"Taki, it's been a long time." Taki took his hand firmly, not missing the slight distrust in his gaze, then released it as she turned to signal Mina over to join them. "You're looking for Sophitia are you not?"
Taki nodded as Seung Mina stopped beside her, leaning against the staff of her weapon. "I am, but it is not for reasons that you would fear.'' She knew just from the way he was looking at her, that the very fear had to do with her bringing tidings of the fragments of the demons sword. Though he had crafted Sophitia's weapons himself the last time she made her venture, he'd strongly objected and feared for her. Now, with two children, he refused to harbor the thought of Sophitia leaving once more to pursue the Sword.
"Then what are your reasons exactly?" Rothion inquired with a slight edge of challenge in his deep voice, his shoulders squaring, chin lifting ever so slightly. Taki held her ground, refusing to be intimidated for that was what he was attempting to do. Intimidate her using his size and the fact that he was a man. She felt the inane urge to laugh in the man's foolish face. She had seen animals act this way when protecting a mate from harm, usually in the form of another male. The fact of the matter was, Taki had seen too much in her day to be intimidated. She had seen evil darker than any mortal man could fathom. Rothion's act did not scare her one bit.
" What I must say are for the ears of your wife and she alone. "
"It's that damned sword again isn't it?" Rothion demanded. Taki gave Seung Mina suffering look then swung her gaze back to Rothion. Rothion folded his arms across his chest, his eyes burning with anger and understandable fear for his woman. Hadn't it been for the latter she spotted there, she would have refused to offer any explanations.
"No. It is not the sword." At least she didn't think it was. There had been no strong resonations of evil that she had been able to sense, yet it could always be a possibility.
"Taki. I am pleased to see you." Taki and Mina turned from the brooding figure in the tent and found a smiling Sophitia dressed in a simplistic blue dress that enhanced the blue of her eyes with long flowing sleeves and sandals on her feet. She carried a large basket filled with bread, fruit, pieces of venison, and a bottle of wine in one hand while the other lifted to push a rebel strand of golden hair from her large eyes glowing eyes that filled with love and adoration when she looked past them at her husband.
She walked up and hugged her with one arm despite the awkward tension she felt seize Taki's body. She stepped back grinning beautifully. "I see you still are not one for open affection, Taki." Taki simply shrugged and stepped out of the way so she could pass and go to her husband.
Both Seung Mina and Taki glanced away in opposite directions when Sophitia greeted her husband with a slow lingering kiss after she handed him the basket and he set it aside. "I do not believe I have had the pleasure of meeting your friend, Taki. "
Sophitia's voice drew Taki's attention back to the couple within the tent, still holding each other despite the heat that hung within the animal skin walls. Seung Mina was already extending her hand with a bright smile before Taki could speak.
"Seung Mina, this is Sophitia. Sophitia this is Seung Mina. "
"Taki's told me a great deal about you." Seung Mina replied after shaking her hand.
Sophitia grinned. "And I have yet to learn about you, Seung Mina. But I have heard things about your family. It its nice to meet you." She turned to Rothion, "You will be home in time for the evening meal won't you?"
Rothion cast a narrow eyed glance at Taki and nodded. "For you I will be."
"He doesn't seem to like you very much." Seung Mina whispered.
"Wise man." Taki answered back.
Seung Mina stared at her for the space of a moment. Did she have to say that about everyone? What went on in that head of hers, she could only guess. But, Seung Mina, concluded silently, when you're constantly fighting a battle to stay alive, perhaps it was necessary to stay indifferent. Frowning slightly she looked away. She deserved more than what life had given her, but Taki took it all in stride, facing and conquering obstacles that stood in her way. For that, Seung Mina would always respect her.
"Come you two," Sophitia said, stepping from Rothion and walking past them. "I know you are exhausted from your travels. Are you hungry?"
"Starved." Seung Mina answered as the two of them fell into step behind her.
"Good. We have freshly cook venison and bread back at the cottage. Cassandra will be glad to meet you both."
"Cassandra?"
"My sister. She's caring for my children right now as a favor."
"Are there many of them?"
Sophitia chuckled. "No, just two. Pyrrha and Patroklos. Though Rothion would like there to be more."
While Seung Mina and Sophitia engaged in lighthearted conversation, Taki trailed behind like a silent shadow. Watching. Absorbing. The night's lack of sleep combined with the grueling pace she set to reach Greece was beginning to take its toll on her body. But rest was an elusive thing for her weary being. They walked a short distance to the out skirts of the town where a large cottage stood like a silent sentinel amid the lush green of the surrounding meadow dotted with brilliant purple and yellow flowers that filled the war air with a sweet scent. The walked up the stairs and stepped inside, immediately greeted with the savory smells of meat and bread.
The house it's self could be called cozy with its cheerful decorations and tapestries, it's walls line with shelves filled with cups, plates, and pots. A table big enough to fit five people sat in the center of the room next to the hearth surrounded by sat next to a loom in one corner while a kitten slept in a basket in another. Sophitia set down three plates on the table along with cups, wine, a loaf of bread and a plate full of sliced meat. Mina propped her weapon against the wall near the rocking chair, then sat down at the table with Taki just as a woman was stepping out of a room near the back and closing the door behind her with a sigh as she swept into the room, wearing a dress that could have been identical to the one that Sophitia wore had it not been for the intricate white embroidery along the hem and sleeves.
"I thought those two would never go to sleep. Honestly, Sophitia how you do it is and will always remain a mystery to me." Cassandra huffed as she entered the room, a spiting image of her elder sister, however her own flaxen hair was much shorter. She stopped when she saw that her sister had company. "Oh, hello."
"Cass, I'm sure you remember Taki and this is her friend Seung Mina."
"This is the one who saved you and tended your wounds." She paused and nodded. "Yes I remember. It is good to see you again. And once more thank you for aiding my sister. Rothion would have never survived if anything had happened to her." Cassandra turned to Seung Mina and smiled warmly. "And it is nice to meet you as well Seung Mina. I am Cassandra, Sophitia's younger sister."
"Come. Sit Cassandra. We were just about to share a meal. " Sophitia turned to set another place at the table as Cassandra sat down. "Go on you two. Eat." Taki and Seung Mina began filling their plates and tearing into the warm flaky bread and chunks of succulent meat. "What brings you back to Greece Taki?" Cassandra inquired curiously. Taki caught the spark in her eyes as she lifted her cup to take a sip of wine and knew what the young woman was thinking.
"I came to speak with Sophitia." she replied, setting down her cup. Sophitia turned holding a plate in one hand and a cup in the other.
"Speak with me? What about?"
"I—"
"It' s the sword again isn't it? " Cassandra asked becoming defensive.
"No. It has nothing to do with Soul Edge. At least I hope not." She sighed and leaned back in her chair. " I'd rather discuss this in private, Sophitia." She looked pointedly at Cassandra who was poised to say something else, but lost the nerve under that gaze. Sophitia set the plate and cup down in front of Cassandra then joined them at the table.
"All right. We can go out after the meal. Now all of you eat." Without another word everyone resumed or began eating. Seung Mina shot Taki a look from across the table, one thin eyebrow arching upwards slightly. Taki returned her look steadily, biting into a chunk of bread. Mina rolled her eyes and went back to eating, acknowledging that Taki still wasn't about to offer her any information before she talked to Sophitia.
The rest of the meal passed on in near silence. Except for the occasional observations of the weather or the latest sword Rothion had just finished, no one really spoke too much. As usual, Taki said nothing, a fact that the sisters were content to silently chalk up to being the typical Asian Ninja and Seung Mina simply credited to a foul mood. Once everyone was finished, Sophitia gathered the dishes and placed them in a basket to be carried out later and washed in the near by stream while Cassandra showed Seung Mina off to a room where she would be able to rest for a few hours.
"Now Taki. What is it that causes you such unrest?" She asked as she moved about the room, clearing dishes and setting a pan of cream before the sleeping kitten.
"Funny you should call it that for I haven't been able to sleep peacefully in days." Taki stood up from the table and began to pace the floor like a caged animal, used to being outdoors and not within the confines of a home for overly long."I would like to discuss this outside if you don't mind."
"All right," Sophitia hefted the basket full of dishes and propped it against her hip as she walked towards the door. Just then a little ball of brown and white fur shot past Taki's feet and bounded out of the door no sooner than Sophitia got it halfway open.
"Shouldn't you..." Taki began, gesturing to the kitten.
"Ikiris loves going outside. He'll be fine." She stepped outside and began walking towards the stream. Taki followed, as did Ikiris, prancing along beside her feet, stopping even now and then to pounce on some unsuspecting grasshopper taking refuge in the grass, letting out a frustrated yowl when his target escaped him.
"So, what is on your mind Taki? You've been unusually silent. Even for you. " They stopped at a small stream hidden between the meadow and a line of thick trees thick with lush and vibrant green leaves. Kneeling, she began to rise each of the dishes in the cool clear water. Taki sat down in the grass, Ikiris hopping into her lap. Hesitating, Taki began to push the fur ball away, but when it began purring she settled for stroking it's soft fur. The feel of it help to calm her and allowed her to tell Sophitia of the visions that plagued her night sleep. She explained each detail exactly as she remembered it, even when her body began to grow chill and the same feelings of foreboding stole into her soul. Her eyes grew dark as she relayed the dreams to Sophitia who by the time she had finished was sitting beside her staring out at the stream.
"Perhaps it was simply a dream, Taki."
"No dream is that persistent. Or feels that real"
"True. "She sighed. "What do you think it means? "
"That's what I came to find out."
Sophitia lie back in the grass and stared up at the cornflower blue of the sky, silent for a very long time. "If indeed it is a vision of things to come, she began softly turning her head to look at Taki. " Does that mean you will become a mother?" a faint smile curved her full lips, then widened at the glare Taki sent her.
"That is highly unlikely. And stop looking at me that way. Like I said, the child was of demon blood. It couldn't be mine. "
"Perhaps then that means you must seek the child out and destroy it. That is, after all, what you do."
"Slay the demons." Taki murmured softly more to herself than to the other woman, then shook her head.