Posted by A Ranger on August 25, 2000 at 02:25:30:

Run!

Everything around is silent; he could only hear his heart beating, pounding
within his ribs, as he ran.

Run!

"There he goes! Get him!" The captain shouted, pointing in his direction.
Armed men scrambled onwards their horses, others fumbling with their weapons
and bows. "I'll have your heads if you don't bring him back!"

The low-hanging branches whipped his face as he stumbled into the forest.
Shouts from the men echoed around the forest, arrows whizzing in the air,
some landing near his feet, some upon the trunks of trees beside.

He's young, and slight in build. But his legs carry him wherever he goes. He
can run distances without tiring. Born to a woodsguide man and his wife. It
was eighteen human years ago. That long had passed, it seemed. He was the eldest
with his mother expecting another. Living just at the edge of the forest, he
used to accompany his dad into the forest to hunt and patrol. To protect it
from unneccessary intrusion, his dad told him. Both for the village folks and
the creatures dwelling within from each other. There must be a balance, all of
our lives depend on the woods somewhat rather.

An arrow flew passed his ear. It spurred him deeper into the woods.

One day, a group of armored men came, took hold of the village elder and
demanded tithes, claiming it belonged to the Emperor. He had never seen his
father so angry and fearful at the same time. Machines on large wheels rolled
in a short time later, with more armored men. Packing what they had, the couple
sensed danger and began leaving their house. A group of armored men had already
gathered around outside. "Leaving so soon, Warder?" one of them laughed out.
The family ran back inside and bolted the door. Lifting up a trap door in the
kitchen, they crept thru' the tunnel.

Another arrow struck near him. Shouts were coming closer.

"Go, help your mama and protect her! I will find you from your tracks!" the urgent
whisper of his father commanded him. "Go now!" His father began moving silently away,
towards the sound of the men. Screams of dying filled the woods followed by clashing
of swords and weapons. More cries filled his ears.

The air carried words of magic and there was a growing rumbling could be heard
from behind. Something was wrong, something unnatural.

"I cannot go on anymore, ***," his mother was gasping for air. Blood could be
seen flowing between her legs. Her face pale and in anguish. "I don't think I can
survive, you must go on." Another labored breath emerged from her mouth and she
shook visibly. "I love you, son."

Hiding behind a tree, he turned behind to look. A big ball of fire travelled towards
him. Yelling in shock and pain as it struck the tree in force, his left face was
exposed to the intense magical fire. Half blinded and screaming in extreme pain,
he saw tree-like figures, all blurry, moving closer towards him. Everything was
silent and slow, his ears buzzed and his eyes teary from the force of the fireball.
His face hurt like hell's fire. He backed into the foliage behind, only to fall
deeper, deeper...

Follow Ups:

• (Part 2) Same ranger 02:26:29 8/25/2000 (2)
  • Did you want comments on this role, or were you just sharing? (no sarcasm intended, and no text) Umguy 06:20:15 8/25/2000 (1)
    • Just sharing.... Ranger 09:00:23 8/25/2000 (0)

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