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Rescued (part 1)

Posted on Wed Sep 7th, 2016 @ 10:38am by Kalikana (Kali) & Orvack & Reina

1,124 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Shadow Dance
Location: Qunari Territory
Timeline: Day 2, afternoon

ON

It had taken quite a while, but Orvack managed to carry the Jenefran Princess back to his tribes camp. A part of him felt a bit safer knowing that she was unconscious for the whole journey, even though the other part of him knew he had nothing to worry about. Orvack's real concern was not the Jenefran Woman he carried, but with his own people. He had to bring her in, in dead of night, in order to not avoid the other Quinari seeing her and causing a stir. The last thing he needed right now his people in a panic over something they knew little about.

He gently placed her on his own bed and stood back for a moment. Over time, he treated whatever wounds she may have received and made sure some fresh food and drink was at her beside should she awaken prematurely. Other than that, Orvack kept to his seat which faced her and kept a watchful eye on her. Observing her while she slept. Contemplating what series of events could have taken place which caused their paths to intersect. It wasn't till his sister knocked on his door did he feel his quite contemplation turn to nervous concern.

***

Kali hurt. Why did she hurt? Oh, yes, the men in black. They shot her with something... She ran a hand across her backside. That hurt, too. As memories began to return, she remembered the Qunari man. Had he brought her here? She turned her head to look, but it caused a shooting pain up the back of her neck and across her scalp. Was he still here? Where was here? She opened her eyes to look, but changed her mind. Nope. Right now, she needed to simply hold still and hope the pain eased.

She must have fallen asleep, because she woke some time later. The pain had eased, but her body still ached. She tentatively moved her head, pleased to note that the headache was gone. Slowly she sat up and looked around.

The room was sparse, a wooden bed frame with a thick pad of woven cloth. It rustled as she moved. Stuffed with something. A woven blanket lay in a heap on the floor. She'd been made comfortable, at least. There was a small wooden table beside the bed with a mug of liquid in it. There was also a small bowl of fruit. A rag rug and a curtain over a high window were the only other items in the room. She picked up the mug and sniffed it, then took a tentative sip. Water. She drained the cup, grateful to whomever had thought to place it there. She tasted the fruit, then quickly polished it off. Hunger abated, she stood. Her balance was a bit off and she sat down again quickly. A minute later, she tried again and succeeded. Out of habit she picked up the blanket and spread it over the bed.

It was only then that she became aware of the tension in the hut -- she assumed it was a hut. Qunari by design, too, if the thatched roof and mud and daub walls were any indication.

She slowly walked towards a door on the far wall and listened. There was no sound of people talking. She could hear the occasional sound of movement, but apart from that it was silent. Still, she was certain she could hear two people arguing. Arguing bout her.

Kali eased the door open a crack and looked out. The Qunari who rescued her was there, gesturing at a woman. They appeared to be arguing silently with each other.

Orvack stood there, looking at his sister Reina intently, his arms gesturing every so often toward the door to his bedroom. Although their mouths were not moving, their voices were strong and fierce as they echoed in each other's minds.

"You have risked our lives, Orvack. Bringing her here may have compromised our home. Our people!" Reina telepathically screams. "Your bleeding heart is going to not only bring an end to our home, but give our enemies the clear advantage in this war.".

Orvack rolled his eyes slightly as he crossed his arms over his chest, an audible growl escaped his throat just before he responded inside her mind. "She may be Jenefran, but she is not a danger to us. They were trying to kill her. I couldn't stand by and let that happen."

"Better her than our people, Orvack!" Reina responded as she shoved her brother back.

"She is not our enemy, Reina. We have fought for may seasons, back to back, and not once have I ever seen her face on that battlefield. She has never taken the life of one of our own. For all we know, a weapon may have never come in contact with her hands." Orvack paused slightly, taking a step back toward his sister. "We have always maintained that every kill taken by our hands has been in defense, to protect ourselves and our people. Who are we take the life of someone who has never taken the life of one of our own. If we do that, than we are no better than they are. Those Jenefran's were after her blood. That does not make her an enemy in my book. It makes her a friend, because her life is now in danger, just as much as ours are."

Reina let out a frustrated sigh as she approached her brother and countered. "And how do you know that this isn't all some elabrate scheme to reveal our home? To get someone in here and close to you? Huh>" She said mentally as she took his hand. "How do you know that her intentions are as noble as yours?"

"I just know, Reina." He replied.

"You just... know?!" She added with a confused look on her face. "How?"

"Because I feel it, Rei." Orvack answered as he placed his, and her hand, on his chest over his head. "I feel it in here. In my very soul."

Kali didn't hear every word, but she understood most of it. She didn't understand why she knew they were arguing, either. There were still no words to be heard. The arguing made her head hurt. He trusted her. That meant a lot. Perhaps, at last, she had found an ally.

She slowly pushed open the door. "Thank you," she said quietly.

(To be continued...)

Orvak
Leader of the Qunari

Reina
Orvak's sister

Kali
Princess of Jenefra

 

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