The Heart's Scars

[Kaldaka/Traveller]

Kaldaka sat bunched up on the huge wall, staring at the stars above her. Sleepless nights and days of whirlwind activity as she tried to keep away the sorrow gave her little strength. She traced the stars with her finger, hugging her knees with her other arm.

The Sickle. The Hunter. The Boat. The Boar. Dropping her arm and hugging her knees with it as well, she dropped her head to her knees and wept. The scars on her heart were still there. She could feel their continual ache still, and knew that she would never be fully rid by them. She was crippled forever, crippled by sorrow.

Drying her tears, she stood up unsteadily before collapsing, her tears raining down. Finally they stopped, and this time Kaldaka just leaned her head against the stone wall, her eyes dry as she stared up at the stars once more.

[David Augustine]

David was making his way to his usual morning training. Since not much has been going on of late. He carried his sword and a spear that wasn't his personal one but one of similar length and weight. He started to climb the stairs when he heard crying. He then made his way up and looked around. He followed the sorce of the sound until he saw her.

David walked up to Kaldaka knowing that she had just wept over something because of the residue on her face. He crouched down next to her and examined her condition. "Is something troubling you, Kaldaka?" he asked her. He never expected to see her broken down like this for as look as he knew her.

[Kaldaka/Traveller]

Kaldaka didn't look up at the sound of footsteps until she heard David's voice. "Oh, hello David," she said, slightly startled. "No- oh, yes." Standing up, she managed a smile. "Merely part of my troubled past," she whispered softly, looking into the flush of dawn that was covering the eastern end of the sky.

Looking back towards him, she said, "Going to train, I suppose? Did you get your spear-head put onto the old or a new spear?"

[David Augustine]

David stood back up to his full height and looked down at Kaldaka. "Yes, I'm going to train." he answered, "And no, I still haven't reforged a weapon for the spear-head yet."

He turned and looked at the rising sun. He sighed, he was too late. He intended on training during the winter's night. Allowing him to train his endurance to the elements. He shook his head and let out another sigh. "I should've gotten up earlier." he stated.

[Kaldaka/Traveller]

"I'm sorry I delayed you," Kaldaka said softly, looking towards the sun as it flashed on her face, making the tears on her eyelashes sparkle. "I hope you get that spearhead forged on soon." Her smile was obviously forced, but she was determined not to let others know of her sorrow. It was hers alone to bear, and she could not burden others with it. She turned away from him, standing with her arms crossed toward the rising sun.

[David Augustine]

David walked up beside her and gazed at the horizon. He watched as the sun was rising into the sky. "Don't worry about it. It wasn't your fault." he told her. He turned his head to look at her. He held the spear he was carrying in his hand and standing upward. "You know, I am here for you if you need anything."

[Kaldaka/Traveller]

"Oh, David," she whispered, the words catching in her throat and coming out sounding strangled. She could feel the tears again, dangerously near to the surface, even though she had felt she had cried them all out. She so wanted to have him be a solid pillar for her to lean on. Why was he so kind to her, when he barely knew her, particularly when she was becoming something that she would most likely feel aversion to all of his days, and when she had a background even she didn't wish to talk of. "Why are you so kind to me?" she whispered softly, a tear sliding down her cheek.

[David Augustine]

David glanced at at Kaldaka. He saw the tear sliding down her cheek. He lifted a finger up and wiped it away. He chuckled softly and looked towards the horizon again. "Why do you ask that?" he said, "Would you rather me be cruel to you? or have me be your worst enemy? I know that you are training to become an assassin, but that doesn't mean that you have to go through life without friends. I'm your friend Kaldaka and I'm going to help you whenever I can." He then turned his head and looked down at her. "No matter what boundries may keep us apart."

[Kaldaka/Traveller]

Kaldaka smiled slightly, a real smile this time despite the tears streaking down her face. Leaning back with her head against David's shoulder, she watched the sun rise in silence. "Thank you," she whispered.

[David Augustine]

He looked down at her as she leaned back and rested her head on his shoulder. He didn't move but was frozen in place. David then heard Kaldaka say, "Thank you." All he could do was smile back and place a hand on her shoulder. He rubbed it quietly as they watched the horizon. "You're welcome." he replied.

[Kaldaka/Traveller]

Kaldaka stood there, feeling perfectly calm in spite of the tears running down her face. The sun had just finally flung itself over the edge of the sky and she blinked slightly. "It's so beautiful," she murmured softly. "The sunrise. It brings back hope."

[David Augustine]

"There may be sorrow during the night, but joy comes in the morning." he stated. He rubbed her shoulder again and let go of her. He turned and started to walk away. He then glanced back at Kaldaka. "I'm glad that you are feeling better." he told her.

[Kaldaka/Traveller]

"Aye, joy in the morning," she whispered. As he left, she stood for a moment, then turned around swiftly, the light breeze that had started up whipping her hood off and messing her black hair. "Thank you," she said simply as she raised her hand in farewell.

[David Augustine]

"You're welcome." he said turning around and raising his hand back at her. He was walking backwards and lost his footing. He then fell down and tumbled down a few steps of the wooden stairs(or at least I hope they are wooden). He laid there for a few minutes and stood back up. If he wasn't as strong as he was he probably would've been in worse condition. He held up his spear and waved Kaldaka showing that he was alright.

[Kaldaka/Traveller]

Kaldaka flew down the stairs after him. "Are you okay?" she said, her grey eyes clouded with worry. "That can't feel good at all. You should go home and rest for a little bit to make sure you won't have any after effects."