a begining (omio)

[Omio]

He leapt away to dodge an astray arrow, and all in good timing. An arrow missed his hair. Narrowly. ...I've definately got to think more about these types of things, There was only 1 option left, and it was the trap. He grabbed a stone, emerged himself, and tossed it into the mine zone. If someone had seen explosives before, this was a spectacular show of them. one, then few, then several, then several more, then the last few, then the rope snipped, and oil fell down the side of one of the two trees. The mines were still exploding at the time, so the oil caught on fire, and it followed up to the source, 1 moderately sized container large enough to set a great chain of trees on fire. The green tones all changed to red, and his camoflage was rendered useless at that point. ...Dammit, Omio, THINK of this next time. You'll live easier that way. All he could do was run, and pray to god that Raven followed Lyndi's advice. He then felt a rather painful cramp to the side, whilst running. The heck? This had better NOT be what I think it is... Now he was actually worried all to crap, and the route that Lyndi took was pretty close to the fire route, mind you, she did cut some corners, but that was acceptable. His turn to move along the route. He managed about ½ a mile or so when a tree limb fell, and mamanged to hit his back. He could lift the thing off himself, but he was in PAIN. Anyone having a 35-40 lbs. limb fall on their back is going to be in pain. Of course, Omio, once hit, and on the ground, face-down, rolled to the opposite side, and eased himself out of it, then resuming to run. His breathing was now painful, but he didn't feel anything broken. His mind then went to more peaceful moments.

His flashback was like this, while he ran.

Omio, aiming a bow, was trying to shoot at a target, and instead, he aimed too high, shot, and it met the rear-end of a bull that was going to be butchered later that day. Omio's father, who had been beside Omio, couldn't help but laugh. His father had said at that time "At times, you have the best of luck." and laughed. Of course, Omio did ask about the laughter, but his father just said "You saved me about 10 minutes of work that I was going to do after this." and Omio, at that time, stood there, confused. The bull was about ½ a mile away, and the target less than ¼ of a mile away. I killed a cow, and I'm hearing the end of it without it even starting. Using a bow is too confusing! and with that, he cast that away to persue the ideals of camoflage even further.

Omio didn't understand, until now, when he could finally begin to understand the concept. He had killed something that was doomed to die imminently son, anyways. And he didn't intend on it. He thought he was poor, but he was actually luck-blessed. He could take up the bow later. For now, he needed to focus on getting MOVING.

[Silvarn]

In an instant, Raven's plans of a swift and stealthy escape were dashed to pieces. In that same instant, the forest was ablaze, the peaceful, soothing light of the sun replaced by the harsh glare of flame. He and Francis began to shuffle off down the path, shouldering past several bewildered marksmen who were chasing after Omio and a panther.

Part way down the path, the fire caught up with the two, sending flaming arms to block their way. Raven's head began to swim from the constant inhalation of smoke. He sent a small step ladder of silk over the blazing branch, but it was reduced to cinders. He and Francis spent much effort trying to stomp out the smoldering kimono.

"Francis, we are trapped! There is no way out!" Raven's mental stability began to crumble from a mixture of smoke, heat, and frustration.

"Keep focused, Raven! You need to think clearly! Human breath kills the candle but revives the fire! Think!" Francis urged his master.

Raven's face and eyes went blank. No expression or even a whisper of thought passed across his fair features.

"This fire is only a giant's candle! Raven, can you hear me?" Francis smacked his master roughly in the temple, snapping Raven back into focus.

Summoning up his kimono around him, he let the sleeves take on a long, flat shape, making the texture waved and firm. He held his two gigantic fans, then slashed each one at the blazing log. The flames grew higher in response, but Raven kept trying. Eventually, the gusts drove the flames to death and the two escaped from the forest.

Gossrir walked into the city minutes later, exhausted and hysteric, ranting in his guttural tones about murders and the forest ablaze. Men were dispatched to save as much of the forest at they could, but the much of the forest fire was uncontrollable.

Raven resumed his proper form in the safety of his lavish room and hoped Lyndi was not hurt or consumed in the blaze. And Omio for that matter.

[Omio]

Escape fire. Reduce pain. Secure Lyndi. Insure safety. Proceed to town after all events. He was in a slight panic. His thoughts were going simple to the point of nearly being out of thought. Finally, he managed out of the blazing forest, and after about ½ a mile, there laid a Lyndi, and both his side and back ached more. "!" LYNDI! His emotions went from panic to relief, to dismay, to panic, to calm, and finally, to focussed. At this point, it was blatent to him in ways.

Lyndi was hit. Left side, just under the 9th rib. Nothing serious would've been within 4 inches, but any further meant about 2 organs getting sliced open and one getting punctured. Though none of them were the lung. What with, he hoped, wasn't that elite archer's arrow. All he could do was approach. "It relieves me to see you here, yet it pains and dismays me to see you... like this." He looked down and sideways, with an expression that nearly said 'I was at the entire core of all of this, and yet I did nothing to help. I'm sorry.' He then noticed that he was procrastinating because he didn't want to see the extent of Lyndi's pain. What the hell was I thinking? He had to bend over to see the extent of it, but waited for Lundi to speak or gesture first. Anyone who didn't want to have their wound seen to like that should have that wish respected.

[jada]

"Omio!" Lyndi cried. She was so happy to see him. She litterally was crying though. Her wound was painful, and she really didn't want to move anymore," Omio can you help? I'm not the best healer but I know I need help with this wound. It won't kill me but it hurts a whole heck of a lot. Please help me or help take me to someone that can help. I don't think I want to move unless I have to."

With that said she closed her eyes and waited to here Omio's response. Then Raven came back to her thoughts. Where was he? Did he get out ok? Were him and Francis still alive? If they weren't here where could they be? Lyndi had to let the questions go. After she was healthy she would find them, dead or alive she would find out what happened to them.

[Omio]

Omio's mind went blank. There laid the woman he had liked, and there wasn't much he could do. However, he was more then relieved to hear her voice once again. Now wasn't the time to get all soft. he thought, and with that, he then proceeded to look. It was indeed an arrow wound. "How deep? If it's more than 4 inches..." He held his fingers about 4 inches apart, showing the depth. "Then I'll have to drag you to town. Otherwise, resting here would be a safer idea..." His hand, after showing the distance for about 4 seconds, went back down to the wound area. He knew better than to actually touch it. Infections at this stage would further complicate things, and that wouldn't be needed.

[jada]

"Omio, It's deep. We can't sit here and wait for it to heal." Lyndi paused and winced. The pain was strong,"Can you help me to town? Maybe we can find someone who can help me."

She didn't wait for him so awnser, she shifted into squirl. Her wound shrunk to fit her new body but it was still proportional to the actual wound. She chittered loudly in hopes that Omio would move quickly and pick her up and take her to get help. she would give anythying to be put out of the pain.

She couldn't help but think about the man she didn't kill. If she had killed him she probably wouldn't be wounded right now. But she didn't have the heart to kill a man, even if he wanted death and pain for her, she couldn't return the same anger. She pittied those people, their only response was anger, they would never fully learn to apreaciate life. She hoped by showing that man kindness he would return her the favor, but she was wrong, and he was now dead, burned in the forest fire. What a Shame.

Her thoughts left her and the pain returned makeing her unable to think about anything else.

[Omio]

Lyndi, I'd rather you in your elven form, but if you feel like doing this... "Okay then. Let's move." He'd then grab Lyndi, as a squirrel, and put her into an open empty pouch in his belt-bag, and began running, the back pain returning once more, and the breathing pained, but still close enough to normal. He'd rather not trouble Lyndi about his own problems right now because his aren't so signifigant. After a while, he knew he was getting close to the town, and slowed to a stop. He knew better than to stop suddenly, after running for a while. He put the squirrel back down, gently, knowing it was Lyndi, and turned the other way, knowing that she'd best change back. The rest of the trip was going to be painful for him, but whatever.

[jada]

After Omio set Lyndi down again she shifted back into her elven for and gasped in pain. She winced but held her tears. She slowly got to her feet. she leaned a gainst a tree and caught her breath and waited until she could walk without support. That's when she noticed Omio was hurt too.

"Omio! Why didn't you tell me? You have to in just as much pain as I am. No matter, we will find someone to help you too. there has to be a healer some where in town. Lyndi said walking slowly into town.

[Omio]

"Lyndi, you have far more grave injuries than I. You have a wound that is rather deep. I merely have a bruise. I believe that you should yourself hold to priority, since you bleed yet, and I do not." He then noticed her walk - extremely slowly. "Tch, I can't allow you to walk. Your arrow wound is too great." He then walked in front of Lyndi, back facing her, and arms in a gesture that suggested a piggy-back. "I'll do the walkin' you'll do the talking. More ground will be covered this way." But it's definately going to hurt like hell. Though I shouldn't complain about it.

[jada]

Lyndi was about to protest, she couldn't let Omio carry her the whole way, but then she realised that she could never walk the whole distance herself. It would take way too long and she needed to be looked at right away. She climbed up onto Omio's back and put her hands around his neck, loose so she couldn't choke him, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Then she rested her head lightly on his back and closed her eyes and tried to forget about the pain. Lyndi knew Omio was in pain and felt bad for causeing him more pain, but he was right, she really shouldn't be walking in her current health.

As they walked through town Lyndi opened her eyes inn search of a healer. A few of the town citizens looked up and watched as Omio and Lyndi slid through town, but most people were busy with their average lives. Lyndi lost track of time, but after what seemed like forever Omio and her approached a place that they could get help. Lyndi knew it would be ok, she was just afraid of the pain that was going to come when they tried to clean her wound.

After inside the small healing house a man came up to Omio and Lyndi. "Is she hurt?"

"Yes, I am. Not terribly bad, i'll live, but is there anything I can get to help calm my pain?"

"My dear beauty," the man said helping Lyndi down from Omio's back and letting her lean on himself,"Of course, I will see to it myself that you are well taken care of."

"Thank you," Lynsi smiled," But my friend here also needs help, can you look after him too?"

[Silvarn]

"And are you certain they are swayed that way?" Gossrir asked his sycophant eagerly.

"Almost certainly. You words were very invigorating, my Lord Gossrir."

"Excellent. Thank you for that delectable little tidbit of information." Gossrir made as if to turn away, but he was held in place by a polite cough. The sycophant held out his itching palm out expectantly. "Oh, here, take your foul poison." Gossrir spat, tossing a sack of coins irately at his slave to silver.

"Most excellent news, Francis. The deliberative is swayed to my cause. In a mere two days, the slaves will be freed. It is almost too much to comprehend. Finally, finally one city will be freed. One city to back my cause. The flood gates are trickling now, but the flood awaits its release." The two began walking through the town nonchalantly, smiling and greeting passersby in a friendly manner.

"Have you heard of Omio and the girl?" Francis asked.

"No. No news yet, though I have had many people searching. The forest has been all-but decimated thanks to Omio's brilliant escape tactic and there is no sign of neither them nor our pursuers."

"I am certain they will show up in due time. Shifters are a hardy bunch, and Omio is as cunning and as slippery as a snake." Francis observed.

"I hope you are right. It would break my heart to know a Shifter perished when I the full ability to rescue her."

[Omio]

"Young healer, whatever your name may be, for I may see you in the future, I would prefer that Lyndi was looked to and that I was allowed to rest. I merely have a bruise on my back from a tree limb. Lyndi, here, was hit by an arrow. I would think that I can't be helped much, and that Lyndi can be looked after." I know what it's like to be hit by one of those. It hurts like hades, and you can forgert about moving.

[jada]

"Lyndi, What a beautiful name to match a beautiful face."

"Thank you," Lyndi said softly but only looked at Omio. The man then led Omio and Lyndi to a small room with one bed. He help Lyndi lay down and fetched a chair for omio. after that he left the room and it was Just Omio and lyndi.

Lyndi closed her eyes and dosed a bit, and about five minutes later the man re entered the room with some water to drink and to help clean Lyndi's wound. He also had a cloth and a Long linen bandage. he kneeled next to the bed and got the small cloth wet and wiped softly at Lyndi's wound.

Lyndi wanted to scream it hurt so bad but she tried to remain motionless. the look on her face gave all the pain away though. A few tears streamed down her closed eyes as she winced. After the man had cleaned the wound he help Lyndi Slowly up and he wrapped the bandage around her wound and upper body so it would stay on her. then he help he back down onto the bed, "I will be back later to bring you some food, and check up on you, and I'm afraid your friend is right we can do nothing for his back, only time and rest can heal it." Then he left.

Lyndi turned to Omio,"I'm sorry, I know it has to hurt. I hope your pain will go away soon."

[Omio]

"I've had to learn the lesson of 'Whatever will be, will be.', and rather abruptly too. I'm used to having to wait out something. This is no exception. I will be fine in due time. You, on the other hand, are not precisely so fine. You have a wound greater than mine, and should be the priority in even hope." and, finally, he let a tear down his face. It was the first one in years. How many? 7 of them now? Long enough. "...I haven't shed a tear in years. Quite a few of them, too." I've gotten weaker... a lot weaker. No. I'm stronger. Emotionally stronger. I'm still being a bit cold about it, though. "...enough of trying to hide my emotions." Omio's face then ended up buried into Lyndi's leggings, the only thing noticible was sobbing. Why he was crying so much, even he didn't know. He was sorry for Lyndi, but this much? Normally, he wasn't so sensitive. Omio would normally just sit there and wait. But this time, his emotions have basically kicked him out and into shape.

[jada]

Lyndi's heart skipped a beat. "Omio?! Omio! Are you ok? Why are you crying? If you are crying for me please don't, I'll be ok. I heal fast. Please everything will be ok, please don't dry Omio," She said lifting his face so he could look her in the face. She wanted to hug him but she wasn't up for moving her body too much just yet. by tommorrw or the day after she would be ok to walk around again, she would just have to watch out so she didn't hit her wound at all. that shouldn't be too hard.

Besides Omio's crying Lyndi was troubled by Raven and Francis dissappearance. they seemed to just vanish in the forest. She would have to try and hunt them down. if they were dead and burned in the fire it would be hard o trace them now, but she sure had to try. After all Raven did try and do the right thing and he did want to help slaves, he was a good man, his methods just needed some improveing. Lyndi smiled to herself remebering how handsome he was and how nice he could be, she just hoped he was still alive.