- - At Wits END
Posts: 188
|
Post by Aeris on Feb 27, 2008 0:14:44 GMT -5
Crystal had travelled all over Greece in search for answers. She had grown up, not knowing what dangers really lurked outside her hometown of Sparta. She did occasionally travel there, but since that's were her parents were killed when it was under briefly under seige so many years ago, she was careful not to show her face so often there.
Questions filled her mind, as she gazed up at the Temple of Oracle. She was always drawn here....Torn between seeking answers from the Oracle of Apollo, or finding our herself. She did not have a companion, and it proved too dangerous if she searched herself. After all, she may be a target for a hidden killer.
That was why she has learned the art of being a warrior...A silent warrior....One who also knew stealth and covering her tracks...Just like the killer, an assassin, would. Crystal was also horrified that she had learned to be like her parent's murderer. An assassin, like him....
But, that only left more room for more questiosn she was desperate to find. Why were her parents murdered in cold blood? Why were they targets? Did her father have anything to do with it?
She only knew for a fact that her father was a Spartan warrior. A warrior powerfuly trained, and destructive in numbers. Her father had taught her the arts.....Maybe he had known what would have come of him before he was murdered....
Crystal continued to gaze up at the beautiful, white marble Temple. Should she confront the Oracle? Or muster up courage for another day?
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2008 9:04:19 GMT -5
Talarya sighed to herself as she trudged up the hill towards the Oracle of Delphi. She had been travelling for several days to get there and was tired, hungry and dirty from being on the road for so long. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten in two days and she paused for a few seconds to rub her aching belly; she needed food. If she didn’t want answers from the temple then she would have simply turned round and gone home; but if there was one thing that Tal wasn’t, that was a quitter.
Looking further up the hill the young thief saw a woman standing, gazing up at the Temple. The figure had her back to her but she could see that she had long hair and the stance of a warrior. Sighing to herself, she studied the woman ahead and saw that she was carrying a pack; maybe it had food in it. Tal grinned and started to sneak up on the woman who was seemingly distracted by the Temple up ahead.
When she was only a few paces away, she noticed that the taller woman had a pouch attached to her belt. Tal knew that there would either be food or coin in that pouch and so drew her knife and got to within a hands reach of the warrior woman. This was going to be tough, the other woman was obviously trained from the way that she was standing and Tal knew that she would be in all kinds of trouble if she didn’t get this just right; the hillside was relatively bare so there were not too many places for a person to run and hide.
She held her breath as she held out the knife towards the pouch, intending to cut the straps holding it to the belt, grab the container and run like the wind.
|
|
- - At Wits END
Posts: 188
|
Post by Aeris on Mar 5, 2008 9:19:29 GMT -5
Crystal was deep in thought. Where should she start? Knowing that she spent about four travelling alone, desperate tofind her killer, seemed like a daunting task. She had gotten nowhere, and found no suspects. She new the answer lied deep in the heart of Sparta itself, but who was she kidding trying to sneak around the busy streets.
She was a target. She knew it, and so did the villages. The only way she will enter the walls was being undetected. That much was certain. But, even standing near the Temple of the fabled Oracle gave her the doubts. What if the Oracle could not tell her? Anything?
Crystal sighed, heavily, and clearly frustrated. She was too busy contemplating what life she would have led if her father had survived...........But, her thoughts disappeared when she felt a small pull at her belt.
"What in God's name..." Crystal started to curse, as she swiftly turned around in time to see a woman bolting off with her pouch. Great. Just what I need....A little theif stealing my food for the day..., "Oh, no you don't!"
Crystal clenched her palms, as immediatly, she bolted after her. She ran down the hill, and at the same time, desperate to avoid the rocks lining the edge.
"Come back!!!!!"
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2008 9:42:22 GMT -5
Talarya somehow managed to cut the pouch free from the belt before the Warrior woman noticed she was there. Whirling around, still expecting to feel the heavy clamp of her hand on her arm, she began to run back down the hill. She risked a glance over her shoulder and saw that the other woman had started to chase after her and so she redoubled her efforts to get away.
While running, Tal quickly opened the small pouch and to her delight saw that it indeed contained an apple; just what she had been after. She grinned with delight as she continued to run; she had confidence in her speed and was sure that she would get away from the more encumbered woman.
So confident was she that she momentarily lost concentration and didn't see the rock jutting out from the ground that was lying in her path. The young woman's foot collided with the offending object, sending her tumbling down the hill to land with a crash at the bottom. She stood up woozily, blood trickling out of a wound at her temple and she knew there would be bruises showing soon. Tal tried to stand and to run once more but a sharp pain in her left ankle told the story; she had sprained it and now the long haired warrior woman was going to surely catch her.
Tal sighed in frustration and hurridly began to limp away while biting deeply into her stolen prize. The woman may catch her and indeed may kill her for stealing the apple but at least she wouldn't die with an empty belly.
|
|
- - At Wits END
Posts: 188
|
Post by Aeris on Mar 5, 2008 9:55:54 GMT -5
Ouch...
Crystal had seen the woman fall in the distance. Great...Now what? Should I help her?
Crystal started to slow down, as she saw the now-injured woman limp away. Crystal did not know what to do. She had a ready hand on the hilt of her sword, but the woman was already hurt. It had taken quite a few years for Crystal to learn not to fight someone who was unarmed.
Crystal sighed, as she started to jog faster to the woman.
"Wait! Stop!" Crystal took in a deep breath, as she skidded to a stop right next to the thief, "Look, i'm not gonna hurt you...."
Crystal folded her hands over her red and gold armored suit, as she stopped. She also noticed the woman chomping on her apple, "You have no idea how long it took for me to get that, you know....That's a very stupid thing you did. "
Crystal was clearly annoyed. Hopefully, this woman would co-operate....the least she could do is apologize. She does not tolerate anyone trying to steal from her....She has enough trouble already, with other thiefs back in the day...
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2008 10:15:07 GMT -5
It didn't take long for the other woman to catch her and she was clearly annoyed by the fact that someone had stolen her apple. Tal didn't know why she was so angry, she was rich, surely she could just go and buy another apple. If the young Athenian hadn't been so hungry she would never have even attempted to steal from this particular target.
"Wait! Stop!" The warrior said "Look, I'm not gonna hurt you.... You have no idea how long it took for me to get that, you know....That's a very stupid thing you did."
Tal glanced up at the other woman, the young thief was very much afraid of this imposing warrior woman but she was damned if she was going to let that show. She continued to eat her stolen apple, speaking through a mouthful of half eaten fruit. "I'm sure you could afford another apple," she replied. "With all that fancy armour you must be rich." She paused and studied her more closely. "That sword and that armour alone must be worth something... You a lady?"
|
|
- - At Wits END
Posts: 188
|
Post by Aeris on Mar 5, 2008 19:05:56 GMT -5
Crystal tried hard to contain her anger. Who does this woman think she is?
"For your information, I had to steal to get that apple. I have no denars...." Crystal said calming, showing slught strains on he face. This is the last thing she needed, "Oh, and by the way. My father made me this armor. He died, so I wear it in honor. I am not selling it! And besides, what's a warrior without her sword?"
Crystal took in a deep breath.
"And, well, I wouldn't call myself much of a lady, "Crystal shrugged, "Who are you, anyway?"
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2008 8:33:42 GMT -5
Talarya's face fell as she heard the warrior woman speak of the death of her father and guilt began to overcome her. She looked down at the half eaten apple in her hand and handed back to her.
"I didn't know," she replied. "I thought you were rich or I wouldn't have taken it, I'm sorry. But I was hungry."
She paused, her thoughts lost in memory for a few seconds, wondering how much she could tell this other woman. Her right hand, absentmindedly, began to scratch under the glove that she wore on her left hand.
"My father died too," she added. "When I was young. He drowned when we were out fishing."
The wound on her head had stopped bleeding now and a bruise was beginning to form there.
"I'm Tal," she offered. "From Athens."
|
|
- - At Wits END
Posts: 188
|
Post by Aeris on Mar 6, 2008 8:52:59 GMT -5
Crystal was almost shocked when the woman tried to hand back the half-eaten apple.
"No, look....take it....." Crystal put her hands up, refusing to take it back, "I'll get another one later. Really, it's no big deal. It'll just take a few distractions among the villagers to get it....."
Crystal smirked at her own remark. Why am I angry at this woman? I guess I haven't had a good conversation with anyone in a long time.....I never had much socializing.....
Her face then fell, once the woman mentioned her father who had drowned during fishing. Crystal felt a little guilty for even trying to harass the woman for a petty little crime even she was guilty of commiting.
"I'm really sorry to hear about your father.......Accident's like that....it's just not fair....." Crystal placed a re-assuring hand on the woman's shoulder.
"I'm Tal, from Athens..." The woman had introduced herself.
"It's very nice to meet you Tal, in this....awkward situation, "Crystal chuckled, "My name is Crystal, from Sparta."
Crystal then studied the woman's face in more detail. She finally noticed the wound on Tal's head, which was beginning to sport a sickening purple and blood-soaked bruise. Most of the blood had dried, but thankfully, the wound was not that deep.
"Here, let me...." Crystal retrieved a small cloth which lay tucked rougly under her black leather belt. Hanging from the belt, was a small flask which was half-filled with water. In silence, she soaked the cloth in water and began to wipe away the traces of the blood on the woman's head. It was the least she could do, after intimidating her before.
"Hey, Tal...I'm really sorry about before. I didn't mean to, uh....scare you like that. I can get pretty hot-headed sometimes....." Crystal extended a hand towards the woman, "How about we call it a truce?"
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2008 9:13:06 GMT -5
Talarya winced slightly as the cold cloth was pressed to the wound on her temple. She had introduced herself as Crystal and said that she was from Sparta. Tal didn't know very much about Sparta, except for the stories that she had heard about their fighters and the fact that they had two Kings, which the young thief found to be very odd. She looked upon her companion with awe, no wonder she looked like a warrior.
A touch of her old bravado returned and she finished eating the stolen fruit. "Thanks for that," she said. "I hadn't eaten for a couple of days."
She took Crystal's hand and shook it.
"A truce sounds good to me," she replied with a small grin. "I think that you could beat me with both hands tied behind your back and your legs tied together."
She paused for a second as Crystal finished cleaning up her head wound and smiled her thanks. "Do you mind me asking why you're here?" She asked. "Its very far from Sparta."
|
|
- - At Wits END
Posts: 188
|
Post by Aeris on Mar 6, 2008 9:21:25 GMT -5
Crystal smirked at Tal's remark at being able to beat her, "I've been known to be quite devious......"
Crystal smiled as she shook hands with Tal. After cleaning the wound on the woman's head, she offered the flask of water to her. There was only a bit left, but Crystal didn't mind taking a hike to a nearby lake filled with clean water.
But, Crystal was startled when the woman asked her why she was here.
"Well, actually, I wanted to see the Oracle. I have, a few questions that need answering. About the person behind my father's death. It's just, unfinished business, I guess, and I fear my father's spirit won't be put to rest until I figure it out."
Crystal took in a deep breath, "But, i'm having doubts about seeing the Oracle. I guess, I don't really know what i want to find out......"
"What about you? Just travelling?" Crystal asked.
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2008 19:13:16 GMT -5
Talarya drank from the flask of water that had been offered to her and listened to what Crystal had to say about the Oracle and seeking questions about the death of her father and about the doubts that she was having over visiting the temple.
She addressed the last question first.
"I guess that I'm here to see the Oracle as well," she said. "I need to find my..." she paused and bit back what she was going to say before continuing. "... my way in life."
Although she was beginning to like this warrior woman, she still didn't know enough about her to trust her fully. If there was one thing that prison had taught her was that a friendly face could often hide a deceitful liar.
"As for whether you should go see the Oracle," she continued as they started towards the lake to refill the water flask. "I thought that you Spartans never ran away from anything."
|
|
- - At Wits END
Posts: 188
|
Post by Aeris on Mar 7, 2008 2:04:27 GMT -5
"I guess alot of people around nowdays, tend to lose their way, so to speak. Not many people know who they truly are. Alot of people have too much unfinished business, and no one is complete...." Crystal explained, "I guess everyone has issues.....I know I do...."
Crystal was begining to feel comfortable around this woman. Although they had just met, she could not let her guard down just yet. After all, the woman was a thief, but by the looks of it, a woman forced to live alone.
"Spartan's running away? Well, in my case, the only thing I have to run away from are the Spartan soldiers. They know me, and I am wanted, simply because I know more than they had aniticipated about my father's death. If I were to go to Sparta, it would be undetected.......Hidden by a cloak, hiding my persona. It's like these, you can't take these risks...."
Crystal stretched her arms. It was a very long day, but an interesting one at that.
|
|
Deleted
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2008 7:29:53 GMT -5
Talarya smiled at Crystal, "I think I might just run the other way if I saw an angry Spartan coming my way," she said. She wondered why the other woman was wanted by the Spartans, what had she stolen, who had she killed? But she decided that if the warrior wanted her to know then she would tell her. Another lesson learnt in prison was to not ask too many questions.
The pair arrived at the lake where they intended to fill their water flasks. Tal took one look at the sparkling blue water and couldn't resist. With a whoop of joy, she dropped her possessions to the ground and dived into the cool clear water.
The Athenian was almost at home in the water than she was on land and swam like a fish. She burst up to the surface and grinned at Crystal, "You should come in," she said. "The water is great."
|
|
- - At Wits END
Posts: 188
|
Post by Aeris on Mar 12, 2008 7:51:36 GMT -5
Crystal almost gleamed with excitement, once she saw the beautiful lake sparkling near a waterfall. She smiled when Talarya dove straight into the lake, and swimming like a fish. Crystal was not really an expert swimmer. In fact, in times like these, she never had much time for anything, rather than escaping from Spartan soldiers.
Nontheless, Crystal considered diving in. But, she had just realised that she had not sharpened her sword for a few days. It was crucial that her weapons were in good shape. No one likes a blunt sword.
Crystal yelled over her shoulder as she sat down on a rock, "I'll join you in a second, Talarya...."
She searched for a small stone to use for sharpening, then she withdrew her long Spartan sword, with a maroon hilt and an engraved design alongside it. With loud 'screeching', she stroked the stone heavily down its blade, one by one. It was a difficult task, but it had to be done.
"So, do you travel alone? What about your family, do you see them? Sorry for asking you so many questions..." Crystal shrugged sheepily.
|
|