There are 2 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [DL-W] Balancing Act
From: Allen Veazey <veazeyae@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2. Re: ?????
From: "Arlene Jacobs" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 18:11:34 -0600
From: Allen Veazey <veazeyae@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-W] Balancing Act
Day 15
Early Afternoon
Green
[SNIP]
"I am here to place you on warning." Reginald replied. "You will be
accompanying me back to court. This is an order by your King, and you
will not disregard this if you know what is good for you."
[END SNIP]
Ari stood silently as she heard his words, and then watched him storm
off in outrage and indignation. She felt the flow of love and comfort
from Azhy as they both stood watching the retreating figure of the man
from court.
<*I could flame him if you wish my heart*>Az half joked. <*I do seem
to be developing a sudden burning sensation in my throat*>
Ari softly giggled at the mental picture he sent her, and without
turning to look at her soul mate knew he wore a wicked grinning
expression on his face.
*Tis alright Az* she sent back and snuggled into him as he nestled
with her. *I do not wish to cause trouble with Reolden*
<*I do not trust this one my heart, he is dark within*>
Ari nodded in agreement and remembered the deep sense of loathing when
they had first officially met.
*Ash will protect me* she stated
<*HOW can he protect you?*> Azhy voiced his second concern. He was
not sure this was the way to get what he knew she wanted.
*He will teach me what he knows Az, and I shall learn it all*
<*It will take time for you to learn all what he has amassed in his
life time*>Azhy counseled. He did not have the answers, but with each
option presented, he felt it was not the right way. Humans made
things so much more complicated than needed.
*Worse case scenario, he will prepare me for goin Rogue* Ari whispered
softly and felt the hot tears that flew to her lashes and burned her
eyes.
<*Dear heart that is a drastic step*> he crooned to her as he flooded
her with the deep love her felt.
*Tis better than bondage* Ari turned and nestled into his chest and
softly sobbed at all she would lose because of.....Ari was still not
sure why. No one would tell her, or did they too not know? All she
knew was she would not submit, nor would she go and do and pretend to
be who she was not.
No, better to be rogue and free for what little time she would have,
then to live in a gilded cage and prison. Better to take the last
ride with her beloved heart to be forever free.
Azhy nuzzled her close and wished once more he had arms in which to
hold her and bring to her the comfort she sought. He picked through
her thoughts as she flashed them and knew in a way she was right. But
he would make sure it was their last and only option.
[SNIP]
Ash sighed. "You will learn I suppose. You'll be disappointed. The
first, of course, being that Ari will not be accompanying you."
"We shall see, Ash'chenon." Reginald's jaw set, his head tilted back a
little and he marched away, but Ash had some small satisfaction in
that the Earl had to walk around him to do so. He sighed again and
headed to see Ari.
[END SNIP]
Ash made his way back to Green where he knew that Ari still was. Wyn
had informed him that she and Azhy were still there. As he neared he
slowed down and looked over the view of the sea of dragons.
Never in his life had he expected to be surrounded again with such a
sight. Wyn was growing stronger and she was happy with being
surrounded and enjoying the company of the dragons.
He stood overlooking the view and when he spotted her he made his way
down to her side.
*You look well* he thought to his dragon.
**I feel well** came the reply. **I have been waiting for you to come
down here, so that we could fly**
*We will,* he thought back, moving closer to her. He reached out,
scratched at the sensitive scales close to her eye-ridges. Wyndamenth
closed her eyes and turned her head, much as a dog would when
scratched behind the ears.
Suddenly, though, Ash jerked his hand back, he remembered scales much
as these, his poisoned arrow striking, the dragon turning, bellowing...
Wyn's head bumped him, and he came out of his reverie. **That was a
long time ago**
*You were there. You saw it*
**More, I saw him die. But that was long ago. And I forgave you**
*And eventually, I forgave myself. Long after everyone else
did...well.
Not everyone else, obviously*
**Let it go, for now...let's fly, Ash**
*In a moment* He turned in Ari's direction, nodded; she smiled in
return. Seeing that smile, he mentally resolved, again, that Reginald
would not get his way. He began to mentally curse himself for the
ungentle way that he himself had started her training, but he knew it
was the only way. Leave the day after tomorrow? It was impossible.
They would have to delay her departure...the legal means were certainly
there.
"How are you?" he asked, words suddenly failing him.
"I be well." Ari replied and hesitated for an instant, and then
changed her mind. "I saw that Lord."
"He's a blowhard, is he not? He and I go way back"
"Ya do?" Ari stared at him with renewed interest. "How?"
"I'll tell you later." He said, glancing around. "Let's continue,
shall we? Something im****tant today."
She hesitated; then nodded. "All right."
* * * * *
They tele****ted far, this time, she could tell. They were far south,
south of Cleft, even somewhere in the nomad lands. Somewhere close
to the wastes. The air was hot and dry; the sand was brown and
coarse. The sun was bright, almost like a weight beating down on
them. Wyndamenth gave a long loud sigh.
**This feels good*
Ash sat on one of the sand dunes, motioning for Arideregh to sit
facing him. As she did so, he drew the small palm blades from his
belt and laid them to the side. In the fierce sun, they shone like
bars of light.
"We will play a game." Ari opened her mouth to protest then clicked it
shut; the way Ash said those words he was deadly serious.
"These are the palm-blades, the /as-en/" he said. He clapped a rhythm
with his hands, on his legs; he was sitting with his legs crossed on
the ground. Ari emulated him.
"Several of the clans use them." He said, still beating out the
strange rhythm. It was difficult, and Ari had trouble keeping up.
"Clans that use smaller animals in their totem. Those that prize
quickness, those that prize agility. Agility of mind, as well as of
the body."
She was getting the hang of it now, though watching the movement of
his hands was almost making her dizzy. "I see well enough" she
commented.
"Good. Do not lose the rhythm." They continued for a little while in
this way; then he said. "/as-en/ means 'cast and catch'. It is a
philosophy as well as a way to pass the time."
The brightness of the knives caught Ari's attention again, and her
beat faltered; in the sudden silence. "Cast and catch? Ya be...they
throw knives at one another? For a game?!" Her voice took on a ragged
edge.
"It is a thing you have to learn." He looked away, then as if even
broaching the subject was painful. "I can teach you what I know...I
can
teach you to fight...but if you do not learn this...you will fail. It
defines everything." He studied her. "Everything." He reiterated.
"How?" she asked quietly.
"Many riders carry steel." He replied. "Many are good. But as
dragonriders, we would never be as good as the landbound. We will
always be inferior."
Ari looked at him in surprise. Inferior she thought?
"Why you ask?" he said as he watched her emotions play across her face.
"The source of our strength is also our weakness; the bond with our
dragons. We would always worry for them. Always be distracted."
What are you saying? That we break that bond?!" Ari demanded.
"No. This is a...compromise; a way of thinking. Embrace it, and you
will not have that weakness. Azhy will come to understand it, as
well. This is what gives those clans their ferocity. This is what
defines them. You must learn to let go, Arideregh. Cast yourself
out...let yourself go. Put worry, fear, and distraction away from
you.
Free yourself from it....rely on the catch, the return. There will
always be something or someone to catch you. Your skills. Your
Dragon. Your clan."
"And if they don't catch it? Or you can't catch what they throw?"
"Someone dies."
Ari was speechless a moment. "Ash....I ...can't."
"I have lived a very long time, Ari. This is how I learned to survive;
to excel. This was the path I chose to become a Master. I have had
many students...I have only taught this twice. You are one of them."
"But I'm not you. You've just started to teach me." She began her
protests.
"A few moves, a few steps, a little etiquette....yes. But, you already
have the wildness within you. It is a matter of channeling that
thought. Learn this,and all else will come quickly. Much more
quickly."
"But...Ash..."
"Trust me."
Her mind was a swirl. To let go of her bond with Az? She was the
second student he had taught....what happened to the first one?
After a long moment, she squared her shoulders. "What do I do?"
Ash reached into his ****rt, brought out two metal rods about the same
size as the knives.
"These are the /as-ti/. It is how children learn. You will learn the
wands first. When you are ready, we will go on. Cast and catch Ari.
Throw yourself out into the unknown. Free your mind of doubt and
fear. Cast and catch."
Two hours later, Ari bent over at the waist whimpering; the rods had
smacked into her knuckles for the hundredth time, at least. She
looked up and Ash's pitiless gaze caught her again.
"Again."
"No."
"You wish to quit? Give up?"
"No."
"Then again."
"No."
<*Little one*>
*NO! I will do this*
Ash's voice swam through her head like a dream.
"Forget your dragon. Forget the outside. For now, Ari this is your
world. Throw out everything else. Cast. Catch."
The wands swam in her direction again. Almost like slow motion. She
rose up, her hands moving of their own accord; she was too tired, too
sore to direct them. All was instinct. Like a dream, she plucked the
wands out of the air, sent them spiraling back. They came at her
again, low; she moved a little, her arms curving like some dance move
he had taught just the day before.
She threw again, high oblique. Again they came. Again she caught,
threw. Again and again and again until Ash'chenon swept both wands
together in one back-handed move. He put them down on the sand, where
they sat as if they had been there forever, but she could see blood on
the ends of the rods. Her blood.
"It is a good beginning." He unfolded himself, rising, helped her up.
"There is some numbing salve for your fingers. Tomorrow, you will
feel brand new." His hand grasped her shoulder. "You did well."
Ari nodded and looked up into his weather worn face and saw just a
hint of pride in his look. She bowed her head to show her respect,
and to give him the honor she felt.
Ari was not foolish, and knew this gift of his was a deep one indeed.
To have been given such a rich gift touched her deeply. She would do
what she needed to do to continue to learn, to perfect herself until
she had learned what he wished her to know.
Numerous questions sat at the tip of her tongue and she was proud of
her control in not blurting them out. This was not the time for such
things.
She needed to put these new things she had just learned to the back of
her mind, for later, when she had some private time to dwell on them.
Tonight she was expected to dine with her cousin for a personal and
intimate dinner.
Ari was not sure just what the relation****p was between the 3 men who
had suddenly arrived in her life. She did know enough that neither
of them would speak to her about it.
Lost in her thoughts she did not notice that Ash had begun to softly
massage her fingers with the numbing salve and she turned back to
watch him.
"Do this again when you feel them stiff, and once again before you
retire." He spoke quietly to her.
"Ash..." the words came to her lips despite her resolve.
"I imagine," he said, "that you would like to know what all the fuss is
about."
"Exactly."
He took both her hands in his. For a moment, words failed him; but he
finally said, "I'll be oiling Wyndamenth's wings tonight. Probably
late. A perfect time to talk, I believe."
He smiled slightly, a rare event; then turned to pack his things.
<tag- Carys>
*************************
Summary: Ash and Ari fly off to the southern deserts to do the next
lesson, the as-en blades; it is a milestone in her training. He offers
to meet her later that night, to talk.
Respectfully submitted by:
Carys (Ari and Azhy)
Allen (Ash and Wyn)
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 05:53:51 -0000
From: "Arlene Jacobs" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: Re: ?????
Note: This group is NOT a part of DargonLands nor a part of World
Weavers.
-Arlene
DL Admin.
--- In WeaversFiction@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Shannon Petit" <corysl@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:
>
> I would like to take the time to extend an invitation to everyone
> here.
> If you like dragons, I have a dragon RPG that I think you'll
> enjoy. Please, check it out. I can assure you it's not DBZ. I have
> designed the RPG myself. I am always looking for new players. If
> anyone has any artistic ability, I'm also looking for request
artists.
> I wouldn't post this message unless I felt I had something worth
> looking at. I invite you to take a thorough look. I put a lot of
> effort into it. Thanks.
>
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