Tyldak
- Ingenious Pilot -
Living and flying are one and the same.
Posts: 127
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Post by Tyldak on May 3, 2008 4:26:36 GMT -5
Somewhere under the green, moist earth of Lorien lie a series of ancient elf-dug tunnels and caverns, littered with crumbling ruins of old lore, rotting treasures and unidentifiable detritus. Abandoned and plunged into darkness long ago.
Abandoned, but not empty.
In the farthest enclave of one huge cavern, a poor creature hunches wasted in the dark, the clank and rattle of a heavy chain shackled to a thin ankle the only sign of life there in the blackness of time. Only the effects of some wretched curse keep his body from starving and wasting to nothing, his eyes from going white-blind in the forever dark, and his mind from fleeing the prison of his body.
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Post by Dewshine on May 3, 2008 4:37:14 GMT -5
*Dewshine had been playing in the forest all the morning with the other elf girls. They were playing hide-and-seek, and now she was running towards the tunnels, looking for a good hiding place. She didn't want to be the first one to be found. She noticed a deep, dark cavern, and giggled as she snuck inside. The other Elf girls would never look for her here.
The cavern was bigger than expected, and she went further in. Then she heard the rustle of chains. Her blue, sparkling eyes widened in surprise. Was there anyone in here? And in chains? She snuck further into the cavern. In the farthest enclave she could see something in the darkness. She wasn't sure of what it was, so she decided to make her presence known first.*
"Eh.... h-hello? I-is anyone there?" *She called out, a bit anxious.*
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Tyldak
- Ingenious Pilot -
Living and flying are one and the same.
Posts: 127
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Post by Tyldak on May 3, 2008 4:45:38 GMT -5
The chain gave a sharp clatter, moving away from her. Whatever was attached to it sunk back against the nearest wall as far away as it could get. The words that floated and echoed across the darkness must have been a hallucination, he could barely understand them, and speech would not come to his own tongue, so long had he been without it. But if the shade were not a dream, if it were a captor returned, he should say nothing anyway, he should keep his mind to himself and remain silent and as hidden as best he could. He could not suffer another broken wing. The chained creature silently willed the intruder to go away.
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Post by Dewshine on May 3, 2008 4:51:11 GMT -5
*Dewshine definitely heard the clatter of chain now. There was something there, in the darkness. A live creature. Her warm heart filled with compassion. Who could have chained a living creature in here? All alone in the darkness? She sent out her thoughts to the creature, hoping it would understand her Elvish language.*
My name is Dewshine. I am an Elf of the Wolfriders. And I'm only a child... well, almost. Don't worry. I won't hurt you.
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Tyldak
- Ingenious Pilot -
Living and flying are one and the same.
Posts: 127
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Post by Tyldak on May 3, 2008 5:01:45 GMT -5
He understood a little of the thoughts that forced themselves at him, the language was familiar, but changed. How long had he been chained down here? How long since he'd felt the wind under him and seen the sky--how many generations of elves had been born since he had been chained and forgotten in the underground...
The prisoner stood, hobbled, and made himself as tall as he could to face this "child", though it was too dark to see anything at all. His tongue was still too thick and rusted to form words, but his thoughts flew nearly aimlessly to the other soul in his cavern cage.
Dewshine....Wolfrider...these are things I know not. You are not a Glider...child.
And it was certain to him that she was not, she did not have the same feel about her. Or perhaps the Gliders had changed so much. Either way, she did not know of him...it could be an advantage.
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Post by Dewshine on May 3, 2008 5:06:49 GMT -5
*Dewshine's bright blue eyes widened in surprise when she saw someone standing up in the cave.... It looked like... an elf? She gasped in horror. Who would be so cruel as to chain up an elf in here?
Hesitantly she came closer, still a bit shy. Still a bit afraid, but also curious.*
I am an Elf. What is a Glider? And who are you?
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Tyldak
- Ingenious Pilot -
Living and flying are one and the same.
Posts: 127
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Post by Tyldak on May 3, 2008 5:14:26 GMT -5
Chain rattled and the very dim, upright shade of the elf shifted a bit. What had looked like arms folded across the narrow chest opened up into huge, black shapes that might have been an open cloak or cape, but which were in fact long winged arms.
I am an Elf. I am called Tyldak. You do not know the Gliders? They ride upon great birds, they float above the ground. But you look very small, though I cannot see well in the dark. Are you only a cub, little thing?
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Post by Dewshine on May 3, 2008 5:23:21 GMT -5
*Dewshine came closer, and looked shyly up at him with her sparkling, blue eyes. It was dark in the cave so she couldn't see much. But it seemed like he had.... wings? None of the elves she knew had that.*
You are an elf? But... you have wings! None of the elves I know have wings... Nice to meet you, Tyldak.
*She looked at the wings, but couldn't see much in the darkness.*
"I have never seen the Gliders you mentioned. And there are no big birds here. I am not a cub anymore. Well, sort of. But I AM growing!"
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Tyldak
- Ingenious Pilot -
Living and flying are one and the same.
Posts: 127
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Post by Tyldak on May 3, 2008 5:34:17 GMT -5
Tyldak flexed the great limbs and stepped backward a little, until his back was up against the damp wall of the alcove. The cold of the stone no longer bothered his long-numbed skin.
The Gliders have gone then...and they have left me behind.
He straightened again and peered down at the small elf.
No other has wings as I do. They were crafted from my own flesh...and I was chained here to prevent me from flight, as my brethren were jealous.
It was as good a story as any, it would garner sympathy, and it was much more pleasant than the truth. He drew in a deep breath and expanded his narrow, bony chest, forcing his tongue to work.
"Do you...have...light?" The voice that came out was croaked and harsh with disuse, but held the promise of a fine timbre and an unusual, arcane accent.
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Post by Dewshine on May 3, 2008 5:43:18 GMT -5
*Dewshine stopped moving when she understood she frightened him. She looked a bit surprised. She was only a child. Well, almost. Who would be afraid of her?*
Don't be afraid of me. I am not dangerous. Did they really leave you behind? I am so sorry for you.
*Her bright blue eyes filled with tears of compassion. Then she looked admiring up at him.*
Can you really fly? I don't know anyone who can do that. Who are your brethrens?
*She looked up at him again when he asked for light. Her sweet innocent face looked surprised.*
"Of course we have light. The sun is shining outside, the birds are singing and there are flowers and butterflies everywhere!"
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Tyldak
- Ingenious Pilot -
Living and flying are one and the same.
Posts: 127
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Post by Tyldak on May 3, 2008 5:54:30 GMT -5
"Do you...have light....with you?" He corrected, suppressing a slight, harsh growl and keeping to the wall. It wasn't that he was afraid of her, he just wanted his back protected in case this was some trick.
The Gliders are my brethren! Or...were.
The sending of thought was easier and quicker, less painful for his throat and clumsy tongue. Tyldak tilted his head one way and narrowed his wide, near-blind brown eyes.
Do you have the key to my shackles, little "Wolfrider"?
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Post by Dewshine on May 3, 2008 6:01:35 GMT -5
*Dewshine looked up at him, innocently as the child she was. She didn't understand this man's question about light. If he had lived so long in darkness, wouldn't the light hurt his eyes?*
"Light? With me? I don't have any light. I can't even make a fire."
I don't know any Gliders.
*She looked at his chains, and her warm heart filled with compassion.*
I don't have any keys. If you tell me where they are, I could try to find them for you.
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Tyldak
- Ingenious Pilot -
Living and flying are one and the same.
Posts: 127
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Post by Tyldak on May 3, 2008 6:08:27 GMT -5
You can make no light, with your body? It has been so long since I have seen...no matter. The key is gone, with the Gliders. But you are small and stout. Break my chains.
They were rusted and cracked enough that a few blows with a heavy rock might break the weakened links, but Tyldak himself had no hands to wield a stone, and none were within his reach.
If you free me, I will show you that I can fly.
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Post by Dewshine on May 3, 2008 6:16:11 GMT -5
*Dewshine looked up at him and giggled, a very sympathetic sound.*
"Oh, was that what you meant. Sorry, I didn't think over it. I don't do it very much."
*An aura of golden light surrounded the little elf girl. With her blond hair and blue eyes she looked like an angel. She turned to him and smiled.*
"Better?" *She asked innocently.*
I probably shouldn't do this, but I have never seen a flying elf before...
*She started looking for a stone, and found one.*
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Tyldak
- Ingenious Pilot -
Living and flying are one and the same.
Posts: 127
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Post by Tyldak on May 3, 2008 6:26:56 GMT -5
Now the tall elf raised up one of his wings to shield his squinting eyes, giving a little snarl at the sharp pain the light stabbed into his brain. His wings proved to be thin enough to show semi-transparent, and his lean, starved shape was revealed to the small Wolfrider, from the strange crest on the top of his bare skull to his large, clawed feet and bent legs. He was certainly not attractive in the way Elves usually were.
He blinked a few times to acclimate himself to the light coming off the tiny girl, keeping his great wings folded up over his head and eyes, most of his body hidden behind their leathery folds.
Good! Break the chains! his mind voice came forcefully now, eager.
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