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Old 02-07-2004, 04:17 PM   #101
Estelyn Telcontar
Princess of Skwerlz
 
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles)
Posts: 7,645
Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!
Silmaril

A falcon soared high above the sand dunes, its circles now widening, now narrowing. The sun shone relentlessly, though it was yet early morning, and shimmering waves rose from the rapidly warming desert sand. A smaller shadow flew lower over the head of a single observer, and suddenly the falcon swerved down in swift descent. Its talons attached to the smaller bird in mid-air with a thud that could be heard far across the stillness. With a triumphant cry, it circled downwards, landing on the leather-gloved hand of the man who stood watching, his arm raised high.

A moment later, the falcon disappeared and a dark-haired young girl stood laughing beside the older man. Her face was flushed with the excitement of victory as she handed the bird to him. “See, grandfather – I did it!” she exclaimed.

“Yes, little one, you did well,” he said. Holding the starling up so that she could see its trembling body within his firm grasp, he continued, “Always remember this – you are either predator or prey, either you hunt or are hunted. You must choose. Now, what shall be done with your prey?”

The girl stood silent for a moment, contemplating the possibilities. Hesitantly, she said, “The purpose of catching prey is to kill it.”

The man nodded, watching her expectantly. She took the bird from his hands, holding it briefly, then with a quick turn of her wrist, broke its neck as she had seen her grandfather do before. There was a flutter, a shiver that went through the little body, then it lay still in her hand.


° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °

Wyrma awoke from her dream with a start – she had not thought of her first hunting lesson with her grandfather in many years. Why had this memory come back to her now? Perhaps it was to be a reminder that she should be wary in her dealings with both Falasmir and the northern strangers. She would be no man’s prey, and she would not let her people be hunted, of that she was absolutely certain.

Fully awake now, she arose from her bed and paced the room restlessly, eyes seeing yet heedless of the richly furnished surroundings. Finally she sat down at her desk and unlocked the chest with her papers. She took out the plans for the city - her city, and looked at them, imagining what it would be like when the buildings that were as yet only markings on the pages before her had become reality.

Last edited by Estelyn Telcontar; 02-11-2004 at 02:02 PM.
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