Astra's Outburst

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 84874

"I think you've talked to the boy for long enough," the owner of the hand - which when Astra turned her head to look proved to be Raef - said.

Astra cursed inwardly. To be interrupted now, just when she had been on the point of learning something that might be vital! But her frustration did not make her forget her concern for the lad. "And I think that none of you have talked to Furemn nearly enough."

"What do you mean?"

"The boy lost his father in horrific circumstances, and none of you made the effort to try to comfort him, did you? You just left him alone with his grief. Sure, things have been hard for you, but surely one of you could have spared a little time to talk to him? I know it would have been difficult to know what to say, but that's no excuse."

Luckily the shoulder that Raef had grasped was not the one that had been dislocated, but his grip on it tightened as she spoke, and it became so fierce that she wondered if it too might suffer some damage. His face was unreadable when she looked up at him, and she could not tell if her outburst had angered him or made him feel ashamed. Meanwhile Furemn had flushed with embarrassment.

Astra had spoken loudly, and the faces of all the others had turned in their direction. Garren stood up and walked over. "She's right, Raef," he said. "Let go of her shoulder. I know what your grip is like, and it must be hurting her."

Garren turned to Astra. "It's my fault, Astra. I became leader when Aix - that was Furemn's father's name - died, so it was my responsibility to talk to the boy. But I didn't know what to say."

"It's all right," Furemn said.

"No, it isn't," Garren said. "Come with me over to the far side of the cave, where we can't be overheard. We'll have a chat. I hope it will be better late than never."

Furemn scrambled to his feet and followed Garren across the cave. The others, except for Raef, turned their attention back to whatever they had been doing before Astra raised her voice.

Though Raef had released Astra's shoulder, he was still standing over her. She resisted the impulse to rub her shoulder, which still ached.

  1. "Will you tell me what the crest is?" she asked him.
  2. "You're nosy and interfering, and I don't trust you one bit," he told her. "Did the temptress send you to spy on us?"
  3. At that moment, Poliaun - Astra assumed it must be - returned.
  4. Suddenly, an echoey hiss sent the camp into chaos. The lisards had arrived!

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree


JH

1/21/2009 1:22:56 PM

Extending Enabled

The Never Ending Quest Home

Extend-A-Story Home

21383262 episodes viewed since 9/30/2002 1:22:06 PM.

Do not click me.