Author Topic: The Hunt of the Silvershadow  (Read 1013 times)

DaelricRein

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The Hunt of the Silvershadow
« on: May 06, 2012, 11:54:49 PM »

   (The writing is elegant but rushed, droplets staining the page)

    I never should have stayed. Never. I would not be on this hunt, I would not feel this anguish, If I had simply moved on as intended. All my life, hunted. Hunting. Perhaps I enjoyed the bounty work, the survival, because of the cards I was dealt. Yet I was always evading my hunters as I wandered. Our hunters. I was a fool. To think, that they would relent. This has been a centuries long game, no Silvershadow has ever been given rest. Just time between attacks. Why.....why did I stop? Why did I -stay-? Lilianna....your blood, will always be on my hands. Always.... and there is no fixing this. I will never hear your laugh, see your smile, feel your heartbeat.

 (A sudden straying of the quill a moment, before the writing resumes)

   I will however......have justice. I will find him, I will hunt, until I find him. This is what they want. They want me making myself visible. They think they own the shadows..... I will show them, that it is not only their home. That other's hunt, within it's vast bounds. Ironic, the life of prey, makes one a fine predator. They expect bold movement now, an easy target. All are targets.....but it is a chance. Even should I fall, a chance to bring him down screaming to the hells with me. Selune, my mistress of the moon....of the night.... grant me the strength, the will, to see this through, whatever it takes. I cannot fail her. I simply can't.......(the words trailing off.)


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   I take my first calm breaths this moment, since my arrival. The descent of the mist, the awareness of this.....change. Vistani. Once I heard that name, I knew I was no longer....home. I had traveled much of Toril, so much. Such a foreign word should not have been beyond my ears. I felt....so hopeless at first. So lost. My quarry....... I'm so far away...Or so I thought.

    (the writing suddenly firm on the page, the ends and beginnings of sentences blotched slightly from the force of the quill pressing down)

   A vistani read my cards. I've always had an open mind, and I saw no harm. They were all too accurate, and she said something that...caught my attention.  A reason, for being here. A reason...... He's here. The bastard's here. However I came to be here, so is my quarry. He must be. Why else drag me into this godsforsaken place? A land full of predators..... he'll be lost amongst the sea. He would be. I have no doubts, however, he is here. I will find him, or him me. I will bide my time, I will train, and learn. Survive, as all Silvershadows are bred to do. I will hunt, and learn, and grow in skill. My father once said, it is good to excel at one thing....but it is better to master many. So I shall. When we meet, my foe, know you are prey. I will be the first Silvershadow to hunt those that have hunted and tormented us for so long. All you taught me, father, is a tool. We chose to be prey, to evade, to hunt what we could to survive, yet ever avoid what we considered....a larger predator. To hells with that. He is but a man....they are, but men. I shall hunt the monsters of this land, to prepare for that day. The day of reckoning. Our lines fate changes, for I can no longer stand to hide. My head is clear, my heart knows the path. My words are bold, but I always remember to respect what one hunts. Whether it is food, a task, a call, a duty. Justice. All prey can be predator, the victor writes history and claims the title. This one time father.... I shall do this, for us. Never again shall we suffer loss. Never again shall we fall to their blades. Lilianna..... you will be avenged. To this, my heart, I pledge..........

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   I become distracted, of late. My curiosity and desire to learn, turns me to ever new meetings. I see the shadows of this land, and I feel torn. Some part of me...feels too at home here. The darkness, the shadows.... the never ending stream of predators desiring one's life. I have been bred for this. Another.... a softer part, the part you knew, lilianna..... feels sorrow. Such a desire to help ease the troubles of those I come across. I have met much kindness here.... despite it all. In my desire to return it, I fear I become lax. Where is the balance, I wonder? He could be watching me, even now, waiting to strike. Yet I cannot help but extend a hand to the quiet, those alone, those in need. Perhaps it was your love, the light you were in life, that lingers in death, that keeps my humanity despite the situation. I .... became so single minded, once that crime was committed, I look back and begin to believe...I was slipping. Still, I am slowly centering. I cannot forgive what was taken, but this hunt, must be gradual, careful. Nor can I keep my head and be relentless.

   I must walk, with eyes and ears sharp. Take in all, and waste not a moment. However, Lilianna, I shall always remember what you taught me. The little things. Enjoy, the little things. A moment of mirth, of respite, of cheerful banter among allies. To breathe, to smile, when it is allowed. In this oppressive atmosphere, such things seem fewer and further between then ever. With your loss, it presses even deeper. Still.... when I've the chance, I smile, for your sake. I will fight, and fight hard. Train hard. Yet, always remember what you taught me. There is hope, in all things, even in this dark place......even for me.
« Last Edit: May 07, 2012, 12:41:58 AM by DaelricRein »

DaelricRein

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Re: The Hunt of the Silvershadow
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2012, 10:50:08 AM »
*The writing elegant and graceful, flowing across the pages*

    It has been several months now since I've arrived, and it's time I reflect upon....everything. I have been fortunate, as ever. I imagine it's a blend of how I was bred and the smiling of the silver lady. Coin is in abundance, equipment, steadily acquired. Outfitting myself to survive. I have a friend, one, true friend here, though I have many acquaintances. Lucadia, an elven man I met early on, whom I suspect is a druid. Some of his...hunts, are shady at best, and the wounds he shows up with horribly explained, but I do not press. He has proven  kind, so I shall respect his privacy. I've had so few friends in my life. I've had so few of...anything, really. It is the life of a wanderer, prey, predator. I wonder, if that is circumstantial... or whether regardless of what I was born, this is who I would be. Idle musings, with no relevance. Facts. Let's attend to the facts. To where it began. To the day my world shattered and re-formed, when all changed, and my own path truly began.

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   His grin growing, eyes delirious as he pushes his blade deeper into her back, the tip breaking through her chest. Blood suddenly pours from the wound like a damn burst, the stain growing on his victims blouse as he twists the blade. His victim...my mother. Eyes widening in disbelief, thoughts racing like the lightning flashing outside, illuminating the scene in the back-alley in room. Somehow, I know. I know it'll be etched into my soul as long as I love. My grip tightens on my brothers head, guarding his gaze from the sight before us. No. Not mother. Not our mother. Images of the dieing woman flitting through my mind, a painful collage of memories as I just...stare. The woman's hand rises slowly, lips mouthing the word "run". I can't, I can't run! Somewhere, in the back of my mind, it's screaming move, but my legs remain curled beneath me, unable to begin lifting my body to it's feet. Tears sliding down my cheeks as I watch, I watch, the light fading from her eyes. I'm watching her die. No.

   I blink, as she mouths her final words. "I love you, always." I blink, and she's gone. She's gone, just a body on a blade. A wet, sickening slurping pains my ears as the blade is withdrawn, leaving her to fall lifeless to the floor. My gaze slowly turns to face her murderer, lips curled into a half-smirk as he approaches. My grip tightens around my brothers head, shielding him from our impending death. I feel it, for the first time. Hopelessness. Complete, and utter hopelessness. I stare into his eyes, and despite the terror coursing through me, a certain resignation slides into place. I'm going to die.

   The door slams open, and the man falls sideways. Bewilderment take over, as my eyes follow his falling form, and I see it. A dagger, embedded in his throat. My gaze snaps to the doorway, and my father stands, panting, wildly glancing around the room. Relief, at the sight of my brother and I. Fury, at the man dieing next to me. I watch, as it shifts. I watch. Then I see it, in his eyes too. Hopelessness. As the lightning flashes once more, I hear nothing but breathing, and rain. Rain, pounding outside as my heart breaks within, and I cave. I cave, eyes closing as tears stream from eyes that would never see the world the same.

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   Mother. It has been....seven years. Seven years, since that night. The rain...always the rain..... I can't help but question if co-incidence stands against me as well, or if it's an intentional reminder. A reminder, that life, as anything, is fleeting. Or it's some sick joke, meant to torment me. I know not. That was the first night though, the first loss marked by the un-ending pounding of the rain, illuminating flashes of lightning as I am powerless. A running trend, in my life. Left to watch, as life slips between fingers too weak to hold ...anything. That was the first night, where I truly didnt care...If I lived or died. Perhaps that was more terrifying than anything.

   That my feelings, could lead to such a treacherous carelessness. That any pain, could push me past that fine line in life. We are born survivors, us Silvershadow, for we have no choice. Surviving, is not enough. If one has no reason to survive, to live, to breathe, then why bother? It was some time after that, I realized the importance of others in my life. A lesson I managed to ignore for periods of time, as I wandered. Afraid. Afraid of the pains of loss. A folly of youth. I wasted years in my travels, keeping to myself, terrified of having anything, anyone, worth mourning. That's not the point though, of life, is it?

   Everything ends, and everyone dies. Loss, is a part of life. What then, is the point of living? It is to find those people, worth mourning. To revel in every smile, and every laugh. To hold them close, and fight all the harder. Fight, that we might have another moment with them, even a single one. Everything ends, and everyone dies. Life, is about living for those worth mourning. Living for those worth living -for-. Living for those, worth dieing for. It took me along time to learn this. That night, was but the beginning. I've so much more to pen, before the night is done. It was only a few tendays later when..........

DaelricRein

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Re: The Hunt of the Silvershadow
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2012, 06:53:26 PM »
   A man in a dark room is slowly sifting through various items lying on a bed Women's clothing, that he's sorting and folding, slowly, gaze empty as he works. Next to the pile that's forming, a medium sized frame with the portrait of a blonde woman, smilng, two boys in her lap. He pauses, eyes closing as tears run down his cheeks, and he takes a shuddering breath, eyes opening slowly.

   "Azrael". He speaks suddenly, eyes remaining closed. "Is something on your mind, my son?". The youth that had appeared behind him sneers as he takes a step forward.

   "This is your fault." Said simply, eyes narrowing dangerously as he takes another step forward. "She's gone, and it's your fault." The man remains silent, not arguing, though his silence shared his thoughts clearly. "You should have died, not mother. Never mother...." Gently shaking his head, his narrowed gaze holding the glint of madness. His tone, however, utterly sincere as he speaks, on all accounts. "You're continued breathing makes me sick. Our blades, father. You've trained us since we were seven winters. Why didn't you let us possess our blades?!"

   A hand running down the mans face as he sighs softly. "If you think these are not thoughts I possess, you are mistaken my son. I have oft looked to my blade, and thought of ending my sorrow. That, is the easy way out. I have my sons, and that is worth living for....whatever the pain. I'm....I'm sorry." Taking a shuddering breath as he continues. "I thought it was best to only allow their wielding in training. No child should no the price of a man's blood on their hands."

   "And what about my pain?!" Azrael snarls, creeping towards him slowly. "What about the agony that rips thorugh -me-? Every day I see you, I am reminded of your failures. Miserable old fool. It infuriates, consumes my soul. You should have died, and I intend to rectify such a mistake."

   "It won't bring her back." His head turning slightly, gazing at Azrael out of the corner of an eye. "It won't. Living is price enough." His gaze drifting back to the portrait on the bed, resting there as he speaks. "She's gone."

    "Because of you!" A quick step forward, his rapier and dagger drawn swiftly enough they seemed to appear in his hands, lunging for his fathers back. Aimed true for his heart, expression one of feral ecstasy, the hunter closing on his victim. The man simply bows his head, shoulders lowering as he awaits the strike, expression forlorn.

  A sudden blur from the shadows, Azrael's expression swiftly shifting to wide-eyed surprise as his rapier's tip is deflected to the side, a spinning form sending his dagger wide. As swiftly as it had appeared, the figure stills, leaving him gazing into Elric's eyes. A flash of lightning outside illuminates the scene, the twins blades locked, eyes narrowing. One's, manic and wild. The other's, filled with a cold fury, yet solemn. His eyes betray his sorrow, even as his gaze holds fierce. Voice soft, yet firm as he speaks the words..."He lives."

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   Why, Azrael? Why? To this day, I ask myself....why? You used to smile. Were you always capable of such, and it just took the right events to bring it forth? Or does the world truly have the power to warp us, twist us like so much clay, until we cannot recognize ourselves in a mirror? The sorrow, and the fury that devoured you whole..... I'd say I understand, but perhaps not. Am I stronger, inside? Do I simply feel less? How does one compare these things? Does fate factor in? Father had always held significance to our birth. Silvershadows sire one son. Always, one son. Yet...we were two. Both marked at birth, as our father, and his father before him. He used to obsess on the meaning. It wasn't until he started training us that he seemed to dismiss it as nothing, at least openly. I write all this, and then wonder....does it even matter? For all the questions I possess, the facts do not change.

   You made your choices, as I made mine....and it placed us on opposite sides of a fine line. I'm not one to believe in absolute good, or evil. They are all perceptions, of what one or many think is best. I do believe there is a right and wrong way to handle things, however. Still...even by my own standards, I tread the grey. You seemed so lost, so entirely lost to nothing but shadows. Was mother all that was holding you together? You had us. You were never alone in this. We had father. Why, Azrael, why? I cannot help but question...why?