Kalarina of the Stag

Kalarina of the Stag felt she had reached an impasse in her life. She had all she could have ever hoped for - and more - but somehow she was discontent. She missed the simplicity, the thrill, the basic enjoyment of fighting a foe one on one… on her own. She never saw her friends anymore and she wondered if they even respected her; it seems they more often tolerated her or viewed her as amusing. She hardly even saw Running Kresh anymore, as he was busy with this damn war as well.

  A ride was what she needed, so she chose the chestnut mare - she was the fastest and had no fear. She knew that riding alone and unarmed with only her doeskins on was a risk, but at the moment she didn't care. She was aware that people felt her recklessness would one day be her undoing, but she felt it was better to take risks and truly live life to the limit than to wither in spirit and fire.

  She rode Imp, her mare, to the edge of Heimdella and began a canter. As she hit the edge of the field she gave Imp her head, letting her run as fast as she dared. Kalarina threw her arms out, closed her eyes and held on tight with her knees, reveling in the wind whipping her hair, the sun warming her bones, the sound of pounding hooves, and the feel of her horse's powerful muscles between her knees. How long she rode like this she didn't know, but eventually her horse slowed. She regretfully opened her eyes.

  What lay before her was a scene she had never seen. It appeared to be a grove, but the colors were much more intense then what seemed natural. There was a very big oak tree standing to the side with a small river running by it. She slid off the horse and let it graze, murmuring that it should stay close by. She was alone and glad for it as she stretched herself out on the grass. She knew there was something odd about this place but decided at the moment it was too peaceful to contend with.

  While she was lying there being lulled by the sound of the cicadas she could just about discern a swishing noise as if someone were walking through the grass. Yes, it was getting louder now! She was on her feet before she even knew she had moved. She saw him then, somehow there but not. He was easily over six feet, black as night, bald and heavily muscled. He moved with the grace of a cat and like herself wore only the skin of a deer as his garment. His eyes were dark, his smile very white, as he approached her.

  She stood loosely at the ready as he approached her and strangely felt no fear. When he was within ten feet of her he stopped and addressed her.

  "My name is Karim and I was sent here to either take you captive or to kill you - which one will it be?"

  "I will not be held captive so I suppose you must attempt to kill me if you dare. I give you permission to approach," she said with laughter in her throat.

  He sprang at her, closing the distance in one leap and lashing out with his foot, grazing her midriff as she dodged. He was fast, but not as fast as she. Somersaulting over his head, she grabbed his neck on the way over and flipped him to the ground, springing up to her feet as she landed. He grabbed her thigh as he fell and pulled her down as well. She reached for her daggers and realized they were not there, but his grab was weak as she arched her back, flipping her feet up and catching him under the chin. She was free once more.

  Her heart was pounding and her soul singing to be facing her enemy on her terms, fighting as was right. They circled each other warily, each waiting for the next move.

  She ran towards him in a blink of an eye and, balancing on one hand, threw herself sideways, kicking both feet into his abdomen. He staggered yet did not fall. She was amazed and felt the first stirrings of unease. With amazing speed he caught her leg as she tried to stand and pulled her towards him, catching her in a bear hug. She felt her breath leaving her as she was crushed to him. She took her feet and wrapped them around his ankles, then threw all her weight backwards as she pulled forward with her feet. He fell and lost his hold.

  She looked into the darkness of his eyes and heard herself say, "Do you surrender dark man?"

  He pushed her off - hard. "I will never surrender to you, but if you catch me you can have an answer to one question." And with that, he bolted off.

  Kalarina had never seen any human run as fast as he began. She licked her lips in anticipation as she leapt to a run and began the chase.

  She so rarely was able to run straight out and she absolutely reveled in the feel of it. She remembered to be aware of where she was and where he was leading her but the scene barely changed as she ran after him mile after mile. Slowly she gained on him, and as the last mile separated them she put on a last burst of speed and leapt onto his back. His surprise was evident.

  "I was told you were an equal opponent to me, but I did not believe them," he gasped as they slowed.

  "I have caught you and now have won my question."

  "Walk with me and I will answer your question," he said pleasantly.

  "Who sent you and where am I?"

  "That is two questions," he laughed, "but I will answer them both."

  "You are on another plane - but I will not tell you which one, and as to who has sent me the answer is one you already know. I serve the side of death," he said with a smile.

  "Why would you serve someone who wishes the death of all of your kind?" she asked him, shocked by the prospect of someone so like her choosing Him.

  "Why does anyone…he offers power and a different kind of life, just not one that you are used to," he said.

  "Join me," he suggested. "Together we would be an unstoppable team, we could vanquish all that stood in our way."

  "I will join you if you stand on my side only, for I cannot abide the future He would like to create," she said.

  "I cannot," he answered, strangely sad, it seemed. "I am bound to him now and this is the way it must be for me."

  "A pity," she answered. "I will not go with you, so you must return empty-handed - unless you come with me."

  "It would mean my death."

  "This path will mean your death anyway - at least this way you will have a chance," she offered.

  "We will see."

  Once again he was off running as the sound of his laughter caught at her ears.

  She let him go and began running back towards her horse and the oak. After many miles she found them again and felt wonderfully weary. She wondered how she was to return home but decided the best course would be to retrace her steps.

  She mounted and turned back the way they had come. Once again giving Imp her head, she closed her eyes and let her run. As she ran she felt her flame flicker and she let the feeling flow through her body, making her laugh in joy. She heard the echo of another's laughter and recognized it as Karim's.

   As she opened her eyes once again on the field of Heimdella she wondered if perhaps not all of them were really that bad and smiled knowing they would meet again another day.

Sanda :) I chose Kalarina for my fic since she is my most favorite character ever! She truly began my love for gaming and incorporates so much of me in her, so thank you for giving me that gift! I also wanted to write something short but something that rolled some of her characteristics and gifts into one package and perhaps add some depth to her that I don't usually have time for. I really hope you like it and thank you for 20+ years of wonderful gaming!!!!!!!!

Your loving sister