Stephanie ran on and on, the tall stalks of bamboo continuously slapping her in the face as she went. The bamboo grew wild on this property, which was strange for this part of the country. She dodged left, right, and left again in an attempt to lose the drunken man that was still chasing her. She could feel him reaching out, fingers just missing her.
Blindly driven by fear, she continued running while screaming for help, but to no avail. No one lived there, and no one ever would, if for nothing else than the rumors. They said that evil things lived there, and that the land was tainted. Now she knew she was definately going to die... Or worse.
Fear was no longer enough to fuel the fire that pushed her on, and she collapsed in a heap on the ground. While she sat there gulping down lung fulls of air, she heard someone slowly crashing through the bamboo off to her right. She ducked down further into the bamboo in another attempt to hide. It had to be that drunken man, it had to! Who else in their right mind would be out here?
"Come out, come out, where ever you are!" Came the slurred voice of the drunken man. Stephanie's eyes quickly darted around for a better hiding place or a weapon she could use against this repulsive man, but this was no use. The ground was bare. "Come out, daddy's got a little something to show you..." His voice droned. "You feeling hungry? I've even got a little something you can swallow, he he he... SHIT!" He yelled as he tripped and fell.
Stephanie held her breath as the drunken man stumbled past, just a few meters away from where she hid. A while after the man has passed she cautiousely stood up and surveyed the area. The coast was clear.
/Great./ She thought, then noticed there was a track that made it's way through the bamboo field towards and through two pillar like stones, surounded by a large clump of trees. Figuring that this was where the man had gone, she decided to run in the opposite direction and get the hell out of there.
She was slowly making her way down the the path when all of a sudden the drunken man stumbled out of the bamboo a few meters ahead of her.
Sleazey, drunken man and terrirfied young woman beheld each other.
"There you are bitch," He slured. "Stop running and let me see you in your birthday suit, he he he..."
"Go rot in hell you asshole!" She screamed as she turned tail and headed back up the path towards the clump of trees. Already being sapped of all her energy, the going was hard and she wasn't quite making the distance she was hoping. Either way she knew she needed to make the trees so she could find a weapon to use.
/Stupid slut!/ The drunken man thought as he lumbered after her. /All I wanted was a screw, and the bitch maked me run all over the country side. Yeah, well she'll be sorry. Not only will I screw the bitch, but when i'm finished, I'll kill her.../ He was quite rapidly making ground, and knew that this would be his last chance to grab her before the trees.
Stephanie gasped in horror as she felt the large worn hands of the drunk grab her round the waist as she came crashing to the ground. With remarkable deftness, considering the man was drunk, he quickly overpowered her, and was on top of her, pinning her to the ground.
"No more talking now baby, it's show time..." The drunk grinned as he ripped her shirt open. "Well, well, well... What a fine rack you have there missy..."
"Help! Help!" Stephanie sobbed, now completely numb with fear. "Any one please HELP ME!!"
Virtually going hysterical now as the drunk undid his jeans, she leaned over and bit into his arm hard. As he was about to raise his arm to slap her in the face, they were both startled by the voice of a stranger.
"Um... Excuse me?"
They both turned around to see who it was, and were surprised when they saw a young man sitting in the tree above them with his arms slung over a length of shiethed bamboo that was stretched across his shoulders. His dark hair hung in a long, long braid down his back. The way he was sitting made it look like he had a tail.
"Hi there." He waved wiggling his fingers near his face. "I do not suppose you two could take that elsewhere, could you?"
"WHAT?!?" Stephanie shrieked, her hopes instantly hitting rock bottom with the realisation that this kid wasn't going to help her.
The kid leapt from his perch and landed silently on the grass. "After all," He continued. "this is a dangerous area..."
The drunk laughed, thick, nausiating, alcoholic breath. "What, you want a go at this beauty queen too? No probs, just wait your bloody turn, okay!"
The kid gave them a confused, sideways look. "Wait my turn? Have a go? What are you talking about?"
"Can you get this creep off me please?" Stephanie pleaded to the stranger, who gave her an even more confused look. /Great./ She thought. /He's a numbskull. No help here./ She tried shoving the man off her, but he was still too strong. The kid looked around behind him, appearing unsure. "GET HIM OFF ME!!!" She yelled. The kid span around, looking really, really confused.
"Why not do it your self?" He asked, curiosity the only thing evident in his voice.
"DOES IT LOOK LIKE I CAN DO THIS MY SELF?!?!?" She yelled. The man slapped her. That obviousely upset the kid. He grabbed the man by the back of his neck and just lifted him off of Stephanie like he was as light as a feather. Stephanie staired, wide eyed. The drunk goggled.
"NEVER hit a Waymyn." The kid warned dangerously, then turned and dropped the man like he was nothing at all. The kid leaned down at the man, who was rather suprised at the kid's strength. "I think you better leave now."
The drunk, suddenly sober, leaped up and away, and didn't stop running. Except for when he tripped over on his undone jeans. The kid watched him run between the two stone pillars and out of sight, then he turned back to Stephanie, who was now on her feet. She threw her arms around the boy, squeezing him hard out of reliefe.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! You saved me! Thank you! Thank you! I could never thank you enough!" She breathed. The kid eased her off him, with a troubled look on his face, and knelt down on one knee infront of her.
"My appoligies, my Waymyn," He said with his eyes lowered. "If I had have realized that that evil man had over powered you against your will, I would have stopped him sooner. Forgive me for my lack of intuition."
"Huh?" Came Stephanie's reply. She wasn't used to having guy's appologise in this manner, or being in this situatiuon in the first place. She wondered why he was looking down at the ground and realised that the drunk had ripped her shirt. She quickly covered herself, which seemed to be to the relife of the boy. She knelt down opposite in front of him. Right in front of him. He looked at her eyes for less than a second, then quickly looked away. She stared at him, but he diliberately avoided her eyes. "What's you're name?" She asked.
"I'LuThiael, my Waymyn." He answered in a promt whisper.
"Cool name." She smiled. "My name's Stephanie... What's a 'Waymyn'?"
I'LuThiael was dumbfounded, but more concerened. He examined her head. "Did your Waymynship hit your head while that evil man attacked you?"
"N-o-o-o... I just wanted to know what a Waymyn was."
"But you are..." He stiffined. "You do not have a sword!"
"Why should I have a sword? Don't you know they're illegal out in public?"
"Only for Clarks." He said absently. "This is all very strange. In all my life I have never seen a Waymyn in distress. Are you an out cast or something?" Then he quickly bowed his head again. "My appollogies if I have offended you , It is just... Are you playing with me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Are you trying to play with my head? Waymyn are notoriouse for playing with Clarks' heads."
"I thought you said your name was I'LuThieal."
"It is."
"And why would I be playing with the guy who just saved my life? Just because I don't know what a Waymyn is. I'd be more inclined to think you're the one playing with MY head!"
He lowered his eyes. "'Trying to manipulate a Waymyn is punnishable by death.'" He recited.
"Really?"
"Where have you been?!" He exclaimed.
"At University, actually."
"Uni-vers-ity..." He mouthed, then beamed. "Ahhh! You came through the gate! You are a Notherworlder! That explains it! Ha ha!"
"What." Stephanie asked dryly.
He jumped to his feet and gave her a hand up. "I opened the gate earlier than Braith said, because he usually comes early. He is always complaining about how he has to sit around waiting until I open it. Hmmm... He has not come through yet. I do hope nothing has happened to him."
"Okay, who is 'Braith', and what gate are you talking about?!"
"See those stone pillers there?" I'LuThiael pointed. "THEY are the gate. Braith is my opponent."
"Right."
"By the way, I would advise against telling any one else here where you are from. You could be met with hostility."
"Uh-huh."
I'LuThiael turned. "And as fate would have it, that would be Braith now."
Stephanie had neither seen nor heard anyone approaching, but as she too turned her head she saw a piller of darkness wading through the bamboo. I'LuThiael grinned. Inside the piller Stephanie could just make out the silhouette of a person. A few paces after entering the center of the clearing, he simply stopped. She scrambled back a bit and tried to take cover. Her movement caught the 'shadow's' eye, and he watched her with interest.
"You are LATE Braith!" I'LuThieal called, pulling Braith's attention from Stephanie.
"I'Lu," Came a deep voice from with in the darkness. "Give me Thieal and I will try to spare your life..."
Stephanie looked from the giant pillar man to the boy he had called I'Lu. /How can I'LuThiael give up part of his name?/ She wondered. /And why would this guy Braith want it? There must be something more to it./
"Try to spare my life?" I'LuThiael snorted as he pulled the piece of bamboo from his back, and held it out in front of himself defiantly. "Is that the best you can do? If you want him, come and get it!"
"Very well," Braith said. "But know that killing you will bring me no pleasure. I am doing this for your own good."
I'LuThiael smirked. "Just try, if you dare."
Briath returned his smirk, revealed a very large, beautiful, rippled sword, and attacked. I'LuThiael defended, then counter attackted. Stephanie saw Braith whisper some thing to I'LuThiael which obviously upset him. He continued his assult with a barrage of lightning fast blows aimed at Braith's torso, teeth grit, a glare set in place. Now there was no time for Braith to counter attack, he had to just defend. I'LuThiael was simply too fast.
"A hot temper will get you killed, I'Lu!" Braith warned, swinging heavily. "Some day." Swords now locked, and faces close.
"Some day maybe, but obviously not today!" I'LuThiael pushed Briath back with his free hand, then they were fighting again. Back and forth they raged. The clanging slashes and slithers of blade against blade a nerve tingling sound.
Stephanie sat there in awe as she watched the two combatants fight is out. Suddenly it occurred to her that some time during the past fleeting moments I'LuThiael's piece of bamboo had become a rather large and beautiful sword. She wondered what in the world was going on and whether she was just dreaming. Maybe the drunk had knocked her out and was right this moment having his way with her. If so, she would rather stay unconscious. This situation was much less nerve-racking.
"Ha!" I'LuThiael jumped Braith's slash with practiced ease. "YOU are getting OOOOOOLD! Give up!"
"At least one of us is," Braith retorted. "and like fine wine, getting better with age."
I'LuThiael cackled at this comment. "But even good wine becomes vinegar one day..." He saw an opening and struck. Braith staggered back clutching his cheek, feeling a burning sensation benieth the palm of his hand. Slowly he withdrew his hand to look at it. Then to I'LuThiael he said coldy:
"First blood may go to you, my friend, but final blood shal go to me!!" Then filled with bloodlust, he lunged at I'LuThiael yet again.
to be continued...