Light of Sanghelios
Chapter One: The Outcast
A young child looked up at the figure standing before her. The cloked elder
had not noticed until a tug was felt on her cape.
"Why do you wear that during the dry times?"
I turned to the child, reguarded the question and was about to answer when
her mother wisked her away.
"Mother who was that?" She asked as she was led through the market.
"You must never speak to it, that is the outcast."
"The outcast? Why can't I?"
"Some say she is not like us, and that will be the end of it."
Children are so innocent, so pure and unknowing that their very society could
turn on them in an instant. I have lived as an outcast as they call all my life.
But I am happy where I am. I paid for the bright orange fabric and tucked it
into my bag. I noticed that a tall armored Sangheili was watching me closely.
Let him look all he wants I have to get home. I made my way down the
narrow road that led to the forest and my home. I was glad to be returning
to where you can not be judged by others, where there are only the trees
and wildlife. I walked slowly savoring the warm touch of the sun that beemed down upon me, but something was not right, there were no sounds from
the trees. I looked behind me and caught a glimps of red hide among the
trunks, he has followed me. While running down the path I retrieved the
fabric from my bag. I stop and drop it, then climb the tree to the right. He runs
up and stops looking at the heap of material at his feet and jumps to the
sudden noise behind him. I had quietly leaped from the tree and activated
my energy sword.
"Why do you follow me?" I ask. He was not much older than me.
"You are a female?" He was suprised. "Females are not to weild the sacred sword."
"You are not one to be telling me what I can and cannot do. Who do you think
you are?" I was somewhat appaled at his comment even though it was well
know what he said was true.
" I am Nwahs "Kagemee, Sangheili Major. What rank do you a meer female hold over me?"
I ignored him, picked up my goods and continued on my way home, he followed but said nothing.
Placing my bag near the door, I made my way to the field. There are herbs to
be harvested and ground to be tilled for vegetables to be planted.
Even after the sevral hours I worked he remained there under a tree
watching me, what is it that he wants? It started to rain lightly so work will be done for
now.
"Come it will be dark soon." I ushered him to follow me.
I walked into my grass hut, lit a fire and searhed for my large kettle. After
pelling the tubers I peered around the corner to find that he was standing
in the doorway in the rain
"You may come in 'Kagemee out of the cold, I will make us something to eat."
I called to him.
He entered slowly taking in his surroundings, eyeing the large cabnet that
seemed out of place. I could hear he door creek open as he peeked inside.
He quickly shut them as I entered with the bowls of food and set them on the
low table.
"Go ahead and look if you wish I do not mind."
"I have never seen such armor in person before, was it your mate's? He
touched the polished surface then pulled back if it was scaling.
"No,now come sit and eat." I sipped at my soup.
He removed his helmet and placed it on the floor beside him. Then he set
his attention to his meal. We sat in silence and finished our food.
"I am going to go bath in the springs, you may come if you wish." I pulled
out a clean tunic and went to the door.
The air was chilled from the rain but the short path was well lit by the
moons. I slipped off my cloke and garments and entered the warm water.
I saw "Kagemee blush slightly as she sat on a rock across th spring.
"Your face is scared, how did that happen?" He asked seeing me reveiled
for the first time.
"I recieved it in a fight with a Jiralhanae." I traced the scar over my left eye
with my fingers.
"Jiralhanae, where did that occure?"
"It was in High Charity not long ago when the changing of the guard
happened. It was not the only scar I recieved ." I turned around and
stood showing the Mark of Shame on my back between my sholder
blades.
"What was your crime that you got the mark?"
"I killed one of Truth's Guards."
"You killed a Honor Guard, is that its armor inside?" He jumped to his feet
now somewhat concerned.
"Relax." I returned into the water. "The Guard was the Brute that was to
take my place. The armor is mine not that of one I have slain." The tought
of it beng a Brute made him smirk.
"You a female, was a Turikila."
"I am not was. I will not serve any prophet, not anymore."
"Good that none of us have to. I still don't belive you, what is your name?"
"Daku 'Velocumee, I was was given the mark and sent to die. Truth give
Tatarus the order to kill me but that didn't happen because the Arbiter
arrived just as he was going to strike me with the Fist if Rukt. He save my
life." I stood and climbed from the spring, 'Kagemee turned away as I
dressed. " Bathe I will return with something for you to wear, you may
stay the night. It will rain again soon and will be to bad to travel back in."
I left him to go fetch him some linens. When I returned he was washing
in the water, I left the robe on the stones and gathered all his armor and
returned to my hut. He arrived only moents before the rain poured down
from the sky. I sat at the edge of my bed cutting the fabric that i had
bought sat on the otherside looking over his things. I carefully
stiched the edges of the orange silk so that it would not fray.
"Why is it you have been watching me?" I asked after awhile but whe he
did not answer I turned to find him fast asleep.I sighed " I guess I will have
to wait until tomarrow."
I blew out the candles that lit the room and crawled into the bed next to him,
glad it was large enough for both of us. I surly was not going to sleep on the
floor, I pulled a blanket over both of us and drifted off to sleep.
I awoke slowly, only slightly aware of something warm presses against my
back. It was "Kagemee, his arm draped over my side. I laid there and
listened to the sounds of morning. He quickly drew back his arm when he
realized what he had done.
"Good morning." I turned to face him.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to..."
"It is okay you don't have to be ashamed about it." I smiled at him.
"Now why is it you have been following me?"
He got up and removed the robe, pulled on the gel suit and started to put
on his armor.
"Was told to find out who you were."
"By who were you sent?" I sat up and studied him carefully.
"One of the Councilers."
"I was told to gather information, I am sorry but I have to leave I must
meet him."
"And there is nothig worst than a late Major now is there.I will travel with
you to the city, there are some things I need to get." I reached for my
cloke but left it after I pulled on an ivory tunic and a blue cape.
He was searching for his helmet franticly. I found it under the blanket
that was thrown on the floor. We walked to the door and I placed in on
his head. He was trimbling slightly, maybe form though of facing the
Counciler.
"Do not worry so, all will go well."