things for him. “I’m sorry, Lucas…” she whispered.
He rattled the bars again, yelling, “Tell me what’s going on! Why won’t you tell me?”
“Stop it, Lucas.” Devin quickly walked up to him and grabbed his arm. “That’s enough.”
“But—”
“Come with me.” Devin led him out of the dungeon. He gave the troubled soldier a sympathetic look as he let go of him. “I’m taking you off active duty until you get yourself together. I know this is hard for you, but you need to learn how to keep focus and control yourself.”
Lucas clenched his fists. After all the years he and Isella have been together, it infuriated him how she would keep such secrets from him. And if Isella were telling the truth, even his own parents were hiding something from him. Now finally, after nearly a year, he had found her, but that wasn’t enough. He wanted to know what happened to her. Lucas rushed off toward the stables.
“Where are you going?” asked Devin.
“To find out what really happened to her.”
Upon reaching the stables, Lucas mounted up and rode South to Yuin. By nightfall, he arrived in the village. Lights filled the windows, the sounds of silverware and dinner conversations escaped a few of the homes. He dismounted and tied his horse near the front of the modest tailor shop near the center of the village. The small bell signaled his entry. A woman’s voice called from the back room, “I’ll be there in just a second!”
Lucas walked toward the back room behind the counter. As he approached the doorway, he nearly bumped into the woman, startling her. “Oh! Lucas, you scared me.”
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: A Year of Silence, Scene v1
Next: Surprise Visit, Scene v1
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Seeking the Truth, Scene v1
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
A Year of Silence, Scene v1
“Welcome back. And who do we have here?” asked Raze as Devin and his squad rode up to the castle gates just before noon.
Devin hopped off his saddle and handed his horse over to a nearby soldier. He helped Isella off of Kismet’s horse as he spoke, “We found Isella here involved in some Kival activity while we were in the Republic. Kismet insists she’s the same person that had been spying on them in Rokan as well.”
Raze looked at her curiously, then at Lucas. “Isella…that name sounds familiar. Isn’t she—never mind. Let’s go inside.”
As they took Isella to her cell, the squad debriefed Raze about their encounters with the Kival. “I’m still amazed. How did you know Hazalin was going to only take three of the wagons, anyway?” asked Sara as they left the dungeon.
“When I heard he abandoned his position as one of the five Commanders of Lokem to help the Kival find a new home, I felt it best to learn more about him incase something like this ever happened. Eleven years ago, during the Catheran Invasion, Lokem received word that the Cathera were moving through Rokan from the Telan Empire. Hazalin led a group of a hundred archers to ward off any incoming Cathera at Jastor’s Pass to prevent Lokem from suffering the same fate as Rokan. Although over eighty of those soldiers died, it was still the most effective strategy. Since the Kival have become more aggressive, it was obvious they were becoming desperate for food. But despite that, I heard Hazalin always strived to keep good relations with people, since the last thing the Kival would want is a war against them. So I had the last two wagons filled with rocks, and left the third with food and a note.”
Sara was entranced in the General’s story, never blinking an eye. Her brow furrowed in curiosity. “A note?”
Raze waved away her question and began walking off with Nakita and Devin. “That’s not important. Anyway, good work in capturing Isella. You’re all dismissed until further notice.”
“Wait. What’s going to happen to her—to Isella?” asked Lucas.
Raze looked back at him. Confusion and anxiety clouded his eyes, as he braced himself for her response. “We’ll need to find out what she knows, then we’ll see. I’m sorry Lucas.”
Lucas stood there, trying to stop himself from shaking, as the Generals walked off. Sara rolled her eyes and walked off. Kismet gazed at him for a moment, then touched his shoulder sympathetically before searching for Delphi.
Lucas returned to the dungeon. The warden glanced at him as he walked by toward the cells. The rancid stench of urine and body odor lingered in the air. The stone walls seemed to grow colder the further cells he walked. Only two of the sixteen cells were occupied apart from Isella’s. He stood in front of her cell while she lie on the mat against the wall that served as her bed.
“Isella…” he looked at her, desperate for a response. “Why won’t you talk to me?”
Isella didn’t move. She continued to stare at the ground in front of her. Lucas grabbed the bars of the cell. “Why won’t you say anything—or even look at me? Was it something I did?”
“No…” she answered softly.
“Then why?”
A tear fell from her eyes. Her mouth twitched. “I guess you really never did get any of my letters.”
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Feline Beauty, Scene v1
Next: Seeking the Truth, Scene v1
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Feline Beauty, Scene v1
Isella gazed at Kismet in fascination. Her thin red tabby fur glistened under the ceiling light. Isella now understood why stories described them as intimidating, but beautiful. The night Kismet helped her in Koln, she remembered her baring her sharp teeth with a hiss. Not to mention her razor sharp claws, which looked to be able to tear through a person’s body with ease...Cathera were indeed intimidating. But regardless, Isella couldn’t help but admire Kismet’s beauty. Her feline features seemed to compliment her feminine figure, making her appear powerful, yet beautiful. Isella imagined her tail to be rather annoying to deal with when it came to clothing, but it had an unusually elegant appeal to it. Her legs appeared a blend between human and cat legs, standing on her pawed “toes” with an extended foot. Isella never really thought Kismet to be very tall, but she noticed that she always stood with her feet bent. She imagined the Catheran could easily be a head taller than herself.
Kismet rinsed herself off before walking to the side of the tub. She stepped in the left side, and lowered herself into the water. “Sorry for the tight squeeze.”
Isella shook her head. It was actually quite relaxing, despite the lack of room. Her fur was soft and warm, just like that of a normal cat. She gazed at the Catheran’s face shyly. Her cat nose struck Isella a bit odd at first, but when she saw those yellow cat eyes reminisce of times with the young princess as she washed her, the Catheran’s face was surprisingly comforting.
Kismet, with her shiny long auburn hair draped to her left side, looked at Isella awkwardly. Isella snapped out of her trance and quickly looked away. “Sorry...I’ve just never really seen a Catheran before.”
Although it had been over ten years of people fearing and hating the Cathera, Isella had never given much thought to how she felt about them. None of her friends or family was affected by the invasion, and the stories she heard from her elders and peers portrayed them as complete opposites. As she at in the tub with one of the most feared races in the region, she didn’t feel afraid. In fact, she felt safe, a feeling she had almost forgotten. “Umm…can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“Why did you join the military? I’ve seen how people treat you. They’re afraid of you. They despise you. Yet you still want to protect them?”
Kismet hesitated for a moment before replying. “I joined to protect Delphi. That is all.”
Isella was baffled. How could someone willingly put herself through all that for the sake of one person? It was masochism. “But why do you put up with how people hate you for things you didn’t even do? Why don’t you just leave Rokan and find people who appreciate you for who you are?”
“Delphi has shown me nothing but love and kindness, and I want to protect that. Besides, everywhere I go is the same. Even if I wanted to leave, where would I even go?”
“My people wouldn’t see you the same way as the Republic and the Empire. Apart from the Catheran invasion, all the stories of the Cathera regarded them with respect. My people have always been discriminated against, and that’s why we’re trying to find ourselves a new home, just for us.”
“I distinctly remember seeing the fear in your eyes when I first saw you,” pointed out Kismet.
“W-well. Okay, fine. I was afraid at first, but I’ve seen how you really are, and I’m not afraid anymore. I’m sure the rest of my people will realize that too. They know that what happened eleven years ago wasn’t the Cathera’s fault,” insisted Isella.
“I appreciate the concern, but this is what I want to do. Delphi is my life, and I want nothing more than to protect her.”
Although she respected her resolve, it still frustrated her that she would accept such a life. Kismet gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s getting late and we have a long ride ahead of us.”
Kismet stepped out of the tub and shook herself dry. She helped Isella out and dried her with a towel before draping her in a blue bathrobe. Kismet sat her on the bed and fed her the remaining pieces of jerky, along with a drink of water. “Get some rest,” said the Catheran, as she pulled the sheets over Isella.
“But…where are you going to sleep?” she asked.
Kismet grabbed their clothes and brought them to the sink across the room. She began washing them as she spoke, “Don’t worry about it. Just go to sleep.”
Isella stared at Kismet’s fur-covered back, then at her large feline ears that protruded from the top of her head. Despite the Catheran’s profession, and the injuries she had received, not a scar was on her body, apart from the missing piece from her left ear. “What happened to your ear?”
Kismet continued washing the dirt out of the clothes without turning around. “I don’t know. It’s been that way for as long as I can remember. Everything else heals just fine, but my ear always stays this way.”
“I see.” Isella turned onto her side and stared at Kismet’s tail. Her eyes grew heavier as it swung back and forth hypnotically. At last, she was able to get a good night’s rest.
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Like a Princess, Scene v1
Next: A Year of Silence, Scene v1
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Like a Princess, Scene v1
Kismet left the room briefly and returned with a small pouch. From it, she unwrapped several pieces of jerky, and held one out in front of Isella’s mouth. Kismet grabbed the washcloth from the bucket while Isella gnawed on the jerky. “Sorry if this is too hot.”
The Catheran wrung the rag. The cascade of hot water ran through Isella’s hair and down her body. The trails of water quickly turned brown with dirt, leaving lightened trails over her body in its wake. Although the water was indeed hot, the warmth was something she yearned for. Autumn had been colder than usual, and the rain more frequent. Warmth and comfort had become something of the past. The feeling of hot water running over her reminded her of the days when she lived comfortably in the Damire household. She soon forgot her embarrassment and sighed with content.
Isella closed her eyes in relaxation as Kismet massaged the shampoo into her hair tenderly. She was worried at first, having seen the Catheran’s claws, but she soon found herself forgetting she was even a captive. As Kismet began gently rubbing the dirt from her body with a soaped wash cloth, Isella couldn’t help by feel like some sort of princess. She watched the Catheran kneeling beside her give her body a long overdue cleaning. A hint of a smile showed on Kismet’s face, her eyes focused on where she was washing, almost like a mother lovingly tending to her child. Isella couldn’t help but reminisce of when she and her mother used to bathe together when she was younger.
Kismet noticed Isella staring at her. She looked back at her with her large yellow cat eyes. “Yes?”
Isella broke out of her trance, blushing in embarrassment. She quickly averted her eyes and spoke softly. “O-Oh, nothing. Sorry.”
“Seems like it’s been awhile since you’ve had a chance to bathe. The dirt is caked onto you.”
Isella nodded. “It has. And…thank you.”
“Orders are orders.”
She looked at the Catheran’s face once more. The small smile was still there. “For some reason you seem to be enjoying this.”
“I guess it reminds me of home.”
“I’m no princess.”
Kismet let out a small laugh. “I guess everyone really does know who I am.” She paused for a moment. “So, why did you run from the Damire family anyway?”
“I didn’t run. I was kidnapped,” insisted Isella.
“I doubt it’s really that simple.”
“I’d rather not talk about it.”
Kismet finished scrubbing Isella clean. “Close your eyes.” The Catheran dumped the remaining water from the bucket over Isella before refilling the bucket with clean water. “Sorry, this may be a bit cold.” She dumped the water over Isella to rinse her off. She clenched her body to fight the sudden chill.
Kismet helped Isella to her feet, and into the bathtub. She lowered herself against the right side of the tub and looked back at the Catheran who began to wash herself. Despite having lived during the Catheran invasion, she was fortunate enough to have never witnessed its horrors. The only Cathera Isella knew were the ones of stories and paintings, which often showed ill favor toward them. She always imagined them to be menacing and ferocious monsters with razor-sharp teeth that would tear into any flesh it spotted. At least, so preached the most common stories and paintings of Lokem and Rokan. However, gazing upon the Catheran that stood in front of her, she remembered the tales of the Cathera from her relatives, prior to living in the Damire household. They spoke of an intimidating, but beautiful race. Sometimes the Cathera were referred to as the “Children of Terra”, the mother goddess, and their world. Her grandfather shared with her what he remembered of ancient lore regarding the Cathera, which spoke of them as the guardians of Terra. Before her, she saw not a horror, but rather a mystic beauty that captivated her.
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: An Unusual Luxury, Scene v1
Next: Feline Beauty, Scene v1
Monday, August 3, 2009
An Unusual Luxury, Scene v1
It was already night by the time they reached Harrin, Rokan’s border city. Kismet led Isella into the room they would be sharing for the night. It was a cozy room suited for a single person. The main room had in it a small dining table, kitchen, and lounging space, with the single bed across the room. When compared to the cell in Koln, the crude camps in the wilderness or in caves, or sharing a basement of a home with up to a dozen other people, the room she stood in was a luxury she thought she’d never experience again.
Kismet closed the door behind her, eyeing the dirt they trailed into the room. “Hey, hey—” snapped the Catheran just before Isella sat on the bed.
Kismet pulled the Kival to the door. “You’re not touching anything before washing off and putting on something clean. We don’t want to cause any more trouble for the owners,” she said as she began unfastening worn belt around Isella’s waist.
Isella tried to struggle away in a panic, pleading. “W-wait! Let me do it myself!”
“Bear with it. I was told not to leave you untied any longer than necessary. The more you cooperate, the sooner it'll be over. Please, sit down so I can take off your boots.”
Isella reluctantly sat on the floor as anxiety gnawed at her. Kismet yanked off her worn leather boots and tattered socks. The sides and soles of her feet were heavily callused and stained with dried blood. As she slipped off the Kival’s linen trousers, Kismet couldn’t help but notice the several scrapings and bruises on both her lower legs. Isella looked away, flushed with embarrassment. Kismet pulled her to her feet by the arm and began untying the bindings around her hands. Her wrists throbbed once the ropes fell loose. The cool autumn breeze slithered into the room through the cracked open window, sending a small chill up her spine as Kismet pulled off her tunic. She stood in the corner near the door after Kismet rebound her hands behind her back. “Please, can’t you just let me do this myself? It’s not like he’d even know.”
The Catheran quickly disrobed without replying. She led Isella through the open door into the adjoined washroom. The open floor sloped subtly toward the drain in the center. Immediately to the right of the door was a small sink and mirror, with a sliding door opening into the small restroom. On the left wall was a large full-length mirror reflecting the counter along the right wall, and the stool that sat in front of it. At the back of the room stretched a bathtub large enough to comfortably fit a large person.
Kismet set the stool near the center of the wash area. She took the large steel bucket of water off the heater near the mirror and set it beside the stool. She gestured toward the seat.
Isella sat atop the wooden stool. She watched Kismet dip a large washing cloth into the bucket of hot water, then at herself sitting there. The sight of herself was rather surreal. Ever since she left the Damire household, she had rarely gotten the opportunity to see herself in a mirror. Even she noticed the hunger taking a toll on her body. Her joints, as well as her ribs, made no effort of hiding themselves. She turned her back to the mirror, unable to look at herself any longer. Her stomach whimpered hungrily.
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Riding Back, Scene v1
Next: Like a Princess, Scene v1
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Riding Back, Scene v1
They stepped outside into the cloudy autumn morning. Five horses were prepared and waiting with the rest of the squad. “Kismet, you’ll be riding with her. Everyone mount up. We’re heading out.”
Kismet helped Isella onto the saddle before sitting behind her. The squad trotted east out of Koln. As soon as they were on the road, Sara broke the silence. “So Lucas, is this really Isella?”
He nodded silently, his face full of confusion. He still couldn’t believe it himself. “Did you know she was helping the Kival like this?” continued Sara.
“A little over a year ago, I heard that my family was attacked by a group of bandits when they were visiting my aunt. Once my parents regained consciousness from the attack, Isella was missing. We never knew what happened to her, and never received any demands for ransom. I looked for her ever since, searching for any leads on where she may be, but it all seemed so hopeless. With every month that went by, I feared that she was dead.”
Lucas looked at Isella. Her face appeared sunken, her body famished. Her bony body showed signs of severe exhaustion and strain. Even though it had only been a year, it looked as though it had been five. A strange sense of guilt gnawed at Lucas. “Was this my fault?” he asked himself. “If only I weren’t always away for training…”
By mid afternoon, they reached the other side of Jastor’s Pass. They found a stream off the side of the road to take a break and let the horses drink. Lucas sat beside Isella, hesitantly, and offered her some jerky. She leaned over and took a bite without a word, carefully avoiding any eye contact. “Why have you never told me anything, after all this time?” asked Lucas.
Isella didn’t answer. She continued to chew on the jerky, squeezing out every bit of flavor she could. Lucas grew irritated. “Why couldn’t you at least let me know you were still alive? Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?”
She held back her tears and remained silent. She wanted to tell him, she always had, but she couldn’t. Telling him would only have made things worse.
She rose to her feet and began walking off. “Where do you think you’re going?” asked Devin.
“I need to pee.”
Devin waved her off. “You can go behind that tree.”
Isella gave one look back before slipping behind the tree. She crept through the brush, keeping out of sight. She moved quickly, but silently, a skill she quickly picked up over the past year. Glancing back, it seemed no one noticed her escape as she slithered behind one tree to the next, deeper into the woods. “If I make it deep enough,” she thought to herself, “there’s no way they’ll find me in this place.” Her confidence grew as she continued deeper for another minute, until a sharp pain stabbed into the side of her leg. With a cry of pain, she looked down at the long ice needle that pierced her leg.
“Did you honestly think you could run away that easily?” slithered Nakita’s voice, with a tinge of amusement. She flicked another needle into Isella’s other leg, causing her to fall to the floor. “What a fool you are.”
“Nakita, let’s go,” called Devin.
Nakita ripped the needles from Isella’s legs. The punctures began to leak a small trail of blood down her legs. Nakita tossed one of the needles away and tossed the second in her hand. She placed the point against Isella’s shoulder. Its cold tip stung sharply against her skin as it pierced her tunic. Nakita glared at the Kival. “Get up and let’s go.”
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Unexpected Reunion, Scene v1
Next: An Unusual Luxury, Scene v1
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Unexpected Reunion, Scene v1
“Garrick, stop! That’s enough!”
Tears welled up in Garrick’s eyes. He staggered to the side and dropped to his knees. His two loyal soldiers ran to his side, while he struggled to regain control over himself. Devin stood over the Kival woman. “Get up.”
She rose to her feet, cringing in pain. Blood seeped from her shoulder down her arm as she applied pressure to it with her right hand. Devin searched her, seizing her dagger and pouch. The rest of the squad ran up after having bound the unconscious soldiers. The Kival groaned in pain as Devin bound her hands behind her back and tied up her wound.
“I—Isella?!” exclaimed Lucas.
Isella averted her eyes shamefully. Kismet stared at her face, the same face she saw that night, not just in Koln, but also at the pond near Levan. As soon as she saw Lucas brave façade quickly crumbled into a troubled look filled with guilt and confusion. “You know her?”
“Isella...your girlfriend?” asked Sara, confused.
Lucas was at a loss for words, unable to believe his own eyes. He stared at her in disbelief, his eyes stung with tears. Devin turned to Garrick with a look of uncertainty. Garrick gave him a slight nod with renewed focus. “Let’s head back.”
The soldiers carried the captured Kival back to Koln in silence. Between Elena’s death, and Lucas’ shock, no one dared to speak a word. Devin was walking Isella. Kismet quickened her pace to Devin’s side, speaking softly, “General, this woman is the same woman I saw at Levan, and the pond that one night.”
“Are you sure?”
Kismet nodded. Devin looked at Isella’s face. It appeared surreal, even to him, that it was the same person as he saw four years ago. When he delivered the grave news to Lucas’ family of his father’s death. she was a live-in house servant at the time. Eventually rumors began to spread of a relationship developing between her and Lucas, but he never spoke much of his personal life. Unfortunately, the current state of things was not in Lucas’ favor.
The next morning, Devin walked into the town’s prison. It baffled him that even the prison was well kept and presentable. Koln made no effort in showing its pride in being the largest border city of Lokem. But Devin, having lived and served in Rokan City all his life, knew all too well that even the most beautiful cities have their fair share of problems.
“Devin, I’m glad you stopped by before leaving,” greeted Garrick. “Sorry for getting you mixed up in yesterday’s mess.”
The commander’s concerned look was unfitting. He had always been a jolly man, full of pride and laughter. Devin gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. The Kival are a problem for the both of us. Speaking of which, that Kival woman. I’ll be taking her with me.”
“Why? Clearly she was involved with what happened at the tower, and the journey back to Rokan will only give her a chance to escape.”
“Back in Rokan, Kismet claims she saw her spying on us, and is closely associated with someone by the name of Kain. Any idea who he is?”
Garrick shook his head. The idea of handing over the prisoner still left him uneasy. “Never heard of him. Besides, what does that have to do with anything? What if the furlicker is wrong, or lying? She probably is just looking for some sort of praise.”
“I know it’s hard to deal with, but I really do trust what she says. She’s never been one for fame or glory. As for Kain, according to what we know so far, he plays an active role in the Kival efforts. It seems he has been organizing something in the Rokan region, and that woman was involved in, or at least knows, what he was planning.”
Garrick massaged his scalp with his fingertips, mildly irritated. He let out a long sigh. “I guess if she is involved with something in Rokan, it would be best for you to take her.” He opened the steel reinforced door and led Devin to Isella’s cell. She sat slouched against the back wall, her hands still bound behind her back. Her bowl of food was licked clean near the cell door.
Garrick unlocked the door. Devin stepped into the cell, looking down at her worn face. Even in the poor lighting, he could see the exhaustion and lack of sleep in the shadows around her eyes. “Isella, right? You’ll be coming with us. Let’s go.”
She glared at him suspiciously without a response. Devin helped her to her feet by the arm and led her to the door. Before stepping out, he turned back to Garrick. “Thanks Garrick, the next time we see each other, let’s grab a drink.”
The commander crossed his arms and gave him a small smile. “Sure, sounds great. Have a safe trip back.”
Devin nodded. He looked into Garrick’s eyes. The commander tried to hide the pain, but they were no longer the same. Elena’s death crushed his spirit. Devin gave him one last sympathetic look. “Stay strong, Garrick. For Elena.”
Garrick fought back his tears and forced a smile. “For Elena,” he echoed.
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: The Chase, Scene v1
Next: Riding Back, Scene v1