Avalon Battle

[DoS Archive]

Date: 11/8/97 2:55 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: LdyAja


((For those of you curious about how Aja lost the baby))

Aja stepped off the small skiff onto the shores of Avalon. The wind blew the loose strands of her raven hair around, her amber eyes darkened by the seriousness of her visit to the isle that was home to about 100 or so peace loving people and Rico's mother Mami. Rico was her ship yards manager. Marco greeted her as she walked towards him.
"Mistress Aja." his gentle voice tightened by worry
"Marco, ya know I hate that mistress bit...Any sign of them?" her eyes casted back to the horizon, searching for possible signs of other crafts headed their way.
"None..we set up a relay team on the other side of the isle in case the attempt a back attempt."
"Damn heathens." Aja let a few more colorful adjectives fly about the unwelcome visitors. Rico laughed but looked at Marco the smile leaving his face.
"Does Mami know?" Marco nodded and Aja just about came unglued.
"Who in the name of Hades thought that was a good idea?"
"I told Mami." the voice came from behind them. "She is after all the head of the isle."
"Why you.." Rico started after Dirk but Marco grabbed him before he flattened Dirk
"Dirk, if you weren't needed in the isles defense, I'd tell Marco to let Rico tear ya to bits. You know Mami ain't suppose to have any major shocks..It's bad for her heart. I can't believe you are such an idiot. What were you thinking?"
"And who are you to give such opinions?" He roared back at her, she was about to give him what for when a voice from behind startled them both.
"She's what's been keeping this isle livable, and makes sure we have what we need, Dirk. She's welcome anytime to give any opinion she sees fit. So you show her a bit more respect as she's about to once again help us. Saving this isle and your aroggant hide." 'The old womans' got spunk' Aja thought and went over to her.
"Mami, what are you doing down here? You'll catch your death." Mami smiled, patted her on the head lovingly and rose from the chair.
"Don't worry bout me child, I'll be just fine. Now what's going on with the men that were here earlier?"
Aja smiled and looked over at Marco, Rico and Dirk who all were looking quite sheepish under Mami's stern look.
"Well, nothing thus far.I'm taking a couple men with me across the isle to see if they do indeed attempt a back attack."
You'll do no such thing..Not with that baby." Mami turned her eyes on Aja.
"Mami.." She began
"I'll not hear of it." Mami's usual motherly concern for Aja was more than apparent.
"Mami, we need every man this isle's got and then some. I'll not stand idly by while the men do the fighting. I'll fight with them as I always have." she didn't wait for Mami to argue. "Corine, see Mami back to the main house. Dirk, prepare you men for the ground attack, you guys.." she looked over at a group "ride with me." she mounted a horse and looked at Mami. "Scold me later if you wish, but my mind is made up for now."
Mami knew better than to arguee and watched her ride off. She looked up at Rico.
"Tell me? How do you work with that stubborn child?"
Rico laughed.
"Same way I've always dealt with you, mama. " he smiled at her scowl, helped her back into the chair and on up the ramp they built for her.
Aja and the guys raced across the isle. She met up with the head guy.
"Any sign of them?"
"A small skiff is coming up, but the larger vessel is headed around."
"You and the rest head on back. I'll do away with them. They can't get up the cliff any faster than I can shoot." She pulled out a bow and looked over the edge of the cliff.
"But MiLady.." he began watching Aja pierce one of the intruders through the heart.
"As you can see, I will be just fine...Now go on." the man nodded and rode off.
'Alright..' she thought 'archery isn't my strong suit, but let's give it a shot or 4 more'
Aja picked them off one by one. They had little defense against her and no where to hide. She dispensed of them quickly, mounted up and headed back to the village to see how the men were fairing.
Upon reaching the outskirts she heard shouting down by the beach and knew a heavy battle was going on. Aja was about to head in and help when she saw a local boy named Adrian hiding behind a barrel near a house.
"Adrian? Why aren't you with Mami and the others in the main house?"
he came out from behind the barrel, looking around cautiously.
"Miss Aja..the man..he has come looking for you."
"The man?" she echoed
"The man said the battle was a distraction to bring you here. I heard him tell Mami"
"Are they in the main house?" he nodded "Alright, you take the horse and go hide somewhere. Till things die out..." she jumped down and let him mount up. "the other side of the isle is clear. You know where the cave is right?" he nodded " Go there and hide out for a while. You'll be safe."
She watched him ride off and proceeded to the house on foot. Seeing two guards near the front door and two posted near the back door.
'Well no way to go but up' she said and quickly climbed the ivy trelis on the side of the house. She cleared the balcony, looked over to see if she had been seen. The two guards at the back were talking. She pulled her bow out, took out one and hid while the other looked around. When his back was turned she took him out."Night night boys' she couldn't help but smiling and entered the house. No sooner had she closed the door when she heard a man's
voice downstairs.
"Find that woman! I know those stupid decoys could not have bested her. She is on this blasted isle somewhere find her!"
Aja looked out into the hall, no one was seen and she stood near the top of the stairs.
"Becareful what you ask for." her cold voice made the man turn and look at her.
"Ah..Aja. Bout time, I have been waiting for you."
"Rather impatiently at that." she quipped and made short work of the soldier that tried to climb the stairs to get her. The man clapped.
"Well done. I see you turned out to be quite the warrior. I thought as much."
"Alright, Mister...I don't know who you are or what the game is but it ain't funny." Aja glanced over the rail at Mami and Corine who where being held at knife point.
"Oh contrair, Aja..You do know of me at least, if you do not remember my face. You were but a baby then." he said as he looked up at her.
Aja started to shake with anger, her blood practically boiling when it started to click with her who he was.
"Serm."
"Very good, Sis." his sardonic voice reminded her of AJ's warnings where Serm was concerned.
"What do you want?" she cooled her heels and eyed him carefully. He looked up at her as if he couldn't believe the question.
"My rightful place as king, in that case, your death. If you had stayed conviently unknown I would still be in Ballentyne and I would have what was mine."
Aren't you forgetting something? Father gave the thorne to AJ." she stared at him
"But once father is dead, who will stop me from killing AJ and resuming his place?"
"I will pal."
"Ah, such a rambunctious young lady. A shame I have to have you killed." he looked almost disappointed bout that.
"A shame for who? You? I doubt it." she retorted and quickly took note of the number of soldiers.
"I will not be denied!" he slammed his hand down on the table. He looked up at her then over to Mami. "You must die or I will kill your precious Mami." his cold voice made her flicker her glance to Mami.
"Don't Aja..I'm ready to die!" Mami managed to get out before one of the guards shut her up. Aja took a chance.
"Well, Serm, seems Mami don't particually mind. What's your next trick?" her voice calm, she stepped down a few steps and killed a soldier who dared to try to take her down. She scanned the room, '3 more. I wonder.' she thought and stepped down another couple steps. Another soldier fell at her feet. Serm stared at her coldly.
"Damn you!" he yelled
"You already tried that!" she matched the thunder in his voice. "You stole everything from me when I was unable to fight for it! Because of your greed, I led a lonely exsistance. How dare you think you've been wronged!" She stepped down and quickly killed the next soldier. "I was beaten by the ravel you paid to take me! I have fought for my life ever since I was a child!" Aja came down the final few steps and thrusted the final soldier in the heart.
"And now you come thinking I will just let you do that to me again? How very arrogant of you!" she stepped up to him "Give me one good reason to let you walk out of here!" she poked the bloody tip of her sword into his shoulder. His face ashen, his mouth opened to speak but no words came out. "I will not kill you brother dear. AJ, for some reason does not wish you dead. And out of the love and respect I hold for him, I shall spare your miserable
life. But know this..You cross me again and AJ will have to forgive me for forsaking his wishes. For I will run you through. I owe you for a lifetime of misery and an eternity of hell. And even if you pay for that in your tortuous, slow death it still will not be enough." Aja backed away from him and he bolted out the door. The soldiers who were standing guard at the front door came in, she took a cut to the thigh and one to her shoulder before
doing away with one. The other hit her shoulder again and nicked her cheek before she got him.
"Aja, don't you dare go after him!" Mami yelled but Aja had already tore out across the field after him.
Her blood raced through her veins and poured out the wound in her shoulder. She saw him run into a patch of woods. When she reached it, she saw no trce of him.
"Damn it!" she yelled and didn't see him until it was too late..The heavy branch he wielded hit her in the stomach. She doubled over and saw him aiming again, she kicked at his knee causing him to fall. Aja struggled to stand, the pain in her stomach made that all but impossible. But when she finally managed to stand, Serm was attempting to drag himself away. She heard voices behind her and turned to see the guys coming to help, when she turned back
around she saw a few more soldiers and thought that was the end of her. But they picked up Serm and started to carry him off.
"This ain't over sis!" he yelled out
"Indeed not." she said weakly and hit the ground, blacking out as familar voices calling her name.
Upon awaking, she realized she was home. Huma was sitting next to the bed holding her hand with his head down on her shoulder. Parker was standing near the end of the bed doing stuff and Rico, holding a vigial near the window.
'was I dying?' she thought. by the look on Rico's face, I'd say things were bad.
"Huma?" her voice came out in a squeak, and all three looked her way
He raised his head quick and stared at her in disbelief.
"Babe?"
"Get me a drink please" she managed to squeak out and Rico got it for her.Aja took a drink and looked at Huma. "Was I dying?" he looked up at Parker and Rico then back to her.
"No babe, you just lost a lot of blood. And..." he paused and looked back to see Parker and Rico had left them. "Babe, you should rest."
"Not till you tell me what's wrong with me? Why can't I feel anything?" Aja was confused.
"Parker gave you some pain killers."
"Why? Did I break something?" she struggled to sit up, but Huma stopped her.
"No.." Huma got quiet his voice barely audible when he looked at her, gently touching her face. "The baby."
"What about the baby?"
"No baby." he whispered and took her hand in his.
"Are you saying that I...lost our..." Aja's voice trailed off when Huma nodded. "I lost our baby?" Huma held her to him, and she cried. "I'm sorry honey. I am so sorry."
"It's not your fault honey."
"But it is you see, I shouldn't have gone after..."
"I'll find him. and he will pay for it dearly."
"No..let AJ deal with Serm. It's a family matter. AJ will handle Serm."
"He killed our baby..how can you just ignore that?" Huma's face was twisted in anger.
"I can't forsake AJ's wishes honey, please try to understand." Huma held her close to him.
"I'll try, for you. I will try. Please honey, get some rest."
"Lay down with me?" Huma nodded and gently laid next to her, he held her while she fell back to sleep.




~Lady Aja Dragonbane~~Dueler of the DoS~~General Misfit~