Pandisha's Story

Pandisha's Story
 * - by Pandisha

So, I have part 1 of Pandisha's Story Written. But not posted. And I'm working on Part 2. This is a part MUCH farther down the road hence the ?. Please let me know what could be better! Thankies!  Part ?  She stood on the prow of the boat, watching Ratchet diminish into the mists that hung heavily on the sea. Rains had come from the East, creating the heaviness in the air that reflected on her recent experiences. Right before the dock was full out of sight she tossed the ring over the edge, letting the current pull it to depths.  She turned away from Ratchet and looked forward to her new life. She would carve out a place for herself, far away from the memories, both beautiful and intensely painful. Whispering she said, "What have I done?" The long graceful fingers on her hand blurred when her eyes filled with tears. Reaching over her shoulder she caressed the blood red hair of her daughter, the only truly innocent victim of the entire ordeal.  Will you be taken from me too child? The High Priest says that it is so. Will all the things I love be ripped from me that I may know pain and learn?” she whimpered to herself while the boat rocked back and forth. Carefully, she lifted the child over her shoulder and cradled the bundle carefully, small rivers of tears flowing from her orange eyes, down her cheeks and over her tusks.  Her eyes began to droop heavily and the gentle motion of the boat put her into a light slumber. She dreamed of him again.  Pandisha... was all that he said in the dream, the look of horror on his face as he looked at the child in his arms, the child that was not… could not ever be his. Then in the dream his eyes would darken, smolder with anger at knowing that she had been faithless while he was on his mission. Her Black Swordsman wanted nothing to do with her. And she knew it. 

Pandisha the Lost - Part 1 Banishment
My life began before the tentative peace between the Alliance and Horde was established. My parents were a couple who lived harmoniously in Shadowprey. Desolace was not a friendly place to raise children, especially a curious troll girl like myself, but Shadowprey - with all the beauty of an ocean front home and other members of the tribe - was essentially ideal. My parents were as all children believe – super heroes with an undying love for their child. Life was simple there.  I was one of only a half dozen children in the village. I was also the youngest and the only girl. Like my papa I had pale purple undertones in my skin and brilliant magenta hair. I had a kewpie nose and orange eyes. My little tusks had just begun to make an appearance and I was the most beloved troll child in Shadowprey.  <BR>All the boys were close in age and training to defend Shadowprey. It was a shame because I didn’t have any friends my age or otherwise. I was doted on and spoiled and could get away with murder if I tried. In fact, I did. <BR> <BR>Now in case you are wondering how I got away with murder, well, that is a most interesting tale. I was all of five years old. That day I looked adorable with my magenta hair pulled into pigtails and a mischievous smile dancing on my lips, making me look mildly sinister. <BR> <BR>I had with age become absolutely petulant. It was the one thing my mother could not condone. She was a woman who enjoyed maintaining decorum; image was everything to her. She was amazingly tall with long legs. She too had purple skin and hair as red as bright as the setting sun. <BR> <BR>She was also far along in her second pregnancy. My parents were hoping for a little boy so that he would be able to defend Shadowprey, but I personally was ambitious for a little sister that could be doted upon by yours truly. <BR> <BR>She was a master priestess. In the days of the war when she was still training she had acquired much acclaim as potentially being the best priestess in the entire Horde. She had focused her talents into the discipline aspect and was very capable in her art. <BR> <BR>It was on a sweltering summer day that I was being particularly bratty. It was always on the hot and sweaty mornings that I could escape because she embodied the word ornery. <BR> <BR>“Eek!” I cried out as I dropped an egg. I tried to hide my joy at this “accident.” <BR> <BR>“Pandressa Kalinda, please…just go outside. And don’t forget to change into your play clothes. I’m not in the mood to wash your jammies again because you felt like you should play in them,” she said while rubbing her belly. <BR> <BR>This is precisely the moment I was waiting for; I was going to make my great escape. <BR> <BR>As I ran to the bedroom to change into my outdoor robe I grabbed my mama’s dagger. I knew whate I was doing and wanted to make sure I would be capable of defending myself. <BR> <BR>“Bye mama. I’ll be back at supper time,” I called out as I skipped down the stairs, through the inn and out to the main, dusty road of Shadowprey. <BR> <BR>As I traveled along the compacted and well-traversed road I waved out my neighbors. Several ladies beckoned me over to taste various dishes – fried fish, mulgore bread, and tons of jerky. I stopped frequently and slipped bits and pieces into my bag so that I would be capable of survival. <BR> <BR>Legionnaire Mistsword even said for me to take a dozen sweet rolls home. If only she knew where I was going and what I was doing. <BR> <BR>I had already prepared my knapsack for this specific trip. I had a blanket, overnight clothes, tinder and flint, and all the other various survival necessities. Mama and papa had no idea – I was going adventuring like they had in their youth. I was going to make a name for myself just like they always wanted me to do. <BR> <BR>I quietly approached the edge of the village and I knew that I would have to cause a distraction if I were going to slip out of town. I carefully began to plot the safest route. As I thought, I noticed Jirio, the oldest and meanest boy in town, approaching the edge the guards. I quickly picked up a rock, climbed a tree with dense foliage and lobed it as hard as I could against one of the guards. <BR> <BR>“HEY! Who did that!?” yelled the guard as he spun around looking for the culprit. As my luck <BR>would have it Jirio looked absolutely guilty as he laughed at the poor guard. He looked up and noticed me and while clutching his stomach tried to point me out. I ducked behind a branch and took a deep breath. I was getting reckless, that was too close - I needed to escape before I could begin adventuring. <BR> <BR>I slipped out of the tree and snuck beyond the line of sight of the guards. <BR> <BR>“Ah, pure freedom,” I sighed as I picked a path. <BR> <BR>I was careful to stay to the trees. I knew that my parents would send out a search party eventually. I had learned to cover my tracks in the manner of the hunter, after following my uncle Krinoti. No one would be able to determine which way I traveled. <BR> <BR>I also kept my eyes open for any strange creatures that I could not easily kill. I was going to be famous someday, but that couldn't happen if I found myself very dead. <BR> <BR>As I continued towards the region called Stonetalon Mountains I heard strange noises. It was similar to the clank of weapons that Jirio and his posse made when practicing, but this was a more ferverent and serious battle. I dropped to a crouch and slowly moved closer as I heard the sharp staccatos of arrows piercing people and the screams of the dying. <BR> <BR>I pulled my dagger out of my belt loop and slipped my knapsack to the ground. I was not unfamiliar with how to wield mama's dagger, but I had never really used it to defend myself. <BR> <BR>I approached the scene of the battle, being careful to avoid suddern movement and snapping twigs. I wanted an accurate accounting of what this battle entailed so that I could report to the town leader - my papa. Oh, he was going to be so proud of me. My first scouting expedition. <BR> <BR>At first glance, I saw what seemed like children fighting against orcs. But I came to realize that these were not children but gnomes. They were no bigger than I, and their hair was as colorful as mine. <BR> <BR>With this new knowledge came shock as I saw these child-like creatures killing orcs. I clamped my hand over my mouth lest I cry out and I accidently shifted my weight. To balance myself and prevent falling I took a quick step back. *CRACK* I stepped right onto a twig and began to look around fearfully. Had anyone heard that? In my mind it reverberated loudly. <BR> <BR>I slowly turned my eyes back to the fight. But surprisingly there was a girl with neon pink hair in front of me. At first her green eyes looked at me with open curiousity. But when she saw my defensive stance, bared teeth and mama's wicked looking blade, she retreated a step. Slowly, the corners of lips started to go up and she grinned at me. I glared at her as she licked her lips - looking at me like I was a tasty treat. I realized with horror that this creature found pleasure in killing children. <BR> <BR>A deep rumbling growl began at the pit of my stomach. Here was my first confrontation with the <BR>enemy. My chance to gain reknown had come. Was I prepared to do battle? I remember watching Jirio attack, parry and defend but that was in mock battles with his compatriots; this had become a matter of life and death. <BR> <BR>I lunged towards her as fast as I could, while wildly waving mama's dagger but she dodged and began laughing. This was what I was hoping she would do. I suppose she thought I was predictable and so reacted in the easiest manner. As I stumbled past her I swung my weight back and unleashed a slash directly onto her bare shoulder. I knew my dagger landed because she yelled out in a language that was incomprehensible. <BR> <BR>I attacked too slow, however, because it was just a flesh wound. I backed up a pace and crouched low. I never took my eyes off of her as she gingerly touched the surface scratch. She had stopped laughing the moment the sting of mama's dagger was known. I could tell she had begun to take me seriously. Her eyes had taken on an arctic chill. <BR> <BR>I could tell that she had trained with her dagger for an extensive amount of time. As she took the offensive she flaunted her expertise and hatred for me.. As the flurry of attacks came I had to back up rapidly. They came so quickly that I was unable to dodge or parry all the blows. I was unfamiliar with the land but knew in Desolace cliffs and rock walls were a common occurence. It would only be a matter of moments before my back made contact and I would be utterly doomed. <BR> <BR>"Live or die...I can live or I can die," I thought over and over again in my head. <BR> <BR>Then there was the anticipated wall. She cackled and backed up a step, while I cowered in fear. What could I do? How could I escape this dilemna? <BR> <BR>As she stalked forward, preparing for the fatal blow, I had a revelation. Over the course of the battle I realized she was a bit more comfortable on her right side. She licked her lips again as she dived forward. I ducked low and into her left so that her momentum would press her past me. Her back was open and I callously stuck mama's dagger into her back. It slid in smoothly and I lost myself. I simply let go of mama's dagger and watched her body crumple to the ground. <BR> <BR>My knees buckled and I fell beside her body. I pulled on her shoulder and rolled her over. My body began to convulse as I stared to her empty eyes. And then the contents of my stomach decided to make a reappearance. Things began to get blurry as my eyes filled with tears. I killed. I was a murderer. <BR> <BR>After an undefineable amount of time I realized the sounds of battle had faded. As I glanced around I saw the field strewen with dead orcs. I drew myself to my feet and and raced to my backpack. I had to escape. I couldn't be caught by the enemy. They would take my life for killing that girl gnome. When I stooped to pick up my bag I became aware of the sounds of approaching enemies. I began to run back towards my home. <BR> <BR>"Mama...papa... I'm sorry. If I die before I get home or you find me, I'm soo sorry," I whispered to myself as I ran as speedily as I could. <BR> <BR>I made it to a beach before I collapsed. I simply could not go on. My wounds had stopped bleeding, but I had lost too much blood. I fell face first into the sand and passed out. <BR> <BR>When I woke up I remember seeing my mama. She looked down at me, her beautiful hair pulled back and worry on her face. The lines on her forehead softened when she saw that I was waking up. I started to move, to get out of bed and report to Papa what I saw. But mama gently pressed me to the bed. <BR> <BR>"Sleep child. Rest and regain your strength. Mama will make sure you never get hurt again," she said as I drifted back into unconciousness. <BR> <BR>It took me several weeks to fully recover from my injuries. No one ever asked me what happened when I was quarantined, but I also never saw mama's dagger again. When I was finally well my papa called me into a conference so I could tell him what occured. I lied to him. <BR> <BR>"Papa. I wanted to make a name for myself. I was going to go get famous like you and mama always wanted. But then this scary animal attacked me. I didn't know what to do. I ran as fast as I could but it hurt me bad. I'm sorry, I won't ever run away again if you'll keep me," I plaintively said. <BR> <BR>"You'll always be our little girl sweetheart. Just promise us you'll never run away again. If you do, we are going to send you to Auntie Ridalia's," was his reply. I shivered at the name of my auntie. She was not one to dote and faun over me. <BR> <BR>I felt awful about lying but he couldn't know I was a murderer. The village law was that any murderer had to die. He believed me and I thought I was off the hook. I was for several months. <BR> <BR>Then one day, Jirio and his band came back from a scouting expedition. They had been granted permission to explore so long as they had two adult chaperones with them. On this particular day Papa and Mama went with them. <BR> <BR>They were returning several hours earlier then expected and I felt a ominous spirit in the air. The boys were not excited as they normally were. They walked into town while holding formation. There were no words, laughter or hooting. As I took in the scene I noticed that they approached the inn. <BR> <BR>"PANDRESSA KALINDA SHADOWBLADE....COME HERE RIGHT NOW!!!" bellowed my father. <BR> <BR>"Uh-oh...." I made my way downstairs slowly out to the town center. <BR> <BR>"Pandressa...what is this?" he asked me while waving mama's dagger in front of my face. <BR> <BR>"I...uh...I...I don't know papa...." I said, giving a pathetic look to my mama. She just looked at me, ready to give me a spanking I'm sure. <BR> <BR>"Don't you ever lie to me girl. This dagger was found in the back of a deceased gnome. A young one at that. This dagger also is your MOTHER'S dagger. Do you have any idea how it got in that girls back?" I knew papa was furious. I had lied to him and ruined the honor of the family clan. I began to cry. I was a failure. <BR> <BR>I realized my actions two months ago were found out. They knew I was a murderer. That I was condemned to death. I began my confession. <BR> <BR>"All I can say is that I am sorry. I will go through the murderer's death ceremony if it's necessary Village Master Shadowblade. I will do anything to return your honor." I looked papa directly through my tears, speaking not as his daughter, but as a young member of the tribe. <BR> <BR>"It was not a murder, it was self defense. You will not die the death of a murderer, but you will be leaving Shadowprey. You must be expelled for a duration of no less than two years. This is for breaking the peace. Our village laws require it," he said. I thought I detected a tear or two in his eyes. I turned to look at my mama to see what she would say. <BR> <BR>"For a period of two years you will be living with your Aunt Ridalia in Malaka' jin. If after that time you prove yourself worthy you will be allowed to return here." Mama didn't have any tears in her eyes. Only anger and hurt. I bowed my head in shame and accepted my fate. I would no longer wake up to the smell of the ocean. I was leaving my home. <BR> <BR>"Yes High Priestess Shadowblade." My mama had a lot of clout in the village and was nearly as powerful as papa. I had doomed myself the day I lied. I accepted my fate. "May I be excused to pack?" <BR> <BR>"Go," was the duel response from my parents. <BR> <BR>I turned around and returned to our room. I took out my sack and put the same blanket and other items from that fateful day. I changed into my travel robe and packed up the remainder of my clothes. I had stopped crying. I braided my hair. I decided to leave them in braids until I reunited with my mama and papa. I then solemly went downstairs. I placed mulgore bread and sweet water into the bag for the trip. I shouldered the pack and walked outside. <BR> <BR>"I am ready to go," I said with all the dignity I could muster. <BR> <BR>"Then we depart." My parents were going to escort me all the way to Stonetalon Mountains. No one spoke a word the entire trip. I simply walked behind them slowly, my head hung low and my eyes staring at the ground before me. After a day of travel we arrived at my Aunt Ridalia's hut. My parents saluted me and then turned around and marched out of the village. If I knew that I would never see them alive again I would have told them I loved them. <BR> <BR>End of Part 1. <BR>