Chapter One: Hirayu

Three thousand years ago, there was a world where only the plains people inhabited the land. This world was called Sekai or God's Cradle. The people of the Sekai lived together in relative peace, but strangers entered the world by mysterious means and threatened to take away their land. The Sekai people, confounded by the sudden appearance of these strangers fought back, but they did not fight alone. The continent was thus split into two opposing sides. The North was composed of people that believed the Sekaean were the rightful owners of the land and the South believed that the Sekaean were incapable of ruling the land they had lived on for so long. A great war was fought between the two sides called the Thousand Years' War. There were many casualties. It seemed like there would be no end to the carnage, but when all hope seemed lost, a band of merceneries joined together and fought on the side of the North. They turned the war in favor of the North and victory was assured. These five mercenaries commanded the Blessed Saints, sacred weapons blessed by God, and each created a kingdom in the new world they renamed Arrendol. Under the five kingdoms, the Sekaean people lived happily, but the anger felt in the South was too strong to be kept in balance and as the years past, the Sekai grew smaller and smaller until it was only a minute plot of land. These were the conditions that the new generation grew up in and fierce racism existed toward the Sekaeans. This is where our story begins...

The silence of the morning sunrise was refreshing to Hirayu. The only sound that could be heard was the melodious tune of blue birds in the pine trees unique to her locale. It only took a little acuity to notice the subtle beauty of the area. The sunlight, yearning for her company, caressed her face and stirred her mind until she opened her eyes and acknowledged its efforts. She stretched lying on her mattress and gently folded the covers off of her body as she slid smoothly off the bed and onto the cool and hard wood that ornamented her floors. Moving toward the window without making a sound, she opened it and let the warm air scented with sweet flowers and pine fill her home. Embracing the day whole-heartedly, she gazed out to the village square through the green needles of her beloved pine trees and basked in the ambiance of the fresh summer morning. She drew her last breath of sweetened air reluctantly, but proceeded downstairs to begin the hectic work day that she was accustomed to since she had moved into the town of Kauri.

Kauri was a large town that was home to the royal family and named after the country that it was in. The castle stood in the center of the town, its presence both ominous and reassuring. Kauri residents thought so too. The population was vibrant, accepting and filled with interesting characters of all walks of life. There was mutual understanding between every member of the Kauri community, simply because they all existed in this town. Even strangers were linked in the twisting chain that connected every denizen of Kauri to each other. Hirayu was aware of this bond and was fatefully linked to it as well, but her use of the connection, bordering on exploitation, she had to every member of Kauri society made her a successful saleswoman. There was something about her nonchalant nature that drew weapon connoisseurs to her over the other vendors. She showed blatant hospitality toward paying and nonpaying customers simply because they were all related by location and without knowing it, the customers came back for more of Hirayu and her weaponry. Soon, frequenting customers became casual talking partners and some bold few who admired her from within her store asked for her hand in marriage. Hirayu always shrugged the attempts off and smiled simply. Every potential groom left with the same answer: Hirayu's only love was weaponry. And it was partially true. Of her entire weaponry collection, only a few were her hand crafted weapons. These armaments contained fragments of her soul and they were worth the money she charged. Weapon connoisseurs found her creations to be the jewels of their crowns.

Her footsteps were almost inaudible as she proceeded down the stairway to the first floor where her shop was stationed. She did not want to wake a sleeping resident that lived in her home. She smiled as she got to the wooden floors of her shop, the earlier regret she felt as she left her bedroom window slowly faded away as she basked in the glory of her own enterprise. Taking a quick turn, she moved into the back room and removed her nightgown in exchange for a more acceptable look. Once she was done, she moved out again and began to open the windows downstairs. The blackness that cloaked her store dissipated as the golden shafts of light streamed in from outside and illuminated her establishment which was one of a few prides in her life. Embracing her handiwork for only a moment, she continued to prepare for the onslaught of customers. Tables and chairs were laid down for guests that wanted to speak casually to her. Display weaponry was polished to mask the years of showcasing that had taken its toll on them. And a bread basket sat patiently on the counter awaiting any customers that would partake in free nourishment. The doors opened and the day began with customers coming in and out. Iliad had woken up after the fifth customer had left. She smiled as he parted his wavy red hair and rubbed his brilliant golden eyes while trudging downstairs. He came to help her with her work as he was accustomed to as well.

She smiled serenely, "Iliad, I don't want you here today. You've done me enough work for four years! I want you to take the day off. I'm going to leave early today anyway, and I would not feel right if I did not let you have the day to yourself."

Iliad was used to days off, but it bothered him just the same.

"Hirayu," he sighed, "I don't want the day off. You've given me food and a home and I must work to pay back what I owe you."

She swayed her head in refusal, "Iliad, it's not a child's place to be working somewhere like this. If you still want to work, go ask someone else if they need help, but today I'm letting you go. Whatever I've given you, I've given to you because I love you, not because you owe me anything in return."

He sighed once more, but smiled as he looked up to her with his grateful shining eyes, "Yes, Ma'am. I'll go for today. Thank you, Hira."

He walked to the door and opened it, letting a customer in first before he took his leave. As he passed the doorway, Iliad turned around and waved goodbye.

The woman returned the farewell and put her black hair behind her ear before dealing with the new customer.

"How may I help you?" She said politely.

"Just looking." He replied simply.

She continued smiling with her pinkish lips that looked rosy against her tanned skin, "I see you like the swords…"

"Yes, I do. I'm considering buying one."

Her eyes followed the man as he sauntered across the shop. He wore a light leather cloak that covered most of his body and a hood that shaded his face. She continued smiling and examining him, not out of fear, but curiosity.

"My Lord, if you keep coming back here, someone will figure that you have been sneaking away from the castle again." Laughing, she replied in confidence that no one was within earshot.

He uncovered the hood after he was sure no one was present in the building. His brown hair was messy, but did not detract from his attractiveness. His peachy skin drew out the chocolate of his eyes and his smile was charming and remained unrivaled in all of the land. He was Prince Raven Lunette, heir to the throne of the country of Kauri.

He smiled and winked playfully, "I heard much about your business, Hirayu, and I thought it my duty to come see you and your success."

She chuckled and rolled her eyes while handling a package of new weapons she had bought out of the country, "Well, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were only using me as an excuse to pardon yourself from going to the Coming of Age practice ceremony."

The seventeen year-old turned around and placed the weapons on the back counter, but also, subliminally, tried to remove the prince from her presence.

With a half-hearted chuckle, he replied, "If you find me that irritating, I will take my leave. I'll just go and visit Athemae or Rhydah, I'm sure they are more open to my presence than you are."

"Oh, you are so full of it, are you not, Prince?" She laughed again, "You of all people should know that you have a duty to your kingdom to go to that ceremony. I don't see why you'd shirk off like this. There has to be something wrong with you today, you are honestly not like this." She turned to him with a sudden bit of concern and placed her hand on his forehead, "You don't seem ill. What's ailing you?"

He tore away from her awkwardly. "It's nothing, ok?" A laugh, "I don't see why you worry so much, Hirayu. But you are right, I shouldn't be here. I'll go back and get ready."

He started for the door but paused for a moment, "Hirayu, you do remember what's happening tonight?"

"Ah?" She was confused for a moment, but it came to her, "Oh, I remember! We have the meeting today, don't we?"

"Yes." There was relief in his voice, "Make sure you do not miss this meeting, ok?"

"When have I ever missed a meeting? Now go on, before I get in trouble for your presence. You're really more of a nuisance than you are a blessing" She joked.

He smiled and left promptly and she continued to work, grabbing a dishrag and wiping down the table before the next customer arrived. Her mind was at ease, she knew that the prince would fulfill his duty to the country that he lived in. He was resolute and his decisions were always acted upon until they were completed. With a faint smirk, she rested her dishrag on the counter and looked outside. The sunlight was stronger than it was when she had first noticed the light. The golden color indicative of sunrise or sunset had increased in intensity and now beat upon the ground with white light. It was the afternoon; six hours had passed since she had opened the shop and she hadn't eaten since the night before. Just noticing her severe hunger, Hirayu fingered her stomach utterly confused. It growled at the touch and cried out for food that she did not have nor know how to make. She reached for the breadbasket and pulled a roll from the pile and broke it with her hands. It was still warm to the touch and the white fluffy bread protected within the hardened brown crust burst out and presented itself as an appetizing snack for the young woman.

She bit into the bread and tore off as much of the hard crust as she could, but the sheer dryness of the bread despite its appealing white fluff was enough to turn her appetite over. She put the bread aside and lowered her head in disappointment.

"Now I know why I keep Iliad here." She looked up to the door half expecting him to walk in carrying a basket full of fresh fruits, meats, and vegetables. "Oh…I'm so hungry, but I have six hours time till I can close."

She sighed and was about ready to leave for the door when another customer walked in. She stopped herself and reluctantly forced herself back behind the counter. The man didn't walk up to Hirayu, but took a seat at the table she had set up that morning. Shortly after, another man arrived. Both men were dressed in high-quality armor from head to toe, but it was foreign to the country so they were not from the Royal Kauri Army. The colors that composed their armor were an ocean blue and silver. They were visitors from the country of Valor, but they wore crests. Valor had no ruling family, so they were not guards of the royal family. Hirayu only assumed that they were guards of a noble family.

She walked up to them intently and grinned, "Hello, may I help you with something?"

One of the men looked at her, but did not remove his helm, "We came by to see the goods you vend."

"Ah, well it's not often that I get men from the military. Are you here for the Coming of Age ceremony?"

"Well, we have business, actually."

"If you're purchasing weapons for an army, I wouldn't recommend my store. The prices mi…"

The second guard interrupted her quickly, "It is not your place to ask."

She backed off, "Ok, then. Well, feel free to have a look around."

She had turned around only briefly, but the two guards had already made their way to the door. She didn't bother stopping them, but she questioned their motives in Kauri. She shrugged it off and continued working.

- - -

Prince Raven sighed as he looked to the crowd that had formed to watch the practice ceremony. From the balcony of the castle, they looked like ants. Raven wasn't amused. Most of them were the noble families of Kauri and some foreign noble families that were in good favor with the King. He sat on the balcony with one leg over the other and his arms crossed obviously vexed about the formal wear he was forced to dress in. To the prince's left was Rhydah, the Kauri church leader's acolyte, and to his right was Athemae, Raven's personal guard. Both were two of Raven's closest friends, the only other being Hirayu. The three boys waited patiently for the ceremony to begin, but as the moments passed Raven grew more irritable.

"Please, My Lord," Rhydah tried reasoning, "calm yourself, Her Majesty asked that you be on your best behavior."

He took Raven's hand. The movement was lithe and his feminine hand had the touch of a mother and his smile was radiant like the dawn. Raven smiled briefly.

"There we go, My Lord!" Athemae smiled. "It seems all you need is the feminine touch to make things all better! Rhydah truly is a master at the feminine art."

Rhydah blushed and smiled, "Ah, I wouldn't call it that." He took his hand back and brushed back his long platinum blonde hair.

Raven rolled his eyes with a smile, "Sir Athemae, don't pick on Rhydah."

"Look! Look! It's His Highness, Prince Raven!" Rhydah whispered.

Strong music began to blast from the courtyard and the nobles suddenly grew tense.

The prince sighed and smiled nervously and his face grew dangerously palid, "It's my time, I have to take my leave. If you wish, you two are welcome to stay here and watch. It's much cooler in here anyway."

Though his heart was filled with anxiety and his face showed it, his smile was just as irresistible and was an attempt to mask his nervousness. His stomach churned violently, but he could do nothing to stop it.

Athemae put his hands on the prince's shoulders and looked him right in the eyes, "No, you seem scared for your life. I think it would be better if I were closer to you, so I'll go down."

He took his hands back and made his way through the castle and headed to the courtyard inconspicuously.

"I should leave immediately. I don't want to be late." Raven said adjusting his formal dress.

As he made his way to the arch that would lead him into the castle, Rhydah grabbed his hand again and turned him around, "I don't know why, Raven. I don't know why you act as you do around your father. What is it that he's doing to you? You look like you're going to break down when anyone utters his name. When he enters the same room as you, you lose color and look so ill. I don't understand many of the happenings in the royal family, but I know when the Prince, my friend, is ailing. Please, don't wait till it's too late. Let someone know what you're going through, even if you can't trust me enough right now to let me know, tell someone."

Raven looked at the young man's hands. They shook as they clasp his hand between them. He looked at his friend who was on his knees, weak with the pain and frustration of helplessness. Raven tried to open his mouth, but no words could come out to console his friend. He got onto his knee as well and put his hand on Rhydah's back.

With a voice sincere like a child's, Raven spoke to his friend lovingly, "Rhydah...Rhydah, stop this. It's not becoming of you to be so sad. I'm sorry…that I can't tell you what's going on, but it's not because I don't trust you. This is something I have to overcome on my own. I'm sorry I've made you worry so. You've been so selfless and doted on me relentlessly, but I haven't been able to look after you." He got onto his knee and helped the monk to his feet. "I promise, though. When the time comes, you will be the first to know everything. I'll try…to take care of myself, but you have to worry a little less about others and a little more on yourself."

Rhydah dried his eyes, but did not look at Raven, "I'm sorry, My Lord, please go. You cannot be any later."

Raven patted Rhydah's hair playfully and gave a final smile before he disappeared.

Rhydah stayed at the balcony and tried smiling, putting faith in Raven's words.

"He will tell us when he finds it right." He thought to himself. "That's how My Lord has always been…ever since we were children."

Raven stood anxiously at the end of the courtyard. He could feel the tension of the noble families in the air, but he distracted himself with the natural beauty of the grounds. The sunlight caressed the grass of the courtyard and embraced the trees that shaded the rose bushes that lined the pathway. The roses were abundant and they seemed alive in the wind, conversing with one another when the wind blew in one direction and changing the subject when the wind blew in another. The bluebird's sweet song was drowned out by the murmurs of the crowd, but Raven managed to tune the words out and lose himself in the peace.

As he began to relax, his father stood up on the throne. His attention was once again centered at the front of the courtyard. It was time to begin and he looked up. There was no suggestion of uneasiness on his face since he walked with self-confidence. Inside, he was as falling apart, but ecstatic at the same time. At this time in another week, Raven would be eligible to take the throne of Kauri and his plan could be set into motion. For a moment, there was pure silence. Even the bluebirds stopped singing, because as Raven proceeded through the courtyard a leader was being born.

- - -

Athemae and Rhydah made their way to the cliffs as the sun began to set. Usually being the first to arrive, they had assumed the responsibility of setting up. Athemae brought freshly cut firewood from the forests near the base of the cliff and Rhydah carried the food items that the two had made for the group dinner. Making their way up the grassy slopes of the cliffs, the two took in the sights and sounds of the area. It was almost untouched by man, so perfect. The only evident sign of a man's influence was under a tree on the highest cliff. A stone table that lay cold under the shade of the tree was the only manmade object for miles. Raven and Athemae had built it when Hirayu moved into Kauri. The stone table was where the four would meet every month like clockwork. Each person attending the dinner meeting was required to bring a single food item that could feed four people and since the first meeting two years past, nothing had changed. Athemae threw down the wood on a stone fire base that was created when the table was built. He arranged the wood while taking deep breaths of the oak and earth smells that displaced the sweetly scented air of newly dewed grass and the fruit of the peach tree that hung above him.

While working on the firewood, Athemae chuckled, "The Coming of Age ceremony is in a week's time. Can you believe it, Rhydah?"

Rhydah gave a half-hearted smile, "I know. I'm so happy…not only for Raven, but…" he paused for a moment, "for everyone. The King, as unfortunate as it is, has been neglecting his people. Kauri town, it has been in decline for so many years. I don't understand how someone can change, but I know that when Raven comes into power, he will change everything."

"I know. As much as I regret speaking ill of the King, nothing good has come from his treaties. When he allied Kauri with Feanor, all of our resources had to be shipped off to support them and fuel their war. The people here are dying, and Raven...oh, Raven hates it all. He will stop this…it's only a matter of time until the King dies and Raven takes the throne."

"Athemae!"

The royal knight threw down the firewood and turned to face his friend, "Rhydah, let's accept the truth! The King will not change, he is as stubborn as Raven, but at least Raven has the peoples' needs at heart!" He pointed to his chest, but his hand dropped almost immediately. "The King was a good man, he still is. He knows how to defend the ones he allies with, but when one forgets his kingdom, nothing matters anymore. There are so many more peasants on the streets now, I can't bear it. Everyday, there's a different child that comes up to me and begs me for a piece of bread and I can't say no to those kids, because they didn't deserve anything of what they have now! And, I mean, you're fed by the church that gets its own income, but what about me? That's the only food I get and I always have to give half of it away to accommodate these kids! The King no longer pays for the military's food supply anymore because that treaty sucks away the country's income! Whatever gold we're paid is what we have to deal with. I barely have enough to feed myself. I can't go on like this anymore."

Athemae turned around and got on his knees to finish with the fire. He grabbed two ignition rocks from the ring that surrounded the base of the fire and began skimming the two stones against each other in an attempt to light the tinder tucked under a log. Bright sparks jumped from the rocks and landed dangerously close to the tinder, but just landed short. He cursed quietly and tried again until the tinder caught the spark and lit up. Dropping the stone, he began blowing to feed the fire and it grew larger, stronger until it engulfed the wood pile he had set up. Smirking at his handiwork, he put the rest of the wood against the tree and took a seat on one of the stone rocks. In an attempted to lighten the mood he reached over and touched the pitcher that Rhydah had brought to the meeting.

"Is this your tea?" He asked politely.

"Yes."

"You haven't made this in months. I've been looking forward to today just because you promised that you would make this."

"It took me seven days to prepare it." Rhydah smiled feebly. "I had to beg the priest to let me use the cooking pot until I had mine fixed, but I got away with it this time. I think this one will be the best. Since the last time I've made it, I've tried perfecting the recipe and now I have the appropriate herbs in my garden to make more whenever I please."

"It's only natural for me to assume that you won't, though. Your tea is special, and you know it too. If you keep making it, it will lose its uniqueness and then you'll be forced to start the process again."

"Yes, it's true. I probably won't make it more often than I do now, but at least you get to drink it perfected." Rhydah looked at Athemae's dish. "What did you bring?"

"It's a chocolate cream cake. I had to get the chocolate from a Sekai trader who came into town, it cost a lot, but I thought this meeting was something important that needed to be celebrated so I bought it anyway."

"The Sekai, huh? I didn't know the plains people were still trading with Romarin like us! Well, I'm glad you bought it, I'll be sure to reimburse you for your purchase!" A strong voice sounded from behind Athemae.

The knight turned around and smiled happily while he stood up to take the visitors hand, "Raven, you're earlier than Hirayu, that's a surprise!"

"She hasn't arrived as yet?" His voice wavered for a moment. "I had to skip past the guards after the ceremony. It was difficult, but I was sure that Hirayu would have made it here before I did."

Rhydah, too, stood, but he helped Raven find his seat and put his gentle hand on the prince's shoulder, "It's ok, My Lord. I know she will come, something must be keeping her, that's all."

"Rhydah, you know as well as I do that I don't require you to call me those things. Let's drop the formalities, we're just with each other." He sighed, "But you're probably right. I must be a little worried, that's all."

The prince put a large woven basket on the table. The basket was covered by a light blue cloth and Raven pulled it away to reveal the seasoned chicken that he had prepared with the assistance of a Kauri Town resident. The smells of rosemary and thyme as well as innumerable other herbs wafted through the air and tempted the boys.

"I had to ask the innkeeper, Madelyn, to help me prepare this, but she told me the only way she would help me was if I supplied her goods and paid her too. So, I went hunting and caught this one and then I gathered the herbs from the forest, but despite all that work, I had to pay her even though she didn't help me at all. I basically paid her to use her stove. I think I'm the victim of theft!" The prince joked playfully.

Athemae fingered the food jokingly, "Is it safe? After all, I've seen your cooking unassisted once before and it almost killed me."

"Well, if you don't want this, then I'll have to take it home." He pulled at the basket, drawing the tantalizing scent away from Athemae.

"N-No! It's fine." He laughed nervously, "Totally fine, in fact, I'm looking forward to this!"

Raven smiled briefly, but it disappeared as quickly as it came.

"Raven?" Rhydah asked, "Is the ceremony causing you trouble?"

"Ah, of sorts. You both are aware that the first order of business after the Coming of Age ceremony is choosing the next queen?"

"What? Have you not decided? I thought you rather fancied Lady Diora."

"It's not…I just haven't decided. I don't have affections for any of them."

"What about Princess Fiori. I'm sure you have some feelings for her!" Athemae interjected.

Baffled for only a second, Raven replied, "No, of course, I love Princess Fiori, but not in that way. She's like…"

He was searching for the right words in his head. The Princess' relationship with Raven was complicated beyond all comprehension.

Finally, he found the words, "She is like a sister to me. I couldn't marry my sister."

"You haven't decided, and you're trying to buy yourself time?" Rhydah inquired.

"Yes, that's about correct."

Athemae raised an eyebrow, "Have you someone in mind?"

"Yes, I do, but I haven't mentioned anything to her."

"You should, it's not safe to sit and do nothing. Honestly, I think you should ask Hirayu what to do. She knows much more about this topic than Rhydah or I do. I know it would be best to consult her."

Raven smiled charmingly, "I don't want to bother her with those minute details. This isn't something I can't handle."

The prince put his hands behind his head and leaned back. He felt the warmth of the roaring fire at his back and he sighed dreamily. His eyelids shut out the moonlight and left him alone in his mind.

Despite the peace, he was disturbed by a woman's voice. It was sweet and joking when it said, "I see His Highness is enjoying himself."

Raven opened his eyes and saw Hirayu standing in front of him holding an armful of fresh bakery bread. Her pink lips were curled into a sweet smile and her red eyes were accentuated by the single blonde section of hair that fell on her forehead and over her left eye. She threw back some of the black hair over her shoulder. With a deft movement, she put the bread on the table and took her seat opposite of Raven.

"So this is the last meeting we'll be having." She smiled through the shadow of despair that affected them all, "My, how time has passed."

Rhydah smiled, "Ah, I remember when we first decided on this place. Athemae and Hirayu were only six years old when we began this tradition."

"Eleven years have past and I just can't believe such a tradition has to be discarded." The knight reminisced.

"I'm sorry, all of you. It wouldn't have to be so had I not agreed to take the throne." Raven sighed.

Hirayu put her finger under his chin and lifted his head so that she could look him in the eyes, "Don't talk like that. Kauri needs you. We've seen the decline of this town ever since the Kau-Fean treaty, just imagine the difficulties the poorer towns must be going through. In the end, it will be for the better. We may not be able to see each other for some time, but one day things will change."

Athemae scratched his head and leaned to the warm embrace of the roaring fire, "Let's not talk about such issues. We've come to celebrate, not think about the troubles that may or may not lay ahead."

"He's right!" The blonde monk exclaimed. "Let's enjoy what we can and thank the Saints for the time we've had together."

The sun had set and the moon was already floating far above them. The celestial body swam among the stars that were strewn across the black canvas called the sky. The darkness danced around the moon and threatened to swallow it whole, but the glowing orb shone through and reassuringly lit the way for many midnight adventurers. With the darkness came the cold and the wind's previously warm and loving caress turned into icy disdain as it whipped at the four teenager's backs, but the warm fire protected them from the wind's fury. Feeling the chill, Rhydah started the monthly ritual and poured the tea for his companions. The four were quickly immersed in heartwarming conversation and laughter that warmed even the merciless chill of the night.