Exhaustion

I jogged forward pushing myself harder than I had ever pushed before; my muscles burned with every step. My throat was scratchy and dry. I began to look for a well or a source of water but all I saw was the tunnel. I pictured our towns well, but my overwhelming thirst brought me back to reality. I would be forced to stop soon, but if I stopped I would surely be cut down by Bur'daer and his clan. I continued to push forward and retrieved one of the scraps of cloth from my belt pouch. I stopped for a moment to catch my breath and wipe the sweat from my brow, and neck. Then I tied the damp rag around my forehead to keep the sweat out of my eyes.

I continued feeling that I could only make it a few more steps, but each time I felt that I couldn't continue I forced myself to take a few more steps. I knew that at this point it was my own force of will that was propelling me forward; my body had nothing left to give. I saw a slight curve ahead and made a goal to get around it, but as I pressed on I stumbled tripping over my own feet. I collapsed on the stone defeated by exhaustion. I pulled the cloth from my head and wiped my brow and neck once more. I twisted it into a knot squeezing what little moisture it contained into my open mouth. Maybe two drops dripped onto my cracked lips before I closed them around the rag and sucked the remaining moisture out. It was salty but I didn't care- it was something. I lay against the cold tunnel floor trying to catch my breath.

As my breathing slowed I could feel the exhaustion taking over and my eyes began to close of their own accord. I was drifting in an out of conscientiousness, but I heard a sound that brought me back. I must be imagining this. I listened again, and heard the faint trickle of water as it dripped from the tunnel wall. I listened closely and could tell it was coming from around the corner. I hoisted myself up and made a feeble attempt at walking. I just continued towards the sound. I inched around the corner and there it was! A tiny trickle had forced it's way through a weak spot in the rock and was creating a small glistening spot on the wall. The Teken'ndar had turned the imperfection into a natural well by digging out a shallow pool that collected the water. I hit the ground once more and drank.

As the water washed down my throat I knew I had escaped death, and I gratefully collapsed with my face inches away from this lifesaving spring.

Despair

I had been jogging up the tunnel for hours at a steady incline. I was exhausted and thirsty. I had to rest. I wondered if there was any chance of finding a natural spring. I started looking for any source of water as I continued the pace of the previous hours journey. All that I saw was the rough unhewn walls of the tunnel which, except for the occasional curve or bend, was grey and lifeless. I slowed, feeling defeated as I sank down against the cold stone. I wouldn't be able to continue if I couldn't find something to drink. I hung my head and closed my eyes breathing heavily.

I reflected on the 16 years of my life, but as I thought about my life I was constantly interrupted by a nagging and persistent thought. "No matter how bad the circumstance; Never Surrender!" I remembered the sword master at the academy saying this to us over and over. Any time that we heard those words as we sparred with one another we tightened our grips and heightened our senses. We knew that in an instant our instructor could spring into the fray, and battle both of us as we battled each other. No one had ever bested the sword master and we were guaranteed to return home with new bruises, but when he challenged us his yells of "Never Surrender" were as relentless as the blows of his wooden practice blade.

"No matter how bad the circumstance; Never Surrender!" interrupted my desperate thoughts again and this time I raised my head. My strength was drained and I felt that I couldn't continue, but I wasn't dead yet. I removed my dark green leather armor and stripped off my clothes that were caked with blood. I ripped a relatively clean section of fabric from my shirt and used it to clean off the sweat that covered every inch of my body. When I was finished the rag was damp with my sweat, blood, and the grime that had covered me from head to toe. I hadn't had any water since we had left our house and marched into battle. I had never been this thirsty. I looked at the damp rag and pondered my predicament. I remembered the history of the Siege Survivors Return and how they had lived through the siege by consuming their own sweat and urine. I knew my thirst would only get worse, but I couldn't bring that filthy rag to my dry lips. I did, however, salvage a few other pieces of fabric from the ruined garments in case my situation grew more desperate.

I unwrapped my sisters healing kit and quickly bandaged the wound in my side. Even after the potion it was still raw and I hoped that the bandage would help keep it clean. I doubted that it would.

I stood, and changed into the new clothes. The shirt puckered around my ample bust. The Rilyn'lyl women were known for what they called the hedonistic gift. I remember them laughing sadistically as they talked of their exploits of seduction. I had never really paid attention, but started to wonder if this trait would come in handy now that I was on my own. I entertained this thought while I put my armor back on. As soon as I had the greaves fastened around my calves I began to run again.

I forced myself to keep a swift pace knowing that my enemies were advancing up the tunnel and would soon overtake me.