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Drylliog

Started by tessspoon, January 23, 2007, 05:04:13 PM

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tessspoon

I am not really a writer, have never written anything like this before (or anything really). But I had a lot of fun writing this (its an outlet for my KQ obsessiveness  :P) and so thought I'd post it.
Warning: This is a sad story.  :'(

Drylliog
"Broken"

The surface of the small pond was perfectly still; the only sound was that of a small bird near by. The tiny pond was surrounded by a thin band of woods on three sides. Beyond the trees the ground fell quickly until it dropped off completely, the earth a couple of hundred of feet below. The fourth faced the back of an ancient stone building. 
Gwydion, a skinny boy of twelve, lay stretched out a few feet from this edge of the pond underneath a tree, watching the near by bird as it worked on its nest in the branches above him.
   "Why are you building your nest here?" he addressed the bird. "You could go anywhere you want, and you choose to stay right here. I'd fly far away if I were you."
   "Hey, you!"
   Gwydion looked around in confusion. For a second he thought he had imagined it. No one other than the wizard Manannan and himself had ever been on this part of the mountaintop on which the house and pond perched, and it certainly wasn't the bird responding to him.
   "Over here"
   This time Gwydion knew he wasn't hearing things. The whispered voice came from the direction of a small stand of trees a few feet away, toward the left side of the pond. Gwydion stood, but approached the stand slowly, apprehensive. What if this was some trick of Manannan's?
   He parted the branches to reveal a boy squatting on the ground looking back up at him. Gwydion started, and then stared, as he had never seen another human being other than Manannan (if you could call Manannan human) this close up before.
   The boy appeared to be about Gwydion's age with reddish hair and a small, wiry body.
   "What's your name?" The boy asked as he scooted backwards to allow Gwydion in the tiny gap in the trees he currently occupied.
   "Gwydion." Gwydion stepped forward, still staring, and disappeared from view from the house.
   "My name is Cyfaill." The boy frowned. "You won't tell the wizard I'm here, will you?"
   Gwydion hesitated. If Manannan found out somebody had been up here without his knowledge, he would not be happy, and an unhappy Manannan was not good for Gwydion's health. Particularly if the wizard found out that Gwydion had known about it.
   And what if it's a trap? Still, curiosity won out over caution, and Gwydion shook his head.
   "Good. He's not here now, is he?" Cyfaill asked.
   "No, and he shouldn't be for another half hour or so." Cyfaill visibly relaxed a little and sat back down on the ground, legs stretched out and arms supporting him from behind. He looked back up at Gwydion curiously.
   "Bran thought he had seen glimpses of a boy up here. He and some of the others drag up the supplies the wizard and, I suppose, you, use."
   Gwydion nodded. He had also caught glimpses of the men that brought the food and other supplies up and left them at the top of the path. He had never seen more than a quick glance, however, as Manannan usually made sure Gwydion was busy and out of sight whenever they came.
   Gwydion finally sat down opposite to Cyfaill, having been standing uneasily next to the entrance to the clearing until now.
   "What are you doing here? If Manannan find out you – "Gwydion started.
   "I wanted to see what was up here, see if the stories were true. Personally, I thought the wizard was too mean to tolerate another human being living with him. Guess I was wrong, eh? And I'm not afraid of some old wizard."
   "You should be. I've lived with him my whole life, and I'm scared of him."
   "So, why are you here?"
   Gwydion was silent for a moment, then responded quietly. "I really don't know. I've lived here for as long as I can remember, as a slave to Manannan. I don't know who my parents are. Manannan doesn't tell me anything." The last word came out angry and bitter.
   "I don't have my parents, either. They were killed when I was five, by the bandits that Manannan allows to flourish. I live with Tam now; help him out with his store."
   Both boys sat quietly for a moment, and then Cyfaill jumped up with a grin. "Wanna go swimming?"
   Gwydion had never wanted to do something so much. To be able to just play with someone his own age! But he was too scared of getting caught.
"Manannan will be back soon. You should go."
   "S'pose you're right." Cyfaill responded, looking disappointed.
Gwydion felt disappointed too. He liked Cyfaill, did not want him to go. Another flash of anger filled him. Why wasn't he allowed of the mountain? Why couldn't he have a friend? A plan formed in his mind.
"Can you come back?" he asked.
"If I'm able to get away from the shop."
"Next time Manannan leaves, I'll send some kind of signal"
"Can you set up a fire somewhere out here and make smoke signals? I should be able to see it from the store."
"Yea, I'll just have to be careful the wizard doesn't notice any sign of fire out here."
Cyfaill grinned. "I'll watch for it. See you next time then." He turned to go.
"Wait. Cyfaill?"
"Yea?"
"Are you my friend?"
"Yes, I guess so." He slipped out of the clearing and disappeared.

***
   Gwydion could hardly believe it. He had a friend! The next few days seemed to last forever. Every time Manannan suddenly stood or appeared, Gwydion felt his heart jump as he waited for the wizard to tell him he was leaving for one of his journeys. However, it always turned out to be a new chore or complaint that the wizard gave him.
   Almost a week had passed before the wizard finally left. Gwydion had been sitting in the kitchen, reading one of the books Manannan gave him to keep him busy and out of the way. This particular one was about different monsters and beasts, everything from Medusas to Minotaurs, and how to defeat them.
   As soon as the wizard disappeared, Gwydion jumped up and ran outside. In the small clearing where he first met Cyfaill, Gwydion started a small fire with materials he had already set aside. He then picked up the small blanket he had also stored there and used it to block the now rising smoke. After a few seconds, he removed it, and then replaced it again, sending up a puff of smoke.
   He continued to do this, not sure when or if Cyfaill would see his signal. After fifteen minutes, Cyfaill startled him when he suddenly pushed aside some branches blocking the entrance and entered. For a second, Gwydion was sure it was his master coming to ask what he thought he was doing.
   "Hey! Took him forever to leave, didn't it?" Cyfaill grinned at him. "How 'bout we go back down to town? I can show you Tam's shop."
   Gwydion shook his head. "I can't leave the mountain. If Manannan caught me, he'd probably kill me."
   "Why don't you just run away? You don't wanna stay here, do you?"
   "Oh, no, I would love to leave. But Manannan could find me wherever I went. If I ever tried to run away, I'd be dead for sure as soon as Manannan returned and found me gone. You shouldn't even really be here. I don't know what Manannan would do if he found you here."
   "I told you, I'm not scared of him. Wanna go swimming now?"

***
The next few months were the happiest Gwydion had ever experienced. Cyfaill wasn't able to come up very often, never more than once a week, and once not for three weeks. Sometimes even when the wizard was gone, Cyfaill wasn't able to leave his work at Tam's store, or didn't notice the smoke signals in time for him to make the trek up the mountain. Even so, Gwydion found that the thought of his friend and the anticipation of their next meeting helped make his life under the wizard more bearable, gave him something to look forward to. As the weeks passed, Gwydion stopped worrying so much about getting caught
   When Cyfaill visited, sometimes the two boys would go swimming or play with the ball that Cyfaill brought. Cyfaill taught Gwydion how to play catch and many other games that most children knew from a much younger age. Sometimes they just talked. Gwydion found that he could tell Cyfaill even his deepest dreams and hopes.
   One day they were sitting in their clearing after a competing in running matches and resting before Cyfaill had to make the trek back down to the town.
   "I must have had a family. Sometimes it seems like I can almost remember something, something good and warm and safe. They have to be out there somewhere. Someday, Cyfaill, I'll get away from here and go look for them."
   "I tried to get some of the men down in town to come up and get you from that evil man, but they're all too scared of him."
   Gwydion looked at him with surprise. "You tried to do what? Cyfaill, as much as I would love to get away from this place, you can't go and do something so stupid! Manannan is very powerful. It would take an army to defeat him. You bring a mob up here to try and rescue me, you'll get them all killed. You know that."
   "I know. But it's just not fair! You don't deserve this." He was silent for a moment, and then got up. "I've got to get going. I'll see you next time."
   Cyfaill slipped out of the clearing, leaving Gwydion feeling more depressed than usual.
***
"Hey, watch this!" Gwydion yelled to Cyfaill as started running toward the pond. He took a flying leap, preparing to make this biggest splash he could. Right as he took to the air, however, a movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He started to look to his right, toward the house, and caught sight of a tall dark shadow on the surface of the water. Before he could get a better look, he hit the surface and his head submerged. He came up, coughing and spluttering, a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach and afraid to look up.
   When he did, it was to have his worst fear confirmed: Manannan stood at the edge of the pond staring at them, and he did not look happy. Despite the warm waters heated by the summer sun, Gwydion suddenly felt like he was swimming in ice water. Ice water that seemed to have the consistency of syrup, impeding and slowing his movements as he slowly made his way over to the edge of the pond.
   As he started climbing out onto shore, he finally remembered Cyfaill and turned to look at his friend. Cyfaill stood a few feet from the shore, staring wide-eyed at the wizard and looking quite pale. Despite all his bravado about not being afraid of the wizard, Cyfaill looked at the moment like he would rather be anywhere else.
   "Come here, boy." Manannan ordered, his voice calm and controlled as he addressed Cyfaill. Manannan did not sound angry or upset, but Gwydion knew that this Manannan was to be much more feared than when he ranted and yelled.
   Cyfaill slogged forward until he stood directly in front of the wizard.
   "What's your name, boy?" Manannan asked.
   "Cyfaill, sir."
   "And you live down in the town, I take it?"
   "Yes sir."
   Manannan seemed to consider this for a moment, and then raised his hand; Gwydion tensed, knowing the wizard was calling on his magical power. The air around them seemed to shake and tremble, and Gwydion watched in horror as his friend seemed to disintegrate in front of his eyes. One second Cyfaill was standing there, looking very frightened, and the next there was nothing there save a small pile of ashes. Even as he stared at it, the summer breeze started to pick them up and spread them over the mountaintop.
   "No! How could you- "Gwydion felt angrier than he ever had before in his life. However, as he turned toward the wizard and looked up at him, Gwydion saw the stare Manannan was giving him. He immediately fell quiet, realizing that the wizard could easily turn him into a pile of ash, and very well might. The wizard had certainly threatened to many times before, and now Gwydion was in deep trouble. Gwydion stared down at the ground, still dripping wet, and waited for his master to speak.
   "In my office, now."
***
A couple hours later, Gwydion curled up on his cot, tears streaming down his face, both from the physical pain that resulted from Manannan's anger and the emotional loss of his friend, his only friend.
   "One day," he whispered to himself, "I will get out of here, escape. One day."

Shades2585

WOW! Very nice! :thumbsup: You should write more often this is good. :yes:

Keep it up! :D
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Does anybody even remember who Wormy is?
Bring WORMY BACK!!!!!!!

Rosedragon

Great story! It's so sad, poor Cyfail! Manannan is the most evil of all the KQ villains, he deserves much worse than being turned into a cat, he deserves to suffer in hell for all eternity.


The world's cutest, sweetest dragon princess

tessspoon

Thanks! I love your stories. Is the next part of Morena's Tale going to be up soon?

Rosedragon

I don't know. Well actually, I am disappointed with Morena's Tale. I've decided to re-write it, I am writing a prequel that tells of Graham's childhood, it is also going to tell about Valanice's childhood and of course more about Morena will be told in it. I have thought about changing Morena's name to Maureen. Do you like Morena or Maureen the best? There is going to be more action and intrigue in the stories, and more conspiracy involving the black cloak society.


The world's cutest, sweetest dragon princess

Rosella

I definitely like Morena. It carries a more fantasy-like connotation. It's beautiful. :)
I'm a princess even if my kingdom is pixelated.

Official Comfort Counselor of the TSL Asylum © ;D

It's funny how you find you enjoy your life when you're happy to be alive.

Rosedragon

Well, ok, then, perhaps I should keep Morena, it does sound prettier than Maureen. I like it.


The world's cutest, sweetest dragon princess

tessspoon

Yea, Morena is much better.

tessspoon

Quote from: Rosedragon on February 01, 2007, 06:04:13 PM
Manannan is the most evil of all the KQ villains, he deserves much worse than being turned into a cat, he deserves to suffer in hell for all eternity.
Definitely. Every time I read the script excerpts that Cesar posted in the journal, I get even angrier at him.

Oldbushie

Quote from: tessspoon on February 21, 2007, 12:19:39 PM
Quote from: Rosedragon on February 01, 2007, 06:04:13 PM
Manannan is the most evil of all the KQ villains, he deserves much worse than being turned into a cat, he deserves to suffer in hell for all eternity.
Definitely. Every time I read the script excerpts that Cesar posted in the journal, I get even angrier at him.

Angry at Cesar or Manannan? :P
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tessspoon

lol. Manannan of course. How could I be mad at the leader of the group that is bringing us a new KQ game?

Oldbushie

Quote from: tessspoon on February 21, 2007, 01:53:04 PM
lol. Manannan of course. How could I be mad at the leader of the group that is bringing us a new KQ game?

Just checking. ;)
.......... <3 Oldbushie <3 ..........
Forum Emoticon God
Master of Time and Space
Aerobush of the Jarada Knights
TSL Programmer
and...
The TSL Candyman




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Rosella

*realizes she never commented on the story itself*

I thought I did... XD Er, anyways, I <3 it. :P Though it seems incredibly open-ended. Is there more to the story? How can Cyfaill play a part if he's already dead? What is the resolution?

I really like the idea though! :D
I'm a princess even if my kingdom is pixelated.

Official Comfort Counselor of the TSL Asylum © ;D

It's funny how you find you enjoy your life when you're happy to be alive.

tessspoon

When I originally wrote it I meant for the actual game to come next.
However, I've now integrated it with the biography/story thing I'm writing on Alexander. I added a part where when he escapes, he meets Tam (the storekeeper and Cyfaill's adoptive father in my story).