Quest of the Crafters

Sunday, Oct. 04
         -Sehra's Background Story

         “The sky tonight is so gorgeous, isn't it papa?” Sehra questioned while trying to get her fill of the fish Duke had just killed with nothing but a rock.
         By day, the area they were exploring was a rocky expanse of cliffs and creeks.  It was a thrill to hike along the heights, looking for new signs of other settlers.  In darkness, the sky appeared as a blanket of stars covering the planet, illuminating their surroundings as if it were day.
         “It truly is, Sehra.  I am just glad I get to enjoy it with you and Duke.  Hmm.  Speaking of Duke, where is he?  The last I saw him, he was supposed to bring some firewood back.”
         When Sehra's father had asked her to come along in search of other people to trade with, Duke had insisted on coming along.  But Sehra, you know your dad cannot handle you alone, you're too much woman for that, he had sneered with a sly wink when she had tried to let him know he would be left behind.
         “I have no idea, he's probably trying out his new bow.  I'll go look for him.”
         As Sehra stood from the dwindling fire, yet another screeching howl pierced the frigid air.  “He really should not be wandering about without either of us.  These animals, whatever they are, have been sounding off as if it were some kind of new moon's party.”
         “Well I've seen you with those daggers of yours and I am not too worried about a few rabid hounds.  I've also seen Duke with that bow, and he may be even quicker to draw than you, there is no animal which will surprise either of you.”
         “Still, what's the point of going of by himself?” Sehra barked.
         “Maybe he wants some time with just you and he.”  Sehra did not appreciate Duke's insincerity (how could he leave on his own and make her worry like this?) and was even less fond of her father teasing her about it.
         “Well when I do find him, he's going to spend the reunion being switched.”  and as quick as that she stormed off into the night.
         As she walked, she realized she would have to settle down and control her temper or else she would likely break an ankle.  The rocks  scattered all over made it hard to get dependable footing and the recent rains compounded the difficulty by smearing mud all over the ground.
         The spectacular view of the sky had already worn off and her awe was replaced by irritation.  Suddenly, as an arrow brushed her cheek enough to feel it, but not enough to actually draw blood, her irritation was just as quickly replaced with pure anger.
         “How could you be so STUPID?!” she shouted at Duke with no regard to whatever, or whoever, might be close enough to hear.
         “Oh just settle down, you've always been too strung out to have a little fun.  Look, I've even been productive in this bleak darkness.”  Duke lifted up a small animal, very much like a large rabbit except for the blue fur, black eyes, and massive claws it displayed. 
         “We'll be eating good tonight,” and Duke munched on some meat he must have already cooked, “Did you come to help me find firewood or are you just going to stand around all night?”
         “Only you, Duke.  Just so you know, you're unbelievable.  What do...”  And from camp came a scream which could have only come from her father.  With the same startled face, Sehra and Duke looked eye to eye for a moment, and then they were both sprinting back to the fire.
         Over this hole in the ground, in between these huge rocks, quick, don't slide too far on the moss.  Running back was nearly impossible, but her father was in trouble.
         Only two men remained when they made it to the opening, and they were both unrecognizable  Her father lay with his face in the fire, the right half already smoldering.
         Rage and sorrow overtook all of Sehra's resources and suddenly the two men were lifted off the ground by some unseen force.  Spinning around, violently crashing into rocks, they were being thrown about like rag dolls  Sehra realized that she was doing this, but how?  She had heard of these “crafters”; people who could wield an element, but that was only a story.
         Story or no story, Sehra wheeled these men closer to her.  So angry and desperate she was shaking, Sehra shouted, “WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?”
         The floating men finally appeared as though they knew fear.  “We know not why he was wanted dead, but when Dusk's Death is called upon to take a life, no subject will be left alive, whatever the cost.  No questions are asked either so just kill us now for we know nothing of use to you,” and the grisly man had the audacity to spit, through the gap in his teeth, onto her father's face.
         At that gesture Sehra fumed and let go of the control she held over this power she now held.  The man was torn to shreds as if a whip made of knives were skinning his pelt.  His screams barely pierced her consciousness.
         “Sehra, how are you doing this?”  Duke could not believe Sehra was a crafter either, but the evidence was right before them.  “Do you realize what this means?  You have one of the powers!”
         “Yes, it means my father is dead,” and with a trot just as sorrowful as that phrase she sat out towards home.  Not knowing just what to say in a time like this, Duke simply put his head down and followed.
         Surely this is just the start of something much larger, Sehra mused while trying not to shed any tears.  Tears were weakness, no matter how bad she hurt, weakness had no business with her.
         “And it means we have a new course to follow in our lives near-brother.”  The rest of the night was spent in silence and solitude, Sehra would get her revenge.