The Wounded Warsong
Chapter 9: The Whispering Winds
"It's okay Orinthia, we'll be right outside."
"She's right. We won't be going anywhere. Chieftainess just wants a few words with you." Orinthia hesitantly opened the door to the hut. Bright lanterns lit the inside as two Mithra greeted her.
"Go ahead; she's over therrre small one." They bowed on their hands and knees to her as she walked forward.
"Welcome to my humble home young Warsong. I am Perih Vashai of the Azure Bow, Chieftainess over the Mithra on this Windurst Federation. You may sit on the pillow in front of me." Orinthia sat. Perih was sitting on a small chair with closed eyes. Her facial markings were quite elaborate with jagged markings across her forehead and cheeks. She had plain brown hair tied back in two long tails from the top-back of her head and wore purple robes.
"Warsong?"
"Yes, you are indeed of the family Warsong. A proud family who's status nears royalty among Mithra of the old country but not so much of this Federation."
"Royalty!"
"Yes, your family line is well respected. Your family is one of a handful that is still welcome back through the port of Kazham after leaving our homeland. All other families were banished upon leaving. I don't expect you to understand why this was done but only to understand that you are very important to all of us. Your very existence means that your mother must be out there, perhaps still alive but out of our reach."
"My mother?"
"Your mother is Ray Warsong. She left the old kingdom in search of something that she couldn't find there a very long time ago: happiness. She found it in San d'Oria with an Elvaan Templar named Isaak d'Allemagne. They were set to be married within the serene San d'Orian settlement of Davoi with sparkling, pure water rivers. The famous "Church of our Mother" resides in the middle and it was supposed to be a wonderful wedding and gathering, but the Orcs decided that was their day to take Davoi."
"Oh no!"
"Isaak fought long and hard to protect her, slaying dozens of Orcs using only the dull ceremonial sword he had for the wedding. She watched in horror as his family and friends were killed by the Orcs, all of them trying to protect her. Isaak tried as hard as he could, but the numbers were against his strength. Soon he fell and was forced to watch the Orcs attack his wife as he died. She lived however, and escaped Davoi."
"How?"
"We are not certain, but from that time she went back to San d'Oria and enlisted as a Templar. She was the first Mithra to become part of the San d'Orian Royal Templars. She trained for many years, night and day, making herself stronger then any Templar had been. She routinely demonstrated her strength to her Elvaan peers and bested many in close combat. She even went so far as to take the trial of Ordelle's, to become something otherworldly: a holy paladin." Orinthia sat in wonder with wide eyes and open ears. "The Trial of Ordelle's takes place inside Ordelle's Caves deep below the La'Theine Plateau near San d'Oria. It was within these caves thousands of years ago that a king of heavenly quality and state of mind once trained would-be soldiers into paladins of grand nobility. This training came at an immense price though, which more often then not took the lives of those who would go through the intense mental training required. The entrance to the trial's chamber is still guarded by the first two soldiers he trained and will only appear to those that seek to be judged. She passed the trial and emerged a paladin within seven months. We however do not know what the effect of this trial had on her. Very few actually live through it, and she was the second Mithra to succeed. The trial however is open to all that seek it, including beastmen. We suspect a few Orcs, Yagudo, Quadav, and even Goblins have succeeded though we do not know who or where they reside. They are all forbidden to fight each other however, and will usually follow those that have the greater cause. Do you understand?"
"I... don't know." Her tail waved around slowly as she was trying to take in what she just heard. Perih remained nearly motionless, with her hands on her lap.
"It will come in time child. Perhaps one day we will see your mother again. For now please understand that you must be strong so that you may see that time." She stood up, walked forward, and stopped right in front of Orinthia. She faced her, though her eyes were still closed. "You are Orinthia Warsong; carry your name with pride. Though you may not always be here with us in Windurst, we will always be here to guide you when you require it." She knelt down to her level and pulled a small familiar chest from her robe. "This box was given to me to inspect by your adoptive mother though I lack sight to see inside it. Would you be my eyes and tell me what you see?" It was the very same chest that Jerald handed to Darefane. The key was already in the lock, just needed to be twisted to open. Orinthia twisted the key and the chest opened.
"!" Orinthia looked inside.
"What is it you see child?"
"I... I see a small ruby, two rings, two earrings, a hairpin, and a necklace."
"Good good, anything else?"
"A small scrap of cloth." The scent from the box was an odd pungent, metallic smell. A concerned look came across Perih's face.
"What are the condition of these items?"
"The rings, earrings, and hairpin look very dull... like they're not shiny anymore. The ruby is a deep red color and very light, but it has a tiny crack in it. The necklace looks like small bones. The cloth looks..."
"Yes?"
"...it's... like dried blood." Perih shut the chest.
"Open the door." Her guards immediately opened the door and a large gust of wind blew in, rustling everything inside and frightening Orinthia. Perih's ears twitched to the wind, as if it were communicating to her. Tears slowly formed in her closed eyes. She briefly trembled and regained her composure.
"Good luck dear Warsong. Take this box back and treasure it. These were once owned by your mother and caretakers and were placed inside for you." Orinthia nodded as she took the chest from Perih's hands. "You may go. Please take care." She stood up and walked out as Perih remained on her knees. Her guards helped her up and into her hammock.
"What's wrong Perih?"
"I... played my part... may the winds be wrong this one time. Pray that they be wrong, otherwise our Vana'diel will be in danger," she whispered. They shut the door as Orinthia left.
"Ready to go Ori?" Vince asked.
"They gave us one-trip airship passes to San d'Oria. Even includes chocobo transport as well!" Darefane smiled.
"And I'll be coming along too. Darrrefane did have an interest in martial arts and I do believe this will help you grrrow strong as well if taught correctly." Abuela said. Orinthia nodded.
"Okay, time for a midnight ride on the airship!" Vince shouted as Abuela lead them to the airship port. "While you were inside Moogles packed up everything for us. This is courtesy of the Chieftainess, so let's enjoy this since even getting a general pass for an airship is very expensive these days." They arrived at the port and presented their tickets to the Mithra at the front desk.
"Y'all are in luck! The Windurst-San d'Orian midnight flight will arrrive shortly, please wait here," the attendant announced. Abuela walked to the end of the pier, brought out her fishing rod again and began fishing as Orinthia looked deep into the clear water at the brightly colored fish swimming around. Darefane stared at Orinthia with great concern as they waited at the dock for the airship; the moon's light shining brightly over them. She still couldn't believe what Perih had told her and Vince about their Orinthia. Vince placed his hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay Honey. I have no regrets, no matter what the outcome is. She is our daughter now and we will raise her," he whispered.
"But she's-"
"Shh..."
"But you-"
"Shh..." Vince turned her to look into her eyes and smiled.
"Okay, only because Abuela wanted to come along. I don't think we should have taken her from here otherwise," she whispered as she held him.
"You worry too much, Honey. Don't worry yourself sick. Think of her as our own because she is our own, okay Hon?"
"Okay dear... Vince?" she tightly gripped his hand.
"Yes?"
"...nothing." She looked into his chest plate and saw a dim reflection of the pier with Orinthia looking over as the airship slowly came in and splashed down.
