Disclaimer: I do not own FY or any of the Characters…Except my own characters…

CHAPTER10:

Friction and Affection….

Impossible. IMPOSSIBLE! They couldn't have changed me so much. This isn't me. I stared

down at the reflection of the woman in the water. She was fair and beautiful; she had beautiful coal black but shiny straight hair that now hung over her shoulders. Her face was symmetric and very refined and delicate. A woman of true beauty. Seeing this I could think only of one girl. But this one in front of me wasn't her.

'I don't believe it Hwesta.'

'But Silme why?' I stayed silent for a while. The voices in my head spoke to me.
'They tell me that this is my true form. With the appearance of the true nature will come new beginnings and new opportunities and with that new thoughts.'

'So my beloved streak. This is how you originally were supposed to look.' She smiled at me. 'Not that battle worn warrior I have known all my life although I must admit Silme. As a child you were really very beautiful. I regret to say that your thirst for battle and mortal combat changed you, but you are here now.'

'I do not believe this is happening to me Hwesta.'
'My dear you will be the queen from now meaning that you have to change.' She was serious as the matter was. 'And my queen I will protect you for life.' She bowed low before me. I didn't like it. This was the person I grew up with, seeing her fall at my feet made me feel like I was doing unjust things to her.

'Hwesta. Please promise me one thing though.' She looked up. 'Please promise me that though you will change yourself to the official guard, you will still stay my Hwesta. I cannot survive without you being the same.'

She nodded. 'With pleasure my lady. At your command.'
'I have so many new things to show you Hwesta. So many skills I am yet to master and so many powers I have now.' WE started to the village.

She wanted me to remain her best friend. Not many queens had time for anything but the clan. With Silme's rule I felt things would be different. But I had a horrible sense of foreboding that though we were sure to be glorified by the sixth streak's arrival, things wouldn't be as smooth for that very streak.

Getting back up the cliff she leapt into the trees faster than I had ever seen her.
'What are you waiting for you slow cat? Get here I have to talk to Anaria.'
I snapped to my senses and got back up there in a leap myself
'Mind sharing a little power with me so I could be as fast you stupid cat.' We ran through the forest, jumping easily between the branches.

'I won't have to Hwesta. You will have your own powers soon.' With that she ran ahead so fast that I would have been stranded had I not known the way back to the village.

Mid way though I saw her staring some way off into the trees in the other direction. I came to a halt by her side panting hard. I couldn't keep up with her; only on nearing her did I see the rage in her eyes. She was glaring at the tree and if she kept at it that poor tree was about to be splintered I knew for sure.

With another pounce she took off in the direction before I could actually catch my breath.

'Silme! Wait for me!' I took off after her struggling for breath. When I got closer I was shocked beyond my senses to see her jump off a thirty-foot high tree. She was sure to break her head with a wrong landing.

But I didn't hear a crash. I knew her form was perfect when I went to the branch she had jumped off, I saw her glaring at two guys who were holding a small blonde girl of about 12. By the looks of her scattered goods and her disheveled clothes, I knew they had been manhandling her.

From this height I couldn't hear exactly what they said but it made her growl and crouch like a cat about to attack. They thrust the little girl aside and turned their attention to Silme entirely. It wasn't Silme that I was worried about as I got down to the lower branches to get to the girl. I wasn't about to kill myself with stunts like hers, for I knew I had not the power she possessed. The girl, I knew I needed to get her to safety. But I stopped stunned seeing Silme pounce on the guys.

One of them was hurtled into the tree behind him with just a blow. The other one went crashing behind him making them split the small tree in two.

No one I had ever seen, not even my own mother as far as I knew had powers like this. Maybe I had not seen her at work, I but didn't think she possessed strength of this magnitude. Not to make unconscious with a blow.

It is because all four of them give her their power. I tried to convince myself. This seemed the only rational explanation.
The girl, she was cowering behind the bushes, shaking terribly.
'It's ok little one. They won't hurt you.' I tried to comfort her, but because of her experience so far, she merely stared up at me with frightened and wide blue eyes, which reminded me terribly of Silme's, right then. Then she suddenly started to smile seeing something behind me.

I turned to find Silme smiling at her from behind. Those eyes, I knew they worked magic. They were almost sparkling. Silme knelt down beside me. At that I thought I was in a dream for never in my life had I ever-heard Silme talk so kindly to little children. They always irritated her, but now…

'Are you hurt dear?' she asked with that kindness. 'Are you ok?'
She nodded quickly and held her hand out to Silme, who smiled and took it with out hesitation.

'You are very strong.' The girl stood up with Silme's help.
Silme merely smiled. 'Where do you live?'
'I know not way from here, but I live in faith creak.'
'WE will be taking you there, have no worries dear one.' Silme turned and stared ahead.

This surprised me. It was really very important that we took the information of the arrival of the new streak to the clan, but… this was the duty of the streak, to protect whosoever was in danger.
'Yes my queen. But. We must be take the news of-'

'Time will come. This is important. I will not differ.' She took the hand of the girl and walked ahead.
'Your grace. Yes.' I followed her.
The girl was staring up at Silme in awe. 'You have a name little one?'
'Quesse.' This made Silme stop abruptly. She stared at the ground for a second and then went on.
'That is a very beautiful name dear.'

'My mother told me that once a warrior from the Shirozen clan saved her grand mother's life and that of my grandfather when they were under attack from the Crelin.'

'Shirozen dear?'
'Yes, they are warriors my mother tells me. They are so strong no one could face their strength. They are the protectors of this area and all of us. They protect everyone without expecting anything in return. They are so valiant! I want to be like them when I grow up. Strong and powerful. But…'

'But what?'
'No one actually knows where they live. Their existence is known, but their location has been kept a secret for generations together. But it is rumored that they live too deep in the forest for anyone to reach.'

'I see.'
'What's your name?'
'Silme.'
'That is so beautiful. What does it mean?'
'It means starlight.'

'That is very suitable for you Silme. Your eyes sparkle like stars.'
'Do you know the meaning of your name or anything about the warrior you speak of?'
'I think it means feather. But my mother says she gives me the name because her mother was saved from certain death. That is why my mother is still alive. And that is why I am here.'

'Your grand mother? Then why have you been name Quesse and not your mother?'
'My grand father wouldn't allow it. But my mother insisted on calling me so. I am blessed with this name.' We stopped.
'Silme. Do you think I will ever be able to see a Shirozen warrior in my life?' Silme knelt down in front of her.

'My dear. You have.'
'Are you Shirozen?' Quesse blinked totally shocked.
Silme nodded. 'Tell me Silme, do you know Quesse?'
'My little one. She is long gone, but I know of her. For she was my mother.' The little girl's eyes started to water.

'Thank you. I owe you my life! I am in debt to you forever.'
'Hush now.' Silme held her close. 'Those aren't the words to be heard from a young one as you. It was my duty. Quesse. Be strong and take care of yourself. That is all I ask of you. Remember you have no one to answer to when it comes to decisions in your life. Be strong for you will be a great woman. Blessed be.' With that Silme was on her feet. She nodded to me and jumped to the trees.

'Thank you.' The little girl called out after us.

I watched the two Shirozen warriors leave. As was their nature, they took to the trees with a leap. Whatever be the case, they were certainly skilled. On that I have to agree.

Things were going as planned. What had been said about the streaks were true. I felt them. But I knew even if I were under disguise, they would feel me. She knew me not, Silme, but the others did. New she was and that was what I think mislead her to think of me as I appeared. But so beautiful.

Time is of essence. That sibilant voice would never let me be.
I changed by the pond and peered down into the water. White blonde hair, stunning blue eyes. I knew I was as good as the beautiful warrior.

As I splashed the cool water on my face I relaxed.
'Silme.' I stared down into my blue eyes. 'I have repaid the debt. Now I will have you for all that I am worth. That time will come soon dear child.'

We hurried through the trees. I was sure they had become aware that Hwesta and I were absent on duty. That was sure to have an effective raging session with the queen. But things were to be so. Now all that I needed to do was get there and things would be tacit.

My appearance will be sure to imply the changes that were to come.
Hwesta was struggling with the run. I knew I let my new strength get to my head. But it was very pleasing to be moving with the wind. But it was not possible to stray to hot headed thoughts. I knew I was constantly under the scrupulous gaze of the most powerful warriors I had ever heard off. But what I saw on arriving at the village was shocking.

Hwesta stood behind me just as shocked.
I leapt down. I had to stop this.

My appearance on the combat site had no effect whatsoever.
The tall brunette swung her sword, throwing the slightly swarthy auburn Trinity back.

Trinity crashed to the ground and her own sword flew out of her hand. She sat there watching the brunette with raging eyes, as the other one neared her to finish her off.

I couldn't let this be. I blocked her and the sword slit my palm when she swung it down.
'Silme!' she bellowed. 'Get out of the way!'
'Harma stop it!' I insisted, but she glared at me.
'Stop me not Silme. This is no business of yours. She is a sinner and she must be punished!'

'Sinner she be. You are not the one to punish. This is my clan too and I have the right to protect the members of my sorority.' Her sword was still cutting deeper into my palm.

'Mortal combat will not prove anything and it will not serve us well to reveal the truth. Put away your sword or else. I will be forced to confiscate it.'

Harma glared down at Trinity with burning brown eyes.
'Do you wish to hurt me further calm one?' Harma looked up at me suddenly and realized that her sword was still bleeding me. Her eyes moved to the blood trickling down her blade.

'Silme forgive me.' she pulled the sword off exposing the wound to the sting of the air on it. Hwesta landed beside me and grabbed my hand at once. She pulled out a silk white cloth and swathed my bleeding palm. But I looked down at Trinity. Now she sat there with a bowed head.

'What be her sin then Harma?' I did not remove my gaze from her sad eyes. They were dripping with guilt.
'Death! Death is the penalty.' She glared at Trinity still.
'I told you. You are not the one to decide. What be the sin? Answer me Harma.'
'Harma. You be one calm thinker in the clan. Why is it that you act so?' Hwesta was just as bewildered.

'Sinner. She has sinned the worst sin of all. She has fallen in love.'
We spun around to look at Trinity. She sat there in silence.
'But that is not possible. She has been in the village all the waking hours I know of.' Hwesta nodded in utter disbelief.

'Tis not the waking hours she betrayed us in. it is on duty. While away from the village. This has been on going, for a year I learned. I saw the rascal with my own eyes.' Harma growled in Trinity's direction.

'What have you to say for yourself young' un?' I turned to her.
She knelt before me now with a hung head. 'I am guilty of the sin and I am ready for anything you wish unto me. But I am not ashamed that I have sinned so.'

'The gall you have to be so impertinent!' Harma charged at Trinity yet again. But I intervened.
'Explain yourself warrior.' I knew the matter was of seriousness.

'I am not ashamed. The person that I love like my life loves me as his life and will do anything for me just as I will for him. He has given me the joy that is realizing how to feel. The warmth of love fills my heart and soothes me to think that I am wanted for life. That is a feeling that cannot be explained unless felt. I am sorry to say that none will find out in this clan, for tis a sin.'

'And you know the punishment for the sin. There is nothing more to be said. Combat is futile with the conduct to be maintained.' WE heard a voice from behind us.

All of us gathered there turned to her hand immediately got to our knees, before our queen, Anaria.
'Your grace.' I spoke up. 'We can-'

'Be silent. You speak of the kindness in your heart for the girl. You know the sin leads to dire consequences. She must expiate her sin.'
'Your grace yes.' Trinity nodded in resignation.
'But my lady. She is young and the punishment is too fatal for a young-'

'Harma! Did that thought cross her mind when she sinned? Did it occur to her that she is breaking a rule or that she was betraying her own clan? This is her own doing and she must pay for it herself.'

'But your grace. This punishment you speak of is too dire for her to handle and it could lead to death and-'
'Silme! In the history of our glorious clan!' she growled. 'There have been but three such sinners and each one has paid the same price. Be it queen, priestess or warrior! If she really is a strong Shirozen she will survive.'
'But your grace Bangdir will-'
'Be done by you Harma.'

She looked up horrified. 'But your grace! She is my blood and she has but recovered from illness and I can't do this-'
'Were you not the one who claimed this sin was punishable by death then? Were you speaking untruth? You speak of her as your blood? Are we not your kindred then?'

'Your majesty that is not what I was implying to-'
'I wish to hear no more.' Anaria cut silenced her. 'Silme. You will proceed with the Bangdir.'
'But my queen I cannot!'

'You feel likewise Silme? I thought better of you. Being the heir to the throne, you must eschew emotions. You must rightfully do this. I will have no other words of protest fall on my ears. The ritual will go as needed by the first rays of the white moon. Prepare for it.' She turned to the royal guards. 'Take the sinner away. Prepare her. That will be all. Now disperse.'

I knelt there completely devoid of words to express my grief.
'Silme. Walk with me.' Anaria barked a command at me and walked off.
I followed. I walked behind the oldest member of our clan in this lifetime. She was a gray-hared woman, more than a century old, nearing her second, the longest the Shirozen have survived naturally.

She showed no signs of weakness. She walked tall with pride. Her strength was her brain.
Her skills were as good as the best trained Shirozen could acquire and her discipline was unquestionable. Perfect discipline was to be maintained at all times. Or repent. She was being the perfect Shirozen queen filling in till the real crown was to be held by the heir.

'Your grace you wanted to speak to me of some thing?' I dared to speak up finally.
'Be free Silme. I wish to talk to you not as your ersatz queen.'

'Mother.'

'Silme. You bleed.' She stopped and turned to me. 'My dear one. You could have stopped this by other ways.' She held my bandaged hand. 'Does it hurt you my dear Silme?'

'It does mother. But that is not the matter of the minute. I need to speak to you of various issues.'
'Since when have you begun taking responsibilities my young one?' she stroked my cheek.

'Let us walk. That way you can tell me of the changes you have undergone my dear. Tell, how is it that you have attained such envious beauty?'

'Mother, it is to do with the divine.' I unwound the cloth and held out my injured palm.
'It is so.' I closed it knowing that once I opened it, the surprise would shake Anaria.

It was as I expected. Seeing no blood or wound when I opened my palm, Anaria gasped.
'Powers of such magnitude can be possessed by the divine alone.' She knelt before me instantly.

'Mother!'

'Tell me o blessed one. What streak are thou?' she bowed low.
'You are still like my mother Anaria. Please rise and hear unto me.'
'I am to serve you my queen. However old I be.'

'Ancient one. Rise.' I knelt before her. ' I have obtained the sight for the future. This be my true nature. I am the blue. I am the streak and I am the sixth. With the coming of the last, the prophecy will be complete. This will explain my change. This will explain why I need to learn from you to be a true queen. The teachings of my mother and Vala. Please, bless me with their knowledge.'

'Your grace. I am Shirozen first. I must pay my respect. I beg to differ, but I cannot be free. Of your mother's rule I can say little, I was still a child then, but I know of it a little. The inside rule of Vala is in my knowledge.'

'Good then, I will follow their conduct wisely. Tell me dear one. What my duties are. What I need to do and how I should be. But be aware Anaria. They watch from within me.'

'Yes your grace.'

The sin. The sin had daubed our glory yet again. The young one having disgraced our conduct must repent. It cannot be compromised. This is something I wished I didn't have to rule about. But I had no choice as the ersatz ruler of the Shirozen, Anaria, I have no other option. The Shirozen must abstain from any emotions and sentimentality of sorts. It was to be followed without compromise and my conduct makes me. I had no choice.

With the arrival of Silme in the scene of battle I had been watching from afar, I felt the presence of the divine I have not felt for long. My beloved queen, Vala. She was there and I could sense her presence. It came with the cherub.

Vala had always told unto me that the role Silme was to play in the future of the clan, was of much importance and she told unto me that with the arrival of the divine from the beyond I would know the time.

This was the time and this I knew for sure.

She had changed completely. In appearance and quality alike. Blue eyes drilled me for the truth. They were unbearably blue and sparklingly bright. The quality of the streaks. The most beautiful of them so far as I have heard were those of Anna with violent violet eyes and Vilya's indigo. But my opinion changed seeing the brutally blue eyes of my Silme.

I understood why she had changed to a sylph instead of the rugged built warrior I had watched grow up. She was more feminine because with more symmetry came speed and agility. The power to be more perfect at anything. As was the rule with nature. Symmetry.

I knew she had become symmetric for a reason. But I couldn't imagine what it was. All I knew was that only the divine had the powers to do such deeds and she must have been in contact with the divine.

The verdict declared; I had my chance to talk to her. My dear one was bleeding. I knew I was to refrain from emotions, but that did not mean ignoring wounds on anyone belonging to the clan.

But she proved the presence of that very divine I worshipped.
The wound had been instantly healed.
'Powers of such magnitude can be possessed by the divine alone.' I felt my knees give in automatically.

'Mother!'

The dear child. She still called me so. We may have shunned her as irresponsible, but she was the one everyone ever turned to for help, as she was so ready to do it selflessly all the time. As far as my knowledge of this goes, she was the fondest in the clan.

Now, that very quality was taken to another level. The ultimate reason for the creation of the streak legend was that they protect and help all in need. And she was still the little one I saw grow up in my company. But now, this streak still called me her mother. There was nothing more that would give me so much honor and pride.

'Tell me o blessed one. What streak are thou?' I bowed low.
'You are still like my mother Anaria. Please rise and hear unto me.'
'I am to serve you my queen. However old I be.'

'Ancient one. Rise.' she knelt before me. ' I have obtained the sight for the future. This be my true nature. I am the blue. I am the streak and I am the sixth. With the coming of the last the prophecy will be complete. This will explain my change. This will explain why I need to learn from you to be a true queen. The teachings of my mother and Vala. Please, bless me with their knowledge.'

What I had thought before was indeed wrong. This gave me pride that I have never felt before. This very streak wanted me to teach the rule of the streaks before her. But in that respect my being called mother would be utter disrespect on my part for making a divine bow to me.

'Your grace. I am Shirozen first. I must pay my respect. I beg to differ, but I cannot be free. Of your mother's rule I can say little, I was still away from here then, but I know of it a little. The inside rule of Vala is in my knowledge.' This I knew was true for I grew up in admiration of that beloved, beautiful streak. She was precious and I could not be more wrong if I were to think that Silme would be less precious. Vala's rule, the shortest yet, had been one of rule and conduct. But she had always managed to keep happiness and peace around. It is from her that I remember learning my principles.

Vala herself had been a child in the care of the yellow streak who had by far the longest rule, long before Vala was even born. But she had been brought up to be the right hand of that yellow streak and she took control perfectly on the demise of our queen.

Vala was the paragon for the clan. Only she had been able to abstain from emotions most successfully except for one mistake. This would be good in today's world. This what I would give unto Silme. My gift.

'Good then, I will follow their conduct wisely. Tell me dear one. What my duties are. What I need to do and how I should be. But be aware Anaria. They watch from within me.'

'Yes your grace.' The divine. I knew my augury didn't fail me this time. They were there. They were watching from within her and this, was her true form as was for all the divine to transform on realizing power.

Tonight was the night of that realization for this streak. And it would be my honor to hand over the throne.

Anaria had called on Silme and I knew as I waited that the truth of her appearance was to be revealed to Anaria that night. I had to keep close. I had to keep close all the time to make sure of my streak's safety. I knew if I made sure to maintain a distance it would be perfect. I somehow felt that Silme knew of my presence as they talked. I was just as awed by her ability to heal. I knew then that this was one of the qualities she said she had wanted to show me. Though I was awed, there was a sense of foreboding again. Somehow I felt that this would prove more fatal to her than the wounds that would be inflicted on her in times to come.

Tonight I knew was the time for Silme's glory to start. Tonight I knew would be her crowning moment. Tonight I felt, she would be in a new light and I knew for certain that with the crowning my duties would begin officially. Things were tacit.

The air around though was filled with anger, remorse and sadness because of the upcoming ritual. Every true-blooded Shirozen was sure to be infuriated by the sin in the clan. But a true Shirozen would also feel remorse, for a sister was to under go one of the most barbaric rituals in the clan that only three generations had ever the misfortune to witness.

None knew the true effect of Bangdir though we had been told, but we were to prepare.

I wasn't so sure what would happen. If the sisterhood would rejoice the crowning of the next streak or if they would empathize with the Bangdir victim.

'Hwesta. You may show yourself.' Hearing Silme's voice I snapped to attention. Walking out of the cover of my tree, I saw Silme stare in my direction, the direction she felt my presence in.

'Your grace.' Her eyes were drilling into me as I bowed lightly. I couldn't get myself to look her in those brutally blue eyes for I knew she would see right away my sadness about the night to come.

I watched her turn to Anaria. 'She be the protector to the streak. She has been chosen by the streaks themselves and she will be treated with just as much respect as I am to be given.'

'Yes my lady.' Anaria acceded every word Silme uttered.

This could not be. I knew that if this alone were to be practiced, I would be inapposite. I wouldn't be just one among the clan as I have always wished to be, I would be treated with a difference. It was in that instant that I understood the changes in Silme. Being one within the threads of the clan, she was one with everyone and being suddenly elevated to such a status was sure to have its toll on her. Yet she had become so talented as to concealing emotions.

'Your grace please, let things be as they are. I implore you.'

'You will do as you are told Hwesta. Silence.' There was yet more change in this warrior. I reckon that reality was setting in and at last she was beginning to accept the responsibility and had started to behave like a real streak. I could not utter a word more in protest. Her word was my command. That was final.

'Hwesta. Prepare for the evening. Prepare yourself. I wish you to inform the others in the look out as well of the night's events. The night will be protected on it's own. There will be no need for posting. They will all be present this night. Make sure.'

'Yes your grace. At once.' I walked back the way I came without turning my back to her and left. I left wondering how really the night was about to play out. Was it planned? Would there be tragedy or will there be a miracle?

One for the record…
Well…what comes next I like… read on to the next to find outmore….and kindly review…