Fall 10, 514 AV
Although the Giant had descended into slumber's embrace eagerly due to a long day, rest and recovery were not granted to his aching body and mind. The day had seen him play escort to a business owner as he transported a sack of gold across the city proper; and as anticipated Dor'gen had to ward off the greedy masses. After such a day of fighting, running, and fighting some more, one would think that collapsing upon a relatively soft bed would bring nothing but a death-like sleep. However, upon settling down and closing his eyes, the Akalak's mind began to rear its ugly head. His worries...his pains...they manifested themselves in the form of terrifying dreams. For what seemed a small eternity, the Giant writhed in his slumber; beset by images that were akin to daggers piercing his heart.
When it was all said and done, Dor'gen awakened in a cold sweat. The hour was several bells before sunrise and as such the room was completely dark. The sole source of illumination came from the candles which lit the hall and cast faint rays of light underneath his door. Rising, the Akalak cast off his covers and sucked in a mouthful of fresh air...before exhaling raggedly. To say the very least, Dor'gen was quite shaken by all that he had seen; and worry plagued his mind beyond words. "Tinnok...You little idiot..." he croaked, his voice hoarse. Tinnok, the source of the worry that he kept buried so deep, was an outcast in Taloba; just as he. Born into the same clan, the two naturally gravitated towards one another and formed quite the bond.
Yet her departure and the subsequent hunt...it worried him to no end. In fact, a large part of him placed blame squarely upon his own shoulders. Maybe if he had been a greater presence in her life...Maybe if he had insisted that she come with him...Maybe if he had done things differently, she would not be an enemy of the Myrians and he would not be all the way out in Sunberth. In moments such of these, when the Giant teetered on the edge of despair, that having a "dark" sibling was one of the most comforting things in the world. To know that someone else carried the same pain and understood was heartening; but to also know that they were the voice of reason was an even larger encouragement. So, as Dor'gen leaned upon the wall of his rented quarters, the deep voice rumbled in his psyche.
"Don't blame yourself, Dor'gen." Goa began, "You did everything that you could for Tinnok, and at the end of the day she chose the path that she thought was best. You cannot burden yourself with this blame." Although there was no denying the truth in his sibling's words, emotion was such that Dor'gen initially disregarded them. Shaking his head, the Akalak began to fumble about the space for an appropriate sum of garments before throwing them on as hastily as possible. "I just need some air." he said, before heading out into the hall. With but a blink, the Giant set his eyes into their "other" state so that he might see where he tread. Long, purpose-filled strides bore him along the corridor until he reached the dual doors at the end.
Admitting himself within, the Akalak was greeted by a wall of humidity that, oddly enough, reminded him of Taloba. Drawing in a deep breath, Dor'gen continued along until he stood at the edge of the Spring and abandoned the small sum of clothing he had donned. Slow, cautious steps admitted him into the waters before a somewhat contented sigh escaped his lips. Upon leaning against the Spring's wall, Dor'gen began to think. He replayed the scene of Tinnok's departure over and over again before his mind's eye...and sighed. "Clear your head, brother. It'll help." advised Goa, with his tone as soft as an Akalak's could be. "Maybe...You're right." he replied, relenting. "When I trained in the Flux, I was taught to empty my mind of all thought and feeling so that I might focus on the task at hand. Doing the same should help you immensely."
A simple grunt was all Goa received in response...denoting that Dor'gen would at least give it a shot.
Lulling his eyes to a close, the Akalak leaned his head back and drew a calming breath. He attempted to take solace in the darkness behind his eyelids; to find comfort in that which typically heralded slumber's sweet embrace. Of course, there were...a number of distractions to filter out. For one, the Akalak was not alone, for there were light splashes and quiet conversation occurring in the adjacent Spring. Two, the Spring itself produced the din of babbling water...but all of these distractions would eventually be filtered out. "Simply filter out the distractions. Breathe." instructed Goa. Complying, the Akalak drew yet another breath and attempted to shut out the other guests of the Springs. Slowly. Surely. Their voices began to fade, as if muffled, until the Akalak did not "hear" them any longer.
Word Count861
.
Although the Giant had descended into slumber's embrace eagerly due to a long day, rest and recovery were not granted to his aching body and mind. The day had seen him play escort to a business owner as he transported a sack of gold across the city proper; and as anticipated Dor'gen had to ward off the greedy masses. After such a day of fighting, running, and fighting some more, one would think that collapsing upon a relatively soft bed would bring nothing but a death-like sleep. However, upon settling down and closing his eyes, the Akalak's mind began to rear its ugly head. His worries...his pains...they manifested themselves in the form of terrifying dreams. For what seemed a small eternity, the Giant writhed in his slumber; beset by images that were akin to daggers piercing his heart.
When it was all said and done, Dor'gen awakened in a cold sweat. The hour was several bells before sunrise and as such the room was completely dark. The sole source of illumination came from the candles which lit the hall and cast faint rays of light underneath his door. Rising, the Akalak cast off his covers and sucked in a mouthful of fresh air...before exhaling raggedly. To say the very least, Dor'gen was quite shaken by all that he had seen; and worry plagued his mind beyond words. "Tinnok...You little idiot..." he croaked, his voice hoarse. Tinnok, the source of the worry that he kept buried so deep, was an outcast in Taloba; just as he. Born into the same clan, the two naturally gravitated towards one another and formed quite the bond.
Yet her departure and the subsequent hunt...it worried him to no end. In fact, a large part of him placed blame squarely upon his own shoulders. Maybe if he had been a greater presence in her life...Maybe if he had insisted that she come with him...Maybe if he had done things differently, she would not be an enemy of the Myrians and he would not be all the way out in Sunberth. In moments such of these, when the Giant teetered on the edge of despair, that having a "dark" sibling was one of the most comforting things in the world. To know that someone else carried the same pain and understood was heartening; but to also know that they were the voice of reason was an even larger encouragement. So, as Dor'gen leaned upon the wall of his rented quarters, the deep voice rumbled in his psyche.
"Don't blame yourself, Dor'gen." Goa began, "You did everything that you could for Tinnok, and at the end of the day she chose the path that she thought was best. You cannot burden yourself with this blame." Although there was no denying the truth in his sibling's words, emotion was such that Dor'gen initially disregarded them. Shaking his head, the Akalak began to fumble about the space for an appropriate sum of garments before throwing them on as hastily as possible. "I just need some air." he said, before heading out into the hall. With but a blink, the Giant set his eyes into their "other" state so that he might see where he tread. Long, purpose-filled strides bore him along the corridor until he reached the dual doors at the end.
Admitting himself within, the Akalak was greeted by a wall of humidity that, oddly enough, reminded him of Taloba. Drawing in a deep breath, Dor'gen continued along until he stood at the edge of the Spring and abandoned the small sum of clothing he had donned. Slow, cautious steps admitted him into the waters before a somewhat contented sigh escaped his lips. Upon leaning against the Spring's wall, Dor'gen began to think. He replayed the scene of Tinnok's departure over and over again before his mind's eye...and sighed. "Clear your head, brother. It'll help." advised Goa, with his tone as soft as an Akalak's could be. "Maybe...You're right." he replied, relenting. "When I trained in the Flux, I was taught to empty my mind of all thought and feeling so that I might focus on the task at hand. Doing the same should help you immensely."
A simple grunt was all Goa received in response...denoting that Dor'gen would at least give it a shot.
Lulling his eyes to a close, the Akalak leaned his head back and drew a calming breath. He attempted to take solace in the darkness behind his eyelids; to find comfort in that which typically heralded slumber's sweet embrace. Of course, there were...a number of distractions to filter out. For one, the Akalak was not alone, for there were light splashes and quiet conversation occurring in the adjacent Spring. Two, the Spring itself produced the din of babbling water...but all of these distractions would eventually be filtered out. "Simply filter out the distractions. Breathe." instructed Goa. Complying, the Akalak drew yet another breath and attempted to shut out the other guests of the Springs. Slowly. Surely. Their voices began to fade, as if muffled, until the Akalak did not "hear" them any longer.
Word Count861
.
