24 July 2012
Prompt: The abbey bells are ringing.
The rhythmic clip-clop of iron horseshoes against cobblestone broke the pre-dawn lull. A bloodied, half-conscious form was slumped against the worn saddle, a grim smile curving at his lips. He wasn't one to be be defined as handsome- though it was never hard to find someone to warm his bed. His black hair was long for most men his age, falling a little past his shoulder-blades but it was clear that it hadn't always been that long and only lack of time or care had left it to its own devices. Pain-filled yet dangerous and proud golden-brown eyes gazed out in the mist-covered streets of Calaburn. A soft groan lifted from his lips as he shifted in the saddle- days on end riding after being stuck in that cesspit for so long would make anyone sore. His eyes surveyed the small houses, so tranquil and naïve; so ignorant. He leaned over his brown, sweat-stained steed and opened dark chapped lips to whisper, "Almost there Adhelm, we'll reach Abbot Lieven's in a bit." Ruefully he stroked the hardworking horse, worried but determined to carry on. If he was already in Calaburn at this ungodly hour of the morning then he expected to hear Sister Ingrith's chastising tone by noontime. He clicked his tongue and Adhelm picked up the pace laboriously. The powerful horse pushed itself until they reached a river not three yards from the nearest building and the man sighed. "Very well old friend, you win." With that he slipped off the horse with another half-swallowed moan and loosened the reins enough that the horse could drink. He himself leaned against the sweat-covered animal and sluggishly dug through his bags-the few he could smuggle away anyways, those bastards still had his sword for example- and pulled out a worn canteen shaking it slightly to be sure there was enough before tipping it back. His tangled, greasy hair was flung back as he did, revealing a strong set jaw a crooked nose and numerous scars that he'd have to answer for the moment he entered the Matron's sight. The two gathered their strength for almost an hour before the man pulled up on Adhelm's reigns and clambered painfully back on, the sun just peaking out between the towering trees of Adhime Forest that lay behind the small town of Calaburn. He turned away from the sight and began riding once more. Adhelm's pace was faster than before and the man didn't know if it was because of the break or the increasingly familiar territory. Soon, despite cantering, despite the ever-brightening day around him, he had drifted off. He dreamt of the pretty Sister Hazel, the kind Abbot Lieven, and the warm abbey meals. He was woken quite abruptly by a sound. A sound so familiar it made him weak- a sound only two days ago he wasn't sure he would ever hear again; the beautiful melody of abbey bells.
Post Note: I'm not really sure where I'm going with this but it's possibly going to stay a one-shot. I'd really appreciate reader input :)
Abbey Bells (Chapter 1 of ?) • Opuss № I