Fall
Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 6:01 pm
35th of Searing, 120
It was another good day, Arkash knew it. A stroke of luck had seen him find an abandoned ax of considerable quality in the woods while he was out gathering firewood and tinder. With that ax and all the savings he'd collected over the years, he might have been able to afford all the gear he needed to move out of Lorien, including Cojack's mount. For now, though, they just had to get back home before sundown, as that was the Thompson brother's usual prowling time. Just like earlier, Cojack wasn't making the process any easier for his smaller son, however. The sickly equine was slow-moving despite the support of his cane and Arkash's shoulders alike, but that didn't matter to the reptile. Their lives were about to change for the better. One step after another guided them through the streets, and though they were one tight schedule, Arkash gave pause whenever the older Rath needed it.
During one of their breaks, Cojack was left to pant and wheeze while Arkash shifted the weight of his father's thin, boney arm on his shoulders, then reached to adjust the strap of his bag... only to find nothing. A short laugh glided from under his breath, and he rolled his shoulders to find its weight missing. "Dad," he spoke with a voice that betrayed his budding panic. "Do you have my backpack?" He was unable to see from his current position, and any attempt to turn his head too far to the left was met with the barrier of his father's arm. "No...? Did you forget it?" Fear ran rampant through his body, and his venom glands activated. Drool of clear, viscous spit mixed with poison began to run from his lips. A hard slurp saw him pull the dangerous fluids back into his mouth before he swallowed.
"I lost it, dad I lost my bag." It was more than obvious that his heart was racing as his yellow eyes focused hard on one spot, almost as though he'd drowned out the rest of the world completely. Where had he left it? "I..." Started his dad, "I can't make it back alone, Ark. Let's get home, then worry about the tinder." It wasn't like that. He wasn't as worried as he was about the firewood. The temptation to ask Cojack to try and make it home alone was strong, but he didn't dare speak it. After all, if something happened to him as a result of Arkash's negligence, then everything would have been for nothing. "We have to hurry," spoke the younger Rath, who fully hefted his Father's leaning weight again. "I'm sorry dad, but you've gotta stick it through this time, okay?" Silence came the horse's reply, but he followed Arkash's lead all the same.
He didn't understand, of course. How could he? He'd never admit to his father that he was a rotten thief or a liar, so he just had to go on allowing his sickly dad to believe that they were making haste for the sake of his fire. The rest of the journey home was quiet, and just as he'd asked, Cojack pushed through the pain and did little to groan or complain of the discomfort. By the time they made it back home, however, Cojack was coughing and sputtering.
Arkash borderline forced the door open, lead Cojack to the bed and eased him down with notable haste. Still, he met with the straw bedding in relative comfort. "I can't wait, Dad. I've gotta go," was all he said as he adjusted his loincloth and brushed himself off. "Don't wait for me, I might be home late." Just seconds later, he rushed to the door and gripped the handle on his wait out. "Be safe! I love-!" Was all Cojack could manage before Ark shut the door and took a step away. There he hesitated, turned back, and opened the door again to peek through. "I love you too, I'm sorry," he added with a bow of his head, then slunk out and shut the door again. A flick of his wrist turned the key and locked it shut. All set, he broke into a light jog and made his way toward the gate as quickly and efficiently as he could.
Through the run, he weaved through humans, clubbed several things with his tail angered several nameless scabs like himself. Thankfully, however, none of them gave chase. He didn't care, though. All sorts of eyes were on him as he ran, but they did little to slow him down. If anything, they prompted him to move faster, as he didn't want to provoke the ire of some scumbag that was looking to vent their anger on his frail body. Just a lizard that ran through Lower Nivenhain, nothing to see there. He couldn't run forever, of course, and he eventually had to slow to a halt about half-way to the gate. He breathed deeply and filled his lungs with much-needed air as his legs ached. Where the hell was his bag? He couldn't have left it that far away, could he? That was when it struck him, the realization of his error.
He'd temporarily put down the bag because it was too heavy to carry while he held Cojack's weight. His father's rambling had distracted him, and he forgot to pick it back up. Only then could he remember the scene with such clarity. With a low growl, he bared his teeth and cursed under his breath. Then, when he was ready, he set off on another run. The sun was steadily cast longer and longer shadows over lower Nivenhain. He didn't have much more time.
Soon, he arrived at the stump that his father had rested upon, and as he'd hoped, the bag was still there. The young rath fell to his knees and panted heavily. It had cost him every ounce of energy in his body, but he found it. Still, he cursed himself. Why didn't he just leave Cojack home when he went foraging? Did he have to steal the heavy ax and logs alike? Why was his memory so poor?! Over and over, similar thoughts ran through his head in a torrent of self-blame. But eventually, he gathered his breath and willed his stiff, achy legs to reclimb the hill that led to the gates with the bag in tow. As he passed the guards on his way in, he flashed a nervous grin and offered a brief "Iforgotmybag..." as his explanation. Neither of the posted Argents particularly cared about the wandering, dirty lizard and didn't spare him a second thought.
It was easy to relax with the comforting weight of his bag on his back, but that didn't mean that he should have. The sun was setting, after all. "Fuck... Fuck my life..." He cursed under his breath and kept close to the street's walls with his head down. The last thing he needed was to attract the attention of anyone that knew him, anyone, that might have pointed him out to the Thompson Brothers. If worse came to worst, he could run again at the cost of his legs being unable to walk anymore, or so it felt. But that was a fate greater than what would have happened if any of the Thompson brothers caught him.
"Yo is that Ark?!" Called a familiar voice, and on second nature, the Rath looked over his shoulder to see Alec and Chad Thomspon looking his way. Brodie wasn't far off, that was sure. Venom began to fill his maw again, and he swallowed hard before he turned to face the front. His pace doubled, and he began to walk faster. "There you are, you freak newt!" Called Brodie's voice, and the fear in his heart welled to full panic. It was beating so fast in his chest that it was hard to breathe. A run broke out in his weary legs almost of their own will as adrenaline pumped through his veins in a powerful second wind. "DON'T YOU FUCKING RUN FROM ME, CUNT!" Spat Brodie's voice in a threatening roar. Arkash didn't stop. Everything within him urged him to run faster, and so he did. It wasn't enough though, Brodie and Chad were bigger than him, Alec was about the same height. They ate well and exercised to the same capacity. The sound of their boots thudding the ground filled his ears over the deafening thrum of his heartbeat. And soon enough, Brodie was at his side.
There were many on the streets at this time to see this, but none spared the chase a second glance. With a broad swipe of the human's leg, Arkash's were kicked out from under him, and he fell to the floor in a miserable, defeated heap. He knew what came after they'd caught him, so he curled his arms, legs, and tail to protect his chest and head as a white-hot flurry of kicks ripped to his bare scaled body. Each slam of their boots left lasting, aching pain in his bones and burning agony through his muscles, but they weren't breaking through to his chest. Brodie was panting lightly from the physical exertion when he stepped back and motioned Chad to cease. He ran in for a hard stomp where the lizard's head was, and Arkash unfurled to scramble out of the way, all too late. That stomp met his backpack and forced him to the ground in a strike that robbed all the air from his lungs. His arms were bleeding in patches from where their shoes had broken his scales, and from where he'd fallen and skidded across the pavement; blurred patches of red in his tear-drowned eyes.
He couldn't breathe, he couldn't even move with his arms and legs shot to hell. So, when Brodie gave the order to take his bag, he didn't struggle as it was cut from his shoulders. When he then told Alec to pick him up, he weakly gripped the ground with his claws and tried to pull away, all in vain. He was held by the neck and was hefted to the wall. There, he found his footing and managed to stand in a daze. Alec then gripped him by the jaw and straightened his oxygen-starved gaze to Brodie, who was lining up a right hook with his head. Arkash couldn't even beg mercy before the fist met with his left eye, and knocked the back of his head into the wall. Arkash stumbled as his legs gave out for a moment, and the whole world spun around him. Brodie's grip on his throat set him straight for another strike to the Rathari's gut, which saw him lurch forward, then fall to the floor with his arms wrapped around his stomach. Breath finally returned to him, but his ears were ringing and his vision was blurry. Broken, the lizard looked to the sky while he coughed and sputtered. There he saw one of the brothers. They spat on him, but he didn't even flinch. As his vision cleared, Brodie's features became known to him. As his hearing eased, he heard what the human was saying in perfect clarity.
"Nod if you understand, motherfucker," what? With a frustrated growl, the human ripped the lizard from the stone pavement and threw him against the wall, still sitting. "Run from me again and I'll fucking cut you, got it?" Arkash lazily nodded, obviously concussed. "Brodie, check this out!" Spoke Chad's voice, and drew the gaze of the beaten lizard. Chad had opened his bag. Brodie snatched it from the bulkier human, then reached inside to throw his tinder all over him. "Is that for your nest, freak?" he mocked as he threw the dead grass and leaves over Arkash's bloodied body. Then, he drew the ax in all its superfluous quality. The blade shined brilliantly, unmarred by the trees it surely must've felled. "Nice ax, dickhead. I'll take this as part of the pay you owe me." With that, he knelt before Arkash and shined a glint of the sun in the lizard's good eye. He winced and rolled his head weakly against the stone. "You better have the rest in two weeks, or I'll seriously fuck you up. Understand?" Again, the lizard obediently nodded. He understood.
Finally, the boys emptied the last of the logs and tinder from his bag and threw the woven hemp sack on his lap. He barely moved. It was if he were a corpse, and to some degree, he wished he was. As the boys went on their way with their new prize, Arkash coughed and sputtered as his venom had been flowing plentifully from his lips and down his throat. A hard swallow cleared the gunk in his mouth, and he rolled onto his hands and knees, where he opened his maw wide and threw up all over the pavement. The bile of his stomach mixed with some of the dried grass, and the blood that dripped from his nose. He was pretty badly concussed, yeah. The entire world spun around him as he sat back down on is tail and began to refill his bag with weak handfuls of dried leaves and grass; what hadn't been soaked in blood and vomit, at least. Finally, he stood. He wobbled severely as if he were drunk, but held close to the wall, and steadily guided himself along. A flex of his fingers and toes confirmed they weren't broken. His legs were fine enough to walk on if not for a limp, but they didn't feel broken. His arms? They were fine too, just scratched up and bloody.
He was fine. He'd live.
It was another good day, Arkash knew it. A stroke of luck had seen him find an abandoned ax of considerable quality in the woods while he was out gathering firewood and tinder. With that ax and all the savings he'd collected over the years, he might have been able to afford all the gear he needed to move out of Lorien, including Cojack's mount. For now, though, they just had to get back home before sundown, as that was the Thompson brother's usual prowling time. Just like earlier, Cojack wasn't making the process any easier for his smaller son, however. The sickly equine was slow-moving despite the support of his cane and Arkash's shoulders alike, but that didn't matter to the reptile. Their lives were about to change for the better. One step after another guided them through the streets, and though they were one tight schedule, Arkash gave pause whenever the older Rath needed it.
During one of their breaks, Cojack was left to pant and wheeze while Arkash shifted the weight of his father's thin, boney arm on his shoulders, then reached to adjust the strap of his bag... only to find nothing. A short laugh glided from under his breath, and he rolled his shoulders to find its weight missing. "Dad," he spoke with a voice that betrayed his budding panic. "Do you have my backpack?" He was unable to see from his current position, and any attempt to turn his head too far to the left was met with the barrier of his father's arm. "No...? Did you forget it?" Fear ran rampant through his body, and his venom glands activated. Drool of clear, viscous spit mixed with poison began to run from his lips. A hard slurp saw him pull the dangerous fluids back into his mouth before he swallowed.
"I lost it, dad I lost my bag." It was more than obvious that his heart was racing as his yellow eyes focused hard on one spot, almost as though he'd drowned out the rest of the world completely. Where had he left it? "I..." Started his dad, "I can't make it back alone, Ark. Let's get home, then worry about the tinder." It wasn't like that. He wasn't as worried as he was about the firewood. The temptation to ask Cojack to try and make it home alone was strong, but he didn't dare speak it. After all, if something happened to him as a result of Arkash's negligence, then everything would have been for nothing. "We have to hurry," spoke the younger Rath, who fully hefted his Father's leaning weight again. "I'm sorry dad, but you've gotta stick it through this time, okay?" Silence came the horse's reply, but he followed Arkash's lead all the same.
He didn't understand, of course. How could he? He'd never admit to his father that he was a rotten thief or a liar, so he just had to go on allowing his sickly dad to believe that they were making haste for the sake of his fire. The rest of the journey home was quiet, and just as he'd asked, Cojack pushed through the pain and did little to groan or complain of the discomfort. By the time they made it back home, however, Cojack was coughing and sputtering.
Arkash borderline forced the door open, lead Cojack to the bed and eased him down with notable haste. Still, he met with the straw bedding in relative comfort. "I can't wait, Dad. I've gotta go," was all he said as he adjusted his loincloth and brushed himself off. "Don't wait for me, I might be home late." Just seconds later, he rushed to the door and gripped the handle on his wait out. "Be safe! I love-!" Was all Cojack could manage before Ark shut the door and took a step away. There he hesitated, turned back, and opened the door again to peek through. "I love you too, I'm sorry," he added with a bow of his head, then slunk out and shut the door again. A flick of his wrist turned the key and locked it shut. All set, he broke into a light jog and made his way toward the gate as quickly and efficiently as he could.
Through the run, he weaved through humans, clubbed several things with his tail angered several nameless scabs like himself. Thankfully, however, none of them gave chase. He didn't care, though. All sorts of eyes were on him as he ran, but they did little to slow him down. If anything, they prompted him to move faster, as he didn't want to provoke the ire of some scumbag that was looking to vent their anger on his frail body. Just a lizard that ran through Lower Nivenhain, nothing to see there. He couldn't run forever, of course, and he eventually had to slow to a halt about half-way to the gate. He breathed deeply and filled his lungs with much-needed air as his legs ached. Where the hell was his bag? He couldn't have left it that far away, could he? That was when it struck him, the realization of his error.
He'd temporarily put down the bag because it was too heavy to carry while he held Cojack's weight. His father's rambling had distracted him, and he forgot to pick it back up. Only then could he remember the scene with such clarity. With a low growl, he bared his teeth and cursed under his breath. Then, when he was ready, he set off on another run. The sun was steadily cast longer and longer shadows over lower Nivenhain. He didn't have much more time.
Soon, he arrived at the stump that his father had rested upon, and as he'd hoped, the bag was still there. The young rath fell to his knees and panted heavily. It had cost him every ounce of energy in his body, but he found it. Still, he cursed himself. Why didn't he just leave Cojack home when he went foraging? Did he have to steal the heavy ax and logs alike? Why was his memory so poor?! Over and over, similar thoughts ran through his head in a torrent of self-blame. But eventually, he gathered his breath and willed his stiff, achy legs to reclimb the hill that led to the gates with the bag in tow. As he passed the guards on his way in, he flashed a nervous grin and offered a brief "Iforgotmybag..." as his explanation. Neither of the posted Argents particularly cared about the wandering, dirty lizard and didn't spare him a second thought.
It was easy to relax with the comforting weight of his bag on his back, but that didn't mean that he should have. The sun was setting, after all. "Fuck... Fuck my life..." He cursed under his breath and kept close to the street's walls with his head down. The last thing he needed was to attract the attention of anyone that knew him, anyone, that might have pointed him out to the Thompson Brothers. If worse came to worst, he could run again at the cost of his legs being unable to walk anymore, or so it felt. But that was a fate greater than what would have happened if any of the Thompson brothers caught him.
"Yo is that Ark?!" Called a familiar voice, and on second nature, the Rath looked over his shoulder to see Alec and Chad Thomspon looking his way. Brodie wasn't far off, that was sure. Venom began to fill his maw again, and he swallowed hard before he turned to face the front. His pace doubled, and he began to walk faster. "There you are, you freak newt!" Called Brodie's voice, and the fear in his heart welled to full panic. It was beating so fast in his chest that it was hard to breathe. A run broke out in his weary legs almost of their own will as adrenaline pumped through his veins in a powerful second wind. "DON'T YOU FUCKING RUN FROM ME, CUNT!" Spat Brodie's voice in a threatening roar. Arkash didn't stop. Everything within him urged him to run faster, and so he did. It wasn't enough though, Brodie and Chad were bigger than him, Alec was about the same height. They ate well and exercised to the same capacity. The sound of their boots thudding the ground filled his ears over the deafening thrum of his heartbeat. And soon enough, Brodie was at his side.
There were many on the streets at this time to see this, but none spared the chase a second glance. With a broad swipe of the human's leg, Arkash's were kicked out from under him, and he fell to the floor in a miserable, defeated heap. He knew what came after they'd caught him, so he curled his arms, legs, and tail to protect his chest and head as a white-hot flurry of kicks ripped to his bare scaled body. Each slam of their boots left lasting, aching pain in his bones and burning agony through his muscles, but they weren't breaking through to his chest. Brodie was panting lightly from the physical exertion when he stepped back and motioned Chad to cease. He ran in for a hard stomp where the lizard's head was, and Arkash unfurled to scramble out of the way, all too late. That stomp met his backpack and forced him to the ground in a strike that robbed all the air from his lungs. His arms were bleeding in patches from where their shoes had broken his scales, and from where he'd fallen and skidded across the pavement; blurred patches of red in his tear-drowned eyes.
He couldn't breathe, he couldn't even move with his arms and legs shot to hell. So, when Brodie gave the order to take his bag, he didn't struggle as it was cut from his shoulders. When he then told Alec to pick him up, he weakly gripped the ground with his claws and tried to pull away, all in vain. He was held by the neck and was hefted to the wall. There, he found his footing and managed to stand in a daze. Alec then gripped him by the jaw and straightened his oxygen-starved gaze to Brodie, who was lining up a right hook with his head. Arkash couldn't even beg mercy before the fist met with his left eye, and knocked the back of his head into the wall. Arkash stumbled as his legs gave out for a moment, and the whole world spun around him. Brodie's grip on his throat set him straight for another strike to the Rathari's gut, which saw him lurch forward, then fall to the floor with his arms wrapped around his stomach. Breath finally returned to him, but his ears were ringing and his vision was blurry. Broken, the lizard looked to the sky while he coughed and sputtered. There he saw one of the brothers. They spat on him, but he didn't even flinch. As his vision cleared, Brodie's features became known to him. As his hearing eased, he heard what the human was saying in perfect clarity.
"Nod if you understand, motherfucker," what? With a frustrated growl, the human ripped the lizard from the stone pavement and threw him against the wall, still sitting. "Run from me again and I'll fucking cut you, got it?" Arkash lazily nodded, obviously concussed. "Brodie, check this out!" Spoke Chad's voice, and drew the gaze of the beaten lizard. Chad had opened his bag. Brodie snatched it from the bulkier human, then reached inside to throw his tinder all over him. "Is that for your nest, freak?" he mocked as he threw the dead grass and leaves over Arkash's bloodied body. Then, he drew the ax in all its superfluous quality. The blade shined brilliantly, unmarred by the trees it surely must've felled. "Nice ax, dickhead. I'll take this as part of the pay you owe me." With that, he knelt before Arkash and shined a glint of the sun in the lizard's good eye. He winced and rolled his head weakly against the stone. "You better have the rest in two weeks, or I'll seriously fuck you up. Understand?" Again, the lizard obediently nodded. He understood.
Finally, the boys emptied the last of the logs and tinder from his bag and threw the woven hemp sack on his lap. He barely moved. It was if he were a corpse, and to some degree, he wished he was. As the boys went on their way with their new prize, Arkash coughed and sputtered as his venom had been flowing plentifully from his lips and down his throat. A hard swallow cleared the gunk in his mouth, and he rolled onto his hands and knees, where he opened his maw wide and threw up all over the pavement. The bile of his stomach mixed with some of the dried grass, and the blood that dripped from his nose. He was pretty badly concussed, yeah. The entire world spun around him as he sat back down on is tail and began to refill his bag with weak handfuls of dried leaves and grass; what hadn't been soaked in blood and vomit, at least. Finally, he stood. He wobbled severely as if he were drunk, but held close to the wall, and steadily guided himself along. A flex of his fingers and toes confirmed they weren't broken. His legs were fine enough to walk on if not for a limp, but they didn't feel broken. His arms? They were fine too, just scratched up and bloody.
He was fine. He'd live.
