The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

mark12_30 · 10-10-2002, 03:10 PM

ooc: Ok, sharon, here goes. Anybody want anything shifted please advise. (Still wondering about Kali??) \ooc

When Gamba came back from the locks, the children wanted to tickle him again, and Phura had to warn them off. Phura greeted Gamba affectionately, but then seemed distracted, and Gamba met Kesha's eyes, and motioned him over. As tall as Kesha was getting, still, he climbed up on Gamba's lap, and Gamba and Kesha had a long private talk. Then Kesha hopped down, feeling very important, and marched over to the children, and called them into a huddle. Gamba smiled, weary as he was.

Meanwhile, Phura was telling Loremaster about the pile of river stones and pebbles. "There was something about bringing them up from the darkness, where they'd been buried. Lifting them. Bringing them to the edge of the water." Phura struggled to express what he did not fully grasp.

Loremaster nodded. "It will come clear in time."

"We don't have time, " Phura growled, pacing. "We have eleven days. No, ten. Ten days."

Tuka came into the study, and suddenly Asta and Roka charged him, with Kesha next and Ban and Maura last. Roka and Asta each fastened themselves on one of Tuka's legs. Tuka blinked, and Kesha bowled him over backwards. "Whuh!" he grunted, and barely remembered to tuck and roll and avoid whacking his head on the rock. The children set to work, and soon Tuka's helpless laughter filled the study and echoed out into the main cave. The children showed no mercy, and Tuka was winded and gasping. Eventually Phura called them off.

"Lo, how the mighty one has fallen. You proud, vain and self-satisfied hobbit, you are vanquished by my stout army of children, " Gamba rumbled, as elated as any father of victorious sons.

Phura chuckled, and Tuka struggled to rise out from under the tangle of children.

Then Phura paused. "Tuka, if all five children had come from behind, what could you have done?"

"Land on my face, " Tuka grimaced, not liking the idea.

Gamba frowned. "And just how would we get behind the guards?"

Phura fidgeted. "We're quiet enough, but they're not blind."

"In the dark? I think we see better than they do, " Gamba replied, offhandedly.

Phura and Tuka exchanged glances. "Seven would be better, " Tuka said. "Two per leg, one per arm."

"And there's the use for the daggers, " replied Phura, stroking his own throat thoughtfully. Then he studied the still downcast Gamba, and looked at the children. He fidgeted. He wished Gamba would snap out of the funk that he was in, but he didn't know how to reach him.

[ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

10-10-2002, 03:10 PM	#185
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	ooc: Ok, sharon, here goes. Anybody want anything shifted please advise. (Still wondering about Kali??) \ooc When Gamba came back from the locks, the children wanted to tickle him again, and Phura had to warn them off. Phura greeted Gamba affectionately, but then seemed distracted, and Gamba met Kesha's eyes, and motioned him over. As tall as Kesha was getting, still, he climbed up on Gamba's lap, and Gamba and Kesha had a long private talk. Then Kesha hopped down, feeling very important, and marched over to the children, and called them into a huddle. Gamba smiled, weary as he was. Meanwhile, Phura was telling Loremaster about the pile of river stones and pebbles. "There was something about bringing them up from the darkness, where they'd been buried. Lifting them. Bringing them to the edge of the water." Phura struggled to express what he did not fully grasp. Loremaster nodded. "It will come clear in time." "We don't have time, " Phura growled, pacing. "We have eleven days. No, ten. Ten days." Tuka came into the study, and suddenly Asta and Roka charged him, with Kesha next and Ban and Maura last. Roka and Asta each fastened themselves on one of Tuka's legs. Tuka blinked, and Kesha bowled him over backwards. "Whuh!" he grunted, and barely remembered to tuck and roll and avoid whacking his head on the rock. The children set to work, and soon Tuka's helpless laughter filled the study and echoed out into the main cave. The children showed no mercy, and Tuka was winded and gasping. Eventually Phura called them off. "Lo, how the mighty one has fallen. You proud, vain and self-satisfied hobbit, you are vanquished by my stout army of children, " Gamba rumbled, as elated as any father of victorious sons. Phura chuckled, and Tuka struggled to rise out from under the tangle of children. Then Phura paused. "Tuka, if all five children had come from behind, what could you have done?" "Land on my face, " Tuka grimaced, not liking the idea. Gamba frowned. "And just how would we get behind the guards?" Phura fidgeted. "We're quiet enough, but they're not blind." "In the dark? I think we see better than they do, " Gamba replied, offhandedly. Phura and Tuka exchanged glances. "Seven would be better, " Tuka said. "Two per leg, one per arm." "And there's the use for the daggers, " replied Phura, stroking his own throat thoughtfully. Then he studied the still downcast Gamba, and looked at the children. He fidgeted. He wished Gamba would snap out of the funk that he was in, but he didn't know how to reach him. [ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.