[Flashback] The runaway

by **Kyrenia** on June 5th, 2011, 5:13 pm

Season of winter, 510 AV
The minutes that had passed seemed like hours, and the hours seemed like days. The wind was strong and the snow was cold. However, it didn't bother the young girl at all. With her neck lined with fur from her Hold, she tugged the reins. The white windrunner behind her followed obediently. The horse had costed her 50gm. Of course, she had enough gold mizas to buy two more, but for her, one is enough. She had bought it when it was just 2 seasons old. After, she had raised it like a pet. The memory didn't help Kyrenia get through the snow. Having Liliac did. The horse had nudged her and kept her spirits high. The snow whipped across her face quickly, leaving a stinging pain on her cheeks.
It was just a few minutes later that she found a cave to stay while the blizzard passed. Kyrenia helped her horse inside. She shivered slightly from the cold, but the feeling soon passed. She looked at the food she had brought with her, then gave some to Liliac. She didn't know how long she was there. She didn't know how long Liliac had stood still. All she knew was that she stayed there until the blizzard had passed. Inside the cave was pretty warm. It wasn't warm like home, but it was certainly warmer than outside. Kyrenia walked along the edge of the cave, her heart racing. She could feel her own fear raising from within, her eyes changing color. Liliac had followed for a while, but then stayed where she stopped at Kyrenia's command.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine," she said comfortably. Deep inside, however, she knew there was a pretty good possibility of danger. Within caves were usually wild animals, and as a girl, Kyrenia was never taught to hunt as well as the men. Kyrenia explored the inner edges of the cave, just to see that it was nothing more than ordinary. No animals, no sign of life. The cave was bare, with nothing but stones and rocks. Perhaps some soil around the edges but that was it. She walked back to Liliac, laying down to sleep until the blizzard passed.
After what seemed like a few seconds of darkness, Kyrenia opened her eyes. Liliac was still there, awake and refreshed. Stretching her arms, Kyrenia looked around her surroundings. She was still inside the cave. Outside, the blizzard had stopped. She looked at the things on Liliac's back. They were all the necessities she could think of. Kyrenia led Liliac out of the cave to continue their journey.

by **Kyrenia** on June 5th, 2011, 5:37 pm

The hours of walking had tired Kyrenia out. It seemed to have taken its toll on Liliac as well. The two stopped near a rock that had jutted out from the snowy grounds. Kyrenia sat as she fed Liliac, petting the windrunner on the head. After a few minutes, they set off again. Kyrenia wondered where she was. Probably still in the Northern Reaches of Taldera... Kyrenia shook the thought from her head. Gotta stay focused if I want to get out of here! she thought. Kyrenia looked back as she heard a rumble. An animal? Most likely...but what if it wasn't an animal? The ground shook slightly as Kyrenia tried to maintain her balance. This is BAD! Kyrenia looked back. In the distance, something rolled down the mountainside. Her worst fear had come true. RUN! her mind shouted but her legs remained frozen stiff. Liliac tugged on Kyrenia's sleeve. After a few seconds, Kyrenia felt her feet move quickly. Before she knew it, she was running with Liliac next to her. They ran as fast as they could. Kyrenia knew she couldn't outrun and avalanche. All she could do was to either find shelter or run to the side where the avalanche wouldn't reach her. Kyrenia ran as fast as she could. She zigzagged between the frozen trees.
A low branch snapped at her waist. She grunted in pain but continued to run. Something warm was spreading. She knew what it was deep in her mind. She continued to run next to Liliac. She didn't want to stop. She didn't want to lose her life so easily, when she hasn't even seen the outside world yet. She ran and ran, not looking back. Occasionally, she'd look to the side. The only thing that relieved her was the fact that Liliac was always next to her.
After hours of tireless running, Kyrenia felt her leg give away. The ground was still rumbling, a sign that the avalanche was closing in. Liliac was tugging on Kyrenia's sleeve. They jumped to the side just behind a large boulder that was implanted to the ground. Kyrenia took a deep breath before taking a close look around her. To one side was a larger boulder that would be safe, but there is a possibility that the boulder wouldn't stay in place. On the other side was a cave, but it was further from her than the boulder. Kyrenia looked back. The avalanche was a good mile away from her but it would only be a matter of seconds before it reaches her. Kyrenia swallowed. She knew she had to make a decision fast. She stood up, panting, and patted Liliac on the head. Kyrenia ran as fast as her legs could take her towards the cave. It would ensure safety. Liliac followed quickly.
Kyrenia looked to keep an eye on the avalanche. It was only a few hundred feet away now. Liliac had reached the cave before Kyrenia did. Running faster, Kyrenia felt her feet slow down. With only 5 feet left to run, Kyrenia jumped. She managed to get herself into the cave. She didn't know how, but she passed out the moment she closed her eyes for a few seconds.

by **Kyrenia** on June 5th, 2011, 6:50 pm

Something warm was upon her cheek as Kyrenia regained consciousness. She looked to see Liliac nudging her gently. She tried to sit up, but her left foot stung as she pulled on it. Kyrenia turned her body to look at what happened. The reason her foot felt like it was weighed down was easily seen. Her left foot was stuck beneath the snow. Kyrenia tried her best to move, with little success. She reached out her arms, digging at the snow. She tried to keep her foot from loosing blood by moving every toe she could. She dug at it quickly, her fingers turning red. A hoof came into view as it kicked at the snow. Liliac was trying to help. Kyrenia smiled as she dug. Within a few minutes, she freed her foot. It felt numb. It was cold. Kyrenia took off her shoes and placed her foot in her bedroll and blanket as fast as she could. She moved her toes. She couldn't feel them, but she watched. Her toes were alive and well. The only problem was that her toes didn't have enough blood. Kyrenia kept moving her toes as Liliac watched. A few hours passed before her foot warmed up. As soon as she was sure that the avalanche had passed and they were safe to travel again, Kyrenia put her shoe back on. The bedroll and blanket were packed up again, placed on Liliac's back. The two set off again. The sun was setting and they needed to move fast. They reached another cave soon and stayed there for the night.
The rays of the sun shone into the dark cave. Kyrenia awoke to its warmth, waking Liliac a few minutes later. They left the cave to see where they were. The snow was thinner here and just over in the horizon, she could see the vast Suvan Sea. She knew immediately where she was. South East of Avanthal, East of Karjin just at the border between Taldera and Sylira. Kyrenia smiled. "We're out, Liliac. We're away from home and in the outside world," she said happily.