Buried Eyes

[Taia Niara Eidot]

"One... two... three..." Taia sat in the middle of a sand hole counting out small bits of what appeared to be broken glass. "...eight, nine, ten..." she continued dropping the small pebbles in and the more she counted the more excited she grew. By the time she was finished she'd counted twenty-three pebble sized bits of glass known throughout Trymere as lightening stone and to the Sairrden it was called the 'Eyes of God' after its origin in the Heavens above. Each stone was worth roughly five silver pieces and she had twenty three of them!

Pulling the drawstring on her bag taunt, her bright blue eyes flash up towards the white fox that peered down at her. "I've got twenty three stones! I can't wait to tell Tuala! I told her she should have come with me, that I knew where to find them."

She didn't want to get into trouble again, Taia.

Taia frowned and looked towards her bonded companion. "You know they're all just being silly," she grumbled in response as she climbed to the top of the dune and stared out over the wide expanse of desert. You could see for miles on a clear day and today was no exception to that. They were close enough to the capitol that she could faintly make out the caravans going to and from the city but they were far enough away that only a foolish traveler would venture out and discover them. "There is no one for miles."

That doesn't always mean it's safe.

"When did you start worrying so much?" she asked, the conversation quickly ruining her good mood because she knew that Kajiri was right, just because you couldn't see the enemy didn't mean the enemy could see you. Taia, however, knew there was no one around because she'd be able to feel them like she could feel Tuala and her sister and brother in law and when she was looking, anyone else in their tribe. Tuala she felt all the time, no matter how often she wished she could block her mirrored half out. It was like trying not to breathe or walking around with your eyes closed -- impossible and potentially painful.

"Come on," she said at last, heaving the satchel over her thin shoulder. "We'd better go back before someone realizes we haven't caused any trouble in camp today." That thought brought a grin her to her lips. "Besides! I want to show Aga and Kip what I found!" With that she was racing off across the sands, surprising fast considering the way the sand shifted beneath her bare feet. Kajiri was right behind her, a white blur against a brown backdrop. Numor was hardly the fox's favorite place to be but they couldn't always be some place where the artic wolf felt more at home -- like the mountains of Keniver where she'd first found him.

"Race you!" She called with a laugh as she headed towards the smattering of brightly colored tents on the horizon. She hadn't realized just how far she walked and felt the first feeling of anxiousness settle over her as she tried to move faster over the sands.

[Tuala Emogene Eidot]

Tuala sat atop the sandy ridge, the Dunes at her back and unforgiving sunshine blazing on her front. The wind buffeted her, whipping sand into her eyes and bringing to her the distant sounds of her tribe, preparing for another sandstorm. But she neither noticed nor cared. Her eyes were wide and unblinking, set with an unwavering gaze on the horizon ahead. Though, it was not the horizon she was staring at.

Silhoutted across her vision and glimmering in the hot air, images danced. Diaphonous as air and fleeting as shadows, they nonetheless held shapes and colors. It was the Ioran camp, but not as it was now; there were two more, very important members that laughed and danced with herself and her sister. A woman and a man who looked very much like Tuala... suddenly the images swirled and vanished, and were replaced by a cold, snowy evergreen forest. It hung for only a moment before popping like a bubble.

"You broke my concentration," she told Kateera as she turned to her companion with a frown. The snow leopard merely yawned and stretched languidly.

That picture is beginning to bore me. Mine was SO much nicer. And it was so easy to do! Kateera added, the feline voice inside Tuala's head smug.

Tuala frowned again but didn't bother to argue. It was true; her control over her powers was yet unpredictable, and the strong bond with her snow leopard allowed her Familiar to intrude upon the illusions she conjured. It was a source of irritation but also part of the reason she practiced so often. And why she was always certain to be out of sight of the others when she did so.

Staring at the now-empty air Tuala changed the subject. "Shouldn't Taia be back by now?"

She knows when she must be back. If she goes awry it is her own fault.

Tuala agreed, but that didn't mean she wasn't worried for her twin, and sensing her owner's distress Kateera rose, and padded across the sand to flop down next to Tuala. But the next moment Tuala felt it - that quiet, abiding sensation aside that was Taia suddenly burst into flame with an adrenaline that was not hers. Hopping to her feet Tuala scanned the horizon, and sure enough, she could see Taia and Kajiri racing along.

White-blond hair whipped by the rising winds, Tuala squinted down at the pair and, as still and poised as a sandstone statue, she waited.

[Taia Niara Eidot]

As Taia drew closer, the rippling undertone that was Tuala grew stronger; she could feel her sister, waiting and watching and it washed away the anxiety she'd been feeling just a moment before. The only time that their connect was ever strained was by distance and while they'd never tested the limits ( nor did they want to ) Taia was fairly certain that no matter how far away she got from her twin, she'd always feel a small part of her.

Almost there!

Kajiri's voice rang through her mind clear as a bell and she laughed as hot wind and blazing sun warmed her face and sun kissed flesh. "I'm still going to beat you!" she called out breathlessly just as she caught sight of the white blur sweeping past her. "That's cheating!" Even as she said it she couldn't help but laugh. It wasn't really cheating that he had four feet to run on opposed to her two and both of them knew it but that didn't stop her from complaining.

A few more yards and she had a clear view of her sister watching them from the edge of their clan's encampment. Unable to rein in her excitement she held up the bag and swung it around so that Tuala would be able to see it from where she stood.

Lightening stones! A bunch of them! Tuala would hear Taia's excited voice bounce around inside her head as the girl drew ever closer. Nearly there! Kajiri would make it long before she did, already she could see the white ball of fluff leaping to disturb the ever peaceful Kateera where she lay lounging beside Tuala.

Less than a minute later she was steps away and tumbled to a stop beside her sister, short, slender appendages sprawled out around her as she squinted in the sunlight to better make out the figure of Tuala looming over her. "Look at these! They're amazing!" she held the bag aloft for her sister to take a better look. "I bet there were tons more but there was no more time to look, you should have come!"

[Tuala Emogene Eidot]

Tuala was relaxing as Taia came nearer and nearer, tearing across the sand like she had wings on her heels. Sometimes she envied her sister's free abandon but Tuala could never quiet let go of herworries and cares that way. Only when she was with Taia alone like this could she be, almost, a child.

Lightning stones! A bunch of them! Taia's excited voice rang between her ears, and Tuala couldn't help but smile as Kajiri tackled Kateera. The two felines' voices, annoyed and teasing respectively bounced about both their minds. Tuala gave Kateera's head a soothing pat before leaving the animals to their play.

When Taia flopped down on the ground Tuala joined her, albeit more slowly. When that bag was offered she took it, carefully loosing the ties to pour some of the contents into her small palm. Her eyes widened.

Wow.... The awe was clear in Taia's mind, but then she went on aloud.

"Did you really need all of these?..." Tuala frowned softly at her sister, even as her fingers still caressed the beautiful gems in her hand admiringly. "It's nearly sundown. You know what will happen if we're late again...."

[Taia Niara Eidot]

Taia watched her twin expectantly, eagerly awaiting the begrudging approval she knew would be there. It came moments later, not in a verbal response but echoing through her mind. It caused Taia to smile broadly and reach up to take the bag back from Tuala so she could take a look at the small jewels herself leaving her only with the ones in her hand.

"Did you really need all of these?..." Tuala frowned softly at her sister, even as her fingers still caressed the beautiful gems in her hand admiringly. "It's nearly sundown. You know what will happen if we're late again...."

"Of course I needed all of them," she replied with the faintest hint of a scowl. Though she would never understand why the city folk were so enthralled by what was essentially pieces of glass she knew that there were lots who would pay gold to get their hands on the rare 'Eyes of God'. "And we aren't going to be late, I'm back aren't I?" She said holding the back out and open so that Tuala could dump the stones she was holding back into it.

"I would have been back ages ago if you'd stop being so... stubborn and grown up, we're supposed to get into trouble," she added glancing towards Tuala. Taia tied the leather thong around the top of the bag to keep it from opening up again and looped the same thong around the leather belt circling her waist.

Reaching down she scooped up Kajiri off the ground and held him close. He nuzzled into her hair and Taia looked impatiently at her sister. "I guess we'd better get going then huh? Wouldn't want anyone to worry," she had to admit, Tuala was right about one thing. They would be in big trouble if they were late again. "You didn't have to wait for me," she added in a soft tone. "No need for you to get in trouble because I'm off fooling around."

She was anxious to get to the council meeting that was held at the end of every day. It was a time for the whole tribe to get together, to share the events of the day, eat and tell stories. It was also a time for the elders to discuss the future. How much longer they would stay in any given spot, where they would go next, what supplies were needed before they headed back out into the deep of the plains, and so on and so forth. Most children played off to the side while their parents discussed, their older sister wanted the two of them to sit and listen and be aware of what was going on. Ever since the Latai tribe had been attacked and obliterated things had gotten more tense. Everyone was on edge, everyone was worried, they all feared another attack and the worst part was no one knew what sort of enemy to look for.

"Coooome on," she added grabbing hold of her sister's hand as she headed towards the center of camp.

[Alexander Remis]

Alex cut into his opponent with an ease befitting of the one with the title of blademaster. His opponent fell to the ground but this was not the end of the fight there were two more opponents left of the five that had originated. The sun beat down on Alex’s tanned skin and sweat had coated his body. The other two were much worse off they wear dead tired.

They had tried everything in their arsenal to beat Alex yet had come up short. They were the best warriors in the tribe these five and so far none had come close to striking him. They were warriors like him but they did not have the discipline and the training Alex had for so long honed into his mind and body.

Alex watched the two men circle and as he waited for the attack a smile came to his face. He would make blademasters of the Ioro tribe yet. There stance was perfect and the way they circled flawless. These five had learned well of their constant sparring with him. They then came in for the attack and Alex lost himself to the mantra he was long ago taught.

Cut. Once Committed to fight cut. Everything else is secondary. Cut. That is your duty, your purpose, your hunger. There is no rule more important, no commitment that overrides that one. Cut. Cut from the void, not from bewilderment. Cut the enemy as quickly and directly as possible. Cut with certainty. Cut decisively, resolutely. Cut into his strength. Flow through the gaps in his guard. Cut him. Cut him down utterly. Don't allow him a breath. Crush him. Cut him without mercy to the depths of his spirit. It is the balance to life: death. It is the dance with death. It is the law a man lives by or he dies

When the mantra in his head finished the last two opponents lay on the ground. Alex looked around at some of the tribesmen watching him and he reached down and helped the five up. They were not dead they just had to lie dead till the fight was finished so as to create real obstacles. Alex nodded to the men and said they did well but they must practice more.

Alex was not like these men he was not born into the Ioro tribe he had originally been in the Undari warriors and ferocious fighters. The Ioro's considered him one of them ever since they had found him near death. Alex did not like to think of that, but it had been the first time he had meet his second wife.

Alex smiled an unseal site for such a hard man. He put on his black under shirt which he then covered with a red and black tribal over shirt. Alex sighed a bit wearily. He put the wooden practice sword with the others and grabbed his own.

The Golden Heron on the hilt gleamed in the sunlight as he buckled it to his hip. Normally Alex did not wear the sword but today was different. This was for effect. Alex started walking towards where the elders were to meet. He would talk some sense into them yet. With the almost total destruction of one of the tribes it was eminent that there was a threat. It had to be met and destroyed at once.

A voice popped in his head it said," Be careful Alex we do not know what this threat might be. We have to go by this carefully and not rush head on to fight whatever this is". A black wolf came bounding up to him and Alex smiled and said," I know but still we must prepare, these people are not the warriors I grew up with, but this threat must eventually be found out and destroyed".

He looked away and headed toward the center of the camp as he was headed he saw his wife’s sisters heading toward it as well. Alex was one of the few who knew the truth about those two. He had promised to protect them even if it was from them. They had abilities he had never seen before.

He would make use of them but not exploit them. He did love them in his own fashion; they were after all his sisters now. He approached them as they were running and he called out," Not causing trouble are you little ones, we don't want a repeat of last time".