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From the diaries of Unavar Darkraven
Posted On: 04/11/2008 22:37:32
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. . . awakened to the sound of pebbles against my window. I opened it to see Nathaniel staring up at me. “Hurry! There isn’t much time!” “What are you talking about?” I was worried my father would hear . . . he’d punished me severely the last time he caught me sneaking out to spend time with Nathaniel. “They’re coming! Hurry!” Thinking he meant my parents, I hurriedly dressed, arranged the pillows under my blankets, swung out the window and clambered down the ivy, just as I’d done dozens of times before.
Nathaniel grabbed my hand and pulled me back into the trees. “Wait here.” “What . . .?” “Shhh! I’ll be right back.” He kissed me quickly. “Just stay put. No matter what happens, remember I love you.” He headed back towards the house.
When he was halfway there, a dozen mounted men rode up. He turned. “Sir. All present and accounted for.” The leader leaned over in his saddle. “Really? It’s a good thing I’ve been having you watched, boy.” He nodded and two men dismounted and grabbed Nathaniel. “What are you doing?” “No one betrays me, boy, and lives.” He nodded towards the woods.
Suddenly, two men grabbed me from behind. I screamed and struggled as they dragged me from the woods. “Unavar!” Nathaniel screamed and pulled against the men holding him. “I’m sorry!” “Yes. You are.” The leader agreed with him and dismounted. He nodded to the men holding him. One of them drew a knife and cut Nathaniel’s throat. As the leader passed through the torchlight, I recognized my uncle Anwer.
My father appeared at the door. “What’s all this racket? Anwer! What is the meaning of this? Release my daughter at once! You have no right . . .” He never finished his sentence. Anwer approached my father and deliberately ran him through. The leader turned to the men. “Take these papers. Leave them in his study. Kill everyone inside. Then destroy the place as we discussed. I have to compose a proper funeral speech. As for you, my dear niece . . .” He walked over to me. I could see my father’s blood dripping from his sword. He raised his weapon and ran me through. The last thing I saw was him mounting his horse and riding away. That bastard! How could he? My family!
I awoke to hear the men muttering and the stomping of their horses. “He’s not going to like this.” “Why tell him?” “Does he really have to know?” “I won’t tell if you won’t.” “I’m sure he’ll find out somehow.” “Well then. When he does, let him figure out what to do about it.” I passed out again.
When I came to, I dragged myself over to Nathaniel. There was blood everywhere. I staggered away to vomit and then carefully made my way to the house. My father lay dead across the back steps. Inside, the house was a complete shambles. And so quiet. I stopped in the kitchen to grab a tablecloth to bandage my wound. Wandering through the house was like a nightmare. Upstairs, there was blood everywhere.
I found Erivor and Ralf, daggers in hand, in the corridor in front of the girls’ door. Though only eight and ten, they had tried to fight. Inside the room I could see where Andra and Senalia had been hacked apart trying to escape. I found Branal in the back of the closet. Her favorite doll was tucked up in her arms. Her throat had been cut.
My mother was down the hall in my parents’ room. She’d been tied to the bed . . . I approached slowly. “Unavar.” I thought I’d imagined it. ”Mother?” “Unavar. The children. I couldn’t save the children.” “Hush, mother.” “What . . .?” She never finished. I untied her and made her as peaceful as I could. I went back and did the same for the children. They were so limp, so fragile. I took Branal’s doll with me. I remember when she received it. She’d be so upset to see it covered with blood. I stopped to try and bandage my wound more closely and nearly passed out again.
I went down the hall to my brother Vorek’s room. I dreaded what I’d find. The furniture had been tossed about, but there was no sign of Vorek. I went to the window. It was unlocked. I knew that he, too, must have gone out. My room was torn apart as well. The bed had been hacked to pieces and my belongings were strewn everywhere. I resolved to wait for Vorek. But first, I went around collecting the items I’d take with me.
Mother’s gold necklace, my journals, my dagger, the ring Nathaniel gave me last spring. I hadn’t told anyone except Vorek. Mother and father thought I was too young to be married, so I couldn’t wear it openly. I guess that didn’t matter anymore. I left my longsword. I’d take father’s from the study. His was a much better weapon.
I went to the study. There were books everywhere and father’s desk was open. Ink had spilled across the papers. It appeared as though the men had been looking for something. Then I remembered what Uncle Anwer had said and I looked at the desk more closely. There were several papers carefully placed on top of the ink-spattered mess. I read through them. They appeared to be details of a plot to overthrow the local governor. I knew they had been planted there to frame my father, but I didn’t know why. I placed them in my rucksack and went over to the fireplace. I knew father kept money behind a loose brick in the hearth. I pulled out the brick and removed the gold and the papers there. I’d go through the papers later. I grabbed father’s longsword and crossbow from the study closet. I also picked up all the crossbow bolts I could find. It was getting late; there wasn’t much time until dawn. I made myself go back upstairs to Vorek’s room. I packed some clothing for him, found his sword and shield, threw on a warm cloak, and headed back outside. I stopped by Nathaniel’s body, clipped a lock of his hair, and removed the belt pouch I’d given him. I settled into a spot where I could see Vorek’s window and waited for him to return.
Shortly before dawn, I spotted my twin creeping up to the house. I called to him softly. “Vorek. Over here.” He approached carefully. “Sis, what are you doing out here? If Dad catches you again, there’ll be hell to pay.” I said. “Oh, Vorek. That’s the least of our problems.” Crying, I quickly filled him in on the events of last night. He insisted on going into the house. I couldn’t make myself go in again. When he came out again about 20 minutes later, we took two horses from the stables and left. We’ve been on the move ever since.
Tags: Character Background Plot Bunny Adventure
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11/14/08 New feature “The Tavern”
Check out our newest feature “The Tavern” located in your account profile. The tavern is a place to talk to people on your friends list. If someone is not on your list they won’t see your post. If you don’t want to see someone’s posts you can just delete them from your friends list. This feature gives you the ability to say what ever you want when ever you want. So have a blast!
Thank you,
Staff
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