Atulon's Pass (Full)(Started!)

[Shapsters]

Aryana quietly nodded and turned away from Rinus, she didn't exactly know where Yan was but the last thing she wanted as to walk along side Rinus. She dreaded what was to come, yet wasn't afraid of the punishment because in a way she felt whatever punishment she got wouldn't be harsh enough, with the guilt she felt over Krin's death she just wanted to get the lashing over with.

After Aryana had wandered around the campsite aimlessly for a few moments she eventually came across Yan, he was slowly prodding a small fire with a stick. It looked like he was trying to maintain a fire but Aryana knew Yan well enough, he was merely trying to get his mind off the recent events. As she walked closer, the fire revealed Yan's face, sure he was badly cut and bruised even worse, yet that wasn't what took Aryana off guard. Yan looked tired, not just physically out of energy but also emotionally drained, she could see the strain this day had caused him and a lump formed in her throat. Approaching the fire she stooped opposite Yan, the fire felt hot on her face and the light accentuated even the slightest features on her now delicate looking face, he full lips curved as she began to spoke,

"Rinus wishes to speak to us Yan he... said to wait at the Eastern edge of the camp." Aryana hung her head thinking about Krin as well as her other fallen soldiers, the flicker of the dancing flame reflected in her large, gray eyes as she stared at the snow covered ground, "I want to take full responsibility for what happened today Yan, I know it sounds silly but... I can't live the rest of my life without accepting that Krin's death was my fault, there is too much guilt on my shoulders for me to do otherwise."

Aryana slowly looked up at Yan, she wasn't sure if he was listening, his face only told her that he was almost too tired to move. She strode over the snow and softly placed her hand on Yan's cheek,

"Come, let's go meet Rinus, I will do all the talking."

 

[The Hairminator]

Yan felt an impulse to laugh, yet he was not happy. Far from it. He didn't take his eyes from the depth of the fireplace for a long moment, still the words that came out of her mouth made an impact. He did not agree with her. At the end of the day, Yan fully and utterly blamed himself, if not directly for Krin's death, at least for what they had done.

Now, however, Rinus would surely punish them both. He would do his best to convince the captain of Ary's innocence in the matter, no matter what she would say against it. She did not deserve to bear the blame.

Yan's thoughts were disrupted as he felt a chill, not caused by the cold, running up his spine. He felt her hand on his cheek, and in any other situation he would have enjoyed it, tried to savor it. He sighed, and softly grabbed her hand. "Let's not keep Rinus waiting."

 

[Lost In The Void]

Felon nodded at his commander and walked away from the crowd, spitting a bit of blood from his mouth. He wandered over to the doctor, breathing by expanding his stomach, instead of his chest. He felt a couple of his ribs were cracked and he didn't want to agitate them.

As he walked, he considered the punishment. Was it worth saving that man? He believed so, hopefully the man would learn from the labour and lack of booze and it made him smile despite the pain the wounds on his face gave him with such an expression.

 

[Sporky111]

Orson had struggled to sit up upon hearing the fight going on, but even as he peered around the fire the activity was still obscured by tent flaps and moving people. His grandfather was still sitting nearby, and appeared to have dozed off. I hope he didn't over-exert himself worrying about me.

After several minutes, someone finally left the crowd and approached. As the figure stepped into the light, he recognized him as Felon.

"Gods, man. You weren't the one fighting over there, were you?" he asked in disbelief upon seeing the bruises and blood covering the man's face. Orson had a hard time imagining their resident preacher, who was always telling the fault of men's fighting, had gotten into a brawl. Even more disconcerting was the fact that Felon was clearly smiling about it.

 

[Yorgmiester]

"I knew he'd crack one of these days!" Seiben remarked jokingly. Despite his amused tone, he watched Felon with concern. It was not often that their mild-mannered arrow-slinging soldier of faith got himself into meaningless brawls.

"Foolishness." Iemben muttered as he hurried to Felon's side and helped him down to the bed he had just rolled out. "You ruffians can't help but get hurt at every turn, can you? You'll have cost me my sanity by the time this is over." Beni appeared with a basin of warm water and a large assortment of rags, bandages, and the like. Soon the doctor was busily at work cleaning wounds and setting broken bones.

~~​

"Tha's right, off with ya!" Cossan shouted at Griger and the other drunkards as they lumbered off, still fuming. Turning to the leftover barrels of ale, he rubbed his chin and pondered what do do with them.

"Eh, we shu' probably pour it out n'then bury it," he remarked half to himself and half to Weiss. "Wouldn't want them damn Easterners catchin' a wif of it. Damn, that's some strong stuff." He crinkled his nose at the smell permeating the area, with a mixed expression of annoyance and hunger. Indeed, the ale was a very strong brew, and that amount simply spilled everywhere would surely be smelt by anyone passing close to the grove.

~~​

The cold dark of solitude greeted Ravius once more as he returned to his post at the edge of camp, and this time he could honestly say that he appreciated it. The heat of sweaty, angry people and the noise of barbaric bedlam did not suit him very well.

The archer pulled his hood over his head and settled into position, prepared to wait out the rest of his shift in silence. His eyes resumed their ceaseless scan of the darkness and his mind returned to it's idle state, ready to leap back into awareness should he spot anything worth notice.

Nearby, Yan and Aryana emerged from the trees. Ravius eyed them quizzically, but said nothing.

~~​

 

[Shionarco]

Weiss stared at the barrels of ale, to him the ale was a disgusting nuisance that only causes problems. "Aye you're right, let's get this done with quickly, the sooner we are rid of this stuff the better". Weiss walked over to the barrels and placed a hand on one. "Wouldn't it be easier to just bury the barrels, or should we empty them so we can use the barrels for something else?"

He had no clue if they had shovels, or something, or if they were going to have to dig holes with their hands. He didn't really care though, he just wanted to be rid of the stuff and pray that Griger and his men would not cause nearly as much trouble anymore once they got rid of their precious ale.

 

[Shapsters]

Hand in hand, Aryana and Yan slowly walked through the forest, there was certainly plenty they could be talking about yet neither of them felt now was the time to say it. Some time in the future the two of them needed to talk but for now the silence of the forest and the impending scolding from their leader meant the words that needed to be said would not.

Eventually they made it to the eastern part of the camp and found Rinus standing there, silently waiting for the two soldiers. Aryana felt oddly peaceful considering how nervous she should have been, Yan made her calm, perhaps they really did belong together... but now was not the time for that.

She released Yan's hand as they stood in front of Rinus, saying nothing she slightly hung her head.

 

[Lost In The Void]

Felon was eased into a bed where he sat still chuckling, "I fought because no one else would put them in their place," he grimaced as pressure was put on his cracked ribs, "Now they understand that their idiocy will be tolerated no more."

 

[Sporky111]

Orson gave him an incredulous look. But Felon seemed to be sure of the right of his action, even though it hardly looked like he'd "won".

"So what happened over there, exactly. I know that was where the drunks were, but couldn't see anything happening through the crowd."

 

[Yorgmiester]

"Eh, I figure we should keep the barrels." Cossan said absently, frowning as he looked around the area for something with which to dig. "Never know when they might be needed." His face brightened as a group of the village men appeared, carrying shovels.

"We'll help." the leader remarked. Cossan nodded, and with a silent agreement they began, shoveling through the snow and mud to create holes for the cursed beverage.

~~​

The Captain stood at the eastern edge of camp, his eyes doggedly boring into the ever-present blackness and swirling snow that perpetually surrounded everything. It seemed to him as though the night would never end. Although this was most likely the last problem he would have to deal with for the night, he knew in his gut that it would persist far longer.

"Do not lower your head, Aryana." The captain said quietly but sharply as he turned to face the two of them. "You are a soldier."

He held them both in his gaze for several seconds before speaking. When he finally did break the bitter silence, it was only one simple word; a command to state their crime, to acknowledge it, and defend it if they could.

"Explain."

 

[Shapsters]

Aryana nodded and looked Rinus straight in the eyes, his sharp, serious eyes sent a chill through her body, the dreary yet vivid green bore through her soul and made her feel worse than she imagined she could ever feel about this situation. Suddenly losing her soldier like demeanour she became flustered and began stumbling out words,

"It was- Krin lost his life because- it won't." everything she intended and wanted to say just wouldn't come out. Wanting to take the full responsibility for what happened in the field she desperately tried to say the words on her mind, yet the further she stared into Rinus' deep emotional eyes the harder it became for her to. Eventually she was reduced to stammering, not even forming full words just fragments and random letters thrown together. Suddenly growing silent she continued with the eye contact.

Look away from his eyes you are falling apart!

Aryana's brain was in a panic, she wanted desperately to divert her eyes from Rinus' yet she couldn't. Not only would it be a sign of disrespect to her commanding officer but it would also be the last straw in proving how emotionally weak she truly was. A lump formed in her throat and a hard swallow followed suit.

 

[Lost In The Void]

"Alcohol fueled their celebrations, a celebration they did not partake in. A mockery to the dead, to drink and not toast them, mocking the Gods, who they did not praise for a victory. Nothing but drunken cheers and self congratulations for them. They did nothing and were nothing. Instead I showed them what a real soldier does. They stand up for what they believe in, stand against greater numbers, greater strength to battle for these values," Felon had a look in his eye, a fire that had not existed for years, "They learned what a convicted man can do, a man who truly believes in his values, not drawn by whip or order, but by his own will and passion."

Felon lay in his bed exhausted by his outburst, "And now....now they know what they need to do to redeem themselves."

 

[The Hairminator]

Yan felt sincerely sorry for Aryana, as she stuttered her nonsensical explanation. The guilt building up inside of him as well was many time multiplied by Rinus' piercing eyes. He understood her inability to speak clearly. ]

Yan instinctively looked away as the captain first gazed upon him, but his eyes slowly returned as he answered with a tired voice:

"There is no reason for her to be here. If you want a reason, that would be that I love her" He quickly glanced at Aryana by his side. Yan focused to keep his voice steady as he continued, "I started it alone, she was not an active part of what happened. I take responsibility for what we did, and -should you decide so- for the death of Krilinik Isthana"

As he spoke these last words he could feel coolness entering his chest. It had nothing to do with the snow. It was done.

 

[Sporky111]

Orson resisted the urge to make a comment on Felon's unnecessarily poetic words. He seemed proud of himself, and Orson didn't want to take the moment away from him. The gist of what happened wasn't lost on the soldier, and it sounded like Felon had done a great favor for the camp.

"Good job." he congratulated him. With a groan, he leaned over and laid a firm hand on his shoulder. His stomach sent a pain through him as the wound was stretched, so he quickly laid himself back down on his bed.

 

[Yorgmiester]

"Very well." Rinus gazed steadily at Yan, unblinking, only a tiny spark in his eyes belaying any hint of the tumultuous thoughts that reeled through his mind. Perfectly still he remained, feeling with sadness the wavering gulf between he and his comrade. The steely cold sliced between the two men like a knife, furthering the inevitable gap. Yan might not have felt it, nor understood it yet, but Rinus did, all too well. The breach, however subtle, was made, and rendered even more painful by the fact that it would likely never get the chance to be mended.

A lone wolf howled in the distance, breaking Rinus from his thoughts. He nodded slowly, then took a step back, resting his hand on the pommel of his sword and catching Yan's eyes in a solemn gaze.

"Very well." the captain repeated. "Yan Gerric, you hereby bear sole responsibility for what has transpired between you and your comrade Aryana, for the dereliction of your duties, and for aiding in the death of Krinilik Asthana through your negligence. Upon the completion of this mission you will face the full penalties of military law."

The words rolled off of his tongue quickly, like an avalanche of stones, rapidly spilling itself onto the heads of those below out of necessity and then vanishing, replaced by dead finality. The cold wind blew hard once more as Yan bowed his head in acceptance, as if to steal away any warmth the scene may have maintained.

"There is one more punishment which I must enact." Rinus continued sadly, turning to face both of them now. "This affair of yours has cost us the life of a comrade. It cannot continue."

 

[Lost In The Void]

Emma sat in her tent alone. She had seen Felon's brawl and had almost cried with every solid punch that had connected with him. Now she was sniffling in the tent. She wondered why she had felt such an attachment to the man. She knew him, somehow....and then it hit her. It was five years ago, a long time yes, but now she could remember why she knew him and was drawn to him. He had been there when her village had burned.

The Barbarians had attacked their small village; they had no defence and were soon running from the burning, destructive infernos that were once their homes. Her parents had told her to run and to not look back, so she ran. She heard her mother's distinctive scream but she couldn't look back, she didn't want to see it, she wanted to pretend that they had survived, that she would see them once again. She knew in her heart she wouldn't, but none the less, to a child the fact she wouldn't see them again, was enough to make her try anything to believe.

She was almost to the borders of her village when a couple of brutes towered over her, "Hey ," one grunted to the other, "We got a young one here, looks like she could be some fun to some lonely men you think?"

His companion had voiced his approval and the two descended upon her. She was screaming as she smelt their foul breath, but before anything happened, she had heard a whistling sound and a solid crack as an arrow struck one of her assailants in the neck. The other barbarian had scrambled to his feet, his trousers still down and attempted to run, before being delivered the same fate as his brother already bleeding in the dirt.

Emma had looked up and saw her saviour. He was a young man, just old enough to have joined the army and he had a bow with a few arrows slung over. Despite the battle going on, he had still carried a warm smile for her as he helped her to her feet, "Run," he said gently, "There are others outside of your town that will take you to safety. Where are you parents?"

It was at this point that she held her tears no longer and began to sob. His expression went from bewildered to caring as he allowed her to wrap her arms around him and cry into his shoulder softly, "It's ok; it's ok," he had said, rubbing her back comforting, "We'll find them, but you need to be strong and get to the others outside ok?"

She had wiped her tears and nodded and ran through the woods and into the arms of caring villagers, that later would take her in. She had no known the soldier at the time, but as she lay in her bed, she could see that it had been Felon who had saved her and comforted her all those years ago.

Felon was also doing some thinking as he rested in the hastily made clinic bed. He felt his ribs still tingling from the fight, but his thoughts were elsewhere as he wondered about the events that had transpired between him and Emma. She had warmed up to him so fast and he seemed so quick to want to be with her. If they clicked so well, then why would he allow himself to push her away so readily? He thought of his now dead wife and child. Was it their memories that stopped him from ever loving again? It was all very confusing and he hated himself for what he was sure he was doing to that poor girl as well.

For now, all he could do is rest, hopefully the morning would bring as many answers to him, as the night had created them.

 

[Shapsters]

Aryana was barely able to swallow, the lump in her throat was so large and impossible to ignore she amazed herself that an unemotional look was still upon her face. Inside she was sobbing and crying yet she appeared calm and cool on the outside, no doubt Rinus knew how she felt about the termination of the relationship but she felt it was necessary to keep her feelings bottled up,

"Muh-m" Aryana swallowed hard and cleared her throat, regaining the ability to talk she addressed Rinus, "May we please have a minute alone? I would like to talk to Yan before..."

Aryana went silent, Rinus nodded solemnly and headed back toward the camp, the snow trudged over his thick, heavy boots and the trees heavily rustled as he brushed past them. Waiting in silence until Rinus was out of hearing distance, Aryana suddenly threw herself into Yan's chest and began heavily sobbing, the stress and emotions were all too much for even a soldier to handle. The death of Krin was enough of a weight on her shoulders, add on it the fact that Yan supposedly loved her and now they were unable to be together and Aryana was emotionally destroyed. Arms frantically wrapping around Yan's body Aryana let her legs give out in the hopes Yan would catch her, too emotionally and physically tired to hold herself up.

 

[The Hairminator]

The verdict had been more or less as Yan had predicted, yet its sole meaning was hard for Yan to understand. Probably because he didn't want to. He was prepared, but would still have preferred any other punishment than this. Even an instant field execution would have been more humane, in Yan's eyes. Thoughts popped up in his mind, ideas involving death. The death of himself, the death of the captain. It would be an easy thing to do, Yan had almost nothing left to lose. Hardly had these thoughts taken form, however, before the heavy wave of guilt washed over him. He was Yan, a pathetic failure and a fool, but not a murderer of friends and allies.
Friends? Yan wasn't so sure anymore.

Yan was torn from his contemplations by the sobbing Aryana at his chest. He failed to resist the urge of returning the embrace, despite the voice of reason in his head telling him it would only be harder to let go of his love, if it was even possible to start with. He pressed her trembling body closer to his own, and gradually started to carry her body-weight as her legs gave up their support. They remained like this for a long moment, without speaking. Numbness and pain started to fill Yan's arm muscles, but he could hardly feel it. All he could think of in the moment was how he never wanted to let go of her.

As her sobbing slowly died away, Yan felt inclined to do something. He made a decision. He made sure Aryana was standing on her own legs before taking a step away, loosing her arms wrapped around him, but still keeping her within an arm's length. Her eyes were red, and when looked down on his own chest he saw the dark lines created by tears in contrast against the hard leather. Her tears made what had be done far more difficult, but one thing was entirely certain: he didn't want her to be punished simply because he hadn't stayed away from her. There was a lump in his throat, but he decided to speak still.

"We can't go on. Not now, and not like this."

Yan turned away, he did not want to see Aryana's face as the meaning of what he had just said became clear to her. It had been painful enough to just say it. He wanted to tell her just how much he loved her, that she was the only thing he could think of. Instead he walked away, towards the camp, following Rinus' fresh foottracks in the snow.

 

[Shapsters]

Aryana outstretched her hand toward Yan, her whole body trembled from the emotions and the cold and the tears that streamed down her face almost froze before they reached her chin. Falling to her knees she began to gently sob, the snow surrounded her trembling body and the harsh, bitter wind bit at her tear soaked cheek. Aryana soon stopped sobbing and merely sat in the snow, staring blankly into the green and white wilderness, her mind was a blank state.

Eventually she stood up, her feet had begun to numb and the inside of a moderately warm tent was a welcome idea. Slowly trudging through the snow toward the camp she stared blankly ahead, tree branches brushed across her face yet her hands stayed at her side. It was almost as though she was in some sort of a trance, walking in a slow fashion and keeping a blank look upon her face one would think she was under the influence of some sort of spell. But it was merely the influence of a broken heart and shattered emotions.

Ignoring the going ons within the camp she headed straight for her tent, nobody else mattered right now to Aryana, all she needed to do was get some rest and be alone. If she couldn't be with Yan she couldn't help but to feel she didn't want to be around anyone at all, it would only stand to remind her of her broken love and companionship.

Entering the tent she softly crawled onto her uncomfortable cot, no doubt if Ottie was in there she would begin talking Aryana's ear off but she didn't care. Let her talk for she would get no response.

 

[Yorgmiester]

Rinus went straight to his own tent, and spoke to no one. Cossan and Weiss finished their task quickly and then left for watch duty. Orson and Felon fell asleep in the warmth the Doctor's fire, and off in the lonesome soldier tents the two broken lovers eventually found the bliss of unconsciousness. Doctor Iemben stayed up late tending to Seiben, who's brow was hot and breathing labored. The patient eventually fell into a fitful slumber, and the Doctor retired to his tent, exhausted.

Quiet fell over the camp at last as the villagers drifted off to sleep, the terrible events of the day finally forgotten. No sound was heard save the wind in the trees, and no creeping thing disturbed their slumbers. For the first time since leaving Highburn they were able to truly rest, safe in the knowledge that their hiding place was secure, and that watchful eyes protected them. As the long, dark hours of the early morning drifted slowly by, the wind stopped, and the clouds fled, and a brilliant dome of stars came out to gradually spin high above the heads of the dreaming people and statuesque guardians who vigilantly watched the night.

~~~​

The dawn came clear and bright. The villagers awoke to an empty blue sky for the first time in what seemed like ages; only a few wispy clouds clung to the horizon, all that was left of the long storm.

The sparkling white snow made crisp crunching sounds under the hooves of Buyir's horse as he rode up the hill towards the grove of trees, looking fresh and invigorated. He had used the first half hour of daylight to scout the area while the others were preparing to move out, under Rinus' orders. He welcomed and relished the task, despite it's inherent danger given the circumstances. His spirits had been lifted along with the storm, and only a brisk horseback ride through the wilderness could match his mood.

It was a pity that the news he brought was not so good.

"It is as we suspected," Buyir said with a shake of the head as he rode up to the captain and slowed his horse's pace to a stop. "Tracks about two miles to the south, leading westward into the valley. I'd say a band of about forty or fifty. They passed us during the night."

"Then they're somewhere ahead of us." Rinus replied with a somber nod, his eyes scanning the valley around them. The place was much more inviting-looking now then it had been the last few days, now that it was not shrouded by fog and dense snow. To the east, towards Highburn, was the gap in the mountains from which they had come, revealing the vast open lands beyond. The top of Rickety Tower could just barely be seen above a small ridge-line, as could the massive pillar of smoke that still rose from the ruined town even farther away. To the west continued the valley, winding deeper into the mountains, snaking in between the mighty peaks, growing gradually thinner as it went till it eventually rounded a corner and was lost from view. Beyond that was visible the tops of peaks even higher than the ones in who's midst they now stood.

The terrain was mostly forested hills. The trees were thickest near the river in the middle of the valley and grew thinner towards the sides as the elevation got steeper, till the tree-line eventually gave way to steep slopes of rock and snow. Smaller streams ran down from the mountains here and there to join the river, some cutting miniature valleys which were low enough to support forests of their own. The land was fairly open and visibility was excellent- which was both a good and a bad thing.

"Our tracks won't be covered now that the snow's stopped." Buyir stated, though the fact was already obvious. "But if we travel smart and stick to the thicker trees we should be able to go unnoticed... of course, that means we'll also move slower, and won't see them coming from as far..." Buyir chewed on the inside of his cheek, trying admirably to find something cheerful to say. Rinus looked at him with a dry smile and shook his head.

"Go inform the others, Buyir, and make ready to head out."

Buyir nodded and walked away, towards the other soldiers and villagers who were busily packing their belongings and readying the wagons. Rinus remained where he stood, staring at the valley, searching ceaselessly for the roving warbands that he knew were out there. For now, nothing moved.

~~​

"One, two, three, up!" Orson's chest and stomach complained sharply as the Doctor and another villager hefted him up onto the "Infirmary Wagon". A number of the elderly, sick and wounded lay there, in various amounts of wrappings and blankets, huddled together in the cramped wooden space. Iemben helped Seiben to his feet and onto the cart, where he lay down with a wince on the small cloth set out for him. Beni hurried over to him and placed another blanket over his shivering frame.

"Eh, guess I'm not doin' so well." he said with a forced smile when he saw Orson's concerned look. "They got me good." A pained expression came over his face, and he dropped into a fit of coughing.

"Don't talk so much." the doctor said reprovingly from the side of the wagon, handing a flagon of water of to Beni for the wounded soldier to drink. Glancing around at the bustle of villagers getting ready to go, he noted solemnly the small congregation which was gathered a little ways off, in the trees. A quick and silent burial was taking place there, for a young girl who had died quietly during the night. They hadn't even known she was sick.

Iemben sighed and turned back to his task of piling supplies onto the medical cart.