Wheel of Time MUD

1-6 qps, depending on length and quality.

Potential +1 qp: if part of a series: x

Total: 5 qps, for both stories

*****************************************

A young man sits with his legs and feet dangling over the edge of a two story farmhouse.

He looks back over his home toward the village centre, the day is just beginning yet most if not all the
homes in Irinjivar are lightly abuzz with activity. Large horse paddocks are attached to the farmhouses,
filled with horses of all colors and ages. They whiny and neigh as children change thier feed and muck
stables. Further still the city of Maradon can be seen over the treetops, hazy in the morning light. All
proof it seemed that nothing ever changed, that this day would be just as any other.

He turns back and looks to the forest beyond his small town, such thrilling times, danger sort and
vanquished. Exploring the surrounding woodlands without an escort had always been strictly forbidden.
This meant of cause the older children borrowed a horse and did so at every opportunity. Secret caves
and hidden niches had been thiers to plunder, many times having to explain away bruises and cuts received
for some small reward or trinket.

However all those close calls and near escapes had caught up with them and grieving parents were screaming for blood.
Two young boys had been killed in the forests to the north, murdered by foul creatures of the shadow.

Of cause he was to blame, he was the oldest.

Well before dawn he had saddled his horse and rode north, tasked by his father to hunt for fresh game, mark
the trail and await his arrival. However the cool steady breeze felt relaxing and the forest had yet to wake
as he slid from his mount to continue tracking a deer. He moved easily between the trees without a thought
of his promise to wait. Suddenly a light bang followed by a much louder thud echoed through the forest. Harsh
growls and metal on metal, the sound of splintering wood and the screams of his friends.

He had ran towards the noise without thought, bursting through the underbrush into the small clearing.
An abandoned hut sat against a large boulder, its sorry excuse for a door lying at his feet.
The sounds had changed from those of fighting to those of a delighted animal, gorging itself on a fresh kill.
He then drew his sword and slowly approached the hut, a feeling something was close made him turn quickly....

.....Cold eye-less gaze rips deep into his soul as the sword falls limp from his hand.
Time seems to slow as the Myrddraal steps closer, his black draping cloak still in the wind.
He reaches out a waxy white hand and.....

Shaking his head the young man stands and moves inside, slowly moving down the stairs and out the front door.
Crossing the small dirt road to the sellers yard, he soon begins to notice people averting thier gaze as he passes.
He moves before the gathered Elders and townspeople to stand behind the chair placed for him, a sad, troubled
look upon his face. Eyeing the crowd nervously, he seems unsettled as though looking for someone.

The Elders sit and motion everyone to do the same.

A stern faced elder waits for those that can find seating, the voices drop to a whisper and then stop.

"We are here today on this the 15th day of the month of Nesan, to punish the actions of Kush Hofor, which were found
to have contributed to the deaths of Rowan Jahn and Wolt Hapar."

"The accused has acknowledged his part in this and although yet of age shall be put to task in the Borderlands,
perhaps thier guidance and discipline will teach him the responsibility he so sorely lacks."

"A letter will be sent this day to his families choice of Borderguard. Make note of these actions so as not to
leave them unaware of the situation. If you receive no reply, Kush Hofor will be put into forced labor for a period
no less than five years."

Standing, the Elders move as one from the yard, seeking to relieve themselves of the heat and dust as the crowd disperses.

Slowly his mother steps out of the crowd, moving to comfort him. He stands and hugs her lightly as her sobs become
uncontrollable. He gently moves her back toward the farmhouse, people moving around them as if some invisible force
repelled them. They sit across the table from each other, he grasps her hands, looks into her swollen tear-filled eyes.

"It is how we honor them that matters now"

I can't take a man seriously with his name being Kush.

Nice story.

Ordered not to leave, Kush spent the days thinking over and over about every detail. Why had he not
taken an escort or tracked the boys leaving the village? He could have checked the area around the
village thoroughly, like his father had shown him so many times. Had his father known he would go
out alone, shadowing him to keep him safe? Had he been doing so all along?

A loud knocking at the door startled Kush back into reality, shaking the fading memories out of mind
he stood while his mother answered the door.

Muffled voices followed the door closing, people were gathering for something. His mother explained
Samual had been sent because a well dressed man had arrived and asked audience with the Elders.
They had called for others from the murdered boys families, apparently leaving Kush until last. In
hushed tones his mother said, "Stay strong Kush, no matter what they do, I love you, your father loved
you." He hugged her tightly, her tears falling onto his shoulder. She then gathered herself and followed
him out the door.

The road before the tall building seemed crowded, most of the adult population of the village stood
surrounding the front gate, quietly talking among themselves. Kush quickly made his way through the
crowd, each turning away from any change they might catch his eye. Knocking on the door he was
asked to wait a moment, voices got heated then stopped with a thud, a stern unknown voice saying
"Enter!"

Opening the door he took in the room, Elders sat along the back wall in large chairs, a long table made
of fine oak sitting before them, dominating the space. Before them stands a man of middle age, muscular
frame disguised by tailored clothing, a ruby hilted rapier in a jeweled scabbard hung from his left hip.
Looking to his face Kush was embarrassed to see the man had also been studying him, the man motioned
he should sit, he then turned his attention once again to the Elders.

"Evidence gathered through an extensive search of the area turned up the tracks of the young men
leaving the village on foot, they also indicate the tracks were left well in advance of Kush and his
fathers departure."

"Witnesses and friends state a group of boys had planned to go out earler the day before the incident,
but had not been able to get an escort. They had been vocal about this being unfair and that other boys
had gone on before them and had an escort."

"At this point I would ask Mrs Hofor to enter."

The door was opened and they called for his mother, his mind raced as she was given the seat next to him,
she reached out her hand and for the first time since his father death she smiled slightly before looking
toward the man.

"Mrs Hofor, did your husband often go hunting with Kush?" The man stood to the side, seemingly at ease and
alert at the same time.

Quietly she replied, "Of course, they often hunted to help gather food, not just for ourselves but for many of
our neighbors."

"I would also assume, knowing my brother, that Kush being of age and no doubt becoming more experienced
in the finer points of hunting would be bestowed with greater responsibility to aid his learning?"

Nodding briskly his mother said, "Jon would always push him to be better, but that is why Kush is one of the
best trackers in this village, the best with a long blade by far. His father said as much many times."

"It would appear then that all we need to complete this picture is for Kush to tell us exactly what happened."

Turning to Kush, he moved to place a hand on his shoulder, "Now is not the time to fall on your sword, Kush.
Your father would expect more of you and you know it."

Slowly at first, then more confidently Kush went through the details of that day, his dread at hearing the
screams of his friends, he told them of his revulsion as he stepped into the clearing and heard the crunching
of bone and grunting of feral beasts. Then the man with no eyes that somehow gazed deep into his soul,
shredding his courage to the core. Running so very fast....

His uncle patted his shoulder lightly and said, "You and your mother can leave Kush, fear not, this is almost over."

The Elders voices rose loudly as his mother pushed him through the crowd toward their house, peoples questioning
eyes looking for any detail to expose what had happened within. They moved inside and began to talk of his uncle,
he worked in Maradon at the palace was all his father had told her. They had a falling out some time ago and his
father hadn't said why. A knock at the door was followed by his uncle entering, he removed his boots and took a seat
next to Kush.

"Firstly, these men have admitted to bending to the will of the people over the law."
"You are free of any wrong doing."

Unblinking Kush mutters quietly, "How... Really?"

"If you had spoken plainly and clearly you may have averted all of this, your lack of information led to the misgivings
of a grieving family and the distrust of the Elders."

"You may be free of this, but you need to find a better path, one to hone your mind and your body."

Turning to his mother, his uncle says, "Did you send an application letter as advised by the Elders?"

"Yes, to the Legion of Unity."

"And is this a path you would choose for yourself Kush." His uncles piercing blue eyes turned to monitor his response.

"I would, Uncle. I want to learn to better protect us from these threats, learn to find and hunt them and honor my
fathers memory."

Nodding slowly, a slight smile crosses his lips, "You'll make your father proud, of that I'm sure."