THAMAYA ATIYA

THAMAYA ATIYA

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Prompt from @oc-tober2023

[ I am not following the same order ]

CW: Violence, bloody fight, biting limbs off

~ Free choice

"No, wait! You-you like to cut things, right?"

Thamaya closes one eye, licking her lips as she aims her knife at the dangling woman not far in front of her. Perhaps that will shut her up.

"Why not save your skill for the Underfolk, they will come when they smell my blood. You better not attract them."

"Never heard of that." Thamaya narrowed her eye, it was dark in the forest but she had never missed her target yet. Perhaps this knife truly was lucky.

"If you throw that knife, they will come."

She ignored the woman, her need to draw blood bigger than whatever that woman was talking about. She gets ready to throw, but just as she was about to let go, a sudden flash of light blinds her and she has to shield her eyes.

"What the-"

She didn't get to voice her surprise, as one of the ugly fuckers crashed through the thicket, ready to pounce on the former Queen.

Thamaya grips her knife tightly, teeth pressed together. "That is my bait! Find your own."

Before it could jump on her captive, she slashes its leatherly skin open, it wailed, tattered wings flopping behind it like a dark coat.

If it can bleed, it can die. Thamaya smirks, adrenaline rushing through her veins, she mocks the creature, excited by the thrill of a possible fight.

It turned its attention to her fully, jumping with bared teeth. Thamaya was quick, she dodged, slashed its legs, landed another hit on its back. Then it swung around too quickly, long arms hitting her making her skid over the moss below. She could feel blood running down her nose, as she crouched, never once losing her footing. She licks the blood off, delicious.

"Cut me loose. I can help you." 

Thamaya groans, she should have let the babbling woman die. "Shut it."

Then she sprints forward, quick feet leaping into the air, knife at the ready as she let out a battle cry. Landing on the blind creatures back, she cut into its flesh, cackling, as it spun around confused, arms unable to reach her.

Then she grabbed its bald head, only a few loose strands of hair remaining, before she placed her knife on its throat and sliced it open. It trashed around wildly, fighting the inevitable, it held its bleeding throat. Thamaya jumped off of it and as she did, she watched it stumbling back into the woods.

"So, where were we." She spins around towards her captive, flicking her knife once to get rid of the inky blood.

"That's not going to stop it. It will be back. Cut me loose and I'll help you."

Thamaya scoffs. "You wish-"

Something heavy slammed into her, knocking the breath out of her. She flies to the ground, ungracefully this time, it was hard to breathe.

"Cut me down. It will curse us both. Quickly!"

Thamaya gets back on her feet, this time slower. "Would you just fucking shut up!" Her shout was loud, the creatures blank eyes on her in an instant. She had never lost a fight before, only that once, no, no she won that too in the end. It didn't count. She won't loose against this creature either.

It seized her, Thamaya could still see the cut she had left on it, but whatever had made it run before, seems to have vanished. If it can bleed, it can die. She tells herself once more, gripping her knife tighter, she roars as she swung herself at it.

She cut into its shoulder, then a sudden pain running through her own. She gasped, it was biting her.

"No!" She swung her head forward, hitting its own ugly face with her own, then she bit down too, teeth catching its nose. It came off easy.

It let her go, hands trashing through his face. She used that moment to sprint forward, knife at the ready, but this time, it saw her coming and caught her mid-sprint, slamming her back into the ground. It held her down, its face forming into an O as it starts to inhale. She struggled beneath it, but suddenly all her strength left her, she felt cold all of a sudden - weak.

"Its cursing you with the Rot! Cut me loose, I'm your only chance!"

That blasted woman again. Thamaya didn't need anyone saving her, she could cut it down herself… she can. Her eyelids started to get heavy, daring to close. What was wrong with her?

"Do it! Quick!"

Biting down on her teeth, she gribs her knife tighter, she has only one chance, it needs to hit. She gets ready to throw it, aims, and watches it soar through the air. One snap and the rope holding the false Queen upright, is cut in half. Lucky Charm indeed.

She met the womans eyes for a moment, there was hesitation. She could just run and leave her here. Thamaya let out a hollow laugh. What a cursed choice it was.

Then the blinding light made her shrink away, closing her eyes on instinct, but with the light, the warmth returned to her limbs and suddenly she was back to her old self.

As the light subsided, the creature was nowhere in sight and all that remained was her captive, that was no longer caught in her trap.

Thamaya jumped to her feet, knife still in hand.

"You could have run."

The woman meets her gaze, her former confidence fully restored, it made Thamaya grimace. "You could have left me hanging."

Thamaya didn't say anything, but studying the woman more closely. Why did she not run, why wasn't she running now? She wanted to cut her open, used her for bait to capture her son. She had been very clear about her intentions towards her. Why did she stay?

"How about we call it even. We chose to help each other in a dire situation. Truce for a moments time, to honour our decisions." She held out her hand and Thamaya just looked at it enstranged. 

"I still want to cut you open. See your insides." She watches the woman attentive, not trusting her intentions at all. Perhaps she had gone mad.

"In the eyes of the Underfolk we all look the same. It would have devoured us both. With a common enemy, we chose to stick together. What happens after is on us."

"So I can chase you down once more?" That doesn't sound too bad actually. The chase is the most fun.

"You have my word." She extents her hand a little further, reminding Thamaya of it.

She licks her lips, weighing her options. Cutting her down now and possibly being yelled at for damaging her or having the thrill of a chase all over again? Yeah, why was she even thinking about it.

She grabbed her hand tightly. "Agreed."

The woman smiled. "Perfect."

Then a fist came flying towards her face and all went dark.

[ ~ words 1160 ]

LORNA TINKLEWALD

twenty-three | she/her | 146 cm | Dwarf | Brandurag

I cannot be bothered to be friendly And why'd you keep on calling me your baby? You ain't doing nothing to impress me So now is not the time for you to test me — Cher Loyd

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Prompt from: @oc-tober2023 ' [ I am not following the same order ]

~ Foreigner

"The Queen has lost!"

All conversation instantly stopped the moment the young dwarf had stormed into the Bulky Mule. Then murmurs arose and there was uncertainty in their gazes. It had been a change that they had wanted, but was it a good change?

Lorna placed the mug down she was currently drying and raised her voice above the whispers. 

"Who took her place?"

It was not difficult for her to be heard, she always had a certain confidence. With her words, the murmurs stopped around the filled tavern, everyone wanted to hear the answer.

The young dwarf by then had walked towards a table and taken one of the filled mugs to drown it in one go.

He dried his mouth with a swipe of his sleeve, before looking into the round. "Some foreigner. From the east, I believe."

"Is that a good omen?" "What if it's a dwarf!" "More likely a dragon."

"There is nothing to worry about." Lorna quiets the many questions going around, "It is a change, that's more of a chance for us than we ever hoped. We will find out more about this foreigner and see if we can get our voices heard. We need to start early however, the sooner the better, before once more it becomes common to ignore us. Show this new ruler that we are not easily silenced and don't even give the chance for us to be forgotten."

There were nods and some 'hear, hear!' The overall worries seemed to be eased and that is when Lorna waved the young dwarf that had spoken over.

One of the barmaids addressed him and escorted the confused dwarf inconspicuous through the tavern and into the back room. Lorna was already uncovering the map that was hidden beneath a simple tablecloth. It showed the whole of northern Aestricca, the north with the fortress they reside in right now, below that the harbour city, their neighbour and far in the west divided by water, lay on another land. Their once home.

Lorna however, only uncovered the eastern part, beyond pointy mountains and the vast forest of Rania, lie Bullmar. On the map, indicated by an empty region. 

Not much was known of the east that even the map was incomplete. It was always described as harsh and unwelcoming, but then again, that's what they said about the north as well. She didn't give much about rumours.

"You said this foreigner comes from the east." She points to the empty spots on the map, "We need to find out what their aim is. Why leave the east to become a ruler of the north."

Her hand drew back over to the west. "So we can finally reclaim our home and no longer be foreigners ourselves." [ words ~461 ]

AEGON

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~ Weapon

Aegon had never been a fighter but he can respect a good made weapon if he sees one. Perhaps it was that or sheer curiosity that brought him down towards the lower district where it was said, the best blacksmith of all Skaeld resided.

Surprising enough, the people still looked up to stare at him, but that could also be because of his well-made clothes Elora had provided for him. And as quickly as they had looked up, they were looking elsewhere again.

He was starting to like it down here. Why does everyone always say to avoid this place? The market was held down here too. Everyone seemed to enjoy that.

Then suddenly someone bumped into him, due to his tall frame it barely made him stumble, but the moment he wanted to see if the person was alright, they already vanished into the next alley.

They seem very hurried down here. He thought.

"The weapon you described is expensive. I usually only add embellishments for the crown."

"Not a problem. That is why I brought…" it wasn't there, he was sure he put his purse right inside his inner vest pocket, but it was empty. Just in case, he checked the other side but there was also nothing to be found. 

Looking a bit embarasses he met the blacksmiths solemn face. "I must have dropped it. I am sure I put it in here."

"Robbed." He said, snifling once, before continuing hammering on his anvil.

"What?!" Aegon had to shout over the loud noise the man was making.

"You were most likely robbed. Happens." They shrug like its the most common occurance.

"Oh, I didn't notice." Then he remembers the person running into him, it must have happened then. He let his shoulders hang, that were all the earnings he has gotten from Elora. Now it was all gone. 

"I'm afraid I have to come back another time for my request. Is there anything you can tell me to prevent it from happening again?"

The man mumbles something under his breath, before meeting Aegons gaze beneath bushy eyebrows. "Eyes sharp. Weapon at the ready. You're tall also. Keep valuable things high up where they can't easily reach."

That makes sense. "Thank you. You are a very kind soul, sir. I shall recommend you to my friends. Then I will come back to pay you for your good services."

The man just huffs as an answer. Not much a conversationalist, but Aegon didn't mind that.

"I heard there are other things that one can do to entertain oneself here. Any suggestions?"

The man hummed and Aegon understood it as the sign for the man thinking.

"My son likes to go to the market often. Helps them out. Othertimes he visits the dwarven tavern at the very outskirts of the district. Its cheap. But I wouldn't recommend you going there. They eat you alive."

Aegon blinks at the vivid image the man was painting for him. "Then if I were to go there would your previous advise apply to it too?"

"Absolutley not!"

Aegon raised both eyebrows surprised about the mans sudden outburst.

"If you show up with a weapon into the dwarven district, you better know how to use it. Because you will need to use it."

"Oh." Aegon scatches his chin in thought, "You said your son would go there often. What would he say about inviting a few other people over."

The mans steely gaze suddenly turned ten times more darker, if that were even possible and Aegon shivered underneath it.

"Listen here, rich boy." He lifted the smeltering hot iron and Aegon takes a careful step back, "You came here to make business with me. Don't ever drag my boy into your affairs, treat me all you like, but leave him out of it."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you. I will drop it, never going to mention it again."

The man huffs again, seemingly a common way of dismissing Aegons words.

"Why do you want to go anyway? Don't you have enough stuff up at your own fancy district?"

"Well, a dwarven tavern sounds like a good time."

"Not if it costs your life."

"Then, do you know where I could possibly learn to wield that weapon you are going to craft for me?" Aegon smiles, hoping to not having bothered the man too much yet. He was just the only one willing to talk to him down here.

"Once you pay me. I ain't working for free."

"Yes, of course." Aegon nods.

"Well, then." He seems to be thinking, "The guards around the walls are still recruiting. They can teach you."

Aegon frowns, before lowering his voice, "Aren't they awfully violent?"

The man looks at him, his patience visibly running thin.

"Never mind." Aegon waves the question off. "I already have a job anyway. Can't really leave it. I'll figure out how that weapon will work another way. Thank you for your patience, good man. You will hear from me again when I have earned back the money I lost."

"Stolen."

"Well, we don't know that for certain."

"I do."

Aegon presses his lips together at the stubborness of this man. He doesn't even seem to like to humour a different mindset, a possibly more creative conclusion. How to know anything at all, right? Maybe they are all just guessing.

Yet, he kept his phylosophics to himself, knowing he had taken up enough of this mans time already. "I will see you again in good time for my weapon."

With that he bids his farewell. He truly did not know why so many avoid this place. There hadn't been one person asking to touch his ears since he was here.

He felt a little bit lighter.

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ARN ARMUNDSON

Prompt from: @oc-tober2023 [ I am not following the same order ]

~ Ritual

"Are you Ulgrim, the god of Mountains?" Even if you did not perform a great hunt yet, could the god have noticed your fight with the Underfolk? Was this your chance to prove yourself? To be of help to your mother? No longer be a mere burden?

You only further prove my point as to why I do not lower myself to the likes of you. Insulting me, is not doing you any favours. 

If its not the god of mountains you are speaking to, then who is it?

You see the little beetle turn towards the shining light in your hand, it wiggles its legs and tentacles wildly and exasperated now, as if chastising this… god?

Well, fine. That will be the last favour I will do for you, Bramble. Will you waste it for a mere human?

The beetle gives a small assertive nod.

Then let me introduce myself to you, human. It spat the last word and you doubt this will be a pleasant conversation, I am the god of Nothing, I am everywhere and nowhere, I am everything and I am nothing. Is that clear for you now?

You look at it for a moment, never have you heard of the god of Nothing before. What do they do?

As if sensing your questions, you saw the light flicker in annoyance, before it continued.

I am the wind surrounding you, tingling your skin, yet you cannot see me. I am the father of all the crawling insects you know and do not know about. I don't care what my siblings are spending their time on and I do not care for mortal affairs. They are petty at the least.

I do not have a name but the one my creatures give me from time to time and I do not have an appearance, because I see no need to be perceived. The insects know I am there without using their eyes. Humans do not, but I won't do you more than this. Speaking to you is already more than I would do for your kind.

"I-" you are speechless, a god of insects hating humans and they speak to you because of a favour from a Rose Chafer. Perhaps you were never meant for the god of mountains, perhaps this meeting was not by chance, but by Fate. "Can you hide from the Underfolk? If you are nothing, can you be invisible to other humans as well?"

The light flickers, a scoff. I just told you that I showed myself for your pity's sake alone. You wouldn't have even known of my presence otherwise. 

"And the Underfolk? Can you hide from them too?" You sat up, now eager to question this being in front of you.

It did not answer right away, instead it floated to the side, a little further away from you.

You felt the beetle tickle in your hand as it spoke to his god.

I am not-! The god snapped at Bramble, before taking a moment to calm down, You have a lot of questions, human. I promised Bramble to help you, but not to answer all your foolish thoughts.

Well, at least you know they could hide you from the humans hunting you and when you are bound to a god in any form, you could deal with the Underfolk yourself too. You could help your mother, you could have her stay.

"Then be my god! Let me perform the ritual and choose you."

The light stood still, no words were echoing through the forest, no rustling of the leaves ahead - no wind. You almost feared it would leave, so you lift the little beetle still in your hand and spoke to them:

"Bramble, tell them if they want to help me, they need to accept me in the ritual. I am of age, all I need is for them to say yes too."

The beetle tippled along your hand, a moment of hesitation as well, before they turned towards the glowing light standing still in front of you. At least you can read the beetle's reaction.

It spoke, you couldn't understand it, then the light prickled as an answer, but you did not hear it speak. Bramble spoke again, inching closer to the edge of your outstretched hand.

Then the light poofed and disappeared. You felt your heart sink, seeing your only chance gone.

"Where did they go? Did they agree?" You frantically look around, not yet giving up hope. It doesn't have to mean anything.

You watch Bramble stomp his little feet, he too seems displeased with his god, but then he pushes himself upwards and with a loud buzzing noise, sours into the air.

Fearing he is going to leave you too, you instantly spring to your feet. As you jog after the green shimmering beetle, you wonder where your mother was. What will she think when she returns and finds your shelter shattered? You shouldn't roam too far, or she might not find you, but you can't let this chance pass by either.

Making up your mind, you steer your eyes upwards, following the shimmer of Bramble, determined to not let him out of your sight. You will have this god as yours and do as any young boy your age should do - fulfill the ritual. [ ~ 893 words ]

S C O T L A N D for Mountain Day

by filopay

RALOF REILIFSON

Thirty | he/him | 182 cm | Human | Nord

The self is not so weightless, nor whole and unbroken Remember the pact of our youth Where you go, I'm going, so jump and I'm jumping Since there is no me without you — Gang of Youths

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Prompt from:@oc-tober2023 [ I am not following the same order ]

~ Found Family

Chirp, chirp.

Ralof was awake even before the birds had sung their first tune. The floorboards creaked as he quickly reached the end of his small room, throwing a simple shirt and trousers on. The bed groaned as he sat back down to squeeze his feet into his way too small shoes. It was a simple life, but he did not mind, because looking up, hanging on the loose nail opposite of him, was his leather armour.

Reaching for it, he drew a tentative hand over the fabric, it too wasn't much, worn and a little too small for his broad frame, but it was his and he is going to wear it with pride.

Running down the stairs, he was now fully dressed, passing by the kitchen, he already saw his father prepare some breakfast.

"Morning, dad. You're early." He noticed, as he pressed himself next to his father to steal a stale slice of bread, biting into it.

"You won't leave the house without a proper breakfast." His father chastises, making Ralof halt in his quick escape, "And you need to take something with you for lunch."

He held out a small package, the breakfast he had been preparing all wrapped up in a clean cotton cloth.

"You got up this early to make me these?" Ralof was touched, usually his dad was more than grumpy about his sleep.

"I was awake anyway. Couldn't sleep. So I made use of my time." He deflects and it draws a smile on Ralofs lips.

"I couldn't sleep either, so I thought I will get there early." He gently takes the package from his fathers outstretched hand.

"Thank you." He leans forward to give his father a kiss on the cheek. "I'll tell you everything tonight."

"May Fate favour you today."

Ralof was out of the door with a light skip to his step. The air was stuffy and it had recently rained, making the path muddy and dirty but he did not mind. It was his home and he liked it here very much.

"Good morning, Ralof." He looked up, seeing his elderly neighbour throw the night pot out the window, "You're early today."

"It's the first day at my new job!" He shouted back so she would hear him.

"A new job? I thought you would take over your father's smithy. How strange."

"As of today, I am a recruit guarding the outer Walls, so if you have any concerns regarding your safety, I can be of help." He pushes his chest forward, presenting his new leather armour.

"Oh, my door has been giving me troubles lately. I fear it will fall off its hinges soon. You father had crafted them for me when he was learning under your grandfather. If you could take a look before it falls open? I am afraid of having to life without a door in these dark times."

He could surely spare the time.

"I can take a look, no problem."

She smiles brightly. "You are a darling. Thank you, Ralof."

It turned out, the hinges were just slightly loose and he walked back home to get the right tool to fix it. Then she invited him for a small cup of tea, when she took out the baked loaves, he declined and instead took them with him as she insisted on repaying him.

Now, no longer as early as he was, he resumed his walk towards the outer walls of the fortress, his little lunch package, a little fuller.

His path had him walk straight through the daily market. He liked the market very much, so many different foods and items to look at and people that came from all around Aestricca just to sell their things here. The stories he had heard them tell, always captivated him, but at the end of the day, he was still glad to be where he was.

"Ooh, look at you all dressed up." He stopped at the sound of the familiar voice. Turning around he saw a young woman with a headband wrapped around her head, standing behind a small stall selling vegetables. She was the daughter of one of the farmers living outside the walls.

He instantly stood a little taller, showing off his new armour. "I am on my way to my very first day."

"Never thought you would be the one joining the other side. Be careful not to forget us little folk here when it gets to your head." She quips, pushing her chin out.

"It's only a trial today, but I'm sure I will be taken in as a recruit. I do it because I want to help us here afterall. If there are any concerns for your safety, you can let me know. It's my job now."

She chuckles. "Careful not to say that too loud while wearing that armour. Someme might take it you feel the fortress is not a safe place to be."

He frowns. "But thats why we have the guards, to make it safe."

"All I'm saying is, that this armour gives you authority. All kinds of people will turn to you just because of ehat you wear. Use that power wisely. Saying the wrong thing to the wrong person can get you easily killed and not all take kindly to the guards."

Ralof was quiet for a moment, stunned she would think so. He had never been very good at reading situations, at least that's what he'd been told. His father always said, he better stay away from jobs that require smarts. Politics make too much troubles, and do something with his hands. He was no longer a blacksmith apprentice but is being a guard so different?

"I didn't mean to scare you. Just wanted to give you a proper warning, in case no one did. I'm sure you do fine though, you've always been enganging with the community anyway, if anyone, you will give the position a better name. You're one of the good ones, Ralof."

"I dont think there are bad guards." He shakes his head, "They follow a code, you know. I had to learn it too, the preservation of the community comes first. We need to act for the greater good. That's what I intend to do. Help people."

She gave him a weak smile. "Sure you will do great."

He nods, no doubt he will, he wasnt sure why she was so worried. Why everyone seems to want to warn him. First his dad, now her too. Then he gets it. They were afraid he'd be too busy for them. "I will still be able to help you out with setting up the stall. Don't fret, I might be more busy than usual, but I will be here if you have to carry a prized pumpkin again."

She laughs at that, "You almost dropped it last year insisting on carrying it all on your own. I'm not sure I will entrust my prized pumpkin to you again." She winks at him.

"But I will be training harder than ever now. So give me the biggest pumpkin you have and you'll see I will carry it for you with ease." He grins and she matches it easily.

"I will hold you up to that. Now I think you should be on your way. The sun is already rising above the walls." She points into the distance, where the high stone walls of the fortress loom over them all. "Dont think you want to be late to your first day."

"By the gods! I forgot the time. Let me know about the pumpkin!" He shouted the last words, already jogging down the street, dodging shoppers and merchants alike as he easily navigates through the masses of people.

A few more greet him, call him by name, but he excused himself, not having the time to stop and chat this time. He liked this city. Many speak bad about the lower district of Skaeld but he wouldn't be anywhere else. It's where he grew up, it's where everyone knew him, everyone was family to him, if blood or not. Here he would always stay and being a guard won't change that.

He had found his home, his family and choose to keep and support it as one should.

[ ~ 1.387 words ]