Chapter Three - Under another's stare
Roxas was alone.
With a gulp, he registered the thought, still staring down at the deep drag marks in the sodden mud. It had been so long since he had last been left… how many years had it actually been? Five? Six? He couldn't quite place the memory.
Another gulp lodged itself in his throat as he walked back to the blanket. Picking up the rough material, he swung it over his head and shoulders like a shawl, grateful that it dragged against the floor. He knew better than to enter the capital without some form of disguise, even if it was as shabby as a bedraggled blanket. But he could find something better within the capital. That much he was sure of.
Tying the blanket in a knot by his left shoulder, he grabbed hold of a wooden beam and began to shimmy his way down to the ground floor. With fierce anxiety he dropped down into the mud, landing in a crouch with his fingers brushing the soil. Prepared to sprint, he glanced about with wary eyes…
All clear.
Nothing; nobody; no soul or even the wisp of a soul remained between the etch of the buildings broken beams. Straightening himself, shoulders still tense with nervous energy, Roxas set out to follow the tracks. Standing a way away from them, his eyes flickering over to the drag marks every now and again, Roxas made sure to stay clear of the deep grooves. If he was caught following them his cover would be blown, and he would be in an even worse situation.
Grateful that it was early morning and many of the people were still tucked in their soft beds, Roxas made his way across the empty fields and into the cocoon of thickly burrowed stone houses on the opposite side.
The shops still had their wooden shutters up, their produce safely tucked away inside. The plaza was without company bar a few drunken sloths making their way home under the glare of the morning light, and so Roxas passed with ease, despite earning himself a series of quizzical stares. It was nothing he wasn't used to, after all.
Suddenly subconscious, his eyes met the mud he walked on. Still following the tracks, he stopped when his boots began to touch the soft remnant of stone. Beneath him the scratch of pebbles moved under his feet, and Roxas lifted his head to spy the newly cobbled path winding out before him, swallowing the trail in a tight bend.
Roxas cursed heavily. With no tracks it would take him forever to locate Terra, and even then he still had to find Namine. He twitched when his stomach released a frightening growl and grumbled heartily. Pushing his hand to it, as if he could quieten the sound, he found himself sighing with sagged shoulders.
"Forgot I haven't eaten…" he mumbled, taking his first steps onto the stone.
The further he walked the more the houses loomed over him, as if they were trying to entrap him. Thankfully there were no guards by the backstreets and he was safe to travel for a little while longer without receiving a creeping shadow stalking his every move and whim.
A scuffle of footsteps behind him had Roxas stopping. Freezing in place, his body tense and ready to run, he glanced back over his shoulder. Turning sideways on, he caught sight of the figure jumping behind a series of stacked barrels.
His hand still on his stomach, Roxas straightened his back and clenched his jaw, mistrust fixed across his face. "Show yourself! I know you're there!"
Prepared to run, Roxas bent his knees slightly, expecting a soldier to come dashing out with weapon drawn. Instead a small figure, slightly taller than Namine would have been, peered around the corner. Her head was covered by a thin white netted veil with white silk underneath. Soft doe eyes widened ever so slightly, pale skin reddening across the cheeks in a graceful flush as scarlet lips opened in shock.
"You…you noticed me?"
The voice was soft, the spirit behind it fragile and easy to break. Roxas relaxed slightly, carefully choosing his words in case any of the windows above the stores were open. It would do him no good to have ears other than his own listening in.
"I noticed. Now who are you? Why are you following me?"
The figure stepped fully out from behind the barrels, but remained clinging to them with dove white hands. The graceful shawl rested just before the young woman's eyes, riveting off her shoulders in folds and reaching the very tips of her fingers where it was intertwined around her index finger. Whenever she moved, the white veil mirrored her like a blissful wave. Brunette hair hung in soft curls down over her shoulders, stopping just before the buttoned silver broach hanging over her bosom.
Underneath the shawl her clothing was tight about her waist, nipping in and tucking away unnecessary space to reveal a perfectly thin frame. The orange and dark brown silk was explicitly cut and trimmed, creating a firm and thorough bodice. Surprisingly, instead of a dress accompanying the bodice, the young girl wore tight white pants with solid leather boots.
As Roxas was looking her up and down, memorizing every aspect of her frame, she too was analysing him. Finally, with a deep inhalation and a stuttering swallow, she managed to secure the breath to speak.
"My name is Olette. I'm one of the Holy Maidens who works in the Convent on the other side of town…"
At Roxas' unimpressed glare, she stammered, her blush deepening.
"M-my friend told me of your position." Glancing up, she caught his raised eyebrow and let her eyes fall again, her hands coming to rest in front of her. "Y-you are him… aren't you?"
"Him?"
"The boy they call Roxas? I-I've been waiting for a while. When neither of you came back the other night Namine took fright and-EEK!"
Roxas rushed towards her, clasping his hand over her mouth. It was a harsh act, and he hadn't meant to frighten her, but she was becoming too loud; saying too much.
"Don't say their names," Roxas muttered, staring over her shoulder to where a shopkeeper was opening his shutters. The glare he was cast was one of curiosity, but the man soon shrugged it off and returned inside to prepare for the day.
Inhaling deeply, Roxas glanced down to where Olette waited with baited breath. Her eyes were closed tight, her body pressed so close against his that he could feel her vivid heartbeat in his own chest. Slowly he pulled himself away, his hand still against her mouth.
"I'm sorry if I frightened you. Please," he lowered his hand away from her quivering lips, "be careful about what you say."
She nodded, but remained frozen.
Roxas sighed, taking another step back. He held his hands up in a defensive position, all too used to Ollete's fearful response. "I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."
"I… understand. I'm sorry, I'm still getting used to being around people like you."
Roxas bristled, biting at the inside of his cheek to stop himself from commenting. Shoving it to the back of his mind, he spoke carefully. "You mentioned my friend… do you know where she is?"
"She's in the Convent with Mother."
"Mother?"
"Mother is our leading Matron. She takes in all of the younger maidens and helps them find faith in the Goddess' chosen disciples."
"Disciples? You mean-"
"The God's of Wind, Fire, Earth, Water, Darkness and Light."
"Huh… so you believe in the Six, then?"
"I do."
"And my friend is with your Mother now?"
"She is. She awaits for the return of you and your other…friend."
Behind them both came the chatter of the local guards beginning to make their way down the street. Disguised in nothing but the old blanket Terra had given him, Roxas didn't feel confident enough to pass them.
"This Mother that took my friend in, does she… know?"
"Know?" Olette was confused for a moment before it finally clicked. "Oh, yes, we at the Convent do not judge. We believe in the Six Disciples, but we do not banish those that are without guidance in magic. Although we fear you, it would be hypocritical of us to throw you out."
"So my friend's safe?"
"Undoubtedly. She took ill with fright so I was sent to come find you. I am a good friend of your older travelling companion. I promised him your safe keep. I would be happy to lead you to the Convent if you desire it?"
Biting at his lip, glancing over Olette's shoulder to where the collection of guards gathering together grew ever closer, Roxas dared not chance it.
"Fine. I'll go with you."
"You sound not best pleased…"
Roxas' mouth tightened into a hard line and he scowled at her. Her eyes dropping once more, Olette nodded bashfully.
"Of course. It was silly of me to say such things under your certain circumstances. Please, allow me."
Reaching back behind the barrels, she pulled out a long staff made of sturdy white wood. It was wrapped in ornate silver ivory that linked at the top, coming to a stop at the hilt of a large white orb. Holding the staff tight, Olette nodded to him before she gingerly reached out her palm.
Roxas blinked down at the offered hand, mistrustful for a moment. But as the guards' laughter drew closer from around the corner, he had little time to debate the brunette's honesty. In a quick and sudden movement he grabbed her hand tightly, ignoring her slight flinch.
Pulling her close to him, the staff resting between them, he caught the scent of honey and fresh flowers hanging from her frame and wondered whether she lived near a garden. Holding onto her hand tight, he refused to let go as Olette's heartbeat thundered.
With a gulp lodged in her throat, Olette attempted to control her shaking palm. Roxas' hold was tight; too tight, but she didn't have the courage to tell a Branded to let go. Even with the guards so near… That and she had made a promise to Terra. She wouldn't let her friend down.
Closing her eyes tight, she began the chant.
"Venth mendra at'eyo na!"
The staff began to glow a blinding white, increasing in strength until it had them both closing their eyes and cowering in its view. The rush of air surrounding them left nausea imbedded within their stomachs and the shift of them moving over masses of land in a split instant had them gritting their teeth.
Olette's hand began to slip, and Roxas clung to it harder, refusing to let go. If he lost her he could end up anywhere between where he had met her and the Convent she intended to take him to, and that could lead to dire consequences he didn't want to think on.
Finally, after three seconds of tense energy and nervous waiting, the sickly feeling left their guts, and the world stopped flying past them. The light dimmed, no longer burning and bright. The white orb atop the Carrying Staff glistened slightly as Roxas opened his eyes, but other than that remained the same.
Blinking at the light, the blonde glanced around at his surroundings with caution embedded into his system. Before him stood a small chapel built of stone. Six stars of metal plate were fastened above the door, each of them marked with an affinity of one of the six Disciples. Before the chapel rested a beautiful garden of wildflowers and growing saplings, and beyond it was a binding path that led through an orchard. At the back of the chapel, hovering over it like an overbearing shadow, was the city. The city he had been on the other side of not mere seconds before.
"Um…ex-excuse me… Roxas?"
The blonde brought his stare to the shy brunette, eyebrow raised.
Olette turned her eyes downwards as if she had been caught doing something unspeakable. "Could you release my hand, please? You're squeezing it rather tightly."
"Oh," Roxas pulled his hand back as if burned, taking a step away from the young girl. "Sorry. So, this is your oratory? It's…quaint."
Olette smiled, stepping across the dusty path towards the fence that guarded the flowers. Resting her staff against the rusted iron fence, she released a burdened sigh and closed her eyes.
"Yes, this is my home, and the home of my siblings and our Mother."
"Huh…" Roxas remained behind her. "Is it safe?"
"Safe?" Olette asked from over her shoulder. "Of course. We are rarely bothered by soldiers and mages unless they come to pray, and that is only on the sixth day of the seven day week. Today is the third day, and so you are safe."
"Uh-huh… and my friend? You said she'd be here."
"She's inside with Mother." Picking up her Carrying Staff once more, she ran around the fence and up the path betwixt the wildflowers, a smile on her lips with a hearty laugh. Jumping the three steps, she turned at the top to a frozen Roxas, looking like a completely different girl with that honest smile. "Come, you must meet her! She's been waiting to meet the Branded that can use the power of the Six!"
"What?!" Roxas flinched, eyes slightly wide. "How do you know about that?!"
Olette's smile remained heavy on her face, curling her lips upwards. "Your friend told us, of course! She is quite the chatterbox, isn't she? A bonny girl, full of laughter. We have much enjoyed her company, and her stories of your adventures! If what she tells is true you have had a wonderful time travelling across the borders of the world! Speaking of it seemed to take her mind from the worrying fright you gave her."
With tense shoulders, Roxas refused to move from beside the gate. A cold front had settled itself across him, but he couldn't bring it upon himself to turn away from that pleasant smile.
"I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice barely more than an audible whisper. "I have not the time to meet with your Mother. If you wouldn't mind I would like my friend, please."
Olette's smile fell away and Roxas felt cruel for taking it from her. "Oh… of course! How stupid of me." She turned to the door, stopping for a mere moment with her hand on the handle. "You must not dither with us whilst the guards are chasing you. My apologies, I will go fetch your friend."
Before Roxas could stop her she disappeared inside. Resting his back against the fence, he untied the blanket and pulled it from his frame. Folding it absentmindedly, he hung it over his arm and stared up the winding path. The area was deserted of all but the creatures by the edge of the road, but even they steered clear of him, as if they could sense what he was from beyond the rushes.
Behind him the door slammed open, swinging on its hinges. Kicking off the fence, Roxas grinned to find Namine running towards him dressed in the same white shawl as Olette, her smile fierce upon her lips.
"Roxas!"
Said blonde had just enough time to brace himself before Namine threw herself into his arms. Wrapping her arms about him, she held on tight and refused to let go, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Snaking his arms about her, Roxas hugged her tight.
"Nami, it's good to see you."
Laughing against his neck, the breath tickling his skin, Namine nestled further against him. "I'm so glad you're okay! When you didn't come back I thought-"
"Hey, it's okay. See, I'm fine," he pulled her away slightly to prove his point, his grin infectious.
Namine nodded, her blonde hair covered by the white shawl. Her smile suddenly became mischievous, and without a word of warning she raised her small fist and punched him lightly in the shoulder.
Roxas yelped, releasing her completely and rubbing at the affected area, staring at Namine as if she were insane. "Youch! What the heck was that for?"
"That was for making me worry! Roxas, do you have any idea the kind of night I've had? Both you and Terra put me through h-"
"I said I was sorry!"
"Yeah, well," she sighed and let her shoulders dip slightly, "please, don't do anything like that again." Without waiting for an answer she glanced around, scrunching her nose as she looked for the missing other. "So, where's Terra? Probably hiding somewhere, huh? You can't fool me, Terra!"
"Actually, Nami…" rubbing the back of his head, Roxas wasn't sure just how to tell her. "We got separated. I was lucky Olette found me or I wouldn't have a clue where to look for you. "
"So, Terra's not here?"
Roxas shook his head. By the door, Olette waited with a figured dressed from head to toe in pearly white silk.
"Huh?" Namine turned, smiling up at the white robed figure with Olette and waving. "Oh, hi! This is my friend Roxas." Reaching back she hooked her arm around her friend's and pulled him closer. "Remember the stories I told you?"
"About that," Roxas muttered, trying to free his arm and coming up unsuccessful as Namine clung to him harder. "What exactly did you tell them?"
"Don't worry, nothing that would incriminate us! Come on, I want you to meet Mother Malaya."
"Namine-"
"Roxas, don't be so rude! These people saved us and helped us even after they knew what we are. They're good friends of Terra's, too. What would he say if he saw you acting this way?"
"He wouldn't say anything. Probably just smack me upside the head."
"Exactly! Now, come on already!"
Feeling extremely uncomfortable, Roxas allowed Namine to drag him up the garden path. Stopping before Olette and Mother Malaya, Namine offered them a quick curtsy, which they returned. When it came to Roxas' turn he refused to bend. Standing tall with stiff shoulders, he stared at Mother Malaya with cold eyes.
He didn't trust Illyrians or Arians at the best of times. He trusted them even less when he couldn't see their faces to judge what they were thinking; and Mother Malaya was covered from head to toe in cotton whites and silk.
"Mother Malaya, I'd like to introduce my friend Roxas. Roxas, this is Mother Malaya. She runs the convent here and takes care of everyone inside."
Still standing atop the steps, Mother Malaya reached forwards to touch Roxas' shoulder, but with a growl he pulled away from her outstretched fingers, tugging Namine along with him.
Grunting, Namine yanked back but was unable to move the stubborn blonde. "Roxas! Don't be so rude!"
"I don't like being touched, Namine! You know that!"
His words were sour and Namine rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry, Mother Malaya, you must forgive him. He has a fear of human contact-"
"It isn't a fear!" Roxas defended. "I just don't like it!"
"It is alright, children." Mother Malaya's voice was as soft as honey interwoven with warm milk. There was an honesty to it, and an uplifting purity that had Roxas feeling shameful of his rash actions. "I understand that as a Branded it can be hard to become attached to people. However, such distance is unhealthy. I would advise you to work on your social skills."
"Pretty hard to be sociable when people are trying to cut you open."
"Roxas!" Namine hissed, sending him a glare and earning a shrug for a response. "Mother Malaya, Roxas is the boy from my stories who was able to use light magic."
Mother Malaya's interest peaked. "You are the boy who can use magic at free will? Is it true you are a Branded, then? Or is this just a hoax on a poor woman's heart to have her save you from the guards?"
"Why the hell would anybody lie about being a Branded?" Roxas spat, folding his arms across his chest in a huff of rage.
"Then, would you permit me to see your mark?
"Excuse me?"
"Please, Roxas," Namine begged, her blue eyes sparkling in the light. "These are Terra's friends."
Roxas stayed motionless for a moment. Staring at Namine, considering his options, he decided to appease the Mother with a flutter of curses hidden under his breath. Handing Namine the blanket, he glared at her hardly contained half-smile. With sharp, jagged movements he ripped his jacket from his back and threw it to Namine. She caught it with ease, reaching her hands into the inside-out sleeves and pulling back to set them straight.
Turning his back to the women, Roxas crossed his arms and grabbed the bottom of his baggy shirt. Lifting his arms upwards, he felt the cold tinge of the breeze nibbling at his lower back, stealing away the warmth that had collected there.
Beside him Namine remained neutral, having already seen the twisted black mark etched on her friend's skin like a tattoo. But behind Roxas the sharp gasp from Olette and the troubling mutter from Mother Malaya was all too familiar to his ears.
Bitterly, Roxas let his shirt fall to cover his mark. Snatching the jacket back from Namine, he threw it about his shoulders in a rotten mood. Glaring darkly at the floor, he ignored Namine's hand on his arm.
"So you are a Branded. How is it then that you can wield magic? I have never heard of a Branded performing such a miracle before."
"Well that makes two of us!" Roxas barked, earning himself a jab to the ribs from Namine.
"May I perhaps see such a divine trick?"
"It isn't a trick, and I'm not a performing dog you can have entertain you. Thank you for looking after my friend," he reached down and grabbed Namine's hand, "goodbye."
Turning on the spot, ignoring Namine's cries at him to stop being an ignorant jerk, he stormed back up the path, pulling her behind him. He never so much as looked back as he began to make his way through the orchard, literally dragging Namine behind him as she dug her heels down into the mud.
"Roxas! Roxas will you stop for one second and just listen?! Ro-"
Swinging Namine around, Roxas released her, slightly afraid of the dark glare she cast his way. "Namine, I am not a performing animal. You and Terra had no right to tell those people about me or anything I've done! No right whatsoever!"
"Why is it such a big deal? She just wanted to see-"
"They all just want to see, Nami. But it's physically exhausting! We still have to find Terra and it's the beginning of the day. I can't just fall asleep this early, it'll completely knacker my internal clock-"
"One spell wouldn't have you falling asleep. I've seen you and Terra pull off stunts with your magic, and you always managed to hold out until nightfall then!"
"Then there was three of us, and we only did that because we had to. Namine…" he paused, biting at his lip. He wasn't ready to explain yet. "I don't like proving my disgrace to people, and I hate having to perform for them. One trick or one thousand, it's all the same. Everyone wants to know how the freak managed it, how he was able to evolve into something even the master scholars could never predict."
"Why is this such a big thing for you? You could be using this to your advantage; helping us to prove our point that we're not all worthless-"
"And what would be the cost, Nami?" His voice softened and he walked around her through the field, knowing she would follow. Sure enough, behind him the sound of soft footsteps sloshed against the mud.
"When I was little, before me and Terra were able to rescue you, we thought the exact same thing. I was only eleven, hardly old enough to know my way around let alone take on an empire. But Terra convinced me that we could do it. Terenor is a cruel and brutal country, Namine. I'll avoid it with every breath in my body for as long as I live."
"Terenor… isn't that the homeland of the Masterful King?"
"Masterful, mental, it's all the same. We actually managed to receive an audience with him…somewhat, anyway." Roxas twitched at the memory, his hands clenching reflexively. "Things didn't go according to plan… Terra and I were split up for seven months… I'll never perform for anyone of my own free will again."
"But the other day on the boat, you said you'd perform on the streets."
Roxas shrugged lazily. "I'd have found a way around it."
"Uh-huh… so, in Terenor, what exactly happened? And why haven't I heard about this before? We're supposed to be family, right?"
"We are family, Nami, but there are some things that are too hard to face up to. Everyone has a secret, even you have yours, so I think it's only fair that you and Terra let me have mine."
"Terra? So even he doesn't know what happened in Terenor?"
"No. It was five months before I managed to escape. By the time I was able to board a boat to Deren it had been another month. I met Terra by the Shev'yen docks not three weeks later. This is the first time we've been properly separated since."
"Because of what happened in Terenor… is that why you don't like physical contact?" The question was sensitively put, and strategically asked with a soft, coaxing voice, but Roxas wasn't falling for it.
"My secret is mine and mine alone, Nami. It is a dangerous game to pry."
Namine huffed, her fingers moving through the long stringy grass as they approached the city. When their feet finally touched stone once more, Namine paused, a thin frown coming to crease her delicate face.
"Hey, Roxas?"
Stopping, Roxas glanced over his shoulder. "Mm?"
"How exactly are we going to make our way through the city? I'm pretty sure the guards will still remember what we look like, and the guard'll be double what it was. Maybe even more!"
Roxas laughed, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply the scent of fresh grass and blooming flowers. "You worry too much, Nami."
"This coming from the boy that has us running from city to coast and mountain to field?" Namine laughed, sticking her tongue out teasingly.
"Hey, my instinct's saved us plenty of times. Now, c'mon already. You haven't got anything to worry about."
Namine faltered, watching Roxas' outstretched hand hesitantly, as if it might bite her. Impatient, flexing his fingers, Roxas rolled his eyes.
"Nami, I promise you that everything will be fine. Nobody'll recognise you under that veil, trust me."
"What if they come close enough to notice?" Namine worried, blue eyes troubled. "I can't go back to working like I did before, Roxas!" She shook her head, taking a step back into the rushes, "I can't!"
"Namine, you won't have to go back. Look, I promise you that we'll stay clear out of the city centre. Nobody'll bother you because they'll think you're from the Convent. Just stay quiet and stay with me and we'll be fine. We'll find Terra, steal a couple of horses and hit the road before they even know we was here."
"What about freeing the others like us?"
"It's better to start at the smaller camps, Nami. Taking on one of the main sorting factories straight out is complete suicide." He flexed his fingers again, waiting for her. "Trust me, Nami, we'll be fine."
Carefully, hesitantly, Namine took a deep breath, stepping out of the defence of the shrouded rushes and into the clearing of the stone pathway. Holding tight to Roxas' hand, her fingers trembling slightly, she bowed her head as he tugged her along, watching the stone as he twisted his way down backstreets and away from the central market.
Glancing up, she caught sight of Roxas frowning. Turning her head in the direction he was facing, she bristled to find a pair of stunningly strapped soldiers staring at them, one of them calling over another as they whispered in hushed voices.
"Hold on tight, Nami…" Roxas whispered, grasping her hand harder. "No matter what happens, don't let go."
"Roxas, what are you…?"
His left arm behind his back, a small grunt escaping his lips, Roxas felt the energy imbue itself against his fingertips once more. The guards were watching them, beginning to make their way over with their hands on the hilt of their weapons, their eyes trained only on them down the sparsely populated streets, prepared to follow orders and capture the Branded. Without warning Roxas pulled Namine back, turning her into him to shield her eyes before he threw the small ball of light down to the ground, smashing it open against the stone in a riveting thicket of blinding light. The soldiers screamed and yowled, Namine flinched against him, and Roxas whispered into her ears for her to keep her eyes closed.
Doing as she was bid, Namine felt her friend unravel her, her hand still held fearsomely tight before she was being dragged away again. Eyes still shuttered closed, a cry locked behind her lips as her feet pounded against the stone, undone only by her thumping heart. She stumbled momentarily, having only time to release a static whimper before Roxas dragged her up and pulled her along, forcing her into a sprint that she couldn't quite keep up with, her feet missing several steps against the stone and earning subtle winces from her.
They had been running for what felt like forever, her shallow pants mirrored in Roxas' own heavy panting. Finally she felt Roxas swing her to the right, catching her softly and resting her back against something solid.
"You alright?"
Eyes still closed tight with her nose wrinkled, Namine nodded. "Uh-huh."
Roxas' laughter was scratched and breathy, broken by thick wheezes as he sucked in breath. "You can open your eyes, Nami."
Peeping slowly, Namine blinked when colour invaded her world. Roxas was in front of her, his sweaty fringe plastered against his face as a vicious smirk overtook his lips, his shoulders heaving with every breath, just like her own. His hand was behind her back, cushioning her from the harsh wooden fence at her back. Other than that the streets looked the same. The cold grey stone was mirrored in the granite buildings that had the shutters closed. Lowly drunkards dragged themselves through the streets and four houses down a wife threw a bucket of stagnant window from the top window, splattering the streets.
"Roxas, what-"
"You sure you're alright?" Roxas asked, concern replacing the indifferent smirk. Placing the back of his fingers softly against her cheek, he didn't feel the electric jolts shocking his heart like Namine did, and he took the leaning of her face gently into his touch as an indication of just how exhausted she was. Pulling his hand away, he frowned again. "You look flushed. The light didn't catch you, did it?"
Namine bit back a whimper as he drew his hand away. It had felt… nice. Really nice, actually, as if his touch had brought the summer and spring to her winter and fall. "I-I'm fine, Roxas. Honest." She gave him an honest smile, wanting to draw that devious smirk back onto his luscious lips.
Roxas seemed unconvinced, and utterly oblivious as well. Had he not felt the rush of sparks too?
"No, I think I should have left you at the convent. They didn't recognise you, but they sure as hell remembered me. I need a disguise, something better than that old blanket we left behind."
"Roxas-"
"Just where to get it, right?" He straightened up, pulling himself away from her and staring down the street. "I really don't want to leave you on your own, but I can't exactly take you with me until I find some kind of cloak…"
"I don't want to be left on my own!"
Roxas raised an eyebrow at her, his hands on his hips. "I never said I was going to leave you. I just…" he faltered, looking over the street again. "We have to split up."
"You just said-"
"I know, I know, but it's the only way. Here," pulling his left sword free, ignoring the glares the drunks gave him as they passed, he upended the scabbard into his hand, letting six shiny gold coins fall into his palm.
At the sight of the glittering yellow metal Namine's eyes widened and she pushed slowly off from the wall, transfixed by the glistening sparkle of the coin's reflection. "Roxas, where did you get all that?!"
Holding on tight to the coins, he placed his sword back into its sheathe and turned to her, taking her palm and pressing four gold pieces into it. "Terra doesn't know about this, so shhh, okay?" He smiled, pressing his finger to his lips and pocketing the last two coins.
Namine pressed her hand to her chest just by her heart. "Roxas, where did all this money come from?"
"It's my life's savings," Roxas shrugged. "Whenever me and Terra do a job, we get our supplies and split the profit three ways; some for me, some for you, some for him. I just happen to save mine up instead of wasting it all on junk."
"Roxas…"
"I want you to take these four coins, go up to the city centre and look for us three solid horses, okay? Strong ones, too, not some pox ridden fleabags that most will try and sell. I'll find Terra and meet you at the docks where we first arrived, okay?"
"But I don't know the first thing about buying a horse… Roxas, I think maybe you should do this," she tried giving him back the gold coins, but he just ignored her offer, waving her hand away.
"Nah, I have to go find Terra, remember? It'll be fine, Nami. Look," he pulled a gold coin from his pocket, showing it to her. "A good horse is worth about six silver pieces, a fantastic horse is worth about ten, which is a whole gold coin. Seeing as this is the main porting city, I'd expect the prices here to be sky high. You should get three horses easy with four gold pieces though, so I wouldn't worry."
"But how do I tell a good horse from a lame one?"
"We don't need good horses really, just okay ones. As long as it can run, isn't biting the wood of its stall and has a nice round belly, it'll be fine. Make sure it's broken in, too. I once got one as wild and feral as a beast before. Nasty thing, a waste of eight silver pieces if ever I saw it."
Slowly, Namine pocketed the coins, sapphire eyes looking up innocently. "Roxas… Roxas, I really don't wanna be on my own. Please, please just come with me!"
"I can't, Nami. I promise, we'll see each other by sundown. Take those coins, buy our horses, meet me at the dock. It'll be fine, I promise. Oh, and make sure you get yourself something to eat, too! Goddess knows I will be!" Roxas laughed, giving her one last hug before prying her touch from him and sprinting off down the cobbled street, leaving her alone once more.
The day was fully awake and the market was a heavy place bustling with life. Striding through the street, knocking people as they knocked them, cautiously shooting glances in every direction, Roxas hid further under a white cloak made of smooth satin. It had been his first item to purchase, something to hide his face and his clothes from the guards that passed. Because the port saw many merchants and travellers, beneath that white cloak he was just another person passing through, not the scum they were so urgently scouring the city for.
The next item he had been in search for was food. The cloak had cost three silver pieces, the gruel the wench with the large crucible had shoved at him had cost six bronze pieces, leaving Roxas with jingling pockets for the first time in a long time, which meant he was hardly noticed as a Branded. What few guards did grow suspicion heard those coins giggling away in his pockets, and quickly refrained from approaching him. Everybody knew that Branded never havhade money, it was why Roxas had sent Namine away with such a large sum.
Turning a corner, his entire body hidden beneath the white cloak, he pressed himself against the side-lines, fully prepared to slink into the back alleys before something – or rather someone – caught his eyes.
"Hey, Bran-ARGH!"
"Branded-scum!"
"I told him to take his hands off me! It's his own damn fault!"
"Guards! Guards!"
"Terra…?" Roxas muttered. The screaming was fierce again as people ran for safety from the call of the guards. Pushing against the tide that attempted to overturn him, his heart hammering in his chest as he shoved past people of all sizes and calibre, Roxas sprinted up to the scene, the calling of the guards drawing his attention to a particularly rough scene.
Terra was crouched in the centre, a guard laying open and cut across his middle by his feet. The heavy greatsword was thrown over his shoulder and he glared at the oncoming guards, his eyes as fierce as an ice storm and as smothering as a blistering rage of flames. The man at his feet struggled back, edging up to the feet of a tall man with red hair that kicked him away.
The red hair was pulled back into a ponytail, the sapphire eyes giving an abrasive look that just screamed "didn't I tell you so?" He stood in regal black armour that shone with every movement, the golden embroidery catching and glistening as a thick ruby hung heavily over his frame in rifts of red. By his side stood a fresher version of him, almost as if it were a three year younger reflection.
The second man's hair was the same crimson red, but it held itself with an air of unbendable dignity that stuck up in a series of chaotic spikes. Emerald eyes grinned enthusiastically, the grin bold upon his lips rather than hiding in his eyes. Unlike the other redhead, his armour was a slick, quilted blue made of leather and metal breastplate with silver embroidery and a supple silk cloak of midnight blue overhanging his shoulders.
From behind the stalls Roxas saw the guards rush over, some of them with weapons drawn, others with tomes, staffs and books held, ready to cast incantations and spells of all types and varieties. Skulking along the back, he noticed that the two redheads and their band of followers seemed to be different than the city guards. There was something there, a flare, some type of pivoting empowerment that encircled them, radiating from them, overtaking every other person within the vicinity. Roxas didn't like it.
Terra was surrounded, his fringe matted to his forehead as he growled and turned in a circle, catching them all in that daring stare.
"Branded!" one guard roared, his lance drawn and prepared to strike at Terra's heart. "You are hereby under arrest! Lower your weapon, now!"
"Under arrest for self-defence?" Terra scoffed, raising his own sword threateningly. "That's nothing new, I suppose."
"Guard your tongue!" Another guard hissed, holding onto his staff as tightly as if he were imagining it to be Terra's throat.
"You should take your own advice," Terra spat, turning to stare at them all.
"Is this city always like this?" the older, taller redhead with the blue eyes asked, seeming completely bored with the entire situation.
The guards didn't know how to respond and the older redhead, know thoroughly uninterested, dispatched himself from the group, turning back to mount a strapping black stallion with horned, steel armour. "I'm going up to the city hall, Axel. Take as long as you want, but be back before sundown. Father won't be happy to know you've wandered off."
Axel waved the other redhead away, still interested in the growing attraction. "Yeah, yeah, Reno, I hear ya."
"Want me to leave a guard?"
Axel raised an eyebrow, turning to his brother. "Do I look like I need babysitting?"
Reno laughed, turning his stallion around. "Was that a trick question?"
Axel glared and Reno laughed aloud, filling the air with rough, rumbling laughter unlike anything Roxas had ever heard before. "I will see you back at the castle, brother."
Axel never took his eyes away from Terra. Instead he raised his gloved hand and waved over his shoulder, listening to thundering charge of hooves as Reno and the small guard left, leaving the bloody man at his feet as he was surrounded by the city guard. From behind the stalls Roxas growled as a guard darted forwards, taking the plunge the others were too afraid to do and raising his sword high. But Terra was too fast, sidestepping fluently and slashing the man hard across the back, sending him writhing to the floor in pain.
A gasp was heard, and the guards shuffled closer, leaving Axel out of the centre circle as they grasped their weapons nervously and hesitated.
Roxas had seen enough. Stepping out from behind the market stalls, his sword drawn with a metallic ring, bringing their eyes to him, Roxas glared from beneath the hood, gulping under the attention thrown his way.
"Hey! Just what do you think you're doing?!"
The guards faltered again, straightening up and watching Roxas with trained unease. Unable to see anything but a silk white cloak and burning sapphire eyes, they quickly jumped to conclusions. Stepping forward to meet Roxas, lance still drawn, the guard in charge frowned, glaring at him and looking him up and down. "Who are you?"
Sheathing one sword, hoping the ruse would work, praying for it to be enough to get them through, Roxas shoved the guard to a side, listening to him stagger.
"Hey, you little nit-AH!"
Eyes wide at the cold steel of Roxas blade at his throat, the man swallowed thickly, sweat dripping from him, the lance in his hands all but forgotten.
Don't," Roxas growled, drawing a thin line of bloody red against pale skin, "you dare talk to me like that! Do you know who I am?"
"N-No… sir?" The guard was unsure of the title, but as Roxas nodded and pulled his sword away he let out an exasperated sigh, his shoulders sagging in relief.
Stepping into the circle, his shoulders stiff and tense, Roxas glanced about warily. The guards were all staring at him with confusion, shuffling nervously and offering each other quick glances and shakes of the head, none of them being able to identify just who he was. Terra was trying hard not to smile, Roxas saw, and he was failing as the edges of his lips turned upwards, the stress and aggression all but gone from his shoulders as Roxas stepped up to him.
And then there was the redhead. His name was Axel, and as he stood with one finger on his chin, that knowing smirk chilling, sending shivers of fearful tingles down Roxas' spine, Roxas caught sight of jade eyes that remained unflinching, and he knew that this man, this rugged man with an untameable and wild aura, that he, and none of the others, knew exactly what Roxas was. How he knew was beyond Roxas' mental ability, but he knew all the same. What troubled Roxas know was whether he was going to unveil them or do something worse.
Tearing himself from the hypnotic grin, Roxas turned to the guard in charge, a snarl fresh upon his lips. "Just what were you thinking of doing to my Branded? I hope you weren't considering damaging it!"
"D-damaging, sir?"
"I train my Branded to fight in the pits," Roxas drawled, hoping it was coming off as sincere. "As such I expect them in perfect shape. The fact that this particular Branded managed to sneak out without its collar is a problem I will address, I assure you. But if its damage in any which way, shape or form I promise you that I will be expecting full compensation." He turned back, glaring at terra who had the decency and sit to play along, looking down at the look shamefully and flinching when Roxas barked at him. "As for you," Terra flinched, hiding that smile as his sword drooped, "I promise you'll be regretting leaving like that!"
Terra blinked, glancing up to Roxas quickly and wincing at the flame that hid itself in those sapphire pools. Roxas was being sincere, and Terra had a feeling he knew why.
From behind them filling laughter cut through the thick silence followed by rough applause. Turning, his heart racing and stammering in his chest, Roxas growled to find Axel grinning smugly, seeming genuinely amused. The guards stared at him, as did Terra's hard glare and Roxas' bemused look, but Axel took no notice. Finishing his applause, his hands back on his hips, the redhead shook his head, that devouring smile gracing his full lips.
"Oh, heaven help me, that has to be some of the best entertainment I've seen in a long time!" He laughed again, the last few bubbles escaping him. "Honestly, a Branded pretending to be a Master? That's too much!"
Roxas bristled, as did the guard in charge and the following grunts under his control. Seething, his eyes narrowed as those emerald eyes bore into him, challenging him to call him a liar, Roxas tensed. Beside him he could feel Terra tighten his grip on his greatsword once more, and from behind them the guards picked up their lances and swords and maces, preparing to attack.
"I think you are mistaken," Roxas hissed through clenched teeth, his fists tightening. "I'm not Branded scu-"
"My name is Axel Flint," Axel smirked, loving every second of what he deemed 'entertainment'. "I'm the second prince in line to inherit the Deren throne," he laughed, but there was no joy in it. Instead his voice turned almost cold, and he glared at Roxas, seeing through him like nobody else could. "Still wanna call me a liar, kiddo?"
"You are a Branded?" the leader of the guards asked, his weapon drawn. "I knew it! I knew I had not seen your face before!"
All about them the madness grew. Whispers and murmurs and shouts filled with screaming malice and Axel's thick smirk scratched away at Roxas slowly, making it hard to think, to concentrate, to breathe. They needed to get out fast! Before it was too late!
"If I can prove I'm not a Branded, you'll let us go with a full apology!" Roxas snarled, ignoring Terra's harsh whisper and ripping his arm free from the other's grasp. Turning to Axel, forcing himself to glare into the eyes of one of the two dragon princes, he gulped, needing to stay strong.
"I have a word for you, Deren Prince, and I want you to never forget it."
"Ah, I'm a sucker for dying wishes," Axel said, rolling his shoulders back in confidence that the boy couldn't prove that he wasn't in fact a Branded when he could tell that he was. "Go ahead, kiddo. Shoot."
Holding himself straighter, tighter, with a smirk that could rival Axel's own, Roxas let the words lap of his tongue soothingly, like a wave hitting the beach in a serenading kiss.
"Bek'renai…"
Axel was confused. Frowning, hand outstretched, he was shoved back as the guards advanced. Thrown backwards, a growl upon his lips, he caught the sight before him with disbelieving eyes. As soon as the guards descended the brunette Branded closed his eyes covering them with one arm, the greatsword in the other, and Axel had a split second to shield his own eyes from the intense light that overtook the entire world.
He was blinded, unable to see. All about him screams and yelps echoed, but he couldn't release his arm from his eyes without them watering ferociously. The light magic was strong, unbelievably so, and the grunt was from his lips before he had registered it. The thick splicing cuts of men being torn open neared, drifted, neared again and disappeared completely, leaving Axel unscathed. The light quickly began to fade just as soon as it had drenched the world. Colour drifted back into his vision, and Axel was able to lower his hand slightly, squinting through the dusty light just in time to catch sight of the white cloak's hood falling back to reveal soft white hair, closed blue eyes shuttered tight in pain, and the edge of a grimace marking pale pink lips.
He was so entranced that he lost sight of the brunette until the sword was upon him, slicing across his chest, thankfully only marring the breastplate before he was booted backwards. Terra grunted with the effort of startling a dragon, jumping back as the corpses lay scattered about him. Catching Roxas under his arms as he fell, he heaved the blonde up and over his shoulder, sheathing his sword and sprinting down a large nest of intertwining alleys.
On his back, his chest hurting and bruised at the force of the attack, his eyes still watering from the intense light, Axel heard more guards baying in the distance, and couldn't help the laughter that broke from his throat. Shaking his head, he pulled himself up, grinning all the while as he watched Terra's retreating back.
Rubbing at his jaw, he looked up to the sky, inhaling deeply and loving the scent the magic left behind. It was something he'd always envied, something he'd always taken pleasure in watching and something he'd always respected. This kid, this boy he knew was a Branded, took things to a whole new level.
A level Axel couldn't wait to explore.
Long chapter - but hey, look, there's Axel! Hah!
Okay, how he knew Roxas was a Branded, where Namine is and where Terra's been will all be included in the next chapter, as well as a bit of black mail and some more Olette;) hope you all enjoyed!
Stalker - I'm glad you liked the last chapter and thank you! If there's one thing I never berate myself about its my creativity; the thing's doing circles inside my noggin haha. Cheers for the review!
Guest - So glad you enjoyed it! Hope you enjoyed this chapter too, and cheers for the review!