Random Works from Random People

[mozenwrathe]

*Chirot are known for many things within Belariath. One of them is not being a berserker and wielding two axes to chop down their enemies. It is not to say that has never happened before, but chirot are one of the few races that people would simply blink at in stupefaction attempting such things. It is about as ridiculous sounding as a troll weaver of lace and tapestries. Whatever you do, however, do not mention that to Xin'oved Arada. He is a very sensitive spirit, and that would completely crush his heart for days.*

Have An Easier Way With The Enclosed
by Ne'Tazzi Sngiwazzi, chirot healer of Selahw

There is nothing more for me to say right now. I have done what I was paid to do, and I may do no more than that without guidance from great and wonderful Shaera. It is She who has given me the ability to give strength and hope to the body and spirit, and it is She who will give me wisdom whenever I am in the most dire of situations. The one who has been brought to me is not one of the hated torians, or of the tribe and clan that betrayed me due to their desires. No, instead have I been brought before someone and something I should know utter fear of, but for now might I feel no more than regret I cannot do more.

Before me, upon this mattress of reeds and woven tapestries, lays an ogre. She is one who is at least twice if not four fold my own weight. One who could break me like a twig in a gale, but has never thought to even look my way. Is she one of the mercenaries who works for the town in some fashion or another. I have never understood why they do not have their own militia, but they have some sort of rules against such. Perhaps it is because the town is not that far from Adenfort? I have never thought to ask, but those whom have cared about me and cared for me since my arrival have never explained it either.

Her name, this woman? I do not remember it. Perhaps it is Haefzyah, or Hyifszyah. Something with an "h" sound at the beginning, and "ah" for the end. She was not very concerned about having her name spoken in my presence, though she always knew when she was being talked to or about. Perhaps it was just part of her personality to know these things. But now does she know nothing, laying upon the bed in such a state. Caught in an ambush by goblins, was she found almost dead by the passing patrol. Those who attacked her were long gone. That is, actually, gone into the afterlife - if there is one for the greenskins. Four horribly mangled corpses and one brutally beheaded, but was she gravely injured herself. And now her second-in-command believes I can work miracles and bring her back to normal with snap of my fingers, insisting my life is forfeit if I cannot.

Tears of terror have been running down my face for what must be hours now. Am I not that strong to infuse that much life back into anyone, let alone someone like this ogre. As well, does this man that serves the ogre "warrior wench" refuse to allow any inside, stating his needs outweigh anything else. Could I perish here or be raped again, and he would state it was his right to do so. My teeth chatter within my head as my spirit wanes. Closing my eyes and squeezing them tightly, do I whisper to Shaera - praying somehow that She will hear Her wayward daughter's pleas and give me the strength within to continue. I do not want to die. Not here, and not like this. I do not want to be made to suffer again just because another thinks I was placed before him to be ravaged and ravished for his amusement. Yet can I see no other way out from this, and because of my failing heart do I weep within.

A heavy hand is placed upon my knee. Looking in shock, the blood-encrusted fingers of the ogress have moved from her own lap to mine. An eye opens, be it just barely, and a low snarling whisper slides from between her lips to my sensitive ears.

"Stop yer cryin', lass. You'd think I was dead 'r sum'thin', eyhe? Seems all yer jibberlante speech to whatever goddess yerve been prayin' ta gotta be wurkin'. Feelin' a might better already, eyhe. Nowzhen, you git me that big git of a lad that wurks fer me over he'a so I'z kin be settin' him straight on howzhu treat a lady right and all."

Shaera be praised. Shaera be honoured. Shaera be given all glories in all languages by all peoples. The woman lives. By all that stands before the heavens and are judged in the wisdom and beauty of Shaera, the ogress lives! Have I naught but glowing heart within me now, knowing that all have I done was by no means in vain. Looking up and behind me, do I sing out to the man to come to his commander's side to speak with her. The woman lives and that means that I may survive this as well. Tears running down from my eyes so swiftly that I cannot stop them, but do I brandish one of the few small strips of silk I own to mop them. Need I my sight to do more, but for now have I done what I thought was impossible.

What happens next I could not have believed. The man walked over to the ogress, who promptly slammed her fist into his shin. The stunning blow terrified me and knocked the man down to his knees. The snarling from her showed me I had apparently done more than I had given myself credit for, and the fact she reached for his hair and pulled him to her face let me see the extent of the damage on her arms. Things that I still needed wipe clean and treat over time, but such would be easily done without my fretting over infection or blood loss. The worst was over now, or so I had hoped.

"Donchu be threat'n the little shiv there, eyhe? She beez healin' me and stuff, and I don't need you actin' like sum idjit flesh-eatin' bull and scarin' the shiv to death. Nowzhen, you 'polergize to the tiny dame there. Imze livin', and it's thanks ta 'er. And be nice and stuff."

The human was enraged at being dressed down verbally before me, but at the same time was overwhelmingly overjoyed at the sight of his leader apparently back to normal. Or whatever resembled normal for her. I could never understand the ways of ogres, for they were about as different individually as humans could be. Just... larger. And meaner. And with thicker skin. For some reason, I had a feeling these two did more than fight together, but that would mean trying to visualize the pair of them naked. Unlike many ogres, the ogress here had skin that was smooth like eroded stone, and about the same mottled colour. Sort of like a very good looking rock troll, but half the size and with impressive tusks that she kept rings on.

If anything, the human's resentment toward me was palpable, but something done instinctively. He grumbled out something akin to an apology, and added to the small satchel of gold that he left on the counter from before a few random gemstones into my hand. IT was clear he had been saving them for just such an occasion, possibly even taking them from the bodies of the goblins. His eyes narrowed at me a moment as he gestured for me to go away for a while but not to go far. I knew if nothing else, was I out of immediate danger myself. Opening the door to the hut I had been given for this, I called out to one of the local youths to bring me buckets of water and firewood. There was far more for me to do before the ogress was out of harm's way completely, and by the will of Shaera, would I make sure she was given the best possible care I could manage.

[Tehya]

Enjoyed reading this. Imagine if you collected all your work and put it together as a book of short stories *hint hint*

[mozenwrathe]

OOC wise:

Thank you very much for all your support. Mainly to Tehya, but to all those who have actually read through any of my writing. It makes me smile knowing that someone enjoyed what I had to offer. I just have not had the courage to try to collect my works into a single compilation in some time. At the same time, for the past month I have felt uninspired to write more for Belariath or anywhere. Hopefully that will end soon. In terms of short stories, though, I would need to have more than five single-page works in order to do that. Which'd mean character development, more detailed description, actual dialogue between the various personae involved...