What Would You Pay For a Wish? [Nahashsan]

[Imperfect_M]

The Sirantil valley was always so uncomfortably warm this time of year. The sun gazes down overhead, and it would seem that only the myriad creeks and rivers- born of snowmelt- would give relief to the weary. Gentle winds caressed swaying grasses as trees slowly swayed together as wooden dancers in a melody of birdsongs.

A perfect day for a chase.

"They went this way! This way! Go!"

The quiet orchestra of breeze and birds were quickly drowned by the raucous cacophony of barking dogs and shouting men. Twigs snapped underfoot and branches broke aside to make way for a fleeing family. Six in total, parents and four children, sprinting like frightened deer through the brush, uncaring for direction; the safest place was "anywhere but here." Men-at-arms followed apace behind their barking hounds, clad in their maille and spears in hand as they made their dogged harry.

What misfortune falls that such a family found themselves forced to cross a wide stream. What choice was there? Swim, or be captured. One after another, words of reassurance spoken and shouted, they plunged into the water. Their youngest- a girl of four- had to be carried upon her brother's shoulders to keep from being washed away as they waded across. Those shouts of man and beast became louder and closer still.

In such desperation does one pray for a miracle.

[Nahashsan]

Soules Jolon was siting on the bank of a large stream enjoying the cool breeze as he took a respite from the heat of the day.  Next to him was his trusty dun colored war horse Max. Together they were making their way north to Ajhfeld and home.

The tranquility was shattered by the baying of dogs.  At first Soules thought it was some hunters but then a young family came rushing though undergrowth on the opposite bank.  They were in such a hurry they didn't seem to notice him siting there. His green uniform might have also helped him blend in.

Climbing to his feet he headed down the bank to where the family was emerging from the stream. Soules knew they were on the run and he had a go guess why. He called out to the first to make to shore. "Take my hand and I'll help you up." The young ones would need the help as the bank was steep were they chose to cross.

[Imperfect_M]

On rare occasion, gods might answer prayers. And when your prayers are answered, you don't ask why.

That family of six didn't even stop to get a good look at Soules clothing or the equipment on his horse. The four-year-old went first, followed by her sister of twelve, then two teenage boys. Their parents were last to clamber onto the bank.

From the other side came the hounds, followed quickly by their masters. They didn't shout at Soules; maybe they didn't even notice him at first. They shouted orders to each other, took up their dogs under arm, and leapt into the stream in a disorganized mob of fur and maille.

When the first soldier finally noticed Soules giving aid to their quarry, he yelled: "Stop them! They've got a rogue Mage!"

[Nahashsan]

Soules hesitated he knew why the family was on the run, magic was illegal here in Connlaoth. He didn't care for the war and didn't believe all magic was bad but it would be treason to help them. Plus the soldiers had already noticed him.

This was bad, the family could never out run the soldiers with the little ones in tow. He also didn't want to fight, helping a family out of the stream was one thing, fighting his fellow men was another. It would take a miracle to find a peaceful resolution.

Was he a traitor if his country had already betrayed its people.  He need time to think but there wasn't any.

Fuck it, he thought to himself. Serendipity was nice this time of year.  "Get the two youngest in the saddle, they will never keep up on foot" the said to the family. "We have to move NOW!" Lucky the soldiers were being weighted down by their armor which bought them a few precious moments.

[Imperfect_M]

The first man was nearly across the stream. A look of confusion mixed with revulsion smeared his features as he saw Soules give aid to the mages. A traitor, then! And they were so close to escaping.

The lead took up his spear and sent it soaring through the air; he hadn't aimed at Soules, nor any of the family. Instead he meant to skewer Soules' horse. The man in the back took up his crossbow and braced it against his belly to heave its legs back; it was a slow and clumsy ordeal, the crossbow was meant to be braced with the foot, rather than this way. Whether his horse was stuck fast with a spear or not, Soules had a few extra seconds before more missiles flew his way.

[Nahashsan]

Soules had his turned to the stream as he helped the younger kids onto Max. Luckily the spear missed but was to close for comfort. Swearing he turned around to so the soldier struggling with the crossbow.

Grabbing his bow, Soules knocked and arrow and aim at the soldier with crossbow. "Drop the weapon or I will drop you" He commanded.

To the family he yelled "get moving I'll hold them here." He cussed to himself "really fuck up now."  He had to help, get involved in matters that did not concern him. Now he was in a stand off against his fellow soldiers. How was he going to get out of this one alive? He needed a miracle and he silently prayed for one.

[Imperfect_M]

The crossbowman panicked. Despite being in thigh-deep water, the soldier ducked down into the stream. One of his comrades took his spear and hurled it at Soules,

That family of the peasantry took off; the horse bolted down the road, two children holding on for dear life. One of them fell from the saddle, unused to the warhorse's stride, only to be helped up by his relatives. Desperation fought exhaustion as they continued to flee.

The first couple men-at-arms reached the other side and clambered onto the bank. The first man drew the dussack at his side, the second advanced with his spear. They were clearly tired and weighed down by their chainmaille and wet clothes, but even then they were intent on doing their duty.

"Just-... Just come quietly, lad," said the sergeant-at-arms as he brandished his dussack at Soules. "This don't need to end badly..."

A squad of eight men-at-arms, not counting their three hounds... Not good odds, not at all. Those weary war-dogs snarled and barked as they awaited their masters' command...

[Nahashsan]

These soldiers were ballsy Soules had to give them that. Even with a bow pointed at them, they just kept coming. Worst yet they called his bluff. He had no intention of shooting anyone.

He had to hit the ground to dodge the spear that was thrown at him. By time he recovered there was a dussack pointed at him. With no way to run and out numbered eight to one Soules had no choice but to lay down arms. He dropped his bow and held his hands up. "I'll come peacefully"

As the soldiers worked to disarm him, taking his saber and boot knife Soules started to pray silently. He was never very religious but he knew he had messed up bad.  At best he would be sent to a mage camp. At worst he could expect to hang for treason.

He prayed to anyone that would listen. He ask for a way out, to escape, to make it to Serendipity. He also wish that he could have his horse Max back.

[Imperfect_M]

It started with a breeze carrying a coquettish giggle.

The world slowed to a crawl, then halted entirely. All except for Soules, though where his body stubbornly refused movement, his mind remained lucid. Time had stopped without, but not at all within.

There was that laugh again.

Like a character out of a storybook, an Elven girl stepped out from behind one of the soldiers. Hair like dancing flames caught the light as she spun in a playful, hypnotic dance.

"Quite a predicament you've landed in, hmm?" she laughed, taking amusement in the situation. "But where gods and kings won't answer... I am here."

She walked, occasionally skipping and hopping like a little girl as she circled the soldiers that had Soules as their captive.

"So... What madness took you, hmm?" she asked innocently. "What drives a man to such a long death?"

She stopped for a moment, tapping her chin. With realization, she clarified: "Oh, don't worry about speaking..." said the girl. She tapped a finger against the side of her head. "I can hear you just as well."

[Nahashsan]

Soules' mind raced as the world around him stopped moving. His first instinct was that he had just been killed, and this was death.  Then the elven girl appeared from nowhere. What magic was this?

When she asked, he tried to speak but found that he could not. That was until she hinted at speaking with the mind.

"I was just trying to help. I thought I had more time. I fucked up and now I die." His thoughts flowed forth.  "This is death right. It is the only reasonable explanation."

A feeling of regret washed over the old soldier. He had faced death countless times but only now did its full weight push down on him.

[Imperfect_M]

"Awwwhh... Tsk tsk tsk tsk. You have no idea how often I hear that," mused the Elven girl as she continued to playfully circle the gathering.

She stopped, spun on a heel, and faced Soules squarely, poking her head between two of the soldiers.

"Is this death?" she asked pointedly, her expression ever still amused. "Would you like it to be?"

She stood up straight and continued slowly skipping in a circle. "Or... Would you like the strength to get out of this? To reach Serendipity like you wanted?  New horse, even?"

The girl disappeared behind one soldier only to re-appear by walking out from behind Soules and into his field of vision. "After all, I can do what absent gods can't," she said. She struck a dramatic pose as if she were an actor upon some grand stage. "I show up to listen and answer!"

From that same pose, she disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"But how badly do you want it?" asked her voice. She had re-appeared behind him and taken to leaning on his back. "What would you pay for a wish?"