The Village

A rough draft excerpt from the blasted novel. It is a story Krish is telling that takes place before the main story line, before Carnac dies. Krish is the storyteller, and as such, he tells Carnac's widow, Larissa, about the role they played in the war. This is the beginning of one of those stories..

They had been traveling for two days after the disaster of the battle by the river. A band of warriors that had arrived late were now holding the enemy, allowing the tattered remnants of the fort to retreat north to relative safety. Krish drove the wagon team hard across the uneven track, pushing everyone to their limits, trying to reach the small grove of Alyn. They were weary from battle, but Krish had hoped that the Elders would be able to help Riggs.

Sam tended his head wound the best that she could with the limited amount of supplies she had on hand. Storm prowled back and forth through the line, his arm still hanging at an awkward angle, the bandages showing fresh blood. They were all battered to some degree, none as bad as Riggs. In the hasty retreat, Sam cleaned the head wound, but Riggs was still unconscious and they were all worried.

As the afternoon of the second day wore on, they crested a small hill and could see the grove for the first time. What they had taken for cooking fires was the remnants of burned out buildings still smoking in ruins. The scouts joined them at the top hill, having secured the back trail and they stood in shock at the scene below. The small grove had been hacked apart and only a few chickens and an old woman slumped in a doorway were visible.

Krish cracked the reins and steered the wagon down the hill, the rest fanning out in a protective formation. Tired but wary, they entered the outskirts of the grove. The old woman was breathing heavy and looked exhausted as she stared at the newcomers.

'Where is everyone?' Carnac asked the old woman.

'Most of em, what is left, are in the Elder's house,' she said, 'you're too late to help.'

'We will do what we can,' said Krish looking around the commons.

With a quick shake of his head, Logar sent the warriors to the surrounding hills, setting up a defense. Krish got down from the seat and helped Carnac out of the saddle. The friends, bent from fatigue and wounds, set up a camp on the common ground.

Raif and Sam carefully lifted Riggs out of the wagon and put him into the one remaining tent they owned. The old woman watched and waited, not moving from her stool, she seemed lost. Little faces peeked out from the Elder's house, but fear was heavy in the air.

'We are going to the grove, to see what we can do,' said Vaughn.

'It looks bad, but we will pay our respects and honor these people' said Carnac.

'I will stay with Riggs, go to talk to the them,' said Raif.

Sam and Krish left the patched tent and walked slowly toward the Elder house. As they approached, a small, dirty boy rushed from the doorway holding a broom handle, swinging wildly at the two of them. Krish went down on one knee and grabbed the little guy and the broom handle.

'You go away,' screamed the boy, struggling to free himself.

'Are you the protector of this clan?' asked Krish.

'I am warrior and you go away,' he said,' give me my sword back.'

'Well then, warrior,' he said,' I am Krish from Clan Wenona and I ask that we may stay with you.' Krish said the formal words of greeting as he stood up an offered the broom handle to the little boy. He looked at Sam who nodded.

'You are Clan?' asked the boy.

Showing the tattoos on his arms, Krish formally bowed, 'I am indeed little warrior, and this is my companion Sam, she is a healer.'

Comments

[vange]

I am a little warrior, too!

[Jenny Beans]

There is a book I read a couple years ago I think you might like. It was the first book in the Dalraeda trilogy.

I love these little sneaky peeks at your story.

[vange]

"Sneaky peeks" makes me think of a post-shower towel slip. Like McSteamy on Grey's. OPTIMISM!