Lost

Posted on 17 Sep 2022 @ 3:41pm by Rogue Nazri Arisant
Edited on on 17 Sep 2022 @ 3:46pm

703 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Once Upon a Codex
Location: Unknown
Timeline: 12 Years Ago

Nazri had followed the instructions he'd been given. It wasn't that he had much choice in the matter. The teenager had seen firsthand, what the consequences were for failure. He should have been back to the conclave days ago. But, he was lost. Hopelessly totally lost.

To his shame, he had cried, more than once. He was frustrated with himself and fearful of what might happen. He'd had little luck hunting the past few days and there was a gnawing in his stomach. That had been another reason for the tears.

But that had been earlier, he'd given up on crying, it wasn't doing him any good. It had been an entire day since he'd shed a tear. In the late afternoon, when the sun sat low in the sky, he spotted a thicket of blackberries. He ate his fill, not caring that they were a little sour. Half an hour later, he found a stream and slaked his thirst.

Just as the sun was starting to set, he heard voices. Lots of voices. As he approached the trailhead, he paused to sniff the air. There was a distinctive odor, that he had never smelled before. He had stumbled upon a village. A human village. No, not a village, it was bigger than just a village, it was bigger than that. Much bigger than that.

He was torn about what to do. Skirt the town and try to find familiar territory on the other side, retreat the way he came, or enter the town. He knew that humans used money. Shiny coins that they valued and traded with each other, and he had none of those things. They weren't necessary where he came from. But, he was big and was pretty sure he could work for food or barter for services.

Finally, after much contemplation, his resolve boosted by seeing a group of kids around his age playing, he walked out of the woods and into the city.

The kids are playing some kind of game that involved a stick and a ball. At first, they don't see him. Although he hasn't seen humans before, he knows what they are, and had, secretly, learned a little of their language, but he was too far away to distinguish much of their chatter.

At last, when they drew closer, he was spotted, he hadn't been trying to hide in the first place. It was pretty clear they had not seen a Qunari before either. Two of the younger ones pointed at him, screamed, and ran away. The older ones though didn't seem to be afraid. Just disgusted. They pointed and laughed.

"Why are you laughing at me," he spoke tentatively, haltingly, hoping he was using the right words.

Then Rami, the self-appointed leader of the group replied in a mocking tone. "Oh, it can speak. Didn't think your kind had a brain. What do you use those horns on the top of your head for?"

Another, younger girl who was edging back to the now gathering crowd added. "Rami, he's too freaking stupid to know he's ugly."

That brought general giggles from the group as they started to surround him. Not the wisest thing, since he was armed and they were not, but Nazri kept his hands well away from his weapons. He didn't want to cause any problems. Then the circle tightened and his hands did move towards his sword. This was just another example of his poor choices and he was beginning to wonder if coming into town would be a fatal decision.


Just before things started to get really bad, Nazri saw an older teen approaching. He must have been sixteen or seventeen as far as Nazri could tell.'

"LEAVE HIM ALONE YOU WORTHLESS BAND OF SCUM.!" He shouted. A moment later the group scattered.

The new arrival smiled at the Qunari, and Nazri liked the smile. The other teen extended his hand, it was an unfamiliar gesture but appeared to be a friendly one, "Never mind those assholes, they're just idiots. My name is Kyle."

"I am Nazri," he replied quickly, a little more sure than before.

"You look a little hungry, why don't you come with me?"

 

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