Paying My Respects [Open]

[Deklan O'farer]

<sub>Deklan frowned and slapped away a fern that was blocking his way, his sharp hooves dug into the ground and leaves crackled underfoot disturbing the peacful silence that usually engulfed the sacred place. His breath misted slightly in the cold morning air, but the air lacked it's usual vicious bite a sure sign that spring was truly on its way. Deklan was in an unsually sour mood, he was usually not the happiest centaur in the world, but today he was in a paticulary bad mood. Deklan was unsually superstitious and he despised coming anywhere that it was said spirits roamed, but the Lord had specifically asked him to come and pay respects to the spirits of his lost son Payden. And so Deklan had grudgingly agreed.

He had been walking for a few hours, normally he could have just galloped there and the time would have been cut down hugely, but the thick forest that surronded the River meant galloping was literally a death sentence, when he had come here previously he had tried it and nearly become a permanent fixture of a silver oak. So he had decided it was probably a clever idea from refraining from doing that. Sighing he raised one mammoth hand and pushed back his hair which was slick with sweat, but this was not from the heat. As he got closer and closer to the famous spot he got more and nervous until he was twitching at every movment in the forest. Growling to himself he forced himself to calm down. He could a thinning in the trees ahead and could only guess he was getting closer.

And he was correct a few minutes later the sound of rushing water met his ears and he shuddered inwardly, swearing he could hear the whisper of voices beneath the natural sound of the running water. A few minutes later the trees thinned right out and he could see the sunlight glinting off the silver stream of water, a beautiful sight for most, but for Deklan it sent shivers down his spine. Compsoing himself he took the last few steps until the trees stopped all together. The scene that lay before him was beauitful, the few trees that surronded that river provided patches of shade here and there, sometimes spreading dappled light across the rivers face.

Deklan set his face on scowl and his eyes searched the clearing for the spot where he would place his offerings. "Damn stupid River..." His words were harsh and for some unforgivable, if anyone were to hear him speaking so harshly about one of the most sacred spots in Falhid, he could be in big trouble. But he wasn't too worried, afterall he could always eliminate anyone who happened to over hear his words. His eyes located the small shrine on the opposite side of the river and Deklan relaized he had another problem. With Spring coming the snow on the mountains had began to melt, therefore meaning the river was somewhat of a raging torrent. He narrowed his eyes, this was just another obstacle he would rather not deal with.

He took a few steps backwards and then galloped straight towards the river, bracing his hindquarters he pushed off the bank and flew through the air, landing with a few feet to spare on the other side and almost slipping on the soft turf. Smiling in satisfaction he trotted towards the shrine, threw down the offerings and muttered the quick prayer he had been taught. "That outa please the Lord."</sub>

[Cory McQuiggin]

Cory evaded one tree after another. The near misses and the fact that one slip and her head could be in some serious need of healing made her blood run wild. She could’ve never had such thrill in mountains. All there was were bold rocks. Here, there are skinny trees; Small enough to allow her to dive through them if positioned right. Silver hair whipped around her face as if caught in a violent storm. On occasion, her hair would cut her face, but Cory couldn’t care less. What are a few cuts in the name of some pure, childish fun?

A hand traveled to a string that hung around her neck. Secured underneath her shirt was a bag of blessed rose pedals. Although it was hardly a yearly tradition anymore, Cory always enjoyed coming to the spring to pray. The story of the two lovers was always a one that fascinated her. They died for what they believed in. They chose their own death so that their faith would be at it’s strongest forever. There were times when Cory wished she was as strong and courageous as the lovers. If she could only leap when her faith was at it’s highest, she could be a lot better off by now.

Finally, the thick wall of trees started to thin out and Cory’s dangerous evasions became less challenging. Slowing down her pace, Cory took note that the river was probably just up ahead. As she grew closer, the air was starting to cool and the familiar sounds of water became louder. Mixed in with the sounds of water, Cory heard the mumbled sounds of lovers and prayers. Finally, the trees gave way to a cleared area and lush, green grass. By now, Cory’s pace was slowed to a walk and- other then her ragged breathing- calmly walked out to the river.

My, my. She was probably a sight to see. Sweat dripped down her face and small cuts adorned her body. Some, like the gashes from twigs on her arms, were bleeding while others just took pride in looking swollen. As she neared the water, she could tell that some people became edgy. Did they fear that she would wash away her wounds in the water, tainting its holy pride with her dirty blood? The thought of that almost made a cruel laugh pass by her lips.

Reaching into her shirt, she pulled out the small bag of flower pedals and untied the string that held the bag tight. Almost immediately, the smell of pedals wafted up to her nose, making the smell of her sweat forgotten. She took a moment to run a soft pedal in between her fingers before crouching down and turning the bag over, letting the pedals have their taste of freedom be quenched. A small prayer of courage and hope was muttered quickly before rising to her feet.

As she did so, Cory saw a sight she could’ve never imagined. There, across the water, as the lord’s guard. Not even sparring moment to see if he spotted her as well, she quickly crouched behind one of the shrines crafted from rocks. With heart beating, Cory gnawed on her bottom lip. Bloody hell! What is he doing here!? Recalling her last encounter with the brute, her departure didn’t exactly land on a graceful note. Pinching the bridge of her nose, Cory tried to calm herself down. They were surrounded by thick bush- there’s no way his bulky body can weave around the trees like she can. She had the advantage here. Sucking in a breath, she peered over the shrine with curiousity. This was holy land. He can’t do anything here without tainting his Lord’s name. That fact made Cory feel a bit better.

Muttering a small curse, Cory watched the brute with annoyance. She knew that she had an advantage, but she still was weary. Her eyes grew into little slits. Clicking her tongue, she decided that her best bet was to just sit here and wait for him to leave.

[Deklan O'farer]

<sub>Deklan stood in front of the shrine, he wanted to move but felt he should do something else. Should spirits actually exsist, they would probably haunt his Lord for his pathetic performance, and minimal prayer. He shivered, not so much from the cold. But the idea of ghosts and ghouls sent shivers down his spine. And he hated the fact that something he wasn't even certain exsisited could frighten him so much. As if backing up the idea that this entire site was haunted, somewhere in the forest, and not deep in either, a stick snapped. It wasn't the normal animal noises either, Deklan wasn't positive but was sure he heard someone gasp, or moan, he couldn't be sure. But whatever it was, scared the fur off him. He whipped around, hand instincitvely moving to the spear that hung from his left hand side. "I am armed, and trained. Show your face or I will be forced to take action!"

Deklan, who was normally brave in the face of danger, was suprised at the tiny quiver in his voice. However unnoticable it might be to a stranger he, who knew himself most in this world, picked it up straight away and was appalled at himself. He lifted his chin and pushed out his chest, trying to cover his fear with a totally composed apperance. His sharp eyes scanned the tree line that surronded the river, but picked up nothing. But he was certain someone was there. He could just feel it. It was like a physical precense somewhere, but he couldn't quite pin point the location, but he was near certain the noise had come from behind him. He turned to face the general direction he thought the noise had come from and backed himself against the hard stone of the shrine so he would have no way of being attacked from behind.

Again he cleared his throat, and this time in a much more threatening sounding voice, yelled into the forest. "I know there is someone in there, so you might as well show yourself, this is neutrul ground, so I mean you no harm." These last words were spoken with the slightest of reluctance, he hated knowing he couldn't attack someone. But the consquences for attacking somone one sacred ground would be dire, even for him, and HE was under his Lords' protection. So for a normal civilian the cost would be death. Again he let his eyes rove the trees, he thought for a second he could pick out a human form, but then again he near fear could contort your mind, to him most of the trees looked like enemies.</sub>

[Cory McQuiggin]

Cory’s brows slowly came together to knit the look of confusion. At first, the guard’s startled jump caused her to duck lower behind the shrine. The sound of his hooves irked something unexplainable in her, however. So, now, with the idiot’s back turned to her, she was nearly leaning over the entire structure. She watched with pure curiousity as he raised his spear and seemed to…back away from the woods? After seeing his reaction, Cory’s own grey gaze studied the line of trees surrounding the clearing.

"I am armed, and trained. Show your face or I will be forced to take action!"

The fact that Delkan was willing to draw blood on holy ground caused a serge of worry to run down her spine. But, what worried her even more, was that his voice- usually so cocky and bold- seemed meek and almost pathetic. Once again, she scanned the tree line in complete silence. She wondered if one of those rumoured horrid beasts were trying to enter this place? No. This place is too sacred for them to even think about such a violation. Then what is causing such an oaf such terror? A frown tugged fiercely at the corners of her lips. Perhaps the man had finally gone mad? Cut his last string, if you will. For, the only thing on this sacred plain considered dangerous is the vengeance of the spirits….

…Oh.

Upon this realization, Cory gave a devilish grin that easily rivaled that of the Grinch when he stumbled upon his master plan. Oh, what fun she shall have! Definitely, there’s a spirit out there that whishes for her revenge. Who is she to go against that of the will of the dearly departed? Sneaking back behind the shrine, Cory let her powers rustle the trees gently. She made them move when not a single breeze is felt in the clearing. She toyed with this scene for a while to let the idiot on four legs to catch on. Then, she spoke words, catching them as soon as they left her mouth and tossed them through the hollow trunks of the forest so they sounded like scratchy whispers.

"I know there is someone in there, so you might as well show yourself, this is neutrul ground, so I mean you no harm."

“You demand something that has already been done. We are here…we are always here; watching.” a cackle echoed harshly, “Neutral ground? Yes…that would be the case, wouldn’t it? But you have wounded us, great guard. Wounds so deep that we cannot rest peacefully.”

Cory paused to swallow a laugh that dared to destroy her enjoyment.

“You shame us with such pitiful prayers. You pray on behalf of your lord, yes? Does the great lord mock us? Does his heart no longer bleed for his son, but now holds distaste for his departure? We shall not accept such cruelty to one of our own…”