Fractured Paradise (Volume III)
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Qwinn was perplexed by this sudden declaration and started to ask what she meant, but she was interrupted when the Ceffylmôr at the top of the tree became alarmed and screamed, or what Qwinn could only describe as a scream. Like all of the voices he had heard so far the sounds welled up from deep within, more than just through ears, allowing the Ceffylmôr's fear to resonate as if his own. The large mass which was now scrambling to towards the ground, rapidly moving from limb to limb, overtaking the woman with the red hair and the man with her, then descending upon Kuan and the flutist. He was watching it all happen, once again too much out of context to understand the nature of that which spread before him. Kuan and the flutist hardly had time to turn before the Ceffylmôr slipped over them, to the ground, seeking the sea. Qwinn could see the woman with the red hair and her companion were still perched where they were before, as were Kuan and the flutist, all watching the Ceffylmôr as it plunged into the sea, disappearing beneath still waters, hardly a ripple or sound. Qwinn could still feel the fear of the Ceffylmôr and looked into Kuan's eyes for an answer. "The Ceffylmôr has sensed some evil close by," said Kuan, answering Qwinn's confusion. "I'm not sure, but it seems as though the Ceffylmôr has felt the breath of a Ceidwad, have you seen anyone else besides us since you arrived?" Qwinn started to shake his head, then he thought of the winged creature that flew over not long before Kuan and her companions arrived. "I don't know if this will help," said Qwinn, becoming a little more comfortable with the sensation of speaking, "but I did see something flying over head not long before you arrived." I don't know how to measure time here, there's nothing that I can use to describe how long it was, but it didn't seem that long before you arrived. The flutist immediately became concerned as she listened to his words and leaped to the ground, running towards the sea, in the direction the Ceffylmôr had fled. As her legs reached full strike she drew her flute from its sheath and started playing the music which he heard before, the music that appeared to have control over the Ceffylmôr. As she reached the shore, the Ceffylmôr rose slightly from the below the surface, not far from her, still. Qwinn could feel the desire of the Ceffylmôr to flee from the flutist but it was unable to, waiting for the flutist to grant permission to move. Kuan, stepping down from the tree, placed her hand on Qwinn's shoulder and said, "We must go. You have seen what we are trying to avoid, a Ceidwad, and from the Ceffylmôr's reaction, this is a rogue Ceidwad, either under the control of Saul, or the Aliance." Looking around Adrella, Qwinn Saw the man who was meditating run to the tree and grab several Meithrin fruits in his arms, as did the woman with the red hair and the man with her, as they descended. Everyone was tense with the purpose of preparation. They all knew their tasks, which seemed to center on taking the Meithrin fruit and getting to the Ceffylmôr without haste. Across the island Qwinn could see Hian and his companion racing to the tree as well. Suddently, the woman with him grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the tree, trying to get him to move in the direction of the Ceffylmôr. Then she raised her hand, pointing to the sky. As Qwinn lifted his eyes, following the a line from her finger he saw that same winged creature just above the tree, moving swiftly to the tip, with talons large enough to surround the limbs with ease. The large, dark face looked at each of them below it on the ground, its gaze intent, searching for something, or someone. Its wings closed in upon its back. Its clawed fingers snatching Meithrin fruit from nearby branches, not bothering to look, tearing them viciously as they made their way to it's mouth. Its hungry gray eyes, not blinking, not missing any movement from those below. Qwinn froze, mesmerized by the strength of the Ceidwad. Kuan tugged at his arm, "We must run for the Ceffylmôr, quickly!" As he was about to turn and follow Kuan the Ceidwad looked in the direction of Hian as he and the woman with him sprinted towards where the others were starting to mount the Ceffylmôr. With a powerful jump, the Ceidwad was in the air above the Meithrin tree, it's wings bolting out like jack knife blades, a brown body pulsing against the blue, unblemished sky. It's wings started to sweep back and forth, hovering momentarily, it's head facing Hian below, like a cormorant preparing to dive below the surface of a lake for prey, then, without hesitation, the Ceidwad retracted its wings, dropping heavily towards Hian, all four sets of talons extended, powerful. Without a sound, Hian was lifted up like a tiny mouse as the Ceidwad swooped upon him, breaking the grasp Hian's companion had upon him. She screamed as the Ceidwad and it's catch lifted high to the perfect sky, wings thrusting distance between Qwinn's island and wherever it was headed, and it was headed somewhere, without delay. As quickly as it had before it became a meaningless speck, leaving the woman's scream deep within Qwinn's chest, then stunned silence. Kuan sunk to the grass at the foot of the tree, sobbing. Qwinn knelt beside her, pushing heavy clumps of hair from her face, tears matting her locks as they stuck to her quivering cheek. "What is happening?" is all Qwinn could say. |
