Feral Heart
FeralHeart Creations => FeralHeart Media => Stories => Topic started by: Verinian on November 29, 2012, 10:17:57 pm
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Cursed Luck
Chapter 1
In the fodder.
Ephas stood at attention at the front of the battle line. Behind the front battle line stood the cavalry. And behind that the archers... He had a bow. But it was more for looks amongst their ranks than any use. As just pulling the string back would possibly break the entire thing to pieces. the Kaptain stood ahead of them giving his "Rousing speech"... More like epitaph... Every single one of them could possibly die on this day unless they were luckier than his mother's silver bracelet of godly luck. And by his standards that was not a single one of these maggots that stood before him.
Faces shone with horror. Despair... And happiness to die for the furthering of the dark race into the lit lands. But his own shown nervously. To tell the truth he couldn't feel his legs anymore, his feet were so numb he was barely standing there. And the person next to him slit their own throat in fear... "Disgusting!" The Kaptain yelled out at the suicidal soldier who lay bleeding out. "You will charge on my mark! Whoever lives will be given medical treatment! Whoever doesn't will be stitched back together and sent in with the necromancer's other minions!"
He lifted his blade high above his head. Across the great field stood an entire army, though only half their size. They stood with faces of grim determination to halt the dark race from any further conquest... If they lost this battle... The rest of their people would be done for... The Sesthil... The lizard people. 3000 soldiers against 6000 of the dark race. Though yet only more would attack the next day... And the Sesthil knew it... Many cried what could possibly be their final tears of this life, standing with swords raised. Shields at the ready in the gleaming gold armor of the Sesthil paladins. They were ready to die such that the rest may evacuate and survive... And they would all die~
The Kaptain swung his blade forward with a yell. And the fodder charged forwards across the distance for the 3000 elite warriors of the remaining Sesthil army. They stood strong, as the first clashes broke out, they yelled with the fury of their god Orobourous and smote down the fodder by the hundreds... Thousands... Though losses still they had. Not was it long before the fodder went to retreat. Ephas left confused, his blade still left unblooded. Yet fortune favored on the young greenhorn, as rather than being beheaded by a Sesthil blade, he received naught but the smashing of a shield across his face as he fell unconscious...
The Sesthil Paladins of Orobourous had easily repelled this fodder with few yet still mountable losses... The next day would never be so simple... They quickly scoured the field. Killing all injured and taking into custody any in good condition, shackling them and force feeding a draught of sleep to keep them stuck to the realm of sweet shadows.
Ephas shivered to partial wakefulness as he rolled slightly to the side before grasping across the wooden floor beneath him as his eyes shot open and he shot to his feet, managing to strike his head on a lowered roof. The only light that shone was through a heavy grated window through a thick wooden frame. Where was he?
Patting himself down. No weapon. No tools. Only the black dyed linen under suit that had been under his leather armor. Where was he?! The small bit of light shone across the short room upon a door. Which upon trying to open he almost cried out, as it was locked and bolted, a small wooden slat in the door opening as two serpentine eyes stared through, otherwise shadows and hidden from his sight.
The slat quickly closed without a word, and did not open or unlock. From the other side he heard speak between two Sesthil. "Have you ever noticed the-... Their eyes seem but so... Similar our own..." "Blasphemy! Next you'll start talking about ancient curses and myths that hold no weight. Maybe I should lock you up with one and see how like us these savages are..." "No... I think I will be.... Quite alright..." "Then shaddap."
After the brief conversation as he listened under the door, one of the partakers of this conversation left. By the soft mutterings. The one whom had been overly observant was the one who remained there to watch. Finally Ephas peeked through the grated window. Outside is what astounded him... The Sesthil harbor to see greeted his vision... How had he not yet noticed the scent of salty sea water in the air before? Ships lay ready to set out.
Sesthil crowded onto the ships, carrying personal objects and food. The corsair ships were small and fast. But modified to hold more than usual. they were fast ships. For a fast escape... Even he felt the swaying of the ship he was inside. Yet when he had awoken he had assumed it was only from the wind... He sat upon a small stool as the only furniture in the room, and stared at the floor. He was... So... Done for now...
It was already late into this day as sudden bells rang outside loudly. Warning that the paladins were returning to hold for their last attempt a select group of only 15 coming aboard to safeguard their people as the rest in the distance held back a horde of... Innumerable attackers. The ships released from harbor. And set rapidly out for the oceans...
To the west, across the ocean. Were the Abolycans. As the term suggested. Their culture had much to do with wolves. Though nothing wolf like about the people themselves. They lived in an icy land, not suitable for the Sesthil... But they had offered shelter to the new refugees openly. The ships dropped sails and like that. The wind caught and the ships shot forth, cutting through the water like a machete does thick brush.
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Chapter 2
Amongst the... Enemy..?
Ephas shivered slightly as he lay upon the cot. They hadn't fed him very well... But they didn't starve him... Not even close. Giving him a fair bit of collected leftovers. Occasionally a bit of mold, but not purposefully. It was already... he couldn't tell anymore. His head ached in his thirst before a small plate of waster was pushed under the door. It was like a charm or something as he stood shaking and moved over, lifting the plate he carefully drank it and slid it back under.
He sat against the door, back to it now. From his pacing, and doing odd ways to keep his muscles stretched the floor was worn already. His ears perked though as he heard the same two guards finally at it again about something similar to what they had... A month ago..? "I told you sympathizing venomtongue! I'll stick you in there with em if you think they so like us! It isn't no damned empty threat!" "Then prove it! Curse of Orobourous on you and your family! The primarch would have been disappointed with your ilk." He spat.
Ephas heard the popping of knuckles from a clenched fist before a thump. He heard the scraping of feet and a short fight. An oof. Before his cell door flung open and the other guard was tossed in. The door slamming back closed behind them as the other guard walked off mumbling. "Damned dark race sympathetics... Fools... The whole lot of them!" Ephas looked down at the Sesthil who lay battered upon the floor holding their torso from the pain of the beating. Slowly the pain faded and he looked up at Ephas, looking at him... Weakly. The Sesthil recoiled, almost jumping back as he tried the door, but Ephas just lowered his gaze for the floor.
The Sesthil calmed his own panic enough to at least greet the dark race prisoner. "Hello..?" Ephas answered with a two finger wave but otherwise didn't move, sitting on the cot that had been his bed for the last month... Month and a half..? "You don't look so hale and hearty..." Ephas rolled his eyes and nodded. Forcing down his pride so that he may part his own anger. "No..." "Ahh. So you do speak... Err. Sorry for the bluntness of that. So... You were a dark race soldier..?"
Ephas shook his head, drawing another question from the Sesthil. "What..?" "Conscription..." The Sesthil seemed perplexed... Conscripted for war..? IT was... Despicable... "Ephas shook his head a slight bit dizzy for the moment as his eyes seemed to spark alight for a brief moment as he held his head for a headache, and scratched slightly for a small itchy patch on his right shoulder that just wouldn't fade. In fact. It only got worse and worse... He assumed it was from not bathing this entire time...
Then again. He doubted any of those on the ships bathed during this month. As Ephas moved to scratch his shoulder however he yanked his hand away with a low yelp. "Oww..." Then he rubbed at it slightly. The Sesthil shook his head. "Let me check that... I have dabbled only a little in the healing arts. But it should be enough for a minor wound..." Ephas didn't try to fight back as they pulled up his shirt, pulling it away from his shoulder. At the back of his shoulder was a dry cracked red rash that covered most the back of his shoulder.
"Tssst... This doesn't look good... What is your name by the way?" "..." "Oh... Sorry... I am Apprentice Avin... Apprentice to what? Alchemy and herbalism." "... Ephas..." "Hmm... Very different naming your dark people use..." As the Sesthil brought up his hand, it ever so softly glowed with a relaxing light. But the effect was anything but relaxing as Ephas cried out and recoiled forwards onto the floor.
The Sesthil jumped, stepping back slightly aghast, wondering if it had had a negative effect... Were the dark people truly cursed with corruption..? He looked at the rash. It seemed to have spread slightly, and cracked even worse, skin splitting as a slight amount of blood trailed down his back. It was drier than ever now...
Ephas grasped at his shoulder and jumped to his feet, glaring at the Sesthil with an almost incited hatred... Making him recoil before the hatred melted. He didn't hold any hatred. And he could tell that this pain hadn't been the attempted path of Avin's healing... And his gaze lowered before looking up again. "... Can you continue..?" The Ses-... Avin looked perplexed at Ephas. But nodded... "Why..? And... A healer's oath... Is to do no harm... I am no healer. But... I still must follow it... It only seems to hurt you..."
Ephas shook his head. "What about helping through harm..?" Avin tensed... He didn't know every rule of the healer's codex. But nodded. "As long as it doesn't kill you..." He said as Ephas sat upon the cot and Avin lifted his hand again, the glow returning. Ephas gritted his teeth for a bit as a slight trail of blood rushed down his back... And slowly the pain faded. Though it was still itchy. Avin stared at the patch and scratched at the side of his neck, unsure of what to think but didn't say anything about it. "Better..?" Ephas nodded. "Still itchy as abaddon but yes..."
He reached to his shoulder and scratched at the small patch of scales before letting his linen clothing recover his shoulder. "Thank y-..." He suddenly checked again. Scales?! His attention was broken though as several bells rang. Marking approach to land. And a port of the Abolycan people. Avin knocked at the door heavily as he began to yell at the one who he heard come down to open the door. "Open the damned door! And tell Moris'tal he is going to be taking this up with the captain!"
A few quick footsteps and the door opened, the guard keeping their halberd handy as Avin stepped out, taking a slight glance back at Ephas. The dark people were just like any other race... if a bit easy to anger. They had good ones amongst the many bad... As the door closed Ephas attention was turned as he looked through the window portal. The thin slits allowed slight vision. Though severely cold drafts pushed through them. It was a miracle he hadn't frozen out on the way here... In fact. It was a miracle it was warm in this room at all! The coast was coated in snow directly next to the ocean... Huts of stone, wood, and polished adobe. Many people at the docks to meet and help the refugees settle.
Ephas stayed watching through the slats of the room at the side of the ship. The scales itched like mad and he had no idea where they'd come from! Why did he have scales on his back? Or what felt like scales. He couldn't see that far back... But he lowered the thin shirt back down. No time to trouble over it now... He had to figure SOMETHING out... But... Truthfully he didn't feel much like escaping... Or even fighting. They treated him better as a PRISONER than life in the dark lands... He'd wait and see...
Ephas shivered in the cold air... two months he had still been cooped up in that ship... And now they finally let him out. And even then only because they were salvaging the ships for materials... And yet. Sitting in his little prison. He was quite content. A better life as a prisoner of the Sesthil than a citizen of the Dark Race... But... Now that he felt the cold through his thin clothing... He wished he still was in his warm prison room. The steel bindings over his hands as he was led forwards weighed on him. But he was fine... Long as they didn't freeze him out...
He looked about. The Abolycans stood in the streets with heavily bundled Sesthil, trading wares. The Sesthil definitely weren't just some set of lazy refugees. They worked for their keep. The two Sesthil that flanked him stopped though. And another approached. He stopped, looking around as the Sesthil who approached lowered the clothing over their face to reveal. "Avin!" He said. Maybe a little too enthusiastically...
"Yes sshh shh... Don't need to yell... I have something you might like." And with that he lifted a key, inserting it into his shackles. And with a click they fell away. Ephas flexed his hands. Didn't fight. Didn't attack anyone. Just smiled slightly. "Most would be surprised by your response... I am just wondering how you can be so content like this..." "Life as a prisoner to you is easier than life as a citizen to the dark lands..." "Oh... Is that it then..? We made it easy for you?"
Avin laughed before covering back up with the cloth so he wouldn't freeze. "Life as a prisoner to your people seems like something from a pleasant dream... To most of us..." "Aye... Well. Follow me before someone questions how well you can handle the cold." Ephas nodded, following after Avin as he moved with a brisk run to a large reinforced tent. "Put something on so you don't freeze. After that. I am taking you hunting." Ephas was confused... They had let him go... Just like that..? And now taking him on a hunting run... "Am I dreaming Or did I hit my head too hard..." Avin laughed hysterically at Ephas Reaction but Ephas couldn't stifle laughing as well. The scales at his back had slightly spread, but, he was fine and dandy.
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((Aaaah! DX< Aster, so sorry I hadn't gotten to you sooner! I'd been saying I would comment here and I was so busy and I never did. D8 So sorry about that Aster- BUT I did read it! I had read the entire thing through carefully about a week ago, I just hadn't the time to comment- but I'm here now!
Okay... -deep breaths- Where was I now? Oh yes...
Alright, so as always, Aster, you've delivered yet another original, thought-provoking, and excellently executed piece of writing. c: What I absolutely love about your work is it's sheer... originality -hasnootherwordsforit xD- It's totally unique to your own style; you have the best characters, best plot lines, and best supporting elements in the story. This entire thing just screams 'ASTERIAN NI'TARI' - and that's a great thing! Another thing is that your style brings out a whole new feel... and as you stated in the title 'Dark atmosphere' you were totally right. But, it also gives it a different vibe that I can't quite put my finger on. Definitely dark, and mysterious. Intelligent as well... and something else. Or somethings else.
You really are a great writer, my friend. Although one of the few thing's I'd like to point out is your structure. Your structure is unique to yourself, but.. very different than say... generally normal grammar and literary structure? If that makes any sense? I mean, that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's your own thing, and that's how you do it and I totally love it. The thing is that... hmm how to put this... ._.'' It's not written how, say, the English teachers drill into your head. Prose is supposed to separate every line of dialogue, instead of keeping it all within the same paragraph- as I'm sure you're familiar with? Although, I do believe there are a few exceptions, but I'm not exactly sure what they are so I'm not going to say anything. Again, personally, I like how you've put it like that (although it can be just a tad confuzing who's dialogue is who's after so many lines)... and sorry that I might be coming out a little harsh, I'm just giving some feed back for you. c:
Hmm.. another thing I have to say I love is the names!~ Amg, the names you come up with are probably some of my favorite. They sound so.. exotic. :D I lurve them. If only I could come up with such awesome, original, exotic-sounding names, haha.
At the very beginning, it was a tad confusing what was going on as well, since you jumped right into the thick of things and started throwing spears and blood and dead bodies around (hurr hurr xD)- but that's the way I like it. When authors start off with a battle, and leave most things if not everything uncovered to the reader, it makes them stumble around blindly, wondering what the flidge is going on, but yet something still draws them in and makes them continue on. I know that's exactly what happened to me.~ After reading through more of the story, more is revealed and things start to fall into place more, and on the second chapter I already started getting giddy with... well. Excitement, anticipation... and more, haha. c| 'Dem characters. -cough- Anyways ((please, excuse me random confusingness. I'm just hyper right now and thinking about the story more isn't helping me. xD)), one draw back of the 'jump-right-into-the-middle-of-this-battle-and-not-let-up' kind of plot-thing left me wondering what exactly was going on, and who exactly where these people. Or creatures. I'm still a little confused about the different races, the past, and everything (which you did start to explain more in Chapter 3, so if more is elaborated on that it would greatly clear things up)... but then again, I'm generally a confuzed person. Things tend to just not want to be understood inside my brain. >.>
Okay... what else. OH YES:
"Then shaddap."
OMG. ^This made me laugh so hard. xDD Especially because I imagined this guy all big and muscular and bad-ass, and then he says "...shaddap," and... oh my, it just made me laugh. I don't even know why. x'D
Yeah, so, GREAT job once again, Aster, and I am looking forward to more and more and more of you're writing!~ Keep up the awesomeness! <3
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*Listening to footloose* Thank ye... Not feeling much like a response right now. Music is going and words be flowing!
ONe of the next chapters may very well be confusing. But continue to follow and it should become clear.
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Fused chapter five into chapter four to make up for length and to lower the choppy feeling.
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Aster!~ c: You did it again! You made another wonderful piece of work that utterly confused me, haha. But it's all good, because it was still awesome.
I'm becoming extremely curious as to what's going to happen. I have some suspicions. And my haunches. I always have haunches. Hurr, hurr, at any rate, keep up the wonderful writing, Aster!
Oh, and by the way, you might want to check the 'Drop the Grenade' thread in the Forum Games.~ c: Hee hee. <3
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*u* ;; I should've honestly posted this possibly months ago as to show my appreciation towards the story you've created and have been posting but I never gutted the courage to do so until now. There is much of your personality and character into your writing from the structure you present which is similar to that of the backwards style sentence structure (which I am very very acquainted with.) Your writing often reminds me of monologue itself that perfectly integrates with the plot and storytelling and this is the sort of aura that is missing within books these days. The author might write but does he truly write with this heart and mind or only the thought?
I have recently referenced your work "Cursed Luck" in the Input Box section of the Forum Discussion in order to bring into light that threads and posts made in Literature of the Offtopic Section goes unnoticed as the post is counted for but it never appears in "Last Post:" in either the topic itself or below on the Index Page. It further proves that much attention is needed for this story as only WolfishGrin has responded.
I apologize for putting this into a post but PM is being a well, -Removed by Moderator-. I cannot put anything forward towards you privately but if you wish for your work to be removed, just tell me and I'll remove it and edit this post so no one would know of the idiocy I have done.
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No.... It is fine.
But yeah. I have a bug where nobody whatsoever can message me. Because apparently I do not exist.
It is almost insulting really. But eh. I haven't posted up any for a bit because I have a slow wear process. Can't do too much or I will get bored and lose interest.
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Chapter 7
A simple hunt.
Aracovin hung from a tree branch, raised about 8 feet above the ground, upside down suspended by his legs as he still held his bow. Though the arrows were scattered on the ground below except for one of them. He currently was notching the arrow, even from his precarious position. Reversing his aim due to his position at his target of hunting. A tundra bore. He was using steel tips due to it's strong hide and thick layers between it's vitals and his shot. How he got to this position was another story as he released the arrow which struck deeply into the back of the bore's neck as it grazed on a berry bush. It let out a squeal, which was cut off as an amount of blood rushed into it's gullet making it choke as it fell over. It was paralyzed as blood drained from the side of it's mouth. That was just like him... unable to make a shot unless it is really, really hard...
He just hung there for a bit though now. His foot caught in the rope trap, and him unable to free it for now. Finally Oma caught up with him. First thing she saw was the downed bore. "Hi there.." He stated above in an overly bright tone. She jumped, looking around to the sides before finally looking up at Aracovin. Suspended in the air by a rope tied about his foot. "Did you do that on purpose so you could make the shot..?" "No... I was just lucky." He stated sarcastically before she pulled out her knife and cut the rope from it's anchor. He suddenly fell, but was prepared, ending it in a roll before he started collecting his arrows back. Even pulling the one from the bore's neck. It was still breathing. Barely. As Oma offered a small prayer and quickened it's death to ease it's suffering. One of the others that was out hunting with them for now caught up. And nodded at the prey. "Can you manage it..? I think we're going to keep hunting. Pick up a few rabbits or such." The hunter shrugged and nodded at the two young hunters.
"Sure. Just don't be out too late... I'm not vouching for you again with your parents Oma..." She nodded as he lifted the bore and carried it back off for town. "What? I thought we were only out for a big one to-..." Aracovin was cut off though as Oma kissed him awkwardly... But he sprang backwards away from her. "What the..? Did you get into the ghost mushrooms or something..?" She just blushed and shook her head nervously looking away before kicking at the ground. Trying to think of an excuse. "Yeah... Must have accidentally caught a whiff of spores from mum's garden..." Before he could question anything though she was off towards town. "I guess I'd better just get home then before I lose my head and don't know what I'm doing then. I guess." She rushed off. Leaving him standing there puzzled... What was that about..?
Eaphiah shivered as he paced back and forth in the study. Now where was Mesa..? Third day in a row she had been late... And not just a little either. An hour late. She finally stepped into the room. And he almost jumped to yelling t her. But stopped himself, asking with a slight growl in his words. "Why have you been so late these past few days..?" "I... Haven't been following the sleep schedule..." She yawned. Eaphias was slightly confused by how openly she had stated such a thing... "Why..?" "Because I have been reading a lot... Probably too much." She stated. Seeming barely awake as he sighed. "Just make sure you are in bed by time tonight..." She was too tired to contest that with him. Then again she wouldn't have even if she wasn't tired. She placed the two books down that she had been almost obsessed with studying for the past month or so. The two vollumes that had disappeared a long while ago...
"Well... Now that we have two of each I guess you'd may as well just keep them..." He rolled his eyes and hauled her up by her shoulders, and helped her back to her room. "Just go to bed..." He mumbled, leaving maids the books to stowe for Mesa. He sighed and moved off for the king's sanctum. He stopped near the throne, bowing softly to his friend and king. He sat upon his throne still. Wearing the same armor. His eyes opened as Eaphiah spoke. "It seems your daughter may be a little... Too interested in history. She has been losing sleep to read books on history and several vollumes of Penthri Nocto's books on the different races."
"Then. Make sure she at least remains healthy... In her Ventures... Her... New liking of hist... History might do her well.... To help her avoid these wars we find ourselves in... A courrier rushed in through the gate. More a crier really as he relayed an unpleasent message to the king. Whose grasp tightened on the arm of his throne enough to run cracks through the solid stone. "I think it might be time for me to..." He moved. Shakily at first. And pushed himself up. His armor hummed softly, as it seemed to breath for his damaged lungs. "Sit back down... You are going to injure yourself..." "Whats a king if he can't help his people in their final time of need..? If my kingdom is to fall. I will go with it. But I won't let my people go with it..."
His armor hid his entire form. But, you could almost swear there was a weak hissing to his voice below that armor before he went through a bout of coughing... "Where is my blade..?" "Here... My lord..." Eaphias lifted the decently sized sheath from it's position a short distance away and brought it. "Give it.... To Mesa..." He stated, before taking a guard's weapon and striding out. His large form still seeming strong even after many, many years alive. He couldn't move like he used to but he wasn't intending to live... That much was sure as he strode from the throne room, the keep. And eventually he strode the streets of the dark city... So many people stood on the streets, cowering as they passed. His hands were clenched. At the poor lives he saw all around, he couldn't do a thing about them though... His own people, forced from their towns. Now refugees in the capital.
He reached the walls eventually, the guards that stood about there surprised, shocked. And otherwise frightened as they stumbled in their attempts to salute. "How're things in the town..?" He didn't have to ask as he looked out at the bleeding fields around the capitol... "No better than on the frontline... My liege..." "You needn't refer to me like that anymore... Your queen awaits at the throne room... Protect her with your lives..." "Queen..? King Elhrod?" He didn't answer the guard's question though. "Open the gates... I'm going for a walk..." "But... They will be here within the hour..." The guard said, panicked. And with obvious reasons worried. "I know... Now open the damned gates!" A very audible hissing in his voice before he coughed heavily. They finally opened the gates... And he stepped through. Alone. And simply walked off across the fields... A group of guards rushing to take places by his side after several minutes... Loyal to any end to their king...
But he sent them back. To any end... Loyal to his orders... To protect his people. To keep his daughter safe. He marched alone towards an army. His heart set on one thing only... He walked for about a few minutes past half an hour before the force noticed the solitary, lone figure. Their dark visages smiled as howls let out about a feast they would have tonight. By the bulk of the one armored man. A few of them charged him. Attempting to swarm him. His armor began to glow. Not with light. But heat. Glowing red hot from an energy emanating from inside. And as the first beasts attempted to cling to his shoulders to strike at his neck. His armor burst. Fragments sent about as the entire army suddenly turned tail at the figure that had been wearing the armor. Smiting them down as if the hand of god. They fled.
As the figure stood, unable to catch another breath with it's ravaged lungs. It watched the greatly reduced force flee in full route. And it fell. From the sky, shaking the land with it's bulk as he let out one last cough. Deeper and louder. "All this... For you... M-... Mesa." Using the last air he could pull into his lungs on these words. He finally stopped. Motionless where he lay. Amongst the bodies of his own people the battle the day before. And those of their enemies...
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Aster! I'm so glad you continued with your wonderful story! c: And of course, you always write such a beautiful piece of literature!
I have to say that the little story between the hunters Aracovin and Oma (love those names |D) always makes me smile.~ The way you describe your characters is somewhat minimal, yet it delivers a lot of expression and personality in them both. I think it's because a lot of the story is dialogue, and you get to see a lot of each of the character in what they speak.
And it just amazes me that the King went out there all by himself like that! :o
Great job, Aster, keep writing! ^^