The man in black weathers the verbal attacks without any expression on his face, as if he is used to far worse. When everyone's tirade is over, he shakes his head slowly. "Fine. Be that way if you wish. I don't care if you think I'm rude or if I have ruined your appetites, but I was merely trying to save you from horrific, painful deaths. It's not my fault you can't recognize compassion when you see it." He scoffs. "But maybe I don't really care. You be all monsters, after all. In fact, I'll bet some of you have killed thousands of innocent souls," he shoots an accusatory glance at the drooling kitten, "yet you have the nerve to look down upon a simple thief. What hypocrites."
A glare of undisguised contempt appears in his eyes, as well as some faraway look, like the recollection of distant and painful memories. "I don't know why I should even care about you creatures. You disappeared centuries ago, hiding in your secret forests and caves, leaving us humans to suffer. Only now, when it's convenient, do you return to interfere in our affairs. Where were you when the Romans were laying waste to the world? Where were you when proud young men were made to slaughter each other as entertainment for the bloodthirsty Roman masses? Do any of you have even the slightest idea of what it's like to walk a road for days and see nothing but an endless line of corpses hanging from crucifixes? Do you have any idea what I've..." He stops himself, as if holding back some terrible secret. In the unstable light of the campfire, his eyes seem to shimmer with barely-contained tears.
He gazes at the gathered creatures for a few moments when his stomach growls. He looks down and chuckles softly, whispering to himself, I forgot to eat. Well, it wouldn't be the first time I've gone to bed hungry. He stands and turns his back on the company, then raises his voice for all of them to hear. "This caravan will be at the oasis for two more days, but I'm leaving in the morning and heading back to safety. I don't even know why I should care, but I'm offering you one last chance to save yourselves. You may come with me if you choose, but if you wait too long to make a decision, I will leave without you." He turns and looks at the others, and his gaze falls on the rat. A look of sympathy seems to flicker across his eyes. "I would advise you to pick a hidden place to sleep. Owls and cats are deadly predators, and they most likely see you as an appetizing snack. Be careful, rat." With that, he stalks off into the darkness.
Oreja
Og listened to the thief's " justifications". He had many similar in taverns and at the foot of gallows throughout his travels. Still, the thief may care if they live or die.
Two more days in this place. He hoped Kahpeh and he could find enough game to hunt. Boredom was a new sensation to Og, but a sensation he did not enjoy. If worse came to worse, he could talk to the others to pass the time.
He found that his "couldn't care less" attitude had modified somewhat after listening to the others. Perhaps their company would not be a trial after all. A soft grunt from behind reminded him that a hunt, and Kahpeh, awaited. Excusing himself from the company, he joined Kahpeh in the darkness and allowed his natural form to take dominance.
Together they ranged in a wide circle about the Oasis, finding small game, but mostly enjoying the exercise and release that hunting always afforded him. Kahpeh was a powerful companion and skillful in finding game. Og noticed that no matter how focused on the hunt, nor no matter how far they ranged from camp, Kahpeh always kept a part of himself focused on the woman. Og could still find "wonder" in such loyalty and pondered if he would ever feel such towards another being. Maybe. Someday. but, for now, the hunt.
A couple of hours before dawn, the two returned to the sleeping camp and, well satisfied, Og returned to his place and slept.
Pipedreams
Sze turned to the rat upon the man in black's departure from the group and lent her reassurances to him that he would not become anyone's prey that night. She would have to guard against that cat anyway for her own well being and the rat still needed time to recover from his ordeal.
"Now, let me see..... Where was I as all those horrible things occured that thief spoke of?" on Sze's face appeared a wry smile. "We all make mistakes you know. Holy wars are good, Crucifixions are bad or so goes the public's opinion. God became man but a man like Caeser cant make himself a god? We must follow what we believe to be right and just and if one's opinion differs from your own it doesnt make them hideous. Soldiers do their duty and murderers are criminal, but every once in a while a murderer joins the armies and then what is he? We all make mistakes you know. Dont underestimate the power of magic, those that have it not deny its existance."
"Rome fell and was a great loss all agree, yet speak of the atrocities of it with disdain when in fact these things were part and parcel to it. If you admire one you admire the other as if you drain off the broth it is no longer stew. We all make mistakes you know and some of us are better cooks than others I suppose."
"Let me know when you wish to head back to your wagon dear rat, I will stand guard for you this night."
LilTrink
'There's nothing simple about thieving,' Madrina thought to herself. 'It takes a fair amount of intelligence to maintain stealth, organization to plan all the intricasies of thievery. That's not to say that someone who steals can't be compassionate. But to think he does less damage than others, is no justification for doing wrong.'
Madrina addressed the thief, "I believe you mean well by forewarning us of what we are about to face, and once everyone cools down and thinks about it, they'll realize what you are trying to do. But, you do have a few things a bit confused. It was Man himself that chased off these rare creatures, who you should feel privileged to sit with, they did not simply hide away. They were driven. Their homes destroyed for the purpose of Man's greed and his lack of concern for anyone but himself. Have they not suffered worse atrocities at the hand of Man? They have watched the lives of loved ones trampled into the earth as well as lost homes and land and territory. Man has destroyed everything around him, including the land he lives upon. These creatures did not create the social ills of Man. In the beginning they did try to assist man in many ways, but Man scoffed at their existence and ability to help. You cannot fault them for not stepping in to assist in Man's wars. Or blame them for the terrible things that have happened in your own life."
Madrina drew a calming breath, petting Kahpeh to ease not only him, but herself. "It is not convenience that has brought this group together. A great event is about to occur, one that Man has no control over, no power over. It calls to us, and so we come to assist and witness and prepare for what is to come and what will be. It is no small thing that we risk our very being, and our trek is not done selfishly, but done with hopes and dreams for every creature upon this earth, including Man."
Madrina looked at each member sitting together eating, hoping she had not overstepped the boundaries, for she was a mere mortal herself, like the thief. "Please, sir, do stay and fill your grumbling stomach since you plan to leave in the morning. I wish we could make you understand that before us lies a most wonderful journey, one that you could be a part of if you so wished."
Madrina watched as the others began to form bonds with one another. Og and Kahpeh were kindred spirits. Sze, despite her miniature size, had become protective of the Rat Captain. Quintar and the standoffish cat continued to stand apart, watching, waiting. The thief seemed hurt, somewhat bitter about the circumstances in his life. It would do him much good to continue this journey with the rest of the group. Madrina let the thoughts flow as she began cleaning up the camp site so that she, too, could prepare for a good night's sleep. Two more days of rest and preparation, and then what? Would the journey truly turn out as dangerous as the thief believes? And if so, will the group pull together to protect the prince, and themselves, so that the journey would reach its destination? One can only wait and see, and hope for the best.
Kit10ish
The rat captain spent a sleepless night, lying on his back and staring up into the night sky and toward his home. The faerie had fallen asleep about mid-watch so he was kind of glad that he couldn't, as that stranger was right about something. The cat and the owl were not to be trusted at all, they made no disguise of their desires to eat himself and Sze. They might also have more baser desires hidden from the group as well.
As morning broke he heard the near inaudible sounds of Og and Kahpeh returning from their nights wanderings, he felt safer with them about somehow. The night sounds of the desert faded away as the new day dawned. The rat captain took back his cloak with which he had covered the sleeping faerie so she would not know this kindness and then proceeded to wake her from her slumbers. The new day now arriving was sure to contain some new adventure and they should be up and prepared for it.
"I wonder if that woman Madrina still has some of the cheese?" As the only thing he could not create by thought was nourishment, as any food appearing would be like eating the air itself. "I wonder where that owl has got to for the night? I haven't heard a hoot or wingsflap at all."
Rat_atat
Quintar the spy searched the night, but found not a sign remaining of those armored rats that would would give themselves in trade for their captain.
'Probably someone's eaten them already,' he thought "and probably that cat!"
Quintar wondered where the cat had gotten off to, as with the ending of the dinner she seemed to vanish into the night as he did himself.
High up Quintar the Eagle had soared, and nearly touching the stars. The camp nothing more than a speck beneath him.
Day was approaching fast now and that meant it was time for a nap.
He swooped down and landed in the rear of the first wagon he came upon, and entered therein , beneath the canvas, and Quintar the seer set himself to slumber.
"Not bad for an owl," he thought. "And tomorrow will bring a new dilema. But how do I know that? It must be someone else who will face an ordeal in the day." The light about Quintar seemed to his eyes to flash as lightning right before a deep sleep overcame him.
"Not bad for an owl at all," his dream spirit commented.
Thundercat711
Simone spent a lonely night. Roaming the darkness, exploring it, becoming one with it.The man was right about one thing , danger did lie ahead.
She could feel it in her bones, Taste it in her mouth.
"The hunter has become the hunted," she thought to herself. "Isn't that the expression those humans like to use? I will be very careful from this point. I can use that owl, Quintar, as a sort of ally, he's devious alright, and hides it well with his foolishness. But up to no good he is, of that I am sure. An owl of omens, eh? Perhaps he sees when he says he cannot. Perhaps he is aware already of the troubles that lay ahead. Close by him is where I will be, and right behind.
But ahead of that Rat, Who makes armies appear while in a stupor. His powers are flawed. The stallion proved that. But perhaps with the right coaxing his magic can work for me?"
The day grew bright as morning came to be, on what might be her darkest of days.
Purring Kitten
The man in black weathers the verbal attacks without any expression on his face, as if he is used to far worse. When everyone's tirade is over, he shakes his head slowly. "Fine. Be that way if you wish. I don't care if you think I'm rude or if I have ruined your appetites, but I was merely trying to save you from horrific, painful deaths. It's not my fault you can't recognize compassion when you see it." He scoffs. "But maybe I don't really care. You be all monsters, after all. In fact, I'll bet some of you have killed thousands of innocent souls," he shoots an accusatory glance at the drooling kitten, "yet you have the nerve to look down upon a simple thief. What hypocrites."
A glare of undisguised contempt appears in his eyes, as well as some faraway look, like the recollection of distant and painful memories. "I don't know why I should even care about you creatures. You disappeared centuries ago, hiding in your secret forests and caves, leaving us humans to suffer. Only now, when it's convenient, do you return to interfere in our affairs. Where were you when the Romans were laying waste to the world? Where were you when proud young men were made to slaughter each other as entertainment for the bloodthirsty Roman masses? Do any of you have even the slightest idea of what it's like to walk a road for days and see nothing but an endless line of corpses hanging from crucifixes? Do you have any idea what I've..." He stops himself, as if holding back some terrible secret. In the unstable light of the campfire, his eyes seem to shimmer with barely-contained tears.
He gazes at the gathered creatures for a few moments when his stomach growls. He looks down and chuckles softly, whispering to himself, I forgot to eat. Well, it wouldn't be the first time I've gone to bed hungry. He stands and turns his back on the company, then raises his voice for all of them to hear. "This caravan will be at the oasis for two more days, but I'm leaving in the morning and heading back to safety. I don't even know why I should care, but I'm offering you one last chance to save yourselves. You may come with me if you choose, but if you wait too long to make a decision, I will leave without you." He turns and looks at the others, and his gaze falls on the rat. A look of sympathy seems to flicker across his eyes. "I would advise you to pick a hidden place to sleep. Owls and cats are deadly predators, and they most likely see you as an appetizing snack. Be careful, rat." With that, he stalks off into the darkness.
Oreja
Og listened to the thief's " justifications". He had many similar in taverns and at the foot of gallows throughout his travels. Still, the thief may care if they live or die.
Two more days in this place. He hoped Kahpeh and he could find enough game to hunt. Boredom was a new sensation to Og, but a sensation he did not enjoy. If worse came to worse, he could talk to the others to pass the time.
He found that his "couldn't care less" attitude had modified somewhat after listening to the others. Perhaps their company would not be a trial after all. A soft grunt from behind reminded him that a hunt, and Kahpeh, awaited. Excusing himself from the company, he joined Kahpeh in the darkness and allowed his natural form to take dominance.
Together they ranged in a wide circle about the Oasis, finding small game, but mostly enjoying the exercise and release that hunting always afforded him. Kahpeh was a powerful companion and skillful in finding game. Og noticed that no matter how focused on the hunt, nor no matter how far they ranged from camp, Kahpeh always kept a part of himself focused on the woman. Og could still find "wonder" in such loyalty and pondered if he would ever feel such towards another being. Maybe. Someday. but, for now, the hunt.
A couple of hours before dawn, the two returned to the sleeping camp and, well satisfied, Og returned to his place and slept.
Pipedreams
Sze turned to the rat upon the man in black's departure from the group and lent her reassurances to him that he would not become anyone's prey that night. She would have to guard against that cat anyway for her own well being and the rat still needed time to recover from his ordeal.
"Now, let me see..... Where was I as all those horrible things occured that thief spoke of?" on Sze's face appeared a wry smile. "We all make mistakes you know. Holy wars are good, Crucifixions are bad or so goes the public's opinion. God became man but a man like Caeser cant make himself a god? We must follow what we believe to be right and just and if one's opinion differs from your own it doesnt make them hideous. Soldiers do their duty and murderers are criminal, but every once in a while a murderer joins the armies and then what is he? We all make mistakes you know. Dont underestimate the power of magic, those that have it not deny its existance."
"Rome fell and was a great loss all agree, yet speak of the atrocities of it with disdain when in fact these things were part and parcel to it. If you admire one you admire the other as if you drain off the broth it is no longer stew. We all make mistakes you know and some of us are better cooks than others I suppose."
"Let me know when you wish to head back to your wagon dear rat, I will stand guard for you this night."
LilTrink
'There's nothing simple about thieving,' Madrina thought to herself. 'It takes a fair amount of intelligence to maintain stealth, organization to plan all the intricasies of thievery. That's not to say that someone who steals can't be compassionate. But to think he does less damage than others, is no justification for doing wrong.'
Madrina addressed the thief, "I believe you mean well by forewarning us of what we are about to face, and once everyone cools down and thinks about it, they'll realize what you are trying to do. But, you do have a few things a bit confused. It was Man himself that chased off these rare creatures, who you should feel privileged to sit with, they did not simply hide away. They were driven. Their homes destroyed for the purpose of Man's greed and his lack of concern for anyone but himself. Have they not suffered worse atrocities at the hand of Man? They have watched the lives of loved ones trampled into the earth as well as lost homes and land and territory. Man has destroyed everything around him, including the land he lives upon. These creatures did not create the social ills of Man. In the beginning they did try to assist man in many ways, but Man scoffed at their existence and ability to help. You cannot fault them for not stepping in to assist in Man's wars. Or blame them for the terrible things that have happened in your own life."
Madrina drew a calming breath, petting Kahpeh to ease not only him, but herself. "It is not convenience that has brought this group together. A great event is about to occur, one that Man has no control over, no power over. It calls to us, and so we come to assist and witness and prepare for what is to come and what will be. It is no small thing that we risk our very being, and our trek is not done selfishly, but done with hopes and dreams for every creature upon this earth, including Man."
Madrina looked at each member sitting together eating, hoping she had not overstepped the boundaries, for she was a mere mortal herself, like the thief. "Please, sir, do stay and fill your grumbling stomach since you plan to leave in the morning. I wish we could make you understand that before us lies a most wonderful journey, one that you could be a part of if you so wished."
Madrina watched as the others began to form bonds with one another. Og and Kahpeh were kindred spirits. Sze, despite her miniature size, had become protective of the Rat Captain. Quintar and the standoffish cat continued to stand apart, watching, waiting. The thief seemed hurt, somewhat bitter about the circumstances in his life. It would do him much good to continue this journey with the rest of the group. Madrina let the thoughts flow as she began cleaning up the camp site so that she, too, could prepare for a good night's sleep. Two more days of rest and preparation, and then what? Would the journey truly turn out as dangerous as the thief believes? And if so, will the group pull together to protect the prince, and themselves, so that the journey would reach its destination? One can only wait and see, and hope for the best.
Kit10ish
The rat captain spent a sleepless night, lying on his back and staring up into the night sky and toward his home. The faerie had fallen asleep about mid-watch so he was kind of glad that he couldn't, as that stranger was right about something. The cat and the owl were not to be trusted at all, they made no disguise of their desires to eat himself and Sze. They might also have more baser desires hidden from the group as well.
As morning broke he heard the near inaudible sounds of Og and Kahpeh returning from their nights wanderings, he felt safer with them about somehow. The night sounds of the desert faded away as the new day dawned. The rat captain took back his cloak with which he had covered the sleeping faerie so she would not know this kindness and then proceeded to wake her from her slumbers. The new day now arriving was sure to contain some new adventure and they should be up and prepared for it.
"I wonder if that woman Madrina still has some of the cheese?" As the only thing he could not create by thought was nourishment, as any food appearing would be like eating the air itself. "I wonder where that owl has got to for the night? I haven't heard a hoot or wingsflap at all."
Rat_atat
Quintar the spy searched the night, but found not a sign remaining of those armored rats that would would give themselves in trade for their captain. 'Probably someone's eaten them already,' he thought "and probably that cat!"
Quintar wondered where the cat had gotten off to, as with the ending of the dinner she seemed to vanish into the night as he did himself. High up Quintar the Eagle had soared, and nearly touching the stars. The camp nothing more than a speck beneath him.
Day was approaching fast now and that meant it was time for a nap. He swooped down and landed in the rear of the first wagon he came upon, and entered therein , beneath the canvas, and Quintar the seer set himself to slumber.
"Not bad for an owl," he thought. "And tomorrow will bring a new dilema. But how do I know that? It must be someone else who will face an ordeal in the day." The light about Quintar seemed to his eyes to flash as lightning right before a deep sleep overcame him.
"Not bad for an owl at all," his dream spirit commented.
Thundercat711
Simone spent a lonely night. Roaming the darkness, exploring it, becoming one with it.The man was right about one thing , danger did lie ahead. She could feel it in her bones, Taste it in her mouth.
"The hunter has become the hunted," she thought to herself. "Isn't that the expression those humans like to use? I will be very careful from this point. I can use that owl, Quintar, as a sort of ally, he's devious alright, and hides it well with his foolishness. But up to no good he is, of that I am sure. An owl of omens, eh? Perhaps he sees when he says he cannot. Perhaps he is aware already of the troubles that lay ahead. Close by him is where I will be, and right behind.
But ahead of that Rat, Who makes armies appear while in a stupor. His powers are flawed. The stallion proved that. But perhaps with the right coaxing his magic can work for me?"
The day grew bright as morning came to be, on what might be her darkest of days.
Purring Kitten
Chapter 6
