Post by Sadori on Aug 10, 2008 12:51:00 GMT -8
Ziba trembled in worried anticipation as the ship she had hidden away on tied up to the docks at Rune. She hardly noticed the chill air of the temperate ocean breeze as she slipped out the porthole and hung, dangling on the far side of the ship. With the hold still full, the water level was only about ten feet below but would still make a loud splash if she dropped. All the heavy mooring lines were on the dockside of the vessel and thus in plain sight of the harbor master, sailors and dockworkers; therefore too dangerous for her to use. She'd had days to think this through as the Storm Serpent had made it's way through uneasy seas to bring her home. Home. Her stomach clenched and her fingers started to slip as the word thrilled through her gaunt frame. The adrenaline coursing through the once wife of Davin Trene, was waning quickly. Her human strength drained by lack of food and good sleep. Suddenly there was a loud crack and whistle of a rope breaking and an enormous crash as the cargo lift broke a line and crates fell to the docks. Ziba drew a breath and let go, hoping the chaos would cover any noise she might make.
The water was frigid as she pressed herself between two pilings under the dock, hypothermia beginning to take hold as night fell. Still she waited, making herself hold until at least ten minutes had passed since the last set of footsteps left the quayside. Her eyes drooped but still she valiantly fought sleep, knowing that if she succumbed she would never see Davin again. Slowly, with numb limbs, she dragged herself to the steps that lead up and away from the water.
Each step was an eternity as Ziba climbed the steep hill toward her once home. She long ago lost track of the days and nights of emotional and physical anguish that had past since the day she was stolen from her home. How long had it been? Did Davin think her dead? Or worse, that she deserted him? Did he have another love? Another family? Was he alive? Was he here? Those thoughts froze her mere steps from the door of the old cottage. With a stifled sob she turned away and hid herself in the bushes across the way. She would wait and watch. She had come this far, surely she could wait a little longer. Her escape had been effective and none knew where to find her, it had taken a long time, but the young sea rover had covered her tracks well. Moving from ship to ship and briefly over land.
Now she would wait. She would see if Davin still lived here. See if he had a new life, and if so, she would leave him in peace and return to her people. She would not cause him more pain than he had already experienced on her behalf.
Leaning against a tree, the chill of wet clothing was replaced by a welcome numbness. Unable to resist exhaustion any longer, she drifted into the utter blackness of sleep that called to her.
The water was frigid as she pressed herself between two pilings under the dock, hypothermia beginning to take hold as night fell. Still she waited, making herself hold until at least ten minutes had passed since the last set of footsteps left the quayside. Her eyes drooped but still she valiantly fought sleep, knowing that if she succumbed she would never see Davin again. Slowly, with numb limbs, she dragged herself to the steps that lead up and away from the water.
Each step was an eternity as Ziba climbed the steep hill toward her once home. She long ago lost track of the days and nights of emotional and physical anguish that had past since the day she was stolen from her home. How long had it been? Did Davin think her dead? Or worse, that she deserted him? Did he have another love? Another family? Was he alive? Was he here? Those thoughts froze her mere steps from the door of the old cottage. With a stifled sob she turned away and hid herself in the bushes across the way. She would wait and watch. She had come this far, surely she could wait a little longer. Her escape had been effective and none knew where to find her, it had taken a long time, but the young sea rover had covered her tracks well. Moving from ship to ship and briefly over land.
Now she would wait. She would see if Davin still lived here. See if he had a new life, and if so, she would leave him in peace and return to her people. She would not cause him more pain than he had already experienced on her behalf.
Leaning against a tree, the chill of wet clothing was replaced by a welcome numbness. Unable to resist exhaustion any longer, she drifted into the utter blackness of sleep that called to her.
