The Cavern (closed)

[fulmineo]

Kal'S hands went to Giselle's face and turned it to face him.

" I take it he abused you?" Kal asked as he strokes her face. "Damn coward!"

 

[Asa]

In his own ways yeah... Verbally mentally emotionally and at times yeah physically especially sexually.

She stared into his eyes.

That is why I put a couple of oceans and a continent between us.

 

[fulmineo]

"If I ever get my hands on him...." Kal snarled. Suddenly, he lifted his head.

"Someone's coming, and I do not think they are from your time." Kal said. He quickly extricated himself from her body and began to dress. Even as he dressed their surroundings started to change. The cavern was calling them back. "I can hear their horses. They are stopping at the entrance. Stay behind me. "

 

[Asa]

She got dressed quickly not that her clothes would look very strange to someone from his time. She nodded and looked around the cave but remained close to him.

 

[fulmineo]

A large armored man who shared many of the same facial features as Kal entered the Cavern. He was flanked by two soldiers, who walked in with their swords already drawn ready to defend their leader.

"Kal! I knew it couldn't be true!" The large man said. "I knew my blood could never be killed by some lowlife bandits!" The man approaches Kal excitedly.

"Father!" Kal exclaimed as he knelt before his father. "How did you know I was attacked?"

"Some of my scouts captured the one who escaped you. We uh" The man said, stopping to glance at the Giselle. "We asked him a few questions and he told us everything."

 

[Asa]

Threat or not she was still a little scared as she stayed back against the wall of the cave watching them.

 

[fulmineo]

Kal grinned fiercely. "Good! I feared he had escaped punishment." Kal said. "I didn't think Bandits were bold enough to come prey on people this close to our territory."

The large man walked over to Kal and helped him up before embracing him in a hug. "Later! Later. For now, we must leave and prepare!"

A confused look took over Kal's face. "Prepare? Prepare for what?" Kal asked.

"War!" Now come, and bring the girl."

 

[Asa]

I... I... I can't leave. Kal what if it needs to send me back to my home.

She bit her lip scared and wanting to run.

 

[fulmineo]

The large man turns to address her.

The cavern works in mysterious ways. When it decides it is time, you will find your self standing right where you need to be."

 

[Asa]

War... A word that in her time meant history or hundreds of miles away not getting led to or away from like this. Scared eyes looked to Kal as she bit her lip.

 

[fulmineo]

"Father, why not leave behind a few men to guard her?" Kal suggested. "We can go on ahead and discuss everything we need to in the meantime."

 

[Asa]

Without realizing it she was curled close to Kal her hand holding his unsure of how she felt about strangers to guard her.

Kal... It's okay... If it can really reach me even far from here then let's go.

 

[fulmineo]

"You sure?" Kal asked. "These men are my father's sworn vassals. None of them would dare to harm you or allow you to be harmed."

 

[Asa]

The cavern brought you and I together... I... I will stay with you.

She didn't know them and going into some ancient world and time dressed as strangely as she must seem to them she felt safer with Kal.

 

[fulmineo]

Kal nodded and he held his hand out for her. "Come, we have much to do." Kal's father's men left the Cavern to prepare their horses for the journey. Kal's horse was still there of course, and Giselle and he were to share it.

"The Clan leaders are all meeting in the square's center. There we will decide how to proceed." Lord Stryker revealed.

 

[Asa]

Curling against Kal on the horse her fear was slowly replaced by her historical curiosity. She also felt safe there with her lover.

 

[fulmineo]

As they rode into the town, all of the soldiers saluted Kal and his father. They were highly respected among their people as they were considered the most skillful warriors. But even as Kal rode on, acknowledging their welcomes, he could tell something was bothering his people. When they arrived at the square, all of the elders and important members of their town were present and waiting.

 

[Asa]

She tried to remain calm and close to Kal and as invisible as possible but it's not like her clothes were not a dead giveaway that she was at minimum a foreigner. Her eyes darted between him and the one he had called father unsure what to do before her eyes were drawn to some of the landscape that while different was very much the same.

I recognize this area... From my time...

She whispered to Kal.

 

[fulmineo]

Kal nodded his head, but didn't turn to look at her. "Maybe we are near where your home would be?" Kal whispered to her. Kal's father dismounted his horse when he reached the center of the square and everyone in the vicinity immediately quieted down.

"As everyone here knows by now, the enemy is at our borders. They have even grown bold enough to attack my son and his new lover, given to him by the cave!" The crowd gasps loudly and immediately starts speaking amongst themselves. To silence them, Lofd Stryker raised his hand. The crowd goes quite.

"We have not had invaders in our lands for centuries! We Will remind them of why that is!" He says fiercely. All of the natives cheer loudly and stomp their feet. Kal though, remains quiet and hasn't even dismounted. His father notices, and he commands the crowd to be silent.

"Do you disagree, blood of my blood?"

 

[Asa]

She nods quietly to him.

Maybe or it is at least part of the land I was shown that I own in my time.

Hearing his father and the reaction of the people she recoils a little more into Kal unsure how they will receive her.

 

[fulmineo]

"For too long I have shed the blood of my fellow man. I say we find a better way to solve this. They are here to invade, yes, but maybe we can find a way to turn this around!" Kal said. "War is not necessary."

The crowd was silent. Then Kal's father burst out laughing. "Has this woman made you weak, blood of my blood?" He asked. "We cannot negotiate with these fools! They are already conducting raids in our lands. They have already spilled our blood. You would answer these slights with words?"

Kal stood there quietly for a moment before replying.

"Blood of my blood. If they have spilled our blood then they owe us a blood debt. But this war will be my last. I'm sick and tired of all the death.

Lord Stryker unsheathes his sword.

 

[Asa]

She stood near Kal listening racking her brain for whatever she could remember about the history of the land she now owned. Chewing at her lip she looked at Kal then to his father unsure if she should speak up. She remembered being told about battles by some of the nomads that passed through from time to time she wished she could remember their stories.

 

[fulmineo]

"Father, we don't have to do this." Kal said calmly. "You know I am loyal to the family. But I am tired. I'm tired of all the bloodshed. I'm tired of the killing."

"And what, you think I am not?" Lord Stryker asked. "I do not care what you you think or are tired of. You are my son! This is your responsibility! You will do whatever it takes to protect our people, or so help me God I will kill you myself, boy."

Kal shook his head in refusal. "Father there must be another way!"

"There is no other way. In this world, you have to be willing to fight to protect what you care for." Lord Stryker then turned to some of his men. "Seize the girl. Bring her to me so that I can execute her. She is the one poisoning his head with this nonsense!"

Lord Stryker's men moved to follow his orders but Kal stepped in front of Giselle and drew his own weapon.

"Any man who lays a hand on her forfeits their lives." Kal said in a cold voice.

 

[Asa]

Her history with her ex and this near attempt on her life pissed her off.

You may live in these lands now but I own all of them from the mountains to the west the dunes to the east the great river to the north and even I can't remember the landmark to the south. I know the stories the nomads tell of the history of these lands. Kill me and lose the ability to know if you win or fail!

She was angry scared but none of that was in her voice. In that moment Kal's father was no different than her ex a coward who had to hurt women to feel better he did not deserve any emotion from her as she spoke

 

[fulmineo]

Kal did not turn back to look at her but he did smirk at his father. "That's right. The Cave summoned her here from a distant future. She knows our history and our future. She can help us end this with minimal bloodshed. Maybe there is a way to negotiate." Kal tried again.

His father was unmoved. He gestured and his vassals kept into action. Two of them attacked from the front, but it was too late. Kal had already moved and before they knew it, he had disarmed them and held the tip of his blade to one of their throats.

"Father, do not make me cut down your men."

Lord Stryker stood there a moment more before giving in.

"Very well. Stand down." Lord Stryker commanded. His men backed off and Kal sheathed his sword. Lord Stryker looked at Giselle.

"Well?"