Clanwar

Intruders

~Ciaran~

I walked to the tallest tree that I could find and started my climb. As I reached the top platform, I found Andy already there. He seemed to be concentrated on the horizon as Concern slowly creased his brow. I knock on the platform alerting him of my presence. He doesn’t break his concentration as he throws up a hand in acknowledgement to me.

“What are you looking at?” I asked after a few minutes.

“We aren’t the only ones who got hit.” He responded by getting up and changing his view.

“What do you mean?” I asked, getting a growing sense of fear.

“I mean I have looked at all of the other clans’ areas from here and they all had plumes of smoke.”

“But that could mean thousands of things! It could be a trick that they employed.”

“All of them? Unlikely. They hate each other as much as they hate us. No this is something different.”

“Well what are the chances they all just decided to light a fire? Like a big bonfire?”

“Around the same time as us? As probable as them uniting.” Andy scoffed.

“Well then what…”

A cacophony of whispers flowed through the air around us. Andy seemed to tense up as I strained to listen for any signs of life below us. At first, nothing seemed out of place. Then it was there. A silence that seemed abnormal in a forest filled with animals. Caution seemed to make me move forward and look down. As if straight out of a horror scene, two bodies moved quickly underneath us. I stared after them in confusion at their attire.

“Andy...ANDY!!” I whispered harshly

“What?” He asked writing something down

“We’ve got intruders.”

“What?! Where?” He asked peering over the edge.

“They just went by. They came from the North though.” I replied

“Oh come on dude! Why would Northerners come this far from the border?”

“... We should still check it out. It could be the burners.”

Andy sighed in submission and we split up so we appeared in front and behind the suspects. I nodded to Andy and on cue, we dropped into the forest. As if a signal had been given, the intruders split up and ran in opposite directions. I didn't have enough time to see which one Andy was going after and chased after the one closest to me. Their cloak flapping wildly behind them as they ran. The person seemed to be flying over the ground but also seemed to stumble where roots grew.

An Idea grew in my head and I started herding the runner towards where the trees grew densest. However, the runner didn't seem to want to go the way I was planning. Instead, they turned sharply and started to head towards where the trees thinned out and I grew concerned.

“Hey! Stop right there!” I called out in hopes they would listen.

They continued on their way increasing their speed.. I groaned and silently cursed them. I pursued them until they stopped suddenly. I approached warily as the person kept their back towards me.

“Who are you?” I called out.

They briefly glanced back but refused to answer. I caught a glimpse of hair but couldn't be sure.

“What are you doing here?”

“I am here to speak to the Ruler of this land.” The voice seems altered to my ears. They had turned toward me, their hood covering their face.

“Do you know the Ruler of this land?” I questioned.

“Who is asking?” They responded.

“I am.” I said stepping forward.

The person stepped back and a crumbling noise reached my ears. I raised my hands to placate the figure. I extended my arm, intent for the person to take hold before they take a dive off the cliff. The forest seemed to be inching towards them. Tendrils of vines and Ivy were lowering from the trees above us. The cloaked figure reached their hand out just as a vine came into their vision. The vine slowly wrapped around their hand and up their arm.

“My Lady!” Someone’s voice shouted out

“Ciaran! STOP!” Andy’s voice caused me to look away from the figure

I opened my mouth to answer but a crumbling sound made me look back to the Cloaked figure. A small gasp escaped them as they started to fall backwards. As if time slowed down, I reached towards the person just as their hood fell off. My mind blanked as I focused on reaching the person’s hand. By some miracle, I managed to reach them. My momentum was too much for the both of us. Without a moment’s thought, I threw the arm that held the person behind me. My intent was to let go but it seemed that the Cloaked figure had other plans.

It was then that I actually looked at the person. My eyes widened in shock as I found a woman gazing back at me. She had determination etched in her eyes. She looked up just as more tendrils of vines came shooting. She gave of no indication that she was frightened in any way. I couldn't help but stare in awe at her confidence. It was as if she knew that the forest would help her. She yelped as her arm was pulled tight and we banged into the cliff.

“EVERETT!” A girl’s voice shouted from just above us.

“I’m fine! We just need to be lifted up.” The girl shouted back up. Her face was taunt with pain yet her voice betrayed none of the pain she must have been experiencing.

“Oh my… Ciaran. Ciaran where is he?” Andy’s worried voice cut through the forest chatter.

“He’s with me.” The woman said.

“I’m fine Andy. Just get us up there before we drop!”

Time slipped by slowly as Andy and some girl hoisted us up and onto the cliff edge. I laid down far away from the edge and heaved huge gulps of air. My heart was hammering in my ears. The Cloaked girl sat beside me. She took measured breaths. Her eyes were closed and the arm that had held onto the vines was cradled to her chest. The woman that had hauled us up was by her side, whispering something to her. Andy came clambering over to me a wide grin on his face.

“Don’t do that to me Ciaran. You scared me half to death.”

“Yeah? Imagine how I felt.” I said with a laugh. The one called Everett chuckled with me.

“You sure didn't show it whenYou risked your life for mine.” She retorted, her eyes still closed.

“Wha- you risked your life? For a Northerner? What does she mean?”

“Nothing Andy.”

“Nothing?! You might have just single-handedly stopped a war! At least, for the time being.” The girl said.

“Hehe, what are you talking about?” Andy asked.

“Nothing.” The woman named Everett responded.

I couldn't help but chuckle. The girl cast an amused glance back. I smile as I rise into a sitting position. She was still taking measured breaths but her eyes were open and gazing into the land beyond the cliff. I gently poked her arm and she flinched away. Her friend looked surprised at first but then glared at me. I raised my hands and shrugged apologetically.

“Don’t worry. It's just dislocated. I can help set it back.” I said, keeping my voice steady.

“Don’t need you to.”

Suddenly there was a loud popping sound. It was very close to the sound of a tree as it is about to topple over. Andy and I stared open mouthed as the woman just continued with her breathing. Her friend rubbed circles on her back. After she had gotten over the pain, she set her sights on me.

“How are your ribs?” She asked.

“Huh?” I looked at her confused.

“Everett here is one of our greatest doctors.” The girl said.

“May I?” She motioned to my body a question evident in her eyes.

“Uh… sure?”

She raised one of my arms and placed one hand on my back and the other just above my stomach.. I couldn't help but become painfully aware of how close this girl was. She seemed to be used to this kind of thing. None the less it didn't help the blush creeping onto my face. Shaking my head slightly, I tried to rid myself of such stupid thoughts. She was still a Ximian and I needed to be wary of them.

“Can you take a deep breath for me?” I complied. She nodded.

“Ok, one more time? Now hold. And slowly exhale.”

She took my wrist and felt around for a bit before her fingers settled. She was muttering something beneath her breath and after a minute, she gently set my arm down. Andy and I looked at her in confusion. She mirrored our expression.

“Did it hurt to breathe?”

“No.”

“Good. Your ribs might be bruised but that’s the worst of it.”

“How do you know that?” Andy asked.

“I… I’m a doctor. Do you guys not have doctors?” Everest asked

“None like you.” I replied.

“W...well I think it is about time we start going Eve.”

“Yea. You’re right Monaley. It was nice meeting you gentlemen but we must take our leave.” Everett responded, standing up.

“Wait, you asked your question. Now it’s our turn.” Andy said, stopping the girls.

“Excuse me?! We saved your friend and you want to treat us like we are criminals?” The one named Monaley shouted.

“Monaley, It’s ok. As long as we can get on our journey soon.” Everett was talking more to Andy at this point.

“How about this., we will escort you and we can all ask our questions on our way?” I interjected.

Everett nodded and gave a small smile in appreciation. I felt a smile reach my own face. Andy cleared his throat as I quickly looked away.

“Ok. Let’s get on our way then.” I said