Stranded(water everwhere!)

[arcon]

Day 1

The fall seemed like an eternity. Arcon was lucky that he landed feet first. Had it not been for the piece of thatched hut floating by he surely would have drown. The river was swift and the water had been very cold. Arcon lay huddled,shivering as his lifeline made its way down the swift river. He lay helpless, unable to swim for the bank or exibit any control over his destiny.
His ribs, it felt as though a few were broken
One of his ankles was badly swollen. It didnt really matter at this point. He couldnt walk out of this situation.
There was a barrel lashed to one end of the
thatched wall that might prove handy later.
He had no idea where this river flowed to.
He'd heard his father speak of a lake farther
than the eye could see but he was just a child then. He couldnt imagine that much water at the time. At this very moment in time he was sick of water. It had been maybe 6 to 8 hours since the fall. He was weary and would sleep now.

[ 10-29-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 11-05-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[arcon]

Day 2

Arcon awoke to the calm and serenity of the still water. His arm and leg were cramped and sore from haveing to lock himself into the thatched hut raft to prevent being ejected from the safety of his floating home by the raging river. He looked behind him and could barely see the land. It was a tiny blured line,gray almost black. He could only see color. Never in his life time had he seen this much water. Ahead he could see the rising sun just peaking over the water.
As a child he could remember the rising sun coming up over the river from when his father had taken him hunting that was nothing compared to this. The absense of land gave him an eerie isolated feeling he'd never before experienced. How long would he be out here? Would he survive. He noticed the slow current moving him along away from the land that seemed an eternity from him.
His lips were dry and salty. How glad he was he'd filled the barrel with river water.
Other than the pain in his side and ankle there was only one other pain that was beginning to surface. It was the pain of hunger. He'd fished on the river with his father, but never in the sea. Could he find some line? And what would he use for bait?
It was then he saw a fish jump into the air.
It startled him ....so.... he nearly fell overboard.
A shiny little thing it was ,maybe 6 inches long. Then another jumped. This one only a few feet away. They didnt jump like this in the river. He remember as a child the loud motion in the river water at night that had
him running to his father in fear. Flying fish! It was strange to him but he was already thinking just maybe dinner would come to him. Then another jumped.

[ 10-29-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 10-29-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 10-29-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 11-05-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[arcon]

Mango, im enjoying the solitude....

you ARE not here. Ill say it three more times.....you are not here!,you are not here!,you are not here! You didnt even post. Its all a dream.


arcon (standed at sea, alone, like all by my self alone)

[arcon]

Day 3

Raw fish,it was a first for Arcon but under the circumstances it was better than the
alternative. He'd managed to capture 6 of the little flying devils(fish) two that went flying over his head. He retained most of the bones in hope he might fashion a hook for fishing . There were vines lashing the hut wall together that might make for good fishing line. The idea of catching something more substantial was his motivation. The six little fish would keep him from starving but he was still hungry.
He tied the vine in the middle of a small piece of limb maybe two feet long. This he could hold with both hands. He tied the vine around a hooked area of one of the bones
He then broke off every other spine bone allowing more than one area for bait. He broke half of each spine bone off to help sturdy the protrusion before putting on the bait from one of the flying fish. Feeling a bit proud of himself he cast hook and bait into the water and made a wish.

[ 11-01-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 11-01-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 11-01-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

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[arcon]

Day 4

Arcon was asleep when the line went taunt jerking the stick from his hand. It skipped across his floating home before hanging up at the end of the raft He was right behind it but he knew it was luck that he hadnt lost it completely. He grabbed the stick and began to wind it, slowly pulling his prey in. From the force and pull it appeared his dinner would be substantial but still raw.
It seemed like a long time before he landed the fish upon the thatch wall raft. It was maybe the lenght of a large mans foot rather fat and has red marks along its belly. He quickly knocked the creature in the head before it flopped its way back into the water. After three days with barely any food this would be a fine meal for the evening.
He was very lucky to have retained his knife in the fall. In this situation the knife was his most valuble possession. It might make the difference in life and death. He would eat well tonight. He still had three fourths of his water and was determined to stick to his daily rationing. At this rate he had maybe nine more days of fresh water.
after that he might hold out for two maybe three more days. He was covering himself with sea weed by day to sheild himself from the sun. He couldnt remember there ever being a time he was unable to find shade from the suns rays.

The waves in the last day or so had grown larger. They occasionly would crest over the front of the raft. He had to relocate farther back to stay dry. Getting wet during the day was not so bad, but at night it became chilly if not damn cold. He noticed the sea was aglow at nite. It was the strangest thing he'd ever seen on the water. On the river as a child he'd only witnessed the reflection of the moon in the evening. There was no moon overhead so it remained a mystery to him. He began thinking of Zelda, wondering what she was doing. How was she dealing with his disappearence? She probaly thought he was dead lying somewhere at the bottom of the river or washed up upon the river bank with the dark cold eyes of death. They would search the river and maybe a good ways downstream but would they bother with searching the sea? Arcon didnt know.
And it would probaly be a long time before or if he knew. He had never been so alone.

[ 11-04-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 11-05-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 11-05-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[arcon]

Day 5

With a jolt Arcon found himself partially overboard. He had lashed his wrist to the raft to keep from being thrown overboard in the night. The wind was raging,everywhere he looked he saw waves as far as he could see.
The rain was pelting his face like needles.
His first concern was to get back onto the raft. It was pitching and rolling with the waves and with each pounding of the raft pain shot through his wrist. His hand was beginning to feel numb with each passing minute. With no where to put his feet there was no relieving the pressure. Every time he made slack between his arms to try and untie his wrist the raft would pitch throwning him back out into the water dangling by his now bleeding arm. His knife was his only hope. If he could manage to retrieve it from his boot at just the right time then maybe....
He timed the wave action and at the precise moment it allowed him slack with his wrist he quickly bent his left leg ,retrieving the knife with his left hand he reached and sliced the vines holding his wrist . At that moment he slid away toward the sea. The knife or the sea ,it was a split second decision he didnt even need to think about. He let the knife go and grabbed the raft with both hands slowly making his way back up. He was safe, for now.

[ 11-06-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 11-06-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 11-06-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[arcon]

Day 7

There had been raging wind and waves for two straight days. Arcon was so exausted he could barely find the strength to hold on. His arms felt as though they would fall off. In all his years and the many sword fights of the past he couldnt remember being this tired. The wind screamed, rain was flying sideways he closed his eyes sheilding them from the sting of water pellets. His hair beat upon his face with the force of a small whip. One after another the 25 foot waves lifted his small thatched raft high into the air. He'd opened his eyes a few times what he saw only discouraged him. All around him was a sea of mountains. As far as he could see the huge waves chased each other. It was much easier to hold tight ,his eyes closed and think of Zelda,those beautiful blue eyes, her long silky hair, skin so soft and smooth to the touch...he missed her so. He was only a man today, not a king. There were no courts here, no decrees to make, no battles to fight. It seemed like a lonely death..to be so far from anyone or anything. Then he begin to smile, a warm feeling came over him
he felt her presense her touch, saw that little girl smile. He felt himself risng up , up into the air. Was it over ? was this death? Higher he went, then higher.
He opened his eyes and there it was. Three times as high as the others a mountain of mountains. Again he closed his eyes...

[ 11-09-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 11-09-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[arcon]

Day 8

Arcon opened his eyes just seconds before the wall of churning white water crashed down
upon him. The weight of the water drove him down into the raft. He could feel his face being forced hard down into the limbs of the thatched wall and felt a giving of the raft as it closed in around him. Something puctured his side, his shoulder then his hand. The pressure of the water was easing, but the pressure of the air in his lungs was about to explode. He could see maybe three feet in front of him, the water a dark almost black with a touch of green.
He was rising slowly, still clutching part of the damaged raft. Just a few seconds later hed have expanded the air in his lungs underwater but simotaneously as he and the raft broke the surface he gasped for air.
Half the raft was gone,including his water barrel. He was in water up to his waist holding on to the broken end. The waves were still like mountains, the wind raged blowing not only the rain but water from the waves. He was above water but could hardly breath. Could a man drown from wind driven water? Again he was being lifted up . Arcon took a breath and braced for the crest of the next wave. He held to the raft and the duration under water seem ed shorter this time. For hours he tried to get into the rhythm of the waves. A rhythm that was necessary to stay alive. All night he kept up the vigil and into the next day. Finally he began to lose his strength his will. He was at peace when he closed his eyes and let go of the raft. He felt himself drifting backwards, floating away from his lifeline with this world. He sensed a peace that he would enter the next. The life hed lived raced before him. His mother, his father, his first horse, Zelda and her golden curls, the childhood battles with Lochivar the grand coronation in Arconia his wedding night with the queen brought a smile to his face as the wave slowly took him away.

[ 11-10-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

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[ 11-17-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[arcon]

Day 10

Niki had fished this side of the island many times. He knew it was aganst his parents wishes but like most young boys danger was just another challenge to him. He was strong and skilled with his canoe. The windward side of the island was often hit with large waves that were dangerous for his little boat. The wind and the waves could easily blow him onto the rocks that were so numerous when approaching from this side of the island. His mother didnt know it was here hed been catching the biggest fish that she so loved to cook. Today was a calm day. It was fresh in his mind the time hed been trapped here overnite due to the changing sea. His father had warned him at the time to never fish this side of the island if he wanted to keep his boat. Niki was just about to throw his net when he saw the figure laying on the flat rocks fifty yards off to his port side.
Was it? Yes, it was a man but was he alive?
Niki tossed his net into the boat and slowly paddled his way toward the body of the stranger.

[ 11-14-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 11-17-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[arcon]

Day 11

Niki had never seen a dead body. His father had killed a wild boar in his presense. The memory was still very fresh in his mind. It was the year of his 12 birthday and his father had taken him on his first hunt. The boar had charged them but his father held fast putting an arrow through the boars throat. The beast was nearly at their feet when it fell. Niki was terrified, he didnt tell his father of his nightmares the following days but his mother knew.

He eased up to the man careful not to strike
him with the canoe.He wasnt wearing a shirt and was bleeding in the hand and his left side. Slowly Niki reached over with his paddle pushing gently on the mans arm. The man moaned, startled Niki fell back into the canoe nearly going over backwards into the water. He was alive!

Niki's mind was racing. What could he do now. The man was probaly twice his weight.
How could he get him into his canoe?
He couldnt. Hed have to get the man to shore
get him comfortable then go for help but there was only so much daylight left. He had timed this trip very close. He had just enough time to get back before dark if he left now and he still needed to get the wounded man to shore. Niki knew what he was going to have to do. His mother and father would be angry. His father would surely take his boat away this time if he didnt come home again. He would have to spend the night on the Island and go for help come morning. His father would be furious but he had no choice. If he left the wounded man in the water he could be dead by morning.
On many occasions he'd seen sharks on this side of the Island.

[ 11-16-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 11-16-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 11-17-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[arcon]

Day 12

Arcon slowly opened his eyes. The night sky was very clear exposing a mulitude of stars. He could feel a scatching sensation over most of his body before he relized he was laying upon sand. It was a beach. It wasnt very wide for the foliage and the forest seem to start almost within arms reach. The small waves at his feet occasionally washed up upon his toes. He moved his head toward the left and saw a small boat tied to a nearby tree. His last memory was letting go of his raft. Hed closed his eyes and prepared for death but it had not happened. Who did this boat belong to? How had he managed to find his way to this beach? He tried to sit up but the pain shot through his side like fire.
It was then he noticed a collection of sea
weed under his head. It was not an accident.
It had been neatly woven in a ball as to provide a pillow and was placed there. A surge of anxiety shot through his system. He was not alone.
Someone was here with him and he was at their
mercy. His head began to clear a little. If they were hostle he would not be alive. There was nothing he could do but wait. He could barely lift his head let alone walk. He closed his eyes and again he slept.

[ 11-17-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[arcon]

Niki made his way through the thicket of the island forest looking for wood. He knew it was dangerous to build a fire on this side of the island but if he left the man unattended he would probaly die from the cold. The hostile tribes of the north might see the fire. His only hope was that he could go for help come morning and leave here before they arrived. His father would be furious with him but Niki couldnt let the man die even if it meant losing his canoe.
Niki couldnt carry anymore wood so he made his way back toward his canoe and the stranger. Where had this man come from? Where was his boat. A storm had passed by the island a couple of days ago maybe his ship had been lost. Niki wondered if there were others. They were probaly dead and this man was the only survivor. He wondered if the man had a family as he steped back upon the narrow beach by the water. The man was sleeping. He would build a fire. He'd just relized he toes were numb.

[ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[arcon]

Niki nursed the small fire. He gazed at the sleeping man .Curiousity was eating at him almost as bad as the hunger he felt in his stomach. He threw a small limb on the fire just as it made a popping sound. He was startled but not from the fire. The mans eyes were open.

Arcon felt the warmth of the fire. His wounds had made him stiff, but he lifted up and as he turned his eyes met those of a young boy. They both seemed startled but neither called out. Arcon
was the first to speak. "Who are you?" The boy was silent. He shrugged his shoulders. "How did I get here?" Again the boy shrugged his shoulders.
"Where am i ?" arcon screamed. Suddenly the boy jumped up backing so fast that he fell backwards into the shallow waves coming onto the beach.
It was then that Arcon realized the lad could not understand him. "I didnt mean to scare you." arcon said. The boy seem to settle a bit. He didnt know what was said but the calmness of arcons voice seemed to transfer the kinder attitude. The boy came back to the fire shivering from the cold. Arcon motioned toward the stack of small twiggs. He shrugged his shoulders pointing again at the pile of wood. At first the boy seemed confused then he nodded and reached for a small limb handing it to Arcon.
Arcon made a large circle in the sand. He put an x on one side of the circle,then he pointed to the boy and made a motion with his head putting his head on his hand and closing his eyes.
The boy smiled and taking the stick from arcon place another x on the other side of the circle.
Arcon smiled back. Both of them were pleased . It was much of a start but it was a beginning.
Arcon knew there were more people on the Island but he didnt know how theyd receive him. He was wounded, hungry and cold and for now this small boy was his only hope of survival.

[ 11-27-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

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[arcon]

I have not given anyone permission to add to the story although i am going to give it to Lord Tellurine.

I dont mind comments as long as they are not personal attacks. Keep it clean(the language).

the arcon

[arcon]

Arcon was thankful for the warm fire the boy had made. It was nearly dawn and they had not tried to communicate in hours. In the boys last attempt he had made a rowing motion and pointed to his boat and then to himself. Arcon assumed he was going for help.
He lay motionless looking out at the stars. His thoughts were of Zelda. What was she doing? He knew she thought him dead. What of Arconia? The uprising,was lady Moon safe? Had his evil brother died in the fall?
So many unanswered questions, questions he might never know the answers to.
His side was infected,he couldnt move one of his hands. It would be some time before he was fit again.....then what would he do. Where was he? How could he possibly get off this island.
It was too much to think about....sleep seemed the easiest thing to do. His fate was in the hands of a small boy. A humble position for the King of Arconia.

[arcon]

Arcon could feel the warmth of the morning sun heating up his chilled face. The campfire was just a bit of warm coals smoldering in the early dawn.

Niki stared at the strange man. It was time to leave for help. It would take him most of half the day to get around to the other side of the island. He knew by now his mother and father were worried. He might even meet a rescue party on the way back. That would be ok, it would save him time
and might save the strange mans life.

Arcon look over to see the boy staring at him.
They could not speak with any understanding between them but the eyes did not lie.
He could tell the boy was really concerned for him. The boy motioned to the sea pointed to his canoe and then to Arcon. Arcon just nodded and managed a weak smile.
Arcon watched as the boy quickly walked his canoe out into the shallow surf. With a quick hop he was in his canoe and with quickly came about quartering the small waves as he vigorously paddled out to sea. Arcon watched until he was
out of site ..how skillfully he negotiated the two foot waves. It was then Arcon looked down in the sand beside him and noticed the gord. He reached for it shaking it as he brought it closer
The boy had left him his water.

[arcon]

Niki paddled as hard as he could. His little heart
raced from so many hours of hard labor. He stopped for a moment when through the setting sun he could see the outline of canoes. He could see three of them in the distant two men in each one.
At first a moment of fear overcame him before he recognized the wooden figure of the hawk upon his fathers canoe. He was relieved yet scared.
His father would be be so angry he might not even believe him about the stranger. This meant the stranger would be rescued soon. It also meant he wouldnt have to paddle anymore and for that Niki was glad.

[ 12-07-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]</p>

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

Is it at all possible if you could make this story any more boring?
I believe you have the skills to do so.

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

You have met your match. Argon writes as boring if not more boring than you.

[arcon]

Hey 355, thanks for the words of encouragement.
Really dude .......come back anytime and put in youre two cents. What would I do without you?
Youre an inspiration to us all. Keep up the good
work!

"live long and fence"

thanks again,
kid

the arcon