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Part the First
The walk to Italy was rather uneventful.
It took a long time, considering that I had to travel over the Alps to get there. There were a few close calls while I was climbing, what with the snow and all, but for the most part, my Sharp Claws were enough to get me safely across. Italy is a beautiful country, very rustic... My dreams remained unchanged for much of the journey, until I arrived in Rome. I took the absence of the Elder to mean that I had reached my destination.
Rome is a huge city.
For somewhere I have never been to help the progress, the civilization is amazing. There are many ancient buildings suggesting... well... I don't know what, but the people are very friendly, and their food is wonderful: pastas, succulent sauces, and... mmm... veal... But I digress...
The inn where I am staying is very nice, although something seems... not quite right sometimes. It's as if someone is angry with me for something I haven't yet done, or something I have already done. I can't tell. Some nights as I drift off to sleep, I see eyes outside of my window. They're looking at my spear. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you: the people here are remarkably non-violent; in fact, when I entered the city carrying it, that spear drew many disapproving looks. I took the first opportunity I had to put it away in the Jewel Box. It feels... odd... to be so... far away from the spear. I think I know where the inside of the box resides, but... I won't go into that, it's not important. At night, in my room at the inn, I take the spear out and put it by my bed, just to be safe. Sleep, despite the eyes, comes easily enough, although something strange has happened.
The dreams of death seem more real now. I don't know if it's my natural warrior's reaction the the pacifistic nature of the people here, or something else, but the colors, the sounds, the sensations are more vivid now. I can actually feel the smoothness of the spear as it enters my gut, taste the blood on my lips, be it mine or his. It could be a premonition, but...
What kind of premonition has two completely different outcomes?
| * | * | * |
Tonight there are many more eyes than usual. They glisten in the candlelight as I blow it out. The feeling of anger is more intense, and I'm sleeping with the spear next to me. It's chill brings me comfort, and I dream of home... of Crysta... of crystal blue... of chasing chickens... of
Elle...
I miss you... I love you, too, but I could never make myself say it. Maybe... maybe when this is all over... I can see you again... until then... I have my memories and dreams...
Elle...
| * | * | * |
I wake up... on the floor, still holding the spear close to me, and yet... something's not right. The floor is cold, and stone, and... I'm not in my room. Almost instantly I'm completely awake, as my warrior's intuition kicks in.
The room is large and fairly dark. There are a few windows that cast midday sun in... midday? I never sleep that late. Looking around, I see curved stone walls and a door at the other end and then I hear a sound that chills my blood:
The roll and rattle of skateboard wheels on rock.
In short order, the outline of a kid on a skateboard fills the doorway. He's wearing a cap and blue pants... and he's laughing. Above it all, I hear a whispering, unfamiliar voice in my ears. "Fight, warriors!" My hands instinctively get into a ready position with my spear in front of me as the kid charges. I'm already moving to evade by the time he jumps, but he is somehow able to read me and hits me full in the chest, knocking me down. Time slows as I try to catch my breath and I realize that my dream is coming true. I see him turn his board around and he barrels straight for my spear hand, aiming to disarm me. I count down the seconds as he grows closer... closer...
"ENOUGH!!" I recognize the voice booming through the chamber as the voice that had whispered earlier. The kid leaps again, directly over my body, barely missing my hand. I wait for my heart to stop thudding in my ears, and sit up to see...
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Who is Ark's mysterious savior from sure peril? What will become of Ark's premonition? Eh... I'm not gonna be cheezy... send love mail, hate mail, suggestions, abject praise, and other fine (story related) mail to: Ultima97@aol.com (I know... I know...)Hope you like this, and the next part should be coming soon!
| -- Vennin Aetra |