The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls (9)
Ermita

I finally came to as I heard the faint crackling of firewood. I laid still as I slowly fluttered my eyes open. Instead of the open sky, dark and looming trees filled my sight. I no longer felt sand underneath me, but something like a thin fabric.

'Where am I? What happened?' I thought dully.

I tried to sit up, but a painful pang gripped my stomach and I uttered a soft moan. I fell back, wincing.

"Oh, so you're awake now. What a relief. Just when I was starting to think you didn't survive."

I turned my head to the source of the mysterious, deep voice. Across from me sat a figure completely clad in leathery black, the ribbons surrounding him like that of a mummified body. Only his penetrating yellow gaze remained uncovered.

"For a lone woman with nothing but a blade and sheer will to survive this long...I'm impressed."

My reply came out husky and weak. "Who are you? What do you want from me?" I broke off into a bout of coughing. My throat felt terribly dry.

He didn't answer me right away. He reached out at the cooked meat over the fire, and tore off a leg. Then with a whisper of his robes, he strode across and knelt by my side. The man offered me the roasted leg. "You must be hungry. Eat now, talk later."

I cautiously accepted the meat from this strange man. He didn't miss the way I eyed it hesitantly.

"No need to worry. I'm not interested in poisoning starving, innocent women. It's safe to eat."

My mouth watered as I lifted the leg closer to me and took a bite. Immediately my senses were flooded by the welcoming fragrance and taste. I had never felt so refreshed and alive. I tried not to wolf it down too much or too fast. With each bite, I felt energy flowing back into my body. As I ate, the man walked back to his spot and settled down to keep talking to me.

"What do I call you?" He asked.

"Eleanor," I managed to reply.

"My name is Ermita. I have a few questions of my own to ask you. I've been following you for quite some time...observing your actions, trying to figure out what could possibly be driving you."

He had been following me? But how?

I paused from eating and remained silent. Then, with bitterness thick on my tongue despite the meal, I said, "My husband and son meant the world to me, and no one else. When they perished before my eyes, I had nothing. My own village did not hesitate to cast me out." My voice sharpened with scorn. "If people I knew treated me like a monster, how can I find a place among mere strangers?"

Ermita sat still, as if absorbing the question. Then he said, "What will you do now? Do you have anything in mind, or some kind of plan?"

I gazed into the fire with furrowed eyes and a heavy heart. I had nothing to look forward to...not after what had happened. Never again would I be able to hold my son's small hand, or look into his twinkling eyes and innocent smile. And Owen...every time I thought of him, I kept seeing his kind, handsome face twist into the Yoma that devoured him. I realized I couldn't find an answer to Ermita's question. With no one to travel with, with no village to settle in...I was a lone, lost soul. A soul with nothing but nightmares and memories to stay alive.

"Since you have nowhere to go, consider a unique opportunity I'm about to offer."

"What could you possibly give me?" I wearily replied. "Could you bring back my husband from the dead? Could you bring a child that could play, smile and live again?"

"No, but I can give you a destiny. A future."

I looked up at Ermita. He eyed me with interest.

"I don't see any other way to fuel that willpower of yours. It's much too precious to be wasted away in the woods."

"What is this destiny you're talking about?"

"Employment as a warrior. Or Claymore, as the common folk call them."

I froze in shock. "Me? Become a Claymore? There's no way...I know nothing of wielding swords and slaying demons."

"That will be taken care of during your training," he replied promptly. "I have to admit that you would be much older than most when entering as a trainee. However, I'm sure that the Council will make an exception...once they take note of your unusual tenacity." He started to talk more to himself as he continued. "The Organization is always in need of more warriors in stock. Especially those who excel in perceiving or even controlling yoki."

Council? Organization? Yoki? Unfamiliar terms overwhelmed my confused thoughts. Obviously there was much more to Claymores than the simple "search and destroy" system the general public knew of. Perhaps more than what I would like to know.

Ermita leaned forward and slipped a pair of hands under his chin. "I won't lie to you; the life of a warrior is a harsh and unforgiving one. You will go through relentless training to prepare for an equally rigorous test. Once you pass those hurdles, you will graduate as a full-fledged warrior."

I nodded as I took in this information. I knew from the start that Claymores seemed to lead unhappy lives. I wasn't so sure about freely accepting this offer. Owen's remark about them rang in my head: "The closest family they have is the sword on their backs."

"I don't expect an immediate answer," Ermita said. "I'll give you some time to consider it."

"Oh. Well, look what we have here."

Ermita and I turned to see someone approaching us from the forest gloom. As the person drew closer, the firelight illuminated the features of a Claymore. She had the standard blond hair, silver eyes and hefty blade, but I noticed that there was more to her. She had her hair tied in a single tight braid, revealing oddly pointed ears. Instead of the cool and emotionless visage of the one-eyed Claymore I've met earlier, this one had a rather unsettling look about her. A shiver went up my spine as I detected a sinister gleam in her eyes, a trace of madness behind her smirk.

"This is Ophelia, the number 10 in the organization," Ermita said. "Do not be alarmed; she's simply here to report."

The Claymore named Ophelia merely nodded to acknowledge the man. I stiffened when she fixed her unblinking gaze at me.

"Who did you catch this time, Ermita?"

Her voice was smooth, somewhat melodic, but she asked as if I was prey in her grasp. I decided to take the polite approach. I dipped my head at her. "My name is Eleanor. I'm alive and well thanks to this man."

Ophelia wrinkled her nose and replied as if she didn't hear me. "Honestly Ermita, have you gone soft in the head? I understand that picking orphans off the streets are what you agents do, but you're never the type to claim grown women."

"I have my reasons," Ermita replied shortly. "You're here to report. What's the news back in town?"

Ophelia sighed and leaned back against a tree. She seemed almost bored. "Two Awakened Beings were about to attack the town of Williamsburg before I intercepted them. Nothing too special. They weren't sharp or quick enough to be any match for me." She smirked. "Ha, you should've seen the villagers' faces as I sliced up those scum like a knife on butter. Oh, and the village leader has the fee ready."

"Good. Now, here are your new orders: head back to Staff and ask Rubel to collect the reward."

Ophelia cocked an eyebrow. "You're not getting the money?" Then she cast a scornful glance at me. "Ah, I see. Too busy tending to your precious woman."

"You have your orders, Ophelia. This is no time for a smart mouth."

She made a mocking bow at him. "Whatever you wish, old man." She sharply turned so that her cape rustled and the claymore flashed like a snake's fang before she left.

Ermita huffed an irritated sigh and shook his head. "I'm like a frustrated father trying to tame his wayward daughter." He turned his attention back to me. "Now...have you decided yet, Miss Eleanor?"

I only gave him a look of uncertainty and felt nervous under his strange ocher gaze.

Ermita gave a slight shrug again. "Your hesitation is understandable. Fortunately for you, I am a patient man. You may sleep here for the night, and I expect an answer by morning before I must depart for Staff."

I didn't know whether I should thank or trust this man. While Ermita simply closed his eyes, I pulled the blanket up to my chin and watched the fire dwindle into glowing embers. Drowsiness finally overcame me as I drifted into an uneasy sleep.