Odd Prompts 21: Week 2
This week’s prompt was fun, but not in the usual way. Earlier in the week I’d been playing around with a throw-away scene, and had what I thought was a hilarious line. Too late, I realized that I was late submitting my prompt for the week. Luck favored me in that we got a few extra hours, so I decided to use a variation of that line as a prompt. Cedar got that draw. I got “I’m going to need the spider” From A.C. Young. With a bit of thought I saw not only a way to continue the scene and work in the prompt. Yay.
This is another excerpt from a 4 Winds/ Collegium book that may or may not be completed some day. (an earlier excerpt was done in week 39)
Star and Robin are moving between dimensions in an effort to return an artifact to its home keep. The latest world has a bit of a dragon problem. Their solution to that problem is rather unusual.
Banish Dragon
The sound of wings beating the air and running feet drew Robin’s attention from the massive Gate before her. A quick glance showed what she expected, Star and one of the male villagers headed for the Gate with a good sized dragon in pursuit.
She looked at the saffron robed Nun standing some yards away and nodded. With a slight nod the older woman drew her hands towards her, as if pulling something. Robin closed her eyes and mentally pulled, feeling the energy in the Gate fluctuate as they tried to hold it just a little bit longer. Star’s presence brushed up against her as the running feet approached and then went silent, followed shortly by the energy rippling as someone touched the Gate. Just behind them a large foreign presence slammed against her shields as wind from the massive wings nearly knocked her over. A few seconds more the presence vanished as the dragon flew through the Gate. The energy splashed and rippled like a pond after someone dropped in a rock, crashing back towards the women holding it.
“Close it!”
Robin and the Nun quickly worked to bring the energies under control and get the portal closed before the beast could get turned around and come back. Fighting against the desire to get it done quickly, they unwove their energy from each other and allowed each to reclaim that which was theirs. Gradually the Gate shrank until it was one of normal size, and then vanished.
Keeping her eyes closed against the pain that was now crashing through her skull, Robin returned her sword to its scabbard and slid it inside her belt.
“It worked.” Star was suddenly at her side, supporting her.
“Is Berendina okay?”
“Marinus is with her.”
Robin slowly opened her eyes, ignoring the stabbing pain from the sunlight, and took a slow, faltering step. “I’ve thrown daemons into the Realm before; this is the first time I’ve had it splash back like that.”
“We can talk about it later,” Star half smiled and steered her friend towards the cart that was approaching. “For now, let’s get you guys back to the Abbey.”
On the third day after they banished the dragon, Robin was finally able to sit up and take stock of her aches. Star was sitting on the stool a few feet away half dozing.
“Hey.” Robin nudged her with a foot.
“Hun? Oh hi, yer ‘wake. How ya feel?”
“Like my skull was ripped open from the inside, my brain scooped out with a melon-baller, mushed up like baby food and then squished back in random order. Otherwise, okay. You?”
Star stared at her for a long moment. “That … is a surprisingly vivid description.”
“It seemed to fit.” Robin shrugged. “And you didn’t answer my question.”
“Ah, ‘bout that same.” Star rubbed at the nape of her neck.
“So now that we’ve established that between us we have mush for brains, what’s next?”
“Eh, you think you’re up to going to the village? We need to get supplies.”
Robin half grunted and made an attempt at standing up. It took two tries but she finally was able to successfully stand upright without holding onto the bed or wall.
Star shifted her stool back in the narrow space between the bed and wall to give Robin a little more room. “Okay, that’s a start.”
Robin gave a small nod and stood there for a moment. “Let me go to the facilities and get a bath. I’m more than a little rank.” She wrinkled her nose. “Maybe after that we can talk about getting supplies.”
Star arched one eyebrow. “I think I’ll lay down for a little bit, grab a nap. Come get me when you’re done, we’ll do a status check.”
Just under two hours later they were standing at the gate of the Abbey. Both were wearing clothes that had been cast off from Initiates. Robin borrowed one of the hats the Sisters wore when working in the garden to keep the sun out of her eyes.
“How’s Berendina?”
“She was back on her feet two days ago. I believe she has returned to her students today.” Star waved to the Novice on midday gate watch.
“The difference between a Journeyman and a Master,” Robin sighed as they started down the road towards the village.
“Not exactly. More like the difference between someone dealing with backlash and a migraine triggered by said backlash.” Star gave her a friendly shoulder bump. “You guys took a hellva hit when that bastard went through.” They stepped to the side of the road as the sound of a cart reached them. “Oh, the Healer gave me a list of herbs that we could try. Won’t really replace the preventatives we lost, but they could help during an attack.”
“Moin,” a young voice called out.
Star paused and looked back. “Moin,” she called back as the cart lumbered up next to them. One of the younger Nuns waved to them.
“Wo is’t?”
Star looked back at the Nun. “We’re doing better, thanks.”
“You are going into town?” Birgitta signaled the oxen to stop.
“Yes, we need to get some things.”
Birgitta patted the seat next to her. “Ride with me.”
Robin and Star looked at each other, shrugging. “Beats walking.” They spoke simultaneously.
They climbed up into the cart and squeezed themselves onto the seat.
Birgitta started chatting with Star as they rode in. Robin closed her eyes trying to keep the light out of her eyes, and ignore the lingering symptoms of her migraine.
“What was that you and Sister Berendina did? I felt the energy all the way at the Abbey?”
“We opened a vortex, a portal, to another world and tricked the dragon into going through it.”
Birgitta stared at them in undisguised surprise. “I did not know such things were possible.”
“It’s possible only for some.”
“Do you think it would be possible to teach me?”
“I don’t know.”
Robin open one eye and gave Star a sideways looked. “Tell her to talk to Berendina.”
“Eh?”
“I caught vortex and Berendina. I presume she is asking about opening a Gate.”
“Robin says to ask Berendina. She knows your school of magic and would have a better idea what you need to learn.”
“Thank you. I will do that.” She smiled and turned her attention back to the ox.
“I was that eager once, I think,” Robin muttered.
“We all were, at that age.” Star confirmed.
The oxen weren’t faster than walking, but for two weary travelers, it was easier. They arrived at the village just before mid-day. Many of the shops in the market were picked over but some still had a good selection of wares.
The pair slowly worked their way around the market with Birgitta offering a bit of advice from time to time. Gradually their bags, and Birgitta’s basket, started to fill with goods to replace their lost supplies and food for the Abbey. They were almost done when Star and Robin abruptly stopped in mid-stride and turned to look across the market place.
“Did you …”
“Yeah,” Star frowned and turned. “Someone’s afraid.”
“What is that?” Birgitta looked around.
“Untrained power, trying to block I think,” Robin spoke as if answering Birgitta. She started headed in the direction of the power with Star not even half a step behind. Birgitta trailed behind still unsure what was happening.
On the far side of the market they found the source of the wordless call. A young girl in her early teens was sprawled on the ground, one hand half held up to ward off the blows raining on her from an older woman. Around their feet were loaves of bread and a large basket.
“Stop!” “Stop!” Star and Robin moved between the women.
“What’s going on here?” Star demanded.
“That worthless one dropped our bread. I cannot sell it now.”
“I’m sure it was an accident. Beating her will not bring you fresh bread.” Star took a breath and tried to calm the other woman.
“Please, don’t.” The young girl whispered. “It was my fault, I was clumsy”.
“What’s going on?” Robin asked, not taking her gaze off the teen. Star quickly translated. “Everyone makes mistakes, it shouldn’t warrant a beating.”
Star repeated what Robin has said, giving the child a soft smile.
“I should have been more careful.”
“She has cost us a day’s money.”
As Star slowly translated their comments Robin turned to fix a cold stare at the woman. “Mesu buta.”
Robin glanced briefly at Birgitta. “I’m going to need the spider.” She mangled the pronunciation for the local money but since she pointed at the bag the Nun figured out what she wanted.
Birgitta removed the bag from her basket and handed it over, clearly puzzled.
Robin fished around inside the bag and pulled out several large coins and cast them at the woman’s feet. “I hope they bring you warmth in your old age.”
Star carefully kept a straight face as she translated Robin’s words.
The older woman’s face flushed in anger and she started yelling. Star declined to provide a translation.
As the woman started waving her hands around and made as if to advance on them, Birgitta stepped forwards and raised a hand.
“Mother, please. These are the Travelers that helped banish the dragon.”
Star quietly translated as the woman looked between them and the Nun. Robin continues to stare at the woman, daring her to try to move against the girl again. Finally the older woman reached down and picked up the coins that Robin has strewn across the ground and scuttled away.
Once they were sure the old woman was gone, the women turned and knelt beside the girl. The girl sat hunched over, refusing to look up until Star reached out and gently lifted her head and smiled at her.
“I’m Robin, this is Star.” Robin pointed at herself and then Star.
“Anneliese,” the girl whispered.
“Why was she beating you, Anneliese?” Robin gently asked then waited for Star to translate.
“I cost them money. I am a burden.”
“Who said you’re a burden, child?”
“Katla says I am useless. I caused my brother’s death, so we no longer have him to sell our breads. I’m too clumsy.”
Robin fought to keep the anger off her face as she listen to Star’s translation.
“Her brother was killed in one of the dragon attacks last year, trying to protect her.” Birgitta told them. “He used to go to the other village for their market. Without him they can only sell here.”
Robin shook her head and sighed as she listened to Star. “Narrow minded provincials,” she muttered in Japanese.
“Their world, sister.”
Robin shook her head again and turned back to Anneliese, giving her a small smile. “You’re far from useless.” She closed her eyes for a moment and called for a bit of energy. Cupping her hands she formed a small globe of light in her palms. She held it for a moment, letting it grow and spin.
Anneliese looked from her to the globe, fascinated. Around them some of the villagers muttered and whispered at the display of magic.
“Is this wise?” Star whispered.
“It’s more for show; you know it costs me very little.”
“As tired as you are …”
“I’m fine.”
Robin focused her attention on Anneliese. “Hold your hands out.” She nodded towards the girl.
Anneliese looked from Robin to Star and finally Birgitta before copying Robin’s position.
Robin gently tipped her hands and let the globe glide into Anneliese’s hands. She held her hands around the girl’s for a few seconds. Her smile widened as she watched the globe turn from a yellow with blue streaks to a orange with green flickers. Slowly she pulled her hands away and sat back on her heels. The villagers around them gasped as the globe dimmed for a moment then flared, the colors spinning wildly.
Robin looked at Star with an arched eyebrow, and then looked up at Birgitta. The Nun nodded.
Anneliese started to hand the globe back to Robin, stopping when Birgitta began speaking. Once her attention was off the globe it flickered, slowly dimmed and died out.
“You have a Gift, Little Sister. If you wish, I will escort you to the Abbey. We can teach you how to use your Gift.” She held out a hand to Anneliese.
“Will I be able to banish dragons?”
“Perhaps, in time, you can.”
Anneliese took the Nun’s hand and rose to her feet. “Then I wish to come.”
Star and Robin slowly rose and followed them out of the market place.