Private Tales A Long Way From Home

[Cillian]

Cillian couldn't help but chuckle at the shortening of his name and the casual way she announced her trust. The cynical part of him thought it was a foolish thing to trust so easily, but the part of him that kept him in the lands of mortals found it endearing. He took another sip of his whisky as she sprawled on her back and gazed at the stars before he too joined her. His hands rested behind his head and his eyes ran over the different star constellations. There had been an age where the stars were the only way he had known where he was in the world and he had had to do all of his travelling at night for such a reason.

"Aye, well I don't believe it takes much tae be able tae hol' me liquor be'er than yiz," he chuckled as she laughed but it petered out when she asked about his family. His eyes focused on the stars as if the words were there. Silence dragged on until finally he cleared his throat of emotion and spoke up. "Nah lassie, the only people who would 'ave past a long time ago."

 

[Kailyn]

"Hey," she shot the man a mock-firm look in the darkness, head turning toward him in the sand. "Just not one of my gifts."

A major weakness.

She almost let slip that it was because she'd been a slave. But she managed to hold her tongue. Thank the stars Lani taught her that trick with drinking water.

Her half-smirk sobered as he let the silence hang out between them. Face turned back skyward. Lips parted when he was done. She recognized that sadness. Knew it very well. Fingers twitched at her side. She couldn't say she was sorry - that would sound disingenuous.

Feeling around in the darkness, her fingertips brushed against his hand. Just enough for him to know he wasn't alone. Perhaps some gratitude for him sharing the truth and being open.

"You'd think loss gets easier with age but I've found it doesn't."

She'd never known blood family. She didn't know what it was like. But she'd had other forms of family, like Vo. And she'd lost him a long time ago.

 

[Cillian]

The shy touch in the dark shocked him. His eyes slid to the side where he could make out her silhouette against the night sky. The stars were bright enough that they illuminated the sharper angles of her face and lit up her eyes. Eyes like his. A small frown pulled his brows in together and pressed his lips into a thin line; was she part Fae? Was that why she was attracted to the penny about his neck, why she had such strange gifts? Or maybe she was simply blessed by one. He risked another snatched look at her before returning his attention to the stars.

His calloused thumb lightly brushed across the back of her hand in recognition of her gesture.

"Aye love, it doesn't," he had lived a Millennia if not more and it never got easier. It was what made it easier to keep himself apart from the rest of the world. He breathed out a sigh and then cast such sad thoughts from his mind; he hadn't thought of his family for years why should he let them back into his thoughts now? What good would it do him?

"Well, if ye wan' tae go travellin' ye need to be able tae find your way - can you read the stars? You can tell where ye are in the world by where the stars are twinkling."

 

[Kailyn]

How often had she stared up at the stars through the grime of Cerak At'Thul? Sometimes they'd been the only source of light on the island. The only time it was safe was in the darkness.

Legs crossed. Lips pressed thin as she tried to steer her thoughts away from that unforgiving place. From the boy she missed so much.

"No, I can't," she quietly admitted. "Will you show me?"

 

[Cillian]

"O' course, t'would be an honour," Cillian shifted himself a little closer to her so he would be able to point them out a little better from her viewpoint. It was a dying art, star reading, but Cilli trusted it far more than he did maps. He had three in his backpack and all of them were different as the countries who made them sought to place themselves at the very centre of the world.

"Now the star that you always need to find first is tha' one," he pointed up towards the brightest one that hung in the sky slightly to the East. "Tha'sa Merchant's Star. Once yiz found that you'll be able tae find any of 'em," he glanced to her to make sure she had found it before his fingers moved North to a constellation that looked a little like a bear.

"If yiz travellin' North tha'sa one ye need to follow. Her name's Astrid - they say she waged a war so fierce in the Tundra the ground wept all the colour outta the earth. Tis why it's always white up there."

 

[Kailyn]

His shoulder brushed against her own as he shifted closer. She was aware of the heat with the growing coldness of the desert night. Kailyn tried not to let her awareness show - at least she had the night on her side.

Eyes of honey squinted into the night where he pointed, following the path of his fingertip.

"Astrid," she repeated in a hush whisper full of wonder. If she could find North, she imagined she'd be able to orient herself to where she needed to go. "Did she win the war she waged?" A soft smile spread along her mouth as she asked the question wondering how the legend ended.

Probably in tragedy.

Her smile faded. The wind across the sands picked up and Kailyn shivered. After the man answered her question, she'd stare at the sky a little longer, enjoying the shared experience. "Thank you Cilli. I think...I'm going to turn in for the night."

 

[Cillian]

"Aye, she did," Cillian smiled but there was a touch of sadness to his tone. It had been at great cost, but the end of the story didn't seem fitting for such a pleasant moment. So instead he let the silence spread between them and raised the bottle once more to his lips to take a swig whilst they both simmered in their own thoughts.

He was far away in a land beyond the shores of this known world when she broke the moment with her announcement. Cilli sat up to lean on his elbows and brushed a hand through his choppy brown curls.

"Aye, probably a wise thing lassie," he thought about the alcohol she had drunk and her reaction to it, his lips curving into an crooked smile as he shook his head. "Ye don' wan' your first experience of tae Bazaar to be hungover." He pushed himself to his feet properly then gave a two fingered salute. "G'night Ma'am," before he turned and sauntered off back towards the fire and the low murmur of conversation.

 

[Kailyn]

Nose scrunched up.

"Ma'am," she muttered. Never been called that before. Perhaps he thought her an old maid. She managed a smile then pushed herself up, brushing the sand off her limbs as she headed to her bedroll a few feet away. It was usually lonely traveling with the blue orcs. They took their job seriously (usually) and were not ones for deep conversations.

Or even small talk.

It was rather lonely with all the traveling she did.

So, she was glad they'd run into the brothers and...Cilli. Slipping off her boots, she slid into the bedroll and snuggled down in. Lying on her back, she let her eyes find those stars Cilli showed her until she couldn't keep them open anymore. She fell asleep to the sounds of a crackling fire and the orcs laughing and drinking.

What they didn't know is that the bandits had a veritable army. And their little campsite would be surrounded just before morning.

 

[Cillian]

It was always luck that saved Cillian.

In this case it was luck that he had drunk that last bottle almost entirely to himself so he found himself waking earlier than the others to go relieve himself a little way from the camp. It was luck, that it meant he saw the approach of the Bandits through blearily, tired eyes. They still far outnumbered their little band but they wouldn't be caught in their sleeping bags at the very least. He tried to move slow. There would be someone closer already keeping an eye on the camp and if he looked as though he were going to do anything like reach for a weapon he had no doubt an arrow would be loosed his way.

Instead he made it look like he was taking his chance and ambled his way over to Kaiyln's sleeping form. He crouched down beside her and leaned his head down to her ear.

"Donnae make a move lassie bu' we go' company," Cilli pitched his voice as low and calm as he could, his hand running slowly down her arm. "I need ye to wake up and gimme a slap, pretend you're mad and go wake those lugs of yours up," that would make the most sense. His golden eyes flicked up towards the rocks. Still no sign from within the camp yet but it wouldn't be long and they would move quicker when they thought the little group were waking up.

 

[Kailyn]

She'd been a light sleeper. Always. It's what had saved her life on Cerak At'Thul. Saved her from beatings in Salitra. Saved her from the malevolent intentions of men and masters.

Amber eyes snapped open widely as he hovered over her, the touch of his hand sliding down her arm.

And for a moment, he'd see real fear in those honey-mead orbs. But like a wraith, it melted away. Eyes darted to the sides as if she could see what he was talking about. Heart hammered in her chest, bursts of adrenaline erasing any lingering sleep or grogginess.

The smallest of nods to Cilli.

She let out a groggy-yelp and her hand raised from the bed roll, palm going to SMACK against the side of tanned skin. She grimaced.

She'd never been one for fighting or violence of any kind.

Even if it was fake.

One of the blue orcs snapped to his feet right away, lumbering gaze keying on Cillian. The other was slower to wake. Too many spirits the night prior. Kailyn struggled to untangle herself from the bed roll and push past Cillian as the first blue orc strode forward with murder in his eyes.

She couldn't help the quick scan of the mountains around them.

"Get your goddam hands away from her," the orc sneered, drawing his curved sword in one, fluid motion.

 

[Cillian]

Crrrrrack.

Cilli had said smack but he hadn't quite been expecting that.

"Gods, woman," he grabbed at his cheek and leapt back, not entirely faking his bewilderment. The red hand print was already forming and he looked at her with a mix of confusion and admiration. There was something to say about a woman who could put a man in his place. All of those thoughts disappeared quickly when the orc came lumbering over to him.

"Look now laddie, t'wasn't wha' yiz think..." he put his hands up, eyes flicking to the sword that was unfortunately on the wrong side of the orc. If he wanted to use it he was going to have to use his magic and reveal a bit more of himself. As luck would have it, though whether it was good or bad that would be yet to be determined, an arrow thudded into the space between Cillian and the orc just as the blue fella went to try and decapitate him. "I was tellin' 'er about them," he jerked his thumb over his shoulder and then used the moment the orc was distracted to go for his own blade.

 

[Kailyn]

A real yelp left her mouth as another arrow embedded itself into the sands between them. Were they just poor shots or a long way off? Kailyn was hoping both were true.

"It's true," she stepped to put a hand along the massive wrist of the orc. He grumbled and couldn't help another sneer toward Cillian. Then he quickly squared off his shoulders to the real threat. The second orc lumbered over, large fingers curling around Kailyn's shoulder as he ushered her behind their hulking frames.

In times like these she wished she had a more useful-combat magic. Or was better fight-ready like Nym. But that wasn't Kailyn. Wasn't who she was. If whoever this was...the bandits? Gave them a chance to talk or even listened, then Kailyn might be able to do some good.

She looked to their left.

There.

Decidedly not behind the orcs was her camel. She couldn't just leave them. If only the rest of them had horses or camels too. She'd be able to get them ready.

Damn.

But in the camel's bags was a flag of the emperor. Maybe if she waved it. Convinced the bandits she could get them what they wanted...she sprinted off the sand and toward the camel. She heard a grunt of pain behind her as one of the orcs took a bolt in the shoulder.

"RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRWWWWWWWWWG. FIGHT ME YA COWARD!" He bellowed.

 

[Cillian]

"Ge' up ye lazy bastards," Cillian kicked the brothers rudely awake as he grabbed his own sword, drawing it in one swift movement. The Bandits were beginning to appear on the rim of the Dunes that created the bowl like camping area they had chosen to nestle in. They were dressed in barely something that could be described as more than rags, masks and scarfs pulled about their face to keep the sand and dust out of vital areas. The Orcs took the initiative and ploughed into the first few which appeared and soon the sound of steel on steel became the symphony of the days dawn.

The lads in fairness were quick to get to their feet and soon the little band had their own archers returning fire. Cillian for his own part had been about to follow the Orcs into the heat of battle when he noticed Kailyn bolt in the opposite direction.

"Kailyn!" There were a few choice curse words as three arrows peppered into the ground before him. They were trying to separate the group. It looked like he wasn't going to be able to hide all of his magic for much longer. His sword hit another arrow out of the air as he broke into a sprint after the woman, wondering not for the first time in his life what it was with women and trying to save the goddamned animals.

An arrow came dangerously close to hitting her and with a twist of his fingers it stopped mid flight as if it had hit a sudden wall. The others that came zinging after the first, all attempting to hit her, hit a similar wall. Cillian caught up with her eventually and shoved her down behind the camel's back.

"Are yiz crazy, lass?!"

 

[Kailyn]

She heard his voice but was focused on her goal. Tunnel-vision. Her periphery caught something strange with the arrows but her mind couldn't process it. She had to get to...Fingers grasped at the saddle bags managing to pull out two things before the man pulled her down. She couldn't stop the reaction from unknown hands being on her.

A half oomph-yelp left her mouth and her elbow went back sharply to Cilli behind her.

"Are yiz crazy, lass?!"

Then she heard his voice and huffed a wild strand of brown away from her eyes and she craned her neck to look at him.

"Ow," she grumbled from her elbow possibly impacting something and her body hitting the sand. "Oops, sorry." Arrows peppered around them. The camel continued smacking its lips unaware of the danger. She could hear the others clanging swords a few yards away.

"If they know who I am. My position with the Emperor maybe we can negotiate." One hand gripped that flag with the Emperor's seal on it and the other gripped a cylindrical looking piece of wood. She tucked that inside her belt. It was clear she knew where this would go. She was hoping they'd take her and let the others go.

She was going to offer herself as ransom.

"Now get off," shoulder bumped against him.

 

[Cillian]

Cillian grunted as the elbow slid into his gut just below his ribs. They both toppled into the cool sand and, wheezing, the leprechaun sat up with a hand where she had struck him. Slapped and winded.

What a woman.

An arrow whizzed towards them and Cillian deflected it again though the girl hardly seemed to realise what he was doing for her. She was too hell bent on her task. A task, Cilli was realising, was growing more and more stupid by the second. Bandits liked to have no rules, they liked the fact they could do what they wanted when they wanted outside the bands of society like the rest of them. There wasn't going to be any talking only death.

"I cannae let ye lassie, tha' a death wish if any I 'eard it," he blew out a breath and even as she slammed her shoulder back into him he wound an arm about her waist and hurled her further back away from the flag she was trying to get free. Lucky too, for a second later an arrow buried itself into the sand where she had just been sitting.

"Bandits don't like tae talk, they just take wha' they wan' and t'en they leave," he grunted as he hurled them back until they were sat behind the cover of some rocks. His eyes skimmed over the rest of the group and he grimaced. One of the brothers was lying on the floor with an arrow through his stomach and the other didn't look like he was faring much better.

"I needs'tae help 'em lass, but you 'ave tae stay put - ok?"

 

[Kailyn]

"H-hey!" She smacked at his arm as he pushed her further back. "Maybe they're different. MAYBE they would listen!" It sounded weak, even to her.

But.

Who was HE to tell her WHAT SHE COULD OR COULDN'T DO!?!?

A blink as an arrow suddenly fell from the air around them. Another blink as arrow embedded itself into the flag she'd dropped in the sand. Chest rose and fell as she caught her breath behind those rocks. A stubborn glare glued onto the man mixed with a hint of wonder. But definitely more glarey.

What the hell was he doing?!

A scream sounded from the other side of those rocks and she pushed herself up to peek over, grimacing as one of the blue orcs staggered, two arrows protruding from its arms. Hand tightened on that cylindrical piece of wood on her belt.

"I'll stay put as long as I can," she grunted to Cilli, clearly not promising anything. "Go." To prove that she wasn't about to just trot back into danger, she ducked her head back down behind the rocks and began tracing her finger in the sand, sketching something quickly.

She had a plan.

Probably stupid.

But she had one.

 

[Cillian]

Cillian held her gaze for a moment longer, his golden eyes seemed to be searching for something in hers. Kinship, a promise perhaps, a hint that she would actually do as he had asked. His lips pressed into a thin line and then with a slow, reluctant nod, he stood up and made for the group. As he ran arrows fired at him but before they could touch him they stopped and dropped to the floor or completely turned around and fired back towards the Bandits. He reached the orc just in time to deflect an arrow that had been aiming for the blue lugs throat.

They needed to get to the archers. Jeriah and the other orc were engaged in a small skirmish with some of the Bandits who had decided to press their advantage whilst the group were being pinned down by arrows. Cilli looked at the arrows currently buried in the sand and with a soft sigh he shut his eyes, resigning himself to the fact he were going to have to do magic. At least basic telekinesis were common, nobody would attribute it to luck.

The arrows in the ground slowly rose into the air as he raised the palm of one hand, his golden eyes seeming to come alive as if they truly were made of spun gold, and then with a flick of his wrist he sent the hail of arrows back towards their owners. There were a series of screams as the heads found their targets in chests, arms and knees.

 

[Kailyn]

"Didn't realize we happened on a damned mage," the orc next to Cillian growled and charged toward a group of bandits, swinging that sword of his, taking out three bodies in one massive strike. The other orc sagged to his knees, blood oozing and dripping down his skin before collapsing to the sand. Breath shuddered in his massive chest before it stilled.

Kailyn finished what she drew in the sand and closed her eyes, pressing her fingertips lightly to the lines. There was a simmer in the air as what she drew came to being. She did the same thing on another patch of ground, pulling what appeared to be a bag of gold from the ground.

Head peeked above the ledge again. Cilli and the orc were making progress but there was another group of the bandits trying to flank them on the sides. Technically, she was NOT breaking her semi-promise to Cilli. She was staying put.

Kinda. Sorta. Mostly.

Legs pushed to a stand as she waved her arms, getting as many bandits attention as she could. Had to buy the others some time. Split the bandits attention. and she was tired of feeling helpless.

"I HAVE YOUR GOLD. OVER HERE!" Dipping her hands into the bag, her fingers grasped at gold coins as she threw them into the air, their surface catching the glint of the rising, morning sun. About a half-dozen murderous gazes turned toward, faces hidden beneath swatches of cloth. With swords and daggers drawn, they charged.

Kailyn scurried carefully around the ground she'd just drawn in and backed up. The first bandit popped his head over her hiding place and then other. Then a third.

As they charged at her, they would suddenly find themselves falling into a very deep sand-trap.

The fourth followed after the three but the remaining two were a little wiser than their brethren. Growling, they stepped around the trap and stalked toward Kailyn.

 

[Cillian]

"Dinnae know we'd stumbled into a girl with a death wish," Cillian bit off in response after dragging his sword out of one of the Bandit's chests by putting one foot on his breast and yanking. Kailyn's shout had caught everyone's attention including the group of men she had been travelling with and now it was turning into a desperate attempt to keep more men from getting to her before one of them could.

The archers had stopped firing their arrows now they knew there was magic afoot and they were sliding down the dune bank with their swords and daggers drawn. Cilli cut one off before he could wing his way on slippered feet after the girl and he brought another one down with the backhand swing of his blade after the first slice. Blood began to seep into the sand in several spots staining it a dark wine red.

There were too many of them.

Cilli panted as another man fell to his steel and then touched the penny at his throat. It was like a pulse that rippled outwards from the small area and then suddenly...

"SAND STORM!" One of the Bandits yelled. There was a sea of movement as people began to run for cover in all directions. Cilli saw his opportunity and seized it. Rushing forward he cut through three more Bandits who had decided to clearly chance it in order for a taste of gold. A fourth caught him off guard and it was only at the last minute Cilli caught the glint of metal that came arcing towards him. Without thinking he snatched a hand out and cursed as his hand touched iron. His hand blistered and burned but he twisted the spear out of the mans grip and threw it to the side. The storm was beginning to howl and the Bandit wisely turned tail and ran leaving Cilli just enough time to reach Kailyn just as the sand swept over them.

"Keep ye head down!" He shouted over the noise of the wind. Thankfully she had stayed nearish the rocky crop and all Cilli had to do was put his back to the wind in order to shield her from the worst of it.

 

[Kailyn]

The sandstorm.

Kailyn stared in horror.

It was said some storms in this region were strong enough to rip flesh from bone. Eyes watered and she struggled to breath as sand began peppering every exposed surface. Then Cilli was there. This time she didn't wince, shy away, or cringe from his touch. She didn't argue or push him away.

She tried to make herself small as possible, arms curling around the man's larger frame for fear of being plucked and snatched away. Head ducked into his shirt. Hair whipped wildly around them as the sands pummeled around them.

"Cilli," anguish and fear in her tone. Kailyn realized her mistake in opening her mouth too late. Sand flooded it and she quickly clamped her lips tight, pressing her face further into him.

Shallow breaths.

Shallow breaths.

Shallow breaths.

She wasn't sure how long it lasted. Minutes? An hour? Hours?

Eventually the sound of a malevolent and rushing wind began to ebb. Air became easier to occupy her lungs. A cough racked through her and her shoulders trembled.

 

[Cillian]

The sand tore at his hair, at his clothes, at his skin. He planted his feet a little firmer and braced his forearms against the rock either side of her to shield her as best as he could. Cilli wasn't a tiny man but even he didn't have the ability to contort himself in such a way that he would be able to keep every bit of the harsh wind from her. The emotion she put into his name made something in him twist.

"I know lass, I know, I got ye," he removed one of his arms from the wall to wrap about her, tangling his fingers in her hair and holding her firmly to his chest. He wouldn't let anything happen to her in the storm he had asked for; it had been the only way to get rid of the Bandits and save the others lives. They were all hardly blokes and the brothers he knew had seen out far worse in the sands.

Slowly, the storm began to pass and Cilli raised his head. All evidence people had been in the area was gone. The dunes had been reformed, footprints were gone.

"'ere, Kailyn," it was lucky he had his water pouch still on him. He took it off and passed it to her, gently cupping her cheek to examine her face and make sure she was alright. "Are ye ok, sweetheart'?"

 

[Kailyn]

There was still that roaring in her ears. Every other sound felt muted. Sandy hands rubbed at sandy eyes, squinting, water welling down her cheeks and she blinked - grimacing about getting the grit out. Bleary-eyed, she blinked at the water pouch in Cilli's hand and took it, taking a swig, washing away sand from her mouth and throat.

Gasping, watery eyes tracked to his own golden ones.

Shock and exhaustion flickered across her face. The touch of his calloused hand on her cheek made her skin tingle and it was hard to tell if the hammering in her chest was still from the adrenaline of the storm or of something else.

"I'm.......fine," she finally managed and realized one arm was still around him. Fingers tightly gripping against his shirt. She willed her knuckles to loosen, to relax those cramped-up digits. Arms dropped back to her sides and she splashed some water against her eyes, washing away the rest of the sand that had been stuck in them.

She'd been in sand storms before. She'd recognized the signs of one coming. Seven years living in Salitra gave her plenty of experience. This one hadn't been like any she'd experienced before.

"What was that?" She offered the man his water back. It was quiet and for the moment they were alone. Her back was still to that rock wall, Cilli in front of her. She wasn't sure who else had survived. There was time for that in a second. Right now? She wanted some answers.

 

[Cillian]

When she returned the flask to him he took a similar mouthful and swirled it about his mouth before spitting it to the side. Gods he hated sand. It got everywhere. He could feel fine cuts against the back of his neck and the exposed parts of his arms where he had taken the brunt of the storm. Once he was certain she was indeed okay, his hand dropped from her face. He then poured some water into the palm of his hand and splashed some across his face to clear the sand from about his eyes.

"A stroke o' luck, looks like it cleared off those Bandits," Cilli stood slowly, his knees cracking after being crouched for so long in such a tense manner. There was nothing but sand for as far as the eye could see. Undisturbed, endless, sand. And the camel. Their eyes met and the great animal gave a noise that sounded to Cilli like he were annoyed. Running a hand through his hair to shake out the sand he then offered Kailyn his hand.

"C'mon, let's see if we can dig ou' tae others."

 

[Kailyn]

She blinked up at him.

"You call a sandstorm showing up out of nowhere luck?" Head shook, sand stuck in those strands tickling free as she finally slid her fingers into his own, accepting the help up. Her legs felt like jelly. Free hand braced on the rocky ledge behind them.

She released his hand and set a mildly accusatory gaze on his face.

"You're not telling me something. Those arrows before. They didn't touch you."

Accusation turned to concern as she noticed his burned hand.

"You're hurt." Stepping forward she gently took his wrist so she could get a closer look.

 

[Cillian]

"I dinnae say it were good luck," the leprechaun at least had the audacity to look a little sheepish as she berated him and he brought the hand not offered up to behind his neck to rub at it. From his height advantage he could see the brothers moving about and one of the orcs, all of them looking incredibly exhausted and probably traumatised from the whole thing, but alive.

He had completely forgotten about his hand until she took it and a rippled of pain shot up his arm. Cilli's face contorted into one of pain for a split second then one of fear and panic as she interrogated him.

"Aye did say ye weren't tae only one with powers tha' concern ye lassie," his words were so soft they might have not even been audible and the look he gave her was full of a whole host of emotions. Regret, sadness, loss, loneliness. He looked away and back down to his hand. "One of tae Bandits, their weapon was enchanted," a seamless, believable lie. "I'll be fine, just need some salve, I have some in me bag."