Chapter 13
The arrival of Somalia had been more than a simple shock to everyone at the inn, and many of them were still wary of her despite the apparent show of good faith. For those who distrusted her, the main reason was simply that she was related to Zinran, who was the whole cause of the past few weeks. Guin on the other hand was surprisingly the first to show any signs of trust, along with Gordon and Rinda.
Guin woke up early the next day. Somalia really had healed the majority of his wounds, the remaining ones being far more manageable than before. Seeing no need to stay in bed he was quick to get up. As usual Rinda was in the room, sound asleep on the chair. The other chair also had an occupant, but she was awake. "It is good to see you are doing better," Somalia said as she looked over at Guin. The warrior retrieved another chair from the edge of the room before sitting down across from her, "I thank you for that… It would have been a while before I felt like this otherwise." His response caused a small – almost unnoticeable – smile to cross her lips, but it never reached her eyes. Guin was once again reminded of how so very different she was from her half-brother. There was a history of some kind, but he wasn't sure if he should even ask.
"There is something on your mind isn't there, Guin?" Somalia was watching him with serious yet worried eyes. "It is probably best if I don't ask," Guin replied. What Somalia said next surprised him, and gave Rinda reason to pretend to still be asleep, "So that is it. You're wondering about me and Zinran… There's no harm in asking. You of all people have the most right to know since I have requested your aid in defeating him." A sad sigh escaped her lips as she shifted to a more comfortable position. Her eyes seemed to be clouding over with countless memories. "I was a small child when my mother became with child, and it was not a happy occurrence. Unlike humans our kind can occasionally interact with the gods of these lands, and that includes the dark ones as well as the good. The one known as Doal came to our lands with a single goal in mind, to create a creature that would bring suffering to this world. His mission faltered slightly when he saw my mother. What he felt was desire, not love, and he attacked our home in order to obtain her. My father was killed trying to fend him off, and by the end of the night he had done what he wished. Doal didn't return after that night, and Zinran was born several months later, killing my mother in the process." Somalia's face had slowly become devoid of emotion as she spoke, an action that Guin recognized first hand. She swallowed before continuing, "Despite everything I held no ill will towards my younger brother, and even promised my mother on her death bed that I would try to raise him as a good person. By the gods I tried… but his supposed innocence at birth disappeared more and more with each passing year. Even when he began using humans as practice dummies for battle I stayed strong, trying to dissuade him from the path he was taking. I realized that there was no hope for him the day he slaughtered a small village. We fought, and he tried to kill me… but he can't. Just as I cannot kill him, and it is not because of any emotions we have. In our kind a blood relation physically prevents us from being able to kill family… And because of that I couldn't stop him. He disappeared, and I couldn't find him until recently… thanks to young Koga successfully weakening him enough for the barrier to disappear."
Guin was silent, and Rinda had given up her ruse of sleep to come closer and listen more intently. Somalia seemed to hold no ill will towards her, instead standing up to head outside. Her silvery white hair being the last thing visible before she disappeared through the doorway.
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Author's note:
Sorry for the shortness, but I've been really busy with classes lately. Hopefully this will tide you all over till I can post a bigger chapter. We are getting really close to the end now. Hope it comes out well.