Alaia Skyhawk: Hi, here's chapter 9. I'd like to thank 'The One and Only Smart Blond', 'Mr.Who2123', 'Jana- Yggdrasil' and 'Lady Nephenee Ranulf' for reviewing this. Thanks a lot guys.
I'd also like to say that I've joined Fanart Central under the name 'AlaiaSkyhawk16'. I've just submitted a line drawing (and a coloured version) of Kratos, the Alurannai and the Protozoans, Noishe and Tsahi. I'd really like to know what you think of them, since I drew them so that I could show YOU what I picture in my mind when I think of the characters.
Anyway, I don't own Tales of Symphonia so please don't sue me. I do however own Krishka, Dallinius, Aluran, the Alurannai and any OCs so please don't steal them.
Enjoy.
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Chapter 9: New Voice.
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They walked together in a tight group as they eased their way down the packed street. It had been two weeks since Vayla's birthday, and they had reached their first village, Berritte.
Berritte was on the plain to the north-east of the Hima Mountains. It was fairly small farming village, with a large market place. It acted as a centre of trade for the various small hamlets that were situated within the area around it, with some of them as far as 15 miles away. Because of this the large markets were only held once a month, with smaller weekly markets for those living nearer. It just so happened that the group had arrived in Berritte the day before the monthly large market. In some ways this was good; after all there would be more people to hear Martel speak. However, it was also bad, because they had found out on their arrival, that the inn was full.
As they left the inn, the innkeeper had kindly told them that there was a man and his wife, on the northern side of the village, who would rent out their spare rooms on the rare occasions that the inn was full. So now they inched their way towards the north of Berritte.
A shadow passed over them.
Unlike in Sinoa, Noishe had decided to come into town with them, and was fluttering from rooftop to rooftop to avoid the mass of people below as he followed his friends. Kratos and Vayla were sorely tempted to join him and carry Yuan, Mithos and Martel over the crowds. However it would draw too much attention to them, attention that they didn't want... yet. It was late in the day, and after five weeks on the road from Sinoa, they were looking forward to resting in a real bed.
The crowd began to thin out, they were close to the side street that the innkeeper had directed them to. With relief, they turned into Briar Lane.
Briar Lane consisted of five wood and stone built houses. Three on the left hand side of the street, two on the right. The house at the far end on the left was somewhat bigger than the others, and matched the description the innkeeper had given them.
The house had two storeys and was constructed in an L-shape. The lower was built of stone, the upper of wood with a shingle roof. Finally there was a wooden porch tucked between the two walls, and it was this that they approached.
Wearily, five of the companions climbed the steps to the front door. The sixth, landed on one of the porch railings. Kratos knocked on the door and was immediately aware of the sound of footsteps. The door opened partially and a middle aged woman looked out. The woman had cornflower blue eyes and rich brown hair tied back in a bun. She was dressed in a blue cotton blouse, a finely woven, brown woollen skirt, topped off with a white apron round her waist.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes, we heard about you from the innkeeper. He said you rent out rooms when the inn is full."
The woman smiled.
"Oh, of course. Come in, come in." She opened the door fully and stepped back to let them in. "My name's Eliza Ranefernon and welcome to the Thorn Glade Farmhouse. The rooms are 100 gald per room, per night, with breakfast included. Lunch and dinner cost 25 gald each, per person. There are three beds in each room so you..." She started as Noishe stepped daintily through the door and stared at her curiously. "Oh my!"
Martel chucked, walked up to Noishe and began petting him as she looked back at Eliza.
"It's all right. I was a bit startled the first time I saw him. His name's Noishe and he's an aeros form protozoan."
Eliza relaxed.
"So he's a protozoan. Well that's alright then." She peered at Noishe. "I've never seen a protozoan before, but I've heard plenty about them. They're well known for associating only with those who are good of heart. I must say it's an honour to have him here." She looked back at Kratos. "Well, as I was saying, there are three beds in each room so you can easily share if you want to... So how many rooms will it be, for how long?"
Kratos rummaged in his ver and removed his gald pouch.
"We'll have two rooms, for two nights... and don't worry about Noishe," he tapped his ver and glanced at her, "I keep a wooden perch in here for him to use when we're staying at inns." Kratos handed her seven hundred gald. "We'll also have lunch and dinner tomorrow."
Eliza put the gald into a pocket in her apron and clasped her hands together.
"Very well then. I'll prepare the rooms. Could I interest you in supper? It's free of charge." The looks on their faces were answer enough. She smiled. "I'll let Allen know. Make yourselves comfortable." She gestured to the cluster of chairs around the fireplace. "I'll be back shortly."
With that she walked briskly through the door at the back of the room, Kratos and Vayla heard her tell her husband they had five guests and a protozoan for supper, and he was to move one of the chairs away from the table. She then came back through the door and headed up the stairs to get the rooms ready.
The group settled themselves in the chairs, Kratos bringing Noishe's perch out of his ver and setting it down next to his seat. Noishe hopped onto it and started preening his feathers.
That, Eliza's nice. He said as he groomed his wings. She has a kind heart... and there's something about her... He paused in his efforts, and tilted his head thoughtfully. I don't know what it is... I've just got a feeling that... He fluffed his feathers and shook his head. Nah, I must be imagining things. Forget about it.
Noishe resumed his preening as the rest of his companions slouched comfortably in their chairs and waited for supper.
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A little while later a man with short, coarse black hair and a neatly trimmed beard, poked his head around the door at the back of the room. His deep green eyes that held a glint of humour.
"So you're our guests. I'm Allen by the way. Come on through, I'm just serving up supper."
They stepped through the door into the large farmhouse kitchen, Kratos carrying Noishe's perch, and were confronted by a large wooden table. It could easily have seated 20 people, eight down each side and one at each end. There were eight place settings set up at one end of the table, one of which didn't have a chair.
Kratos placed the perch in the empty space and Noishe got himself comfortable. He then noticed Martel's bemused expression as she considered the chair in front of her, and her little brother's height. He immediately went to her rescue, removing a few books and a blanket from his ver. He placed the books and the folded blanket on the seat. Martel thanking him with a smile as she set Mithos on the improvised high chair.
While this was going on, Allen had gone to the stove set in the corner of the room and brought over a platter of sliced bread and a cauldron of soup. He chatted to them as he filled their bowls and passed around the bread. He then sat in his chair.
"So what brings you to Berritte? We don't get many travellers through these parts."
Vayla looked up from her soup and answered.
"We're travelling around trying to stop the war." Allen raised his eyebrows in surprise. Vayla explained. "We're going to speak to the people, starting in the small towns and villages where the people haven't become prejudiced due the political propaganda that the nations' leaders have been sending out. We're trying to get them to look at the similarities between themselves and those of other nationalities and races. You see, if they can just look at how similar they are, it will help them realise that this war is pointless. It's a war based on differences, nothing else. We hope that after we've spoken to them, they'll spread what they've learned to others. Eventually, we hope that enough people will see this, and call for a peaceful end to this war."
"Well now, that sounds like it could work. After all, a ruler who ignores the will of the people is a ruler who isn't going to last long."
"I have to say, I agree." Eliza had been standing in the doorway; she moved across the room and sat herself at the end of the row, opposite her husband. "People do spend too much time griping about differences. Are you going to be making your speech at the market tomorrow? Everyone except Mithos nodded. He was too young to understand, and currently completely engrossed in his food, and the hidden potential of his spoon. Eliza continued. "We'll go with you. Allen and I are well respected in Berritte. Our support of your cause will help a great deal in getting the people of the town to listen... I must say, it's a wonder to see youngsters such as you, attempting such a noble feat." Yuan started coughing, due to the fact that he, in an attempt not to laugh, had almost inhaled his mouthful of soup. Eliza frowned. "What's so funny?"
Vayla covered her mouth to hide her smile, while Kratos explained to Eliza and Allen.
"Well, Vayla and I are not as young as we appear. We're both cruxis crystal users, and are both four hundred and fourteen years old."
Allen's spoon nearly dropped from his limp fingers before he caught himself. He started to chuckle.
"Cruxis crystal users, I'd never have guessed. Well that's another thing goin' for ya. Everyone knows that them crystals are only given to the trustworthy and honest. You show up at the market tomorrow with those wings of yours out and, by Origin, they'll pay attention." He waved his hand in Noishe's direction. "The reputation of his kind will help you as well."
Just then, Mithos discovered something about his spoon. He flicked it. Yuan spluttered as the spoonful of soup hit him square in the face. Mithos laughed.
"Yuan, funny!"
Everyone except Mithos and Yuan, burst out laughing. Eliza, handing Yuan a towel to dry his face, while she tried to hide her smile and smother her giggles.
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The people stood aside to allow them to pass. Whispers ran through the crowd.
"Who are they?"
"Look, they have wings!"
"Cruxis crystal users... why are they here?"
"Look, it's a protozoan!"
"Hey, isn't that Allen and Eliza Ranefernon? What are they doing with them?"
Martel, carrying her brother, walked down the street to the market square. Her face solemn, chin held high. She was flanked by Kratos and Valya, who had their wings spread out behind them for all to see. Behind her walked Yuan, Allen and Eliza, while Noishe swooped and dived above them. As they reached the market square they headed for the dais where traditionally announcements were made.
The dais was built of stone and had two levels. A lower platform, wrapping around the upper tier with a set of stairs at the front.
Martel climbed the steps to the top of the dais, while Kratos and Vayla stepped onto the lower platform, either side of the stairs. As they turned to face the crowd, the sun glinted off the exposed crystals at their throats and shimmered along the edges of their wings, drawing gasps of awe from the observers. Yuan stood to the left of the foot of the stairs, while Allen and Eliza went to the right. Last of all, Noishe plummeted out of the sky and executed a perfect landing, just to the side of Martel.
Eliza stepped forward.
"My friends, my neighbours. These people have come before us today to speak of a very important matter. My husband and I have heard what they have to say, and we agree that it is to be considered. Now I ask you, please listen to what they have to say."
As she stepped back, the people in the crowd murmured among themselves, nodding. The village mayor walked forward and stopped a few yards from the dais.
"Mr and Mrs Ranefernon, you are well know in this village as honest, law abiding citizens. Very, well. We will listen to what they have to say." He indicated that they should begin.
Martel looked down at the crowd.
What should I say? How should I tell it to them?
She thought back to that morning.
(Flashback)
"I'm not sure I can do this Kratos. This is different from when I spoke at the open council in Sinoa. I'm not alone anymore, what if I fail you and the others?"
"It does not matter if you fail... All that will matter is that you've tried."
"But I don't know what I'll say... Tell me... what would you say?"
She looked at him. He seemed to be having trouble considering his answer.
"If I told you what to say, you would not be speaking your own words. Your presence would lack sincerity and they would not believe in what you say. Speak from your heart, Martel. Let them see the light of hope you carry. Convey it to them with the strength of your own spirit. You do not need the words of others... Speak from your heart..."
(End Flashback)
Speak from my heart...
As she looked into her brothers eyes, he gazed adoringly at her from his place in her arms. She tenderly stroked the side of his face, then looked up at the waiting audience. Speaking in a tone as clear as crystal.
"People of Berritte. I stand before you on this day to tell you of what I have seen. I have seen men and women turn on their neighbours. Mothers and fathers chasing away their children. Brothers and sisters fighting each other for a pointless cause... That cause is 'difference'. They look at the differences between themselves and others, be it nationality, race, or simply that of opinion. They see these differences and fear them... Then they begin to hate that fear, and direct it at the one who's differences they have seen... This war is just like that. The human nation of Tethe'alla is fighting those of Sylvarant and Balacruft simply because they are different. All the while those of the other six other races are caught in the middle, persecuted because they will not take part in this prejudiced act of violence... or were simply cast into the path of the fighting."
She stood up straight and held her shoulders back.
"I am a half-elf... and my brother and I were thrown out of the elven village where we was born and raised... because humans started a war... and the elves decided they wanted no one with human blood to dwell in their homes... We were driven away by our own elven mother, abandoned by our human father... But I do not hate them. They reacted out of fear of differences. The fear that my brother and I were not like them. I forgive them for that... for I do not look at people that way... When I look at a peson, I look at what is the same... People need to do that, look at what is the same. All people bleed if they are injured, all people feel pain when they are rejected... Humans, Elves, Half-elves, Dwarfs, Protozoans, Summon Spirits and Alurannai... All are victims in this war... victims of the weakness of peoples' hearts... that they cannot accept those that are different. I speak to you today to ask you this... Will you look at others and see that which is the same? Will you find the strength in your hearts to accept those that are different? Will you place your faith in the power of unity... and once again live in harmony... All races... together..."
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Alaia Skyhawk: Man that speech took a while to write. I hope you liked it... Really, I do. Anyway, hope to update in a couple of days, so don't worry I won't keep you in the dark for long. Pleeease tell me what you thought of this.
