[RPG] [BT] [Rio] A series of unfortunate events...Altheda's Tale

[Kimberly Amthor]

OOC -- I'm quitting BM for a while...unwillingly, I assure you.  In
the next week or two, I'll be sending out RPs to wrap up the lives of
my current characters (or, at least, leave some interesting
cliffhangers to which I might return) Katheryn, Riamh Aice, Altheda
and Merum.  It's been a joy and a pleasure making merry with you all.
:)

---

Altheda leaps over a fallen branch, ducking under and around a mass of
brambles before sliding down a steep embankment. Grabbing the trunk of
a birch, she swings onto the road and bolts for the other side, lungs
heaving, gasping for air . . .

. . . something was in hot pursuit.

---

In times of dire need, they say the spirit thrives, illuminates,
carries the body to unnatural extremes...Altheda was not the least bit
out of shape, but she had been running for hours. Her vision was
blurring, she could barely feel her legs, sweat had soaked her
attire...she was spent.

---

Altheda trips over a protruding rock. She tries to stay upright, but
her muscles refuse to respond and she falls face first into the edge
of a brook. Her head lifts barely from the water...enough to
breath...panting...gasping.

Apart from her own heavy breathing, she hears nothing. Nothing.

Several moments pass, and she's finally able to lift herself out of
the water and make towards the wood. She glances about, slowly...

...nothing.

Was it gone?

She swallows...and starts to the west, following the brook towards the
inland sea. She knows her troops will be awaiting her return.

---

Ten weary and worn soldiers camp on the coast. No fire has been lit,
lest the ghouls make chase...their noble leader would know how and
where to find them. A single man stands watch while the others try to
sleep, with little success.

An ear-piercing scream rips the veil of darkness. Then...nothing.