Tiponi, Dæmon League Quester ++Chapter 33++
Reply With Quoteeditor slow. been busy. flcl rocks. here's chapter 10.
Chapter 10
The only sounds that could be heard were the waves splashing against the fishing boats sides. Just the sound of splashing water. The wind was in their favor, as they headed to the far shore. The water turned white with foam where the boat cut through it, then formed rippling lines behind them. Water. Wood. Splashing.
The occupants of the vessel were silent, but their minds were anything but. Each person and dæmon cocooned these busy thoughts with their flesh and bone, not letting a whisper find it’s way out. They stared at the water, but didn’t see anything, they weren’t really looking. They heard the splashing, but didn’t listen. They felt the wind hit against them, and flap their clothes, like they were little flags for it to play with, but they paid it no mind. All they were aware of was their own mind working hard to find the answers, and sort through all the information that had been given. They all sat, together yet alone, processing.
They reached the coast, and the boy and girl, with their dæmons, departed to the shore. The boat turned and left. With a single sigh from each, they set forward on the long walk. All they could see were rocks, trees, and ground. A family of river otters raced under rocks for shelter when they saw them walk by. They continued, making their way over these obstacles, sometimes slipping on slimy moss. But they never stopped, just continuing down to their destination. It was a long walk, but they were determined to make it. So they continued to walk, step after step. Left leg in front, right leg in front, left leg, right leg.
They continued this silent march, until twilight found them still traveling, having never stopped. Not enough time to stop. None of the four walking were tired yet, though they had been walking since the afternoon. They had worked hard for the entirety of their short lives, and needn’t stop to rest yet. Good steady boat working was great exercise, and kept them well fit.
Owls were coming out for their nightly hunt, and some yipping and howling could be heard in the distance. The moon was barely there, and it was a cloudy, dark sky. The wind was the chilling kind that would make you tighten your shawl, or throw a few extra logs on the fire.
Their minds were still busy, and didn’t want to be disturbed until all the facts had been sorted and stored away. The boy had a concerned and determined look on his face. While she had a puzzled and sorrowful look. The dæmons shared their human’s expressions.
As the clumps of trees thickened and became a forest, the girl’s dæmon was the only light that led them through the dark. So the those two went in front, while the other two followed. Now to add to the small collection of sounds was their feet breaking twigs beneath them, as they went forward. Right foot, left foot.
As they walked, these thoughts ran through his mind:
‘My brother, must get there for my brother. That town doesn’t look upon Questers too friendly. They could just throw him out of the hospital before I get there, and let him die on the street. They didn’t say why or how he got injured, just that it would require expensive operations and care, and that they didn’t want him there sucking up their funds. How could they do that?! A man is brutally wounded, and dying, and they’re gonna throw him out. You’d think they’d be nicer, Questers are supposed to get free care at hospitals because of how they are going to faint in battle. But the whole town is completely against the sport. It amazes me that they even have a gym. The poor gym leader there, he must have to be really tough to live in such a Quester-hating place. I guess the reason they have that gym is so you’re well trained before going to the next city; Swarm. That place is completely opposite; the largest Questing city in the whole of Mineral Mountains. Worst before the best, I suppose. Oh, my dear brother, why couldn’t you have made it to Swarm? I’ll make sure you do. As soon as I get there, I’ll bring you to a new hospital, and you can get well and go to Swarm. Yes, you will get well. You will!’
---
At the same time, this is what she was thinking:
‘Wow, his poor brother, dying. And so far from home. No wonder he’s acting so distant. I better not talk to him until he’s sorted through things. But he looks so worried, maybe I should talk to him, about fishing or something, to get his mind off of his poor brother. No, let him think. But, are we going to be completely silent for five days? That’s crazy! Well, not that crazy. I was completely silent with for almost four whole days. Then again, I didn’t have another human to talk to, and besides, my dæmon and I had the same things in our heads, so there was no point. On the other hand, I already know that he is worried about his brother, so I don’t have to even talk to him to know that. OK, so I won’t talk to him...for five whole days...unless he talks first.’
---
A little later, this is what was on his mind:
‘Now that’s all settled with, I wonder what she’s thinking. She hasn’t talked since we went on the boat. She seems distant, must be thinking hard. I shouldn’t disturb her then. Nope, I won’t talk to her...for the five whole days...unless she talks first.’
---
At some point, her dæmon’s thoughts went something like this:
‘If I know my human as well as I think I do, she’s not talking to him right now because she wants to leave him alone to think. She’s sooooo stupid. Oh well, I better not talk, or else she’ll be angry at me. Just for you, Miss Stupid, I won’t talk to you, or him, or his dæmon...for five long days...unless any of the three talk first.’
---
Yet the only thing on his dæmon’s mind was:
‘YAY ROAD TRIP!!!’
(AUTHOR’S NOTE: *glare* )
‘Oh, and won’t talk...five days...them first...’
---
They walked long into the night, each one isolated. The hours crawled by slowly, like a caterpillar, but they continued to walk, nonstop.
The owls finally flew back to their homes, with full stomachs from a long night’s hunt. At the sun’s first rays, they were still walking, now growing weary. The birds chirped and tweeted as the sun rose, displaying an amazing spectacle for them to behold. They continued onward, watching it in all it’s glory, until it was at the highest point in the sky.
They were now famished, and sat down to have breakfast/lunch/dinner. After they ate their day’s rations, and drank some cool, refreshing water, they found it hard to get up. They put the food away, and felt their heavy eye lids fall shut. They didn’t even bother to take out sleeping bags, just lay down on the ground. Barely remembering to use their back packs as pillows, they quietly fell sound asleep.
Except for the Charmander. He snored.
One thing I don't understand, though, is how Etchemin's dæmon (a Wailmer, right?) was able to walk on land. I didn't think Wailmer were capable of that. But I'm sure there's some explanation.
Originally Posted by Gavin Luper
