Aikuen gets bad news
Location: Westen Shore, and South Stream
Characters: Aikuen, William, and Mites
The night is is getting old as the otter continues to walk north, with his son in paw. Aikuen thinks to himself, about his past. His home, his wife, his daughter... Now just memories that are beginning to fade. Since he is not paying much attention to whats around him, He accidentally stubs his foot paw on a log hidden in the sand. He manages not to yell, but he silently curses the log, as he carefully places the sleeping William onto the ground. He sits down next to his son, then he rubs the feeling back into his foot paw.
There is a light whooshing sound then a rustle in the trees, Just to the east of the group on the shore.
Aikuen suddenly becomes alert at the sounds, But being a former scout has taught him to be calm and try not know that you have been spotted. He slowly gets up, and checks the supplies he is carrying. He picks up William, and carefully places him into his left arm. We winces as his son settles into his arm. But he needs his right arm free... Just in case.
The Rustling in the trees have stopped. There is just the noise of the sea, crashing onto the beach, And the sound of wind blowing across the treetops.
Aikuen continues to go north, but he is no longer just going through the motions. He is constantly listening in to sounds, and he eyes dart back and forth. He hopes to make it to the river soon, and the whoever is watching him doesn't follow.
Aikuen makes it to the mouth of the river. Sighing quietly, he makes a right turn, and following the river up stream on the right bank. He makes a quick look around behind him. Not seeing anything or anybeast, he continues to walk Up stream.
The watcher has moved from its perch, and now watches the duo make their way upstream, from a spot on the left bank. The watcher knows that the otter is good at what he does. So it makes sure not to make any noise.
Aikuen makes his way up stream. He has been walking for a good 2 hours in this direction, and he knows that the bridge wont be visible for a few more days. He finally call it quits for the night he finds a suitable spot by the river, to rest a bit before going on. Plopping down at a trunk of a particular tree near the river, the otters limbs praise for the rest. He looks down at William, and places his paw near his face. Then he feels that he has a small fever. His son was telling the truth, he was sick... He doesn't look bad, but there is nothing wrong with a wet rag on his sons brow, May help break the fever. He places his son next to him, leaning against the tree trunk. Then he goes off to the river.
'perfect chance for me get him!' the watcher thinks to herself. She spreads her wings, and jumps from the tree, talons outstretched!
Aikuen leans down next to the river, then taking his arm sling, he dumps it into the river. Soaking it for a few seconds, he brings it up and wrings out the excess. He gets up to go back, when suddenly he is pinned down onto the bank as a huge red falcon, jumps on him. His left arm explodes with pain, as it is forced down by the Birds talons. He is unable to move, or do anything. He grunts with pain, and yells, "Ack, Get off me! Just let me get my sword, I swear..."
The bird presses down harder as the otter tries to move. She places on her wings on the struggling otters mouth, to try to get him to be quiet. Then speaking in a language not of this area, but in a language that the otter knows, she says "Aikuen, Ac non stenien! (Be quiet now, Aikuen!)" She continues to hold down the otter with her talons.
Aikuen suddenly stops moving, as the language of his island is spoken. Looking up at the Falcon he asks in his language, "Yon, If to Yada? (Wait, is that you?)". He smiles as he recognize the face of a bird from his island.
Mites gets off the otter and takes a step back. She didn't want Aikuen to attack her, that's why she pinned him to the ground, until he could recognize who she was. She is a dark yellow Falcon, almost an orange color, with a back tipped beak. The only thing that she is wearing is a blue strip of cloth on her right talon. The blue cloth has a visible 'A' written on it. She stares at the otter and asks, "Karr, How be You Captain?" (its still in the foreign language)
Aikuen Gets up and smiles at the bird, he hasn't seen any beast from the island, in almost 2 seasons. He runs up and gives her a quick hug, then answers back, "I'm doing well enough since i was exiled from my home. How are you, how is everyone else..." He ignores the throbbing pain in his left arm, as he awaits an answer from his old friend.
Mites returns the hug, with one wing and answers back. "Im fine. Thanks. But big problem. Its King..." She slightly lowers her head.
Aikuen steps away from the Falcon, and looks at her. He becomes worried at the look, "What's wrong Mites, What wrong with King Asche..." He hopes that she wont say what she is thinking.
Mites looks away, and says, "King Dead... Killed Season before. New king in charge, not good..."
Aikuen begins to lose feeling in his knees. The king... dead... No this cant happen... cant be dead... no... Killed... that would make sense, king was in top condition when he left... Probably the stupid lord Skig, he did this... he can feel it. He begins to stare off into the river, then he asks, "How... did it ... happen..." He becomes alarmed, "Wait, Is the Lord Skig in charge now... NO,no...no." He clenches his fist.
Mites looks back at the otter, and walks toward him. Placing a comforting wing around the otters shoulders she says, "Mites know That captain and King used be friends... But more pressing matters now! Yes Skig, new king. Skig told kingdom that Asche died of a sickness, But Mites know... Died of Knife in back! ... Bad things... New Laws, everyone much sad. He Ordered much death on the Kingdom. Flew here fast as could, tell you..."
Aikuen just stares at the river, he absentmindedly places a paw on his sword hilt. "You know he gave me this sword when i was just 7 seasons old... Believed i would be great one day... Only one who did... Im going to miss him..." He turns back to the Falcon, a few tears fall from his face. he asks, "So the mighty lord Skig, is now the king of Ashurah huh... Thats great... Should have killed him when i had the chance..." He breathes to try to control his anger.
Mites nods, "Yes, Skig King of all Island Now. But that attitude is reason exiled from island, Skig knew you were on to him. But couldn't kill you, too close to king. Had you Exiled for treason... What gonna do Captain... Island much sad... Going too help?" She hopes he says yes, they need all the help they can get.
Aikuen shakes his head, "I... Cant... i dont think my body can take it, plus there are other reasons" He takes a quick glance at the Sleeping William. "But i wish i could help you remove the Scum from the throne...But, wait... did you ask the rest of the Original Rebellion? Im sure they can still help you..."
Mites Hops on a talon and shakes her head, "Cant. dead. Most killed during 'Cleanse'. Only 5 known alive. Captain, lieutenant and family, and the Corporal. They not living on island anymore. Not gonna help... Me gonna go find help."
Aikuen puts on a restraining paw on her feathers that he can reach. "Wait, don't go... Its been so long... Tell me everything else that has happened." He misses the island...
Mites Pulls away from the otters paw, and spreads her wings, "Kraaa! Not going to help, Need find help then! No time to Talk. Beasts Dying! Need help!" She takes a running start, then is in the air. Flying south.
Aikuen yells at the bird, "Wait, No..." But the bird is gone. He goes back to the tree, and plops back down next to the sleeping William. He looks at him and smiles, what a heavy sleeper. Then he remembers that he is still carrying the wet cloth. Taking it and folding it, he places it on his sons forehead. The he leans back, and thinks what has all gone on. Before drifting off into slumber, the faces of the remaining living Rebellion flash in his head. The Captain, which is himself. The lieutenant and family, Sukah the squirrel and his wife and son. Then the Corporal, Mites the Falcon... The last of the beasts to save the island, from Skig... The otter head falls to one side, as he is overcome with sleep.
