Post by Sabre on Oct 10, 2007 16:42:59 GMT -8
Longish update, what i have so far, you might now want to read it all in one sitting, depending how fast you read or how much youl like it so far. Replies on it's possible greatness would be VERY nice.
Zayah’s Revenge:
Chapter 1
A faint breeze passed through Zayah’s dark hair, it was cold but also strangely warming. He stared down the hill, which was as green as the tree frog in the forest nearby. Zayah stood on top of a rock on the hill squatting on it like an eagle on its perch He looked to his left and watch the golden red sun slowly rise over the small forest town. The hill was so high that he could see passed the shops and merchant’s stands for a clear view of the log cabins of the residents. A mere hour before this everything was engulfed in darkness. On the bottom of the hill a bush stirred, catching his attention. He slowly lifted his redwood bow and drew an arrow so sharp it could pierce through an oak tree. Time had passed and Zayah hadn’t moved a single muscle. The bush stirred again and he could see a large brown rabbit’s head peeking out of the bush seeing it was safe. Zayah mentally aimed very carefully for a spot on the creature that wouldn’t ruin the skin. The rabbit hopped out a little, unaware of the statue of a man on the rock. Just then, as quick as lightning he pulled the arrow back and shot it directly in its belly. This rabbit would be skinned so the pelt could be sold and it would be enough meat for tomorrow’s midday and evening stew. As he picked the rabbit up he saw the rabbit’s jet black eyes staring back at him at him lifelessly. With this, Zayah pulled out the arrow and set off for home.
Most of the town’s residents were already up and starting their daily chores, the shops were just now opening and Zayah’s friend John was out taking care of his animals.
“Hey, hey!” John called. “Zayah come here for a second!” “I see you scored a rabbit, and a big one too!” John said examining it. “So what are you doing for your brothers 13th birthday tomorrow?” “It better be good, it’s the year he can become a man, just like you 4 years ago” John asked grinning “I’m going to use the money I have been saving up to buy him an archery set and teach him how to use it then maybe over time how it hunt” Zayah explained quietly. John nodded. “Sounds like a plan, you know he has been doing really well in sword training I think I can start teaching him how to actually fight really soon” Zayah raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?” John nodded. “Well, I better get back before he gets up.” Zayah said starting to walk away. “Alright!” “Talk to you later!”
Zayah approached a medium sized cabin made of oak and opened the stained wooden door. The inside was a traditional 2-room log cabin; one big room divided into small kitchen which had some cupboards and a small table they ate at there and a larger living room which had a fireplace where they cooked their meals and also had a place to rest, and a place where they slept on their beds. The much smaller room was over in the corner to the left of the part of the big room, which there was a tub they could bathe in. The outhouse was through the back door by the ‘bedroom’. Alex was already up and had fixed himself some blackberry jam on rye. His hair was a darker brown much like his older brother but a little bit lighter. Though he was turning 13 he still looked as if he was 10. He was wearing a dark blue tunic, which matched his brother’s, but it was a different size. “Back already?” Alex said sleepily, taking another bite of bread. “Yeah I got lucky today only had to stay out there a little after sunrise.” Zayah said holding up the rabbit. “ I need to go help Ashley which herding in a little bit so can you skin the rabbit and get it ready to sell.” Zayah requested. Alex’s scarlet eyes lit up. “You would really trust me with that kind of responsibility, I have never done it by myself before!” Alex said jumping up in excitement. “Yup your becoming a man tomorrow and I might as well start trusting you with this kind of responsibility.” Zayah said proudly. “But before I go,” “I want you to show me what john has been teaching you.” Alex already had his favorite throwing knife, which was sharp and as thin as paper. Zayah strapped on his iron sword to his belt “Alright,” “Show me!” he challenged but Alex already threw it as hard as he could. The knife cut thought the air so fast it screamed and yelled in pain. Zayah yawned and drew his sword at just the right time to defect the knife and sent it one equally as sharp directly back at Alex, who stood still wide eyed and the knife cut him slightly on the cheek. Alex had never seen anyone do that to him before and was in shock.
Alex blinked in amazement. Zayah chuckled as if a clown had just slipped on a banana peel. Alex slowly lifted his hand to the cut on his cheek and felt that small drops of blood were bleeding out. Something inside Alex snapped. “You could have had me killed!” he exclaimed. “Killed, killed” the cabin echoed Zayah was surprised by the sudden mood change. “That could have been my eye!” he said taking the dagger out of the wall.
Zayah’s grin faded and was turned into a frown. “You need to learn these kind of defenses if you ever want to be anymore then a farm boy, Alex” “You should have seen it coming and ducked, maybe that cut will heal up and scar without any major damage,” Zayah paused “You are very lucky to be hardly hurt after that.” Alex eyes flared with rage “Whoa calm down, I won’t do that again alright?” Alex bit his lip. “Fine.” He said taking the dagger and picking the rabbit up off the table where Zayah left it. They didn’t say a word more because Zayah had already left to go help heard some cattle.
The sun was covered up by a swarm of black clouds when Zayah walked out of the house. Leaves crunched under his feet as he walked slowly toward a large maple cabin, the wind was fierce and blew the leaves right off the trees. The wind took him by surprise and the hair from Zayah’s face pushed up above his forehead while the wind blinded him for a few brief moments. He blinked several times and covered his face with a sleeve of his tunic. Picking up the pace he threw the hair out of his eyes and walked next to the houses blocking the wind’s path. Lynn, his childhood friend was outside waiting for him, on the finely crafted bench Zayah made for them on her birthday, her hair was red, down to an inch after he shoulders and very fine that if someone would to touch it without looking it could be mistook for a horses hair.
Lynn looked up, and her emerald eyes meet Zayah’s. “Hey you!” she said grinning. “What’s up?” She said worried when she saw him fully. He just realized that he had been frowning and quit. “Alex got kind of ticked off.” He said slowly barely getting the words out. Lynn’s face turned to normal and leaned against the fence “About what?” she asked wondering. “Well I told him to show me what John had taught him lately and he threw a throwing knife at me…and after I deflected it I threw one of my own at him and it cut his cheek enough to bleed and he just snapped” Lynn nodded “Hey he’s just a kid I mean you would have done the same thing if your father had done something like that when you…” she stopped herself realizing what she had just said Zayah’s face hardened and she shrugged “Yeah I guess so.” Lynn was suddenly filled with regret no one had mentioned anything about his parents for the last 2 years and she just flat out said it as if it meant nothing. Zayah and Alex was the only family who had lost their parents while they were still children. Luckily Zayah had been old enough to fend for him and Alex for the past two and a half years. An awkward silence followed those words, until Lynn broke the ice “We better get started before it starts to storm so it won’t be as hard.”
Later that day after Zayah had finished helping Lynn he came home so wet that he could have been mistook for a bundle of clothes after they had been freshly washed. He walked into the room and straight into the bathroom, after changing and hanging up the wet clothes by the now lit fireplace next to the bloody rabbit hide. He sat in the chair and took a deep sigh. Alex, who was standing in the kitchen still, was working on cutting up the rabbit’s edible parts for so Zayah can start cooking later in the night so it can simmer and be ready to eat by tomorrow at noon. Alex, seeing that he was wore out and mentally troubled had to say something. He put the kitchen knife down “Hey, are you feeling alright?” he said trying to get him to answer. He shook his head. He didn’t feel like talking after what had happened before he helped with the cattle with Lynn. Alex stood in place puzzled and then asked again “Are you sure your alright?” “Maybe I could cook us something for dinner?” Zayah stayed completely still like Alex had said nothing and was nearly another inanimate object in the cabin. Alex frowned. It wasn’t like Zayah to ignore someone. He knew something had happened. Alex walked right in front of him and squatted a little bit so he was eye level with Zayah, since he didn’t answer to his first question he just plainly said. “You sure your not hungry?” Zayah’s face continued to be expressionless but he nodded slowly, still not saying a single word. He put his head down and ran his fingers through his hair.
About a half-hour later, Alex had been done making dinner, which was simply constructed as fried eggs and bread. He had traded the farmer next door He handed Zayah a plate and smiled. Zayah hadn’t had let Alex cook anything that had to be prepared with fire in the cabin in a long time though Zayah made sure he knew how to in case there was another accident. Zayah took the plate that had seemed to be washed by hand before the food was done. Zayah picked up the fork that was slightly rusted but only on the handle making it still possible to eat with without the risk of any illness. Zayah cut into the first of two eats and ate it. Invisible steam from the plate radiated the air to make it seem to wave like a sheet of metal was being waved forward and back in front of him. The food was amazing. Zayah took the first bite and managed to smile knowing that Alex had cooked them with mom’s old recipe. At least there was something that was his mother’s that was still with them. Thoughts of their past started to pass through his head while he ate his food, and with eat bite more and more came and left.
By the time that Alex and Zayah were both done with their dinner, Zayah had calmed down and was finally ready to talk again. “Hey that was some great eggs, Alex” Alex smiled and nodded. Somehow Alex knew exactly what had been wrong and knew that his favorite food would help him feel a little better. It was late and Alex was ready to go to bed, knowing that tomorrow would be the best day of his life. Zayah was suddenly puzzled why he wanted to sleep so badly and then it hit him…He forgot to get the archery set.
Once Alex went to sleep, Zayah grabbed the moneybag and sword and ran outside as fast as he could, blinded by the pouring rain he ran over to the alley looking for spot he could see where he was going. He hid under what seemed to be a old shelter for stray dogs and looked for whether the weapon shop would be open, and if not he would have to get up before Alex and buy it in the morning. He looked around searching for the sign but the rain acted as a dark curtain, not allowing him to see what was behind it. Zayah swore, knowing that it was too late at night to buy anything anyway and he had come out of the house and got soaked for nothing. His wet bangs covered his eyes, making it even more difficult to see then before, he tried to find his way back into the cabin but even though it was a small town you can still get lost in this kind of weather. Over all the rain, he heard loud pounding footsteps; they were deep and muffled from person’s weight. Zayah was trying to think if there were any people in the town big enough to make to make such noise he thought of none. Panicking he ran in the direction he came from, hoping that he could reach the cabin in time. But the steps were getting louder and whatever it might be it was chasing him and could somehow see him. Zayah looked behind him trying to get a glance of what was chasing him, but failed. When he looked forward again all he could see was a rotted fallen tree under his legs and a mud puddle the size of an underground spring. He feel face first into the pool of mud, quickly getting up and running faster then he remembered that he had brought his sword out with him, and once this memory processed he drew it and turned around to face the beast. But the next and last thing he could remember was hitting the hard wet ground behind him.
Once he came to, it was early in the morning, and Alex if he was awake would think that he would be out getting ready for his big day. He sat up and looked around at his surroundings. He was deep in the forest by the river that was about a fifth of a league away from town. The clothes he was wearing were damp but the rain-washed away any mud that was left from them. The rain must have stopped a couple of hours ago. Zayah had a pounding headache from the blow, and he couldn’t remember where it came from. Then as fast as the river was flowing memories of what happened the night before cam rushing though his mind. He had to see someone about this, but not today. He stood up and stretched. Besides the bump on his head he was fine. Whoever or whatever that creature was it didn’t want anything from him, which was odd. He still had his money and sword and he hadn’t have brought anything else but the clothes on his back. He started to walk, slowly picking up the pace he stepped over the fallen tree he tripped on mere hours before, and continued walking. The trees’ leaves were many warm and brown colors and were quickly falling onto the ground. There was no wind, clouds or any weather at all. Today was going to be a perfect day, and all he had to do was get to town and buy Alex’s bow kit and get back to the house.
After running for a while Zayah finally reached the town again. The sun was just rising and the shops were opening and it was the perfect time to buy the kit. Opening the weapon shop door he walked in and greeted the people looking at the goods. Zayah knew exactly what he was going to get.
Chapter 2
“Hey! Ralph!” He called getting the keeper’s attention. The man was small that you would never think that he would run the biggest shop in town. “Top of the morning!” he greeted with a smile as big as wallet. “I’m ready to buy the kit.” Zayah said vaguely. “The kit?” Ralph said out loud puzzled. Then he remembered what Zayah had been looking at a few days ago. He pulled out a large boxed set out from under the counter. There you don’t need to do anything just have him open the box and there will be his present. Zayah nodded and threw the bag of money at him. Ralph weighed the bag in both his hands. “Yup this will be enough, have a great day!” Zayah carefully picked up and carried the box with both hands. Ralph opened the door for him and patted his back. “Just make sure he doesn’t sneak and open it before dinner!” Ralph warned him.
Zayah left quickly, making up the time it took him to get back to town. He opened the cabin door. And Alex was sitting on his bed rubbing his eyes. Zayah acted at a lightning pace and threw the box into the kitchen closet and pretended to start getting the rabbit ready for the soup. Alex stood up and blinked twice. After a huge yawn, he glanced at Zayah and smiled. He ran out the door and checked the sky for the weather. There were no clouds and the sun was shining. It wouldn’t be too hot or too cold; in fact it was strange that after such a storm that it would have such perfect weather. Alex gave another warm smile. He had to go tell his friends what a beautiful day it was going to be.
Alex ran inside as fast as he could. “Brother, Brother!” he said asking for Zayah attention. Zayah was really cooking the soup now and was throwing chunk of veggies into the boiling pot. He looked towards Alex. “Hey what’s up?” he said pretending not to remember what today was. “Alex’s smile faded hoping that he would get a happy birthday of some sort. Zayah pretended not to notice Alex’s sudden mood swing and continued tending the pot. “Can I go outside and play in the town.” Zayah nodded and added, “Whenever you get hungry come back and lunch should be ready.” Alex ran out the door without a goodbye. Zayah shook his head “Kids….” He said out loud.
Once Alex was outside he ran towards a cabin on the edge of town as fast as he could. Once he got there he stopped a moment to catch his breath and knocked on the door. The loud deep knock echoed in the cabin and Alex’s best friend Rukyn opened the door. His long dirty blonde parted a little bit and could half-way cover his eyes, but it was pushed a little aside making it possible to see clearly. His small round face lit up when he saw Alex was at the door. He called to his mother that he was going out to play and left the house.
Leaving the town the children went into the east forest, waling towards the pond without permission. They were hoping that they could catch some frog and keep them as pets so that they can have something that lives and breaths and will be fun for them to play with. But they couldn’t fine the pond. They searched everywhere and when they found it there wasn’t any water to be found. It was fall and it hasn’t been warm or cold enough to freeze or evaporate. It was so dry that if a strong wind came in that it would blow dust all over the forest. The empty pond was over a league in diameter, more like a lake. But even more interesting it was empty after the huge rainfall yesterday “But, How?!” Rukyn exclaimed angered. Alex stood there frozen. The deep dark pond looked empty, Where were the fish? There isn’t any dead bodies or any sort of evidence that there had once been fish, or water for that matter, in this pond at all. Something had to have done this but the questions kept coming back. Who did this? How did they do it? Why did they do it? The more Alex and Rukyn thought about it the less it made sense. Rukyn was the first to break the dusty ice. “But…. how?” he mumbled. Looking in the dry oasis. Alex hiccupped. Taking 4 deep breathes then holding his breath for as long as possible he tried to think of something to say back to Rukyn. But when he ran out of air, he still had nothing. Alex pulled out a small sharp knife he carries around in case he finds a good branch to carve. He jumped into the pond and ran over to the middle carefully because there are rocks and he didn’t want to fall on the knife. Once he got to a nice deeps spot he bent over and scraped the very bottom of the pond. A few dry chips came of the bed of the dried pond. Then as if it never happened, under the crusty outer layer there was a slimy moist layer, as if it had been in the pond water again. “Hey!” Rukyn called getting Alex’s attention. “Did you find anything?” He shouted see that Alex’s face when he saw the hidden layer of the pond. Alex stood there trying to come to a conclusion. It was the same pond and it hadn’t been dry for too long. It was impossible to tell how it could have been totally dry after the rainfall last night.
He didn’t say a word. He somehow knew what was happening, and he knew that he couldn’t do anything about it. He had to tell Zayah, But not today. Maybe he would tomorrow, because if he did it now it would possibly ruin the best day of his life.
Update 4
Rukyn stood there and looked at Alex’s blank face. “What?” Rukyn asked plainly. “We better get away from here.” He looked even more confused. “We got to tell someone about this something major must have happened!” Rukyn exclaimed. He got ready to run but Alex stopped him. “Not today” Alex’s face was serious. He could have been mistaken for his brother when he acted like this. They walked back slowly and made a pact of not telling anyone until the next day.
Once they got back to town it was nearly noon and Alex had an idea of trying to sneak and open his gift early, he just needed to find out where it was. He had an idea, if he went over and acted as if he was searching Zayah would go by the spot it was hidden and he would know his general location! Alex smiled he came up with this brilliant plan and it was sure to work. All he had to do was pull it off. Rukyn had to go home; he said he had to so something before having dinner and if he didn’t his parents would skin him for sure. He would meet back up with Alex later in the day to help celebrate. Alex opened the door slowly trying not to draw any attention. Zayah was in the chair of his choice taking a nap letting the soup simmer. Alex smiled, maybe he wouldn’t even need to go through with his plan, but he has to be as quiet as possible. He came in like a hawk stalking his prey and he saw a large box under Zayah’s bed. He hadn’t have noticed this before but it was as simple and he couldn’t even believed that he didn’t see it before he left without see it. The soup smelled like heaven, he could smell it all the way on the other side of the cabin but he resisted and kept his eyes on the prize. He walked slowly, like a mouse trying not to wake the cat and passed Zayah on the way to his bed. This was the worst hiding place zayah has ever done and he was so heavy sleeping he could have probably walked the whole distance without even trying to be quiet and Zayah would be asleep. He snickered quietly like an evil henchmen that stole something valuable from his mast. Slowly carrying the box he realized it was too heavy…and instead he decided it to open it here. A small bead of sweat left his brow while he was opening the top slowly. Zayah smiled without Alex noticing. He closed his eyes just in time so that when Alex checked back on him, it still looked like he was asleep.
It was a trap. Once Alex fully opened the cover a dark blue spray cover Alex’s face and hands, painting them blue. Zayah stood up and laughed. His grin was as wide as the horizon. Alex stood up wordlessly and walked over and out the door making more the river. All the laughter that he kept in came out again. Alex had no idea that the real box was still at the shop and would be picked up later.
Zayah walked over and sipped the soup, he added some pepper and took a sip. It was ready to eat. He took out the large marble bowls. These were their only bowls and they were each individually marked. They washed their own by hand so that it was clean and ready to use at the next meal. He pulled out to tin spoons and 2 tin mugs from under the bowls in the cupboard.
Alex was halfway to the river and was trying his best to get the paint-like substance off oh himself. That was the cleverest trick he had ever fell for and he was fooled very easily. Hooked, line, and sinker, as the old expression goes. About 5 minutes later the blue substance was still wet and he had made it to the river, he was lucky if he had fell for it later in the day it would have dried quicker from the heat. Without using his hands, he squatted on his knees and bended over to the river. He didn’t like to do this but he felt he had no other choice. He plunged his arms into the water, which now ran bright blue. This would kill a few fish but in Alex’s case, he didn’t care he just wanted the stuff off. After rinsing his face a few times he looked into the reflection and saw that it was cleaned. Zayah must have had it easy to clean on propose. At least he had somewhat of a heart when it comes to this kind of thing. He looked into the light sky, and got lost for a few moments, he plunged his cupped hands into the river again and went to rinse his face again just to be sure, but there was no longer any water. The whole river was suddenly drained and he could have witnessed it but he was busy daydreaming. He looked up the river. It was no longer flowing and he could not tell what might have caused it. He ran up the riverbank as fast as he possibly could. He wasn’t going to let this chance of seeing the water stealer in action. As quick as light he ran at an unthinkable speed, from this sudden burst of energy.
Zayah’s Revenge:
Chapter 1
A faint breeze passed through Zayah’s dark hair, it was cold but also strangely warming. He stared down the hill, which was as green as the tree frog in the forest nearby. Zayah stood on top of a rock on the hill squatting on it like an eagle on its perch He looked to his left and watch the golden red sun slowly rise over the small forest town. The hill was so high that he could see passed the shops and merchant’s stands for a clear view of the log cabins of the residents. A mere hour before this everything was engulfed in darkness. On the bottom of the hill a bush stirred, catching his attention. He slowly lifted his redwood bow and drew an arrow so sharp it could pierce through an oak tree. Time had passed and Zayah hadn’t moved a single muscle. The bush stirred again and he could see a large brown rabbit’s head peeking out of the bush seeing it was safe. Zayah mentally aimed very carefully for a spot on the creature that wouldn’t ruin the skin. The rabbit hopped out a little, unaware of the statue of a man on the rock. Just then, as quick as lightning he pulled the arrow back and shot it directly in its belly. This rabbit would be skinned so the pelt could be sold and it would be enough meat for tomorrow’s midday and evening stew. As he picked the rabbit up he saw the rabbit’s jet black eyes staring back at him at him lifelessly. With this, Zayah pulled out the arrow and set off for home.
Most of the town’s residents were already up and starting their daily chores, the shops were just now opening and Zayah’s friend John was out taking care of his animals.
“Hey, hey!” John called. “Zayah come here for a second!” “I see you scored a rabbit, and a big one too!” John said examining it. “So what are you doing for your brothers 13th birthday tomorrow?” “It better be good, it’s the year he can become a man, just like you 4 years ago” John asked grinning “I’m going to use the money I have been saving up to buy him an archery set and teach him how to use it then maybe over time how it hunt” Zayah explained quietly. John nodded. “Sounds like a plan, you know he has been doing really well in sword training I think I can start teaching him how to actually fight really soon” Zayah raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?” John nodded. “Well, I better get back before he gets up.” Zayah said starting to walk away. “Alright!” “Talk to you later!”
Zayah approached a medium sized cabin made of oak and opened the stained wooden door. The inside was a traditional 2-room log cabin; one big room divided into small kitchen which had some cupboards and a small table they ate at there and a larger living room which had a fireplace where they cooked their meals and also had a place to rest, and a place where they slept on their beds. The much smaller room was over in the corner to the left of the part of the big room, which there was a tub they could bathe in. The outhouse was through the back door by the ‘bedroom’. Alex was already up and had fixed himself some blackberry jam on rye. His hair was a darker brown much like his older brother but a little bit lighter. Though he was turning 13 he still looked as if he was 10. He was wearing a dark blue tunic, which matched his brother’s, but it was a different size. “Back already?” Alex said sleepily, taking another bite of bread. “Yeah I got lucky today only had to stay out there a little after sunrise.” Zayah said holding up the rabbit. “ I need to go help Ashley which herding in a little bit so can you skin the rabbit and get it ready to sell.” Zayah requested. Alex’s scarlet eyes lit up. “You would really trust me with that kind of responsibility, I have never done it by myself before!” Alex said jumping up in excitement. “Yup your becoming a man tomorrow and I might as well start trusting you with this kind of responsibility.” Zayah said proudly. “But before I go,” “I want you to show me what john has been teaching you.” Alex already had his favorite throwing knife, which was sharp and as thin as paper. Zayah strapped on his iron sword to his belt “Alright,” “Show me!” he challenged but Alex already threw it as hard as he could. The knife cut thought the air so fast it screamed and yelled in pain. Zayah yawned and drew his sword at just the right time to defect the knife and sent it one equally as sharp directly back at Alex, who stood still wide eyed and the knife cut him slightly on the cheek. Alex had never seen anyone do that to him before and was in shock.
Alex blinked in amazement. Zayah chuckled as if a clown had just slipped on a banana peel. Alex slowly lifted his hand to the cut on his cheek and felt that small drops of blood were bleeding out. Something inside Alex snapped. “You could have had me killed!” he exclaimed. “Killed, killed” the cabin echoed Zayah was surprised by the sudden mood change. “That could have been my eye!” he said taking the dagger out of the wall.
Zayah’s grin faded and was turned into a frown. “You need to learn these kind of defenses if you ever want to be anymore then a farm boy, Alex” “You should have seen it coming and ducked, maybe that cut will heal up and scar without any major damage,” Zayah paused “You are very lucky to be hardly hurt after that.” Alex eyes flared with rage “Whoa calm down, I won’t do that again alright?” Alex bit his lip. “Fine.” He said taking the dagger and picking the rabbit up off the table where Zayah left it. They didn’t say a word more because Zayah had already left to go help heard some cattle.
The sun was covered up by a swarm of black clouds when Zayah walked out of the house. Leaves crunched under his feet as he walked slowly toward a large maple cabin, the wind was fierce and blew the leaves right off the trees. The wind took him by surprise and the hair from Zayah’s face pushed up above his forehead while the wind blinded him for a few brief moments. He blinked several times and covered his face with a sleeve of his tunic. Picking up the pace he threw the hair out of his eyes and walked next to the houses blocking the wind’s path. Lynn, his childhood friend was outside waiting for him, on the finely crafted bench Zayah made for them on her birthday, her hair was red, down to an inch after he shoulders and very fine that if someone would to touch it without looking it could be mistook for a horses hair.
Lynn looked up, and her emerald eyes meet Zayah’s. “Hey you!” she said grinning. “What’s up?” She said worried when she saw him fully. He just realized that he had been frowning and quit. “Alex got kind of ticked off.” He said slowly barely getting the words out. Lynn’s face turned to normal and leaned against the fence “About what?” she asked wondering. “Well I told him to show me what John had taught him lately and he threw a throwing knife at me…and after I deflected it I threw one of my own at him and it cut his cheek enough to bleed and he just snapped” Lynn nodded “Hey he’s just a kid I mean you would have done the same thing if your father had done something like that when you…” she stopped herself realizing what she had just said Zayah’s face hardened and she shrugged “Yeah I guess so.” Lynn was suddenly filled with regret no one had mentioned anything about his parents for the last 2 years and she just flat out said it as if it meant nothing. Zayah and Alex was the only family who had lost their parents while they were still children. Luckily Zayah had been old enough to fend for him and Alex for the past two and a half years. An awkward silence followed those words, until Lynn broke the ice “We better get started before it starts to storm so it won’t be as hard.”
Later that day after Zayah had finished helping Lynn he came home so wet that he could have been mistook for a bundle of clothes after they had been freshly washed. He walked into the room and straight into the bathroom, after changing and hanging up the wet clothes by the now lit fireplace next to the bloody rabbit hide. He sat in the chair and took a deep sigh. Alex, who was standing in the kitchen still, was working on cutting up the rabbit’s edible parts for so Zayah can start cooking later in the night so it can simmer and be ready to eat by tomorrow at noon. Alex, seeing that he was wore out and mentally troubled had to say something. He put the kitchen knife down “Hey, are you feeling alright?” he said trying to get him to answer. He shook his head. He didn’t feel like talking after what had happened before he helped with the cattle with Lynn. Alex stood in place puzzled and then asked again “Are you sure your alright?” “Maybe I could cook us something for dinner?” Zayah stayed completely still like Alex had said nothing and was nearly another inanimate object in the cabin. Alex frowned. It wasn’t like Zayah to ignore someone. He knew something had happened. Alex walked right in front of him and squatted a little bit so he was eye level with Zayah, since he didn’t answer to his first question he just plainly said. “You sure your not hungry?” Zayah’s face continued to be expressionless but he nodded slowly, still not saying a single word. He put his head down and ran his fingers through his hair.
About a half-hour later, Alex had been done making dinner, which was simply constructed as fried eggs and bread. He had traded the farmer next door He handed Zayah a plate and smiled. Zayah hadn’t had let Alex cook anything that had to be prepared with fire in the cabin in a long time though Zayah made sure he knew how to in case there was another accident. Zayah took the plate that had seemed to be washed by hand before the food was done. Zayah picked up the fork that was slightly rusted but only on the handle making it still possible to eat with without the risk of any illness. Zayah cut into the first of two eats and ate it. Invisible steam from the plate radiated the air to make it seem to wave like a sheet of metal was being waved forward and back in front of him. The food was amazing. Zayah took the first bite and managed to smile knowing that Alex had cooked them with mom’s old recipe. At least there was something that was his mother’s that was still with them. Thoughts of their past started to pass through his head while he ate his food, and with eat bite more and more came and left.
By the time that Alex and Zayah were both done with their dinner, Zayah had calmed down and was finally ready to talk again. “Hey that was some great eggs, Alex” Alex smiled and nodded. Somehow Alex knew exactly what had been wrong and knew that his favorite food would help him feel a little better. It was late and Alex was ready to go to bed, knowing that tomorrow would be the best day of his life. Zayah was suddenly puzzled why he wanted to sleep so badly and then it hit him…He forgot to get the archery set.
Once Alex went to sleep, Zayah grabbed the moneybag and sword and ran outside as fast as he could, blinded by the pouring rain he ran over to the alley looking for spot he could see where he was going. He hid under what seemed to be a old shelter for stray dogs and looked for whether the weapon shop would be open, and if not he would have to get up before Alex and buy it in the morning. He looked around searching for the sign but the rain acted as a dark curtain, not allowing him to see what was behind it. Zayah swore, knowing that it was too late at night to buy anything anyway and he had come out of the house and got soaked for nothing. His wet bangs covered his eyes, making it even more difficult to see then before, he tried to find his way back into the cabin but even though it was a small town you can still get lost in this kind of weather. Over all the rain, he heard loud pounding footsteps; they were deep and muffled from person’s weight. Zayah was trying to think if there were any people in the town big enough to make to make such noise he thought of none. Panicking he ran in the direction he came from, hoping that he could reach the cabin in time. But the steps were getting louder and whatever it might be it was chasing him and could somehow see him. Zayah looked behind him trying to get a glance of what was chasing him, but failed. When he looked forward again all he could see was a rotted fallen tree under his legs and a mud puddle the size of an underground spring. He feel face first into the pool of mud, quickly getting up and running faster then he remembered that he had brought his sword out with him, and once this memory processed he drew it and turned around to face the beast. But the next and last thing he could remember was hitting the hard wet ground behind him.
Once he came to, it was early in the morning, and Alex if he was awake would think that he would be out getting ready for his big day. He sat up and looked around at his surroundings. He was deep in the forest by the river that was about a fifth of a league away from town. The clothes he was wearing were damp but the rain-washed away any mud that was left from them. The rain must have stopped a couple of hours ago. Zayah had a pounding headache from the blow, and he couldn’t remember where it came from. Then as fast as the river was flowing memories of what happened the night before cam rushing though his mind. He had to see someone about this, but not today. He stood up and stretched. Besides the bump on his head he was fine. Whoever or whatever that creature was it didn’t want anything from him, which was odd. He still had his money and sword and he hadn’t have brought anything else but the clothes on his back. He started to walk, slowly picking up the pace he stepped over the fallen tree he tripped on mere hours before, and continued walking. The trees’ leaves were many warm and brown colors and were quickly falling onto the ground. There was no wind, clouds or any weather at all. Today was going to be a perfect day, and all he had to do was get to town and buy Alex’s bow kit and get back to the house.
After running for a while Zayah finally reached the town again. The sun was just rising and the shops were opening and it was the perfect time to buy the kit. Opening the weapon shop door he walked in and greeted the people looking at the goods. Zayah knew exactly what he was going to get.
Chapter 2
“Hey! Ralph!” He called getting the keeper’s attention. The man was small that you would never think that he would run the biggest shop in town. “Top of the morning!” he greeted with a smile as big as wallet. “I’m ready to buy the kit.” Zayah said vaguely. “The kit?” Ralph said out loud puzzled. Then he remembered what Zayah had been looking at a few days ago. He pulled out a large boxed set out from under the counter. There you don’t need to do anything just have him open the box and there will be his present. Zayah nodded and threw the bag of money at him. Ralph weighed the bag in both his hands. “Yup this will be enough, have a great day!” Zayah carefully picked up and carried the box with both hands. Ralph opened the door for him and patted his back. “Just make sure he doesn’t sneak and open it before dinner!” Ralph warned him.
Zayah left quickly, making up the time it took him to get back to town. He opened the cabin door. And Alex was sitting on his bed rubbing his eyes. Zayah acted at a lightning pace and threw the box into the kitchen closet and pretended to start getting the rabbit ready for the soup. Alex stood up and blinked twice. After a huge yawn, he glanced at Zayah and smiled. He ran out the door and checked the sky for the weather. There were no clouds and the sun was shining. It wouldn’t be too hot or too cold; in fact it was strange that after such a storm that it would have such perfect weather. Alex gave another warm smile. He had to go tell his friends what a beautiful day it was going to be.
Alex ran inside as fast as he could. “Brother, Brother!” he said asking for Zayah attention. Zayah was really cooking the soup now and was throwing chunk of veggies into the boiling pot. He looked towards Alex. “Hey what’s up?” he said pretending not to remember what today was. “Alex’s smile faded hoping that he would get a happy birthday of some sort. Zayah pretended not to notice Alex’s sudden mood swing and continued tending the pot. “Can I go outside and play in the town.” Zayah nodded and added, “Whenever you get hungry come back and lunch should be ready.” Alex ran out the door without a goodbye. Zayah shook his head “Kids….” He said out loud.
Once Alex was outside he ran towards a cabin on the edge of town as fast as he could. Once he got there he stopped a moment to catch his breath and knocked on the door. The loud deep knock echoed in the cabin and Alex’s best friend Rukyn opened the door. His long dirty blonde parted a little bit and could half-way cover his eyes, but it was pushed a little aside making it possible to see clearly. His small round face lit up when he saw Alex was at the door. He called to his mother that he was going out to play and left the house.
Leaving the town the children went into the east forest, waling towards the pond without permission. They were hoping that they could catch some frog and keep them as pets so that they can have something that lives and breaths and will be fun for them to play with. But they couldn’t fine the pond. They searched everywhere and when they found it there wasn’t any water to be found. It was fall and it hasn’t been warm or cold enough to freeze or evaporate. It was so dry that if a strong wind came in that it would blow dust all over the forest. The empty pond was over a league in diameter, more like a lake. But even more interesting it was empty after the huge rainfall yesterday “But, How?!” Rukyn exclaimed angered. Alex stood there frozen. The deep dark pond looked empty, Where were the fish? There isn’t any dead bodies or any sort of evidence that there had once been fish, or water for that matter, in this pond at all. Something had to have done this but the questions kept coming back. Who did this? How did they do it? Why did they do it? The more Alex and Rukyn thought about it the less it made sense. Rukyn was the first to break the dusty ice. “But…. how?” he mumbled. Looking in the dry oasis. Alex hiccupped. Taking 4 deep breathes then holding his breath for as long as possible he tried to think of something to say back to Rukyn. But when he ran out of air, he still had nothing. Alex pulled out a small sharp knife he carries around in case he finds a good branch to carve. He jumped into the pond and ran over to the middle carefully because there are rocks and he didn’t want to fall on the knife. Once he got to a nice deeps spot he bent over and scraped the very bottom of the pond. A few dry chips came of the bed of the dried pond. Then as if it never happened, under the crusty outer layer there was a slimy moist layer, as if it had been in the pond water again. “Hey!” Rukyn called getting Alex’s attention. “Did you find anything?” He shouted see that Alex’s face when he saw the hidden layer of the pond. Alex stood there trying to come to a conclusion. It was the same pond and it hadn’t been dry for too long. It was impossible to tell how it could have been totally dry after the rainfall last night.
He didn’t say a word. He somehow knew what was happening, and he knew that he couldn’t do anything about it. He had to tell Zayah, But not today. Maybe he would tomorrow, because if he did it now it would possibly ruin the best day of his life.
Update 4
Rukyn stood there and looked at Alex’s blank face. “What?” Rukyn asked plainly. “We better get away from here.” He looked even more confused. “We got to tell someone about this something major must have happened!” Rukyn exclaimed. He got ready to run but Alex stopped him. “Not today” Alex’s face was serious. He could have been mistaken for his brother when he acted like this. They walked back slowly and made a pact of not telling anyone until the next day.
Once they got back to town it was nearly noon and Alex had an idea of trying to sneak and open his gift early, he just needed to find out where it was. He had an idea, if he went over and acted as if he was searching Zayah would go by the spot it was hidden and he would know his general location! Alex smiled he came up with this brilliant plan and it was sure to work. All he had to do was pull it off. Rukyn had to go home; he said he had to so something before having dinner and if he didn’t his parents would skin him for sure. He would meet back up with Alex later in the day to help celebrate. Alex opened the door slowly trying not to draw any attention. Zayah was in the chair of his choice taking a nap letting the soup simmer. Alex smiled, maybe he wouldn’t even need to go through with his plan, but he has to be as quiet as possible. He came in like a hawk stalking his prey and he saw a large box under Zayah’s bed. He hadn’t have noticed this before but it was as simple and he couldn’t even believed that he didn’t see it before he left without see it. The soup smelled like heaven, he could smell it all the way on the other side of the cabin but he resisted and kept his eyes on the prize. He walked slowly, like a mouse trying not to wake the cat and passed Zayah on the way to his bed. This was the worst hiding place zayah has ever done and he was so heavy sleeping he could have probably walked the whole distance without even trying to be quiet and Zayah would be asleep. He snickered quietly like an evil henchmen that stole something valuable from his mast. Slowly carrying the box he realized it was too heavy…and instead he decided it to open it here. A small bead of sweat left his brow while he was opening the top slowly. Zayah smiled without Alex noticing. He closed his eyes just in time so that when Alex checked back on him, it still looked like he was asleep.
It was a trap. Once Alex fully opened the cover a dark blue spray cover Alex’s face and hands, painting them blue. Zayah stood up and laughed. His grin was as wide as the horizon. Alex stood up wordlessly and walked over and out the door making more the river. All the laughter that he kept in came out again. Alex had no idea that the real box was still at the shop and would be picked up later.
Zayah walked over and sipped the soup, he added some pepper and took a sip. It was ready to eat. He took out the large marble bowls. These were their only bowls and they were each individually marked. They washed their own by hand so that it was clean and ready to use at the next meal. He pulled out to tin spoons and 2 tin mugs from under the bowls in the cupboard.
Alex was halfway to the river and was trying his best to get the paint-like substance off oh himself. That was the cleverest trick he had ever fell for and he was fooled very easily. Hooked, line, and sinker, as the old expression goes. About 5 minutes later the blue substance was still wet and he had made it to the river, he was lucky if he had fell for it later in the day it would have dried quicker from the heat. Without using his hands, he squatted on his knees and bended over to the river. He didn’t like to do this but he felt he had no other choice. He plunged his arms into the water, which now ran bright blue. This would kill a few fish but in Alex’s case, he didn’t care he just wanted the stuff off. After rinsing his face a few times he looked into the reflection and saw that it was cleaned. Zayah must have had it easy to clean on propose. At least he had somewhat of a heart when it comes to this kind of thing. He looked into the light sky, and got lost for a few moments, he plunged his cupped hands into the river again and went to rinse his face again just to be sure, but there was no longer any water. The whole river was suddenly drained and he could have witnessed it but he was busy daydreaming. He looked up the river. It was no longer flowing and he could not tell what might have caused it. He ran up the riverbank as fast as he possibly could. He wasn’t going to let this chance of seeing the water stealer in action. As quick as light he ran at an unthinkable speed, from this sudden burst of energy.
