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| Penalty, Chapter III https://archive.holyworlds.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=5658 |
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| Author: | Jay Lakewood [ February 23rd, 2012, 8:37 am ] |
| Post subject: | Penalty, Chapter III |
Chapter III Tadix tumbled out of his four-post bed, yawning loudly. He shook off the night’s mist that manage to slip through the roof, and stumbled over to his dresser. The walls of the hut seemed grayer than last night, but the early morning sun often has that effect on objects. After hitting the dresser a couple times to un-stick the drawer, he pulled open the top drawer and removed a black kilt with a light red band at the bottom. Dressing quickly, he rumbled through his plans for the day. Build more rabbit traps for Pa, add another window to my treehouse, and escape from getting caught for putting a lizard in my brother’s bed. A loud shriek of madness pierced his bedroom wall. And discover a way to get out trouble! Tadix chuckled at the fright of Etavke, his older brother. He walked into his brother’s bedroom, and threw his pillow at the bewildered Etavke. “Good morning Etavke! I heard you scream, what was that about?” Tadix carefully placed his non-committed smile at just the right interval. “You didn’t do it?” Etavke inquired. “Then how did it get in here?” “There’s a hole under your window, maybe it got in through there.” Tadix pointed at small crack in the wall. “Thanks Tadix.” Etavke flung the pillow back at him, then whispered, “Don’t do that to me ever again, do you understand?” He smiled charmingly. “Yes.” Tadix fled the room. ******* Koon woke up, and shook the leaves off himself. That wasn’t an efficient way to sleep. He thought, and quickly checked to see if the bar still lay where he’d left it. Still there, and the time for continuing his journey was now. After scavenging for some bushes that might yield an early berry or two, he set off in the general direction of West. About eighty miles in that direction, his country lay, and his friends and family. They’d be so happy when he returned. If I get there, I’m only thinking for the moment right now. Koon ducked under a low hanging tree brach. “Woah! Yaaahhh! Oof.” Koon had fallen into a deep pit, which was originally covered by a thick layer of leaves. A bear trap. Terrific. He glanced upwards, noting that the height would be too great for him to overcome. “Well now what do I do?” ******** Tadix listened to his father’s instructions, taking in every detail, or at least trying to. “...And make sure to double check that the trap is set, son.” “Yes sir.” Tadix marched off, rolling his eyes. He’d eaten a large breakfast, then done the regular chores. But today, since some of the rabbit traps were broken, his Pa had ordered him to set up the reserve traps, then build more. Other than being an annoying job, it took most of the morning, time which Tadix would have rather spent that time working on his treehouse. Around their family’s hut, a circle of deadfall traps were set, since inside the last circle Ma had her garden, which worked quite well as incentive. Taidix grabbed the carved parts for those traps, knowing that along the way he’d find some flat stones to use. Then after putting them into his backpack, and adding a small coil of rope, Tadix set off from the house. Mist was still falling, but getting lighter and lighter. The sun, becoming visible straight overhead, tinted the skies green, from a green star. His first stop was the river, which often had flat stone of reasonable size for Tadix to use. Stepping lightly on the large rocks that lead a path across the river, he managed to grab two flat stones. That’ll have to work for now. After tripping over logs and small rocks, avoiding a mama bear with cubs, and nearly stepping on one other earlier traps, Tadix found the broken trap. The crossbar which held the bait was broken, probably from strain and long use. One out of eight, this is going to take a while. He carefully reset the trap. Sometimes the stones would be broken, and need to be replaced as well. Tadix hoped no traps had that problem, as lugging stones around was always difficult. Six done, two left! Tadix stepped away from the sixth trap. Now maybe I can get this job done faster than any other times I’ve done it before. Suddenly, a loud rustle of leaves, followed by a ‘thump’ called Tadix’s attention. The pit, which he’d dug last spring had gotten covered in leaves, and worked just like bear trap. But what had he caught in it? “Hello?” Tadix stepped to the pit’s edge. “Is anyone down...there?” A figure scurried around, then shouted back. “I’m down here! Get me out. Please?” “Just a minute.” Tadix sighed, and set his backpack on the ground. He pulled a length of rope from it, and dropped it down to the small figure. “I’ll pull you up. Loop it under your arms!” The person, however, climbed up the rope, nearly jerking it from Tadix’s hands. “Hey, watch it! I don’t want to injure something.” “It...doesn’t...matter whether or not you’re injured.” The figure reached the top of the pit. “Nice to meet you. I’m Koon. Hello and goodbye.” Koon marched off, limping because of his injury. “What are you doing?” Tadix ran after him. “Koon, you just can’t do that! I don’t really care what race you’re from!” He shouted. That stopped Koon. “What? Yo-you don’t?” “No. Why should I?” Tadix coiled his rope again, shoved it into the backpack. “Look, I was just setting some trap━” “Like that one?!” Koon backed off. “Rabbit traps. Tiny ones someone could step on and break it.” Tadix gestured to a partially hidden trap by a tree. “See? Not dangerous at all.” “Fine. I trust you.” Koon walked towards him. “You know I’m...runaway?” “It was my first guess, since your attitude towards me wasn’t very pleasant.” Tadix rolled his eyes in mock pain. “Yes, I know. But you can stay in my treehouse, I’ll bring food, disguises, something to help your foot, and━” “How did you know about that?” “Duh. Your very original limp. ” Tadix groaned. “Let’s go!” Koon seemed unsure. “Al-alright. But only for a day or two. I need to press on.” “Of course.” Tadix took the Sheniolaen runaway to his treehouse, where after examining his ankle, Tadix determined that any more strain could have seriously damaged it. He ordered Koon to remain in the tree house, and then left to finish his job of setting up traps. It was exciting, not only because he might have found a friend, but since Koon was a runaway slave, and could tell him about what happened. Then, entering the large hut, Tadix avoided Ma until finally, he could get some food. Although Koon had lived in a country full of Toxati for years, Tadix wondered what sort of food a Sheniolaen might eat. But there was no time for pondering, just action. “Alright Koon, I brought food.” Tadix set a bundle wrapped in cloth on the table. “And a plant that will help your ankle.” “Thanks.” Koon mumbled. He quickly devoured the food, remarking that life as a slave didn’t work well if someone wanted to be well-fed. To Tadix’s delight, Koon also explained the escape, and how he pounded the rods into suitable spikes, while keeping undetected by the blacksmith. Tadix longed for the day when he might be able to have adventures just like Koon’s, or even somewhat less exciting ones, if it meant leaving the forest and entering new places. Then, once Koon had eaten, he wrapped his ankle in cloth and the leaves of a particular plant which aided healing. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t leave the tree house, and stay hidden if someone comes by.” Tadix looked seriously at him. “Are we at an agreement? Because you can easily move on, unless you do as I tell you to.” Koon nodded his head. “Understood.” -- I had quite a bit of fun with the beginning of this chapter, mainly because I wanted Tadix to be rather annoying, but still loveable. Also, he needed to have faults, so that the readers can identify with him. |
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| Author: | Riniel Jasmina [ February 24th, 2012, 9:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Penalty, Chapter III |
Treehouses and lizards.  I like this chapter. The sentence where Tadix goes to get food for Koon (and avoids Mother) has a similar problem to the one with Koon and the wall. (Oh, and I forgot to mention the comment about the metal lock being too soon... Oops.)Similar likes to the other chapters. Good characters, good settings, good action. Tadix is definitely a character I can relate to.
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| Author: | Jay Lakewood [ March 26th, 2012, 1:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Penalty, Chapter III |
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