The scream - a character sketch

[kgrieve]

A very short story introducing Kindle, a brave Fyros woman and why she screamed. The story is based on in-game chat and role-play

I am not known for screaming. I have been chased by Gingo and nipped by Goari but I have never screamed. Many times I have shouted 'run' or 'additions' to warn and save my friends. I have died many times, cut in two, pierced, pummeled, punched or trodden - I never screamed. Even when a Gingo ripped my throat I didn't gurgle but died silently.

Last night I am ashamed; I screamed.

We were on our fourth or fifth Strong Kipee. I was slashing its legs and back while Vinnie attacked from the front. It towered over me and I was deep in its shadow. The blows rained in; chopping legs and scratching carapace while Kipee ooze ran down the sword making the handle slippery. I was not afraid for myself, only Vinnie and my other companions.

Then I saw it, not three meters away digging its way out the hot desert sand. A scorpion the breadth of my hand. Its legs stiff with bristles and, if I had been closer, would have seen its sting dripping venom onto its hard blue back and its little remorseless eyes focused on me.

As soon as I saw it I screamed.

For a moment it was hidden in the Kipees shadow; was it scuttling towards me? I shouted "Vinnie do something". He saw my problem and giving a smile, he hacked the last of the kipees head away, raised the sword and smote the fearful insect. The dread Kipee fell beside the dead scorpion but I know which I was most afraid of.