Another month, another chapter. Hopefully it wont take as long as next time. Also I have a poll up on my page. I just want to know who the favorite original character is. So just take a few seconds to take that, that would be great.
Read, enjoy, and review.
Chapter 23
I always dreaded going out into the field. Oh I was skilled enough, my teachers told me that enough it could swell anyone's head if they weren't grounded, I just wasn't ready to kill someone. Taking a life was wrong in the eyes of the goddess. Even knowing that, I still pulled the arrow that ended my first target's life.
The deed was done so quickly. I wasn't even near my target so I didn't have to see the life leave him. Had a master not been with me I surly would have been caught. I wasn't the same after that. Unlike the other assassins who looked their targets in the eye and had their blood run down their hands I almost couldn't handle it. I would wake up from horrible dreams and the blood, oh the blood on my hands, it just wouldn't go away. No matter how many times I washed my hands I could still see the blood.
It drove me mad, almost to the point losing my mind. I was such a wreck that I broke down in front of Father Abner and Sister Keyah. I needed repentance for the life I took. Seeing my despair Father Abner told me that they had established themselves so there was no reason for me to stay within the order especially if it was causing me this much distress. He released me from my torment.
So the next day I was on my way to resign from the assassin order. But for some reason I couldn't bring myself to go inside the keep. I felt conflicted for some reason. I stood in front of the gate for a long time until finally another assassin bumped into me and said I was in the way. So I sat on the ground by the gate still trying to decide what I should do.
"I heard a rumor that you're quitting the order," a familiar voice said from the spot next to me.
I was so startled that I actually cried out and fell to my side. To my slight relief and annoyance it was Ghost who was sitting right next to me. I sat back up when I said, "It wouldn't kill you to say 'hi' first." How long has he been sitting there? I wondered. I had at first though his name was a strange one but during the last few years of my training I realized how accurate a name it was for him.
"Hi. So is it true?" The heron asked again. He was also always about business. Vary rarely did Ghost let his wings lose and act like a normal person.
"Yeah," I told him and l looked up at the orange sky. I hadn't realized that I had been here all day trying to work up the nerve to quit. "You were wrong Ghost. I'm not cut out to be an assassin."
"Rarely am I ever wrong Kyle, but just for the sake of argument why do think you're not an assassin? You were able to eliminate your target when others couldn't."
"I'm not a murderer Ghost!" I exclaimed.
Ghost was surprised by my sudden outburst. In a calm voice the heron asked me, "Then why haven't you resigned yet?"
That's what I'm trying to figure out. "At first I only agreed to become an assassin so we could live here so I stayed thinking if I quite we'd be kicked out. But Father Abner and the others have settled themselves here so there was no need for me to be one anymore. Even though he gave me his blessing to quite I'm still confused about all of this," I explained to Ghost.
"What are you still confused about?" He asked.
My chin rested on my knees as I stared at the dirt. "Killing is wrong; I still firmly believe that…"
"But…"
"But…my target, the man I killed, he was possibly the vilest person I've ever met."
"Would you say he deserved to die?"
"It was that thinking that caused me to pull back the arrow," I said shaking my head. I sat up against the wall and brought both of my hands as I was physically weighting the odds. "I know the people in that village are better off without him there anymore…but I'm only human myself and so I have no right to give out judgment to others. I just don't know what to think of all of this."
Ghost let out a heavy sigh, "This is why most assassins give up on religion. Kyle, you're making this more complicated than it needs to be. We're not some common cut-throats who go around murdering whoever just for a pretty gold coin. Even I wouldn't be comfortable doing that."
"Why are you so against religion?" I asked him. Out of all the people in Lynn Ghost was probably the one who was most adamant when it came to the gods. He wasn't the type who rebuked you for a person's beliefs nor would he call them foolish for it. Ghost just refused to listen to any of it. If I wanted Ghost out of the room all I had to do was start talking about the goddess and Ghost would be out of there faster than a cat laguz.
"It's not that I'm against it," he started and suddenly Ghost's hand curled up into a ball, "I just refuse to believe that there's some higher power up there that just allows things like slavery and sickness to existed in the world. I once watched a fellow slave get whipped to death just for being in at the wrong place at the wrong time. A lot of good people die daily while horrible people like the one you killed live a life of luxury. If they are as powerful as everyone says then why do they allow the world to be like this?" If Ghost was anything he was a passionate about his ideas and beliefs. Even if we agree to disagree I can't help but admire that quality in him.
I shook my head at the heron. "Do you really think they just allow things to happen?" I asked causing him to give me a puzzled look. "I too wonder why the world is the way it is, but then I remember that this is just a small part in a much larger plan."
"I'm not sure I follow."
"Look at it this way: if you hadn't been a slave then you would have never come to Lynn and if you never came to Lynn you would have perished in Serenes. It was all part of a bigger plan."
Ghost was quite for a moment and I couldn't tell what the heron was thinking. "I've never really thought of it like that." He muttered. "But the exact same thing can be said to you."
"What?" I watched the heron get up and dust off the dirt on his white cloths.
There was a smug grin on his face when he said, "Why do you think you so happen to have shot me down four years ago?"
I had played right into Ghost's trap. "Are you saying the goddess meant for me to become an assassin?"
"Now you know better than that. But if there is just a small chance there is a divine being up there watching us then the plan they have for use certainly isn't something us mortals can comprehend. The reason why most of us put the hood on and are willing to dirty our hands is to keep those closes to us safe. So tell me Kyle, why do you pick up a bow?"
"I do it for the other kids in the orphanage, they're like my real brothers and sisters, and I also do it for Father Abner and the others," I answered. I became an assassin so the others wouldn't have to. Of course some of the other kids thought it was cool that I was one and so they wanted to become an assassin when they grew older. I didn't want to think about what could happen to one them because I couldn't protect them.
Ghost seemed satisfied with my answer. "If you want to still quite then that's your choice. Just remember you not just killing someone; you're protecting your comrades, your friends, and your family. Plus feeling a little guilty over the blood on your hands is a good thing. It'll keep you from liking it."
He walked away leaving me to decide my fate. I stood up and looked up at the keep behind the wall…and vary slowly I began to back away.
Every time I pulled the arrow back I still see the blood on my hands. But I am determined to not let that change me. I am still a servant of the gods and I will do whatever it takes to keep those closes to me safe.
/~/~/
Kyle opened his eyes after recalling that memory. He relaxed his grip on his bow slightly remembering his reason for being here. Every time he was on a mission and was about to kill someone he just had to think of his reason and that gave him strength to release the arrow.
Right now Kyle and Ralik along with the two mercenary archers were out in the thick forest hunting down the scout that may or may not be on to them. Nyoka stressed how important it was that they succeed. Of course it they didn't have to kill the scout. As long they prevent the scout from reaching the knights it didn't matter. Honestly it was probably better to capture this person alive so they can have Hroc interrogate them for information.
The four of them were filing behind Ralik who was leading them to where he smelled the scout. Suddenly Ralik stopped and began growling. Kyle pulled up on the reins to stop the horse. "We're here," he announced quietly to the two archers behind him. Kyle quickly jumped off and tied the reins on a low branch. "Let's spread out, but stay within sight of one another." That way if one person missed then another will be able to catch the scout.
The two archers got down from their mounts and Kyle nervously watched the older one. His arm hasn't been out of a sling for more than a day and already he was out in the field. Kyle heard about how Natsu almost ripped it off a week ago. Though healing staffs seem to have worked he had doubts about how his arm would be able to hold the pressure of the bow.
With this concern Kyle walked over to him. "Are you sure you're up to this friend?" He asked the older archer as he was tying up his horse.
The archer, he believed his name was Shinon, looked pissed that he would even ask that. "Of course I am! But that's none of your business," he spat and just shoved past Kyle. The archer kept on walking and was grumbling.
Kyle narrowed his eyes at him but was focused on his previous broken arm that was now holding his bow. Ever since he met him the archer had been doing nothing but boast about his skill and for the most part Kyle believed it especially since the kid archer seemed to look up at him. It didn't matter if they were an expert or not, after an injury there has to be some kind of rehabilitation. He had his doubts about him.
The little green haired kid seemed pretty good, from what Kyle heard it was because of him that Anna was captured, so he wasn't too worried about him. Between him, Kyle, and Ralik their chances were still good at catching this scout. Kyle would just have to keep a close to that Shinon so he doesn't mess this up.
I will keep everyone safe, Kyle said to himself and followed after the rest of the group through the thick brush. I'll do whatever it takes. Even if it cost me my soul or turns it completely black, I'll do whatever it take. And no one can blame me for doing that.
/~/~/
It was their second rest during the march and Mist stepped into the back of the wagon with the satchel Leila gave her. She did think it was a strange request that Leila asked but Mist was trying to do whatever it took to get back on her good side even though she was pretty sure she did nothing to get off it. But Mist agreed to do it and about that time it was time to march again; but Leila seemed slightly more relaxed than she had been lately.
Mia was sitting on a box sharpening her sword in her lap and at the very end sat Satu. He looked to be meditating or concentrating on something. The boy was sitting with crossed legs, eyes closed, and was even siting up straight which had to be hard considering he had chains wrapped all around him.
Mist took a few steps to him. "Mist?" Mia questioned. But Mist didn't say anything to her but the myrmidon stood up and raised her sword toward Satu.
When Mist was right in front of him he finally opened his eyes. "What do you want?" He asked.
"I want nothing from you, Leila only wanted me to give you something," Mist explained.
A small scoff came out of him and he finally slouched. Closing his eyes, the boy said, "Why would she want to give anything to me, I almost killed her. Or did that stupid girl forget that already?"
Mist frowned at him for that. "That's why I'm here and not her." Honestly she was surprised Leila didn't try and sneak in the wagon and give her gift to him herself. Mist also wasn't sure why Leila was giving him anything in the first place. She opened the satchel and pulled out a dark orange sash. Very gently she placed it front of him it like it was made out of glass. "Here."
She waited to see his reaction because she still wasn't sure why Leila was giving him a sash. After she had told her to give him the sash she had asked her why all she said was, "He'll need it when we get to Lynn."
Very slowly Satu turned his head to look and his eyes just went wide. He remained so still that not even the chains made a sound. Something about the sash had a hold on him. Without warning Satu fell forward onto the sash and began sobbing uncontrollably. Mist wasn't sure what to do about this and even looked to Mia for help but the myrmidon looked as startled as she did.
"S-Satu…what's wrong?" Mist asked, unsure if she should get someone else. Then again he was crying so loud it would be hard for someone not to come running.
A few more sobs came out before Satu lifted his head. His face was streaked with liquids from his eyes and nose. It really made him look like a child, something Mist had been overlooking considering all he's done. "Damn her…how dare she do this to me?" Satu choked out.
"Who, Leila?" Mia speculated, still keeping her sword pointed at him.
Satu looked down at the sash that was now damp with his tears. "Back in Lynn…we wear sashes for mourning," he explained while trying to swallow the grief that was in his throat. But to no avail big thick tears ran down his already soaked cheeks. "This one…symbolizes the loss…of a sibling." It all came back to him and he started crying openly but less violent.
Natsu. It was still hard for her imagine that the silver lion and this kid were brothers. Obviously by his fierce grief he's displaying they had been closed. However it was difficult for to imagine Natsu being a loving brother after he almost killed hers. She didn't want to think about what would happen if she lost Ike. Other than the rest of the mercenaries he was all she had left of her family.
"You must really miss him," Mist said to him to which he nodded. He was their prisoner but there was no need to let the boy cry on. She still didn't quite understand the whole sash thing, but it couldn't be all that different then the medallion she kept as a keepsake of her mother. Though she knew what it really was and that it was better off with Reyson and his sister she still missed it. "Maybe you should put it on so that way your brother will know you're thinking about him."
The crying had stopped but there was still a shutter in his voice. He looked at the sash like it was a snake ready to bit him. "But if I wear it…then my brother is really dead," Satu sadly admitted. "Before, I could just pretend he's just missing or something since…I didn't see him die."
"I'm sorry Satu…but he is really gone. I'm sure he was glade you weren't there to see it," Mist consoled him. She had been trying to forget about his death. It had been so horribly violent but what disturbed her most was that she didn't even know what killed him. If Satu had witnessed that there was no telling what sort of mental state he'd be in. That also caused Mist to wonder what would have happened if she had been there with Ike when their farther had been murdered.
"You saw him die, right? Could you tell me if he died with a smile on his face?" Satu asked.
Mist remembered trying not to look at his body and had spent much time dragging Leila away from his body. She was pretty sure she would remember if there was a smile on his face but couldn't bring herself to tell Satu. "I'm not sure."
"I see," was all he said. His eyes seemed to turn darker as her turned his head away from the two women. "For a long time…my brother wished he was dead. I can't count how many times I'd come home and find him trying to hang himself or fall over his own sword. I use to be so scared I'd come home to find he succeeded in killing himself. But I quickly began feeling anger toward him. I could never understand what he was going through and that made me hate him for a spell…Never told him I felt that way and I've always been guilty for it. Now I never will."
She didn't know Natsu or Satu well enough to offer any real console. So why did she feel the need to help him? "Older brothers always seem to know when something's wrong. I'm sure your brother knew how angry you were at him and I also believe he knew that you still loved him. We're only human so it's only natural that we get angry at someone, especially if it's a loved one." She almost felt sorry for him. He just lost his brother and once they reach Lynn he'll be out on trial about betraying the grandmaster. Satu won't even defend himself. He was either accepting he was guilty or he was hiding something.
Satu still wouldn't look at her but Mist could tell that he heard her but couldn't tell if it helped him or not. It was about time to move on again so she began to back out of the wagon but stopped when Satu spoke up. "Could I ask for a favor?" He asked sounding hoarse.
"What is it?" Mist questioned him.
His face turned a little red. "Could you…could you tie the sash around me?" He sounded ashamed for asking but quickly added, "I'd do it myself but..." he moved purposely making the chains rattle.
After their conversation they just had she couldn't very well deny him the chance to mourn for his brother. "Sure." Mist knelt in front of him and picked up the wet sash. She wrapped it over him and the chains since it would take too much time slide the sash underneath them. When it came time to tie it Mist wondered if there was a certain way to do it. But Satu gave no comment and so she just tied like she normally did.
The sash, now wet with a grieving brother's tears, was loose and didn't look to be the same way Leila tied hers. He said nothing about it only, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Mist stood up and started to walk out after she heard her brother shouting it was time to move again.
"He really is just a kid," Mia commented.
Yeah, a kid facing adult problems.
/~/~/
The forest was silent as Shinon hunted for the scout. He was up in a tree as he scanned the area and listened for any sounds that didn't belong. There was an occasional rustle in the brush and every time he looked it was only Rolf a few yards away. With his light green hair that blend in perfectly with the foliage he should be able to sneak around well. His footing was just all wrong for this. He'd shoot him a glare and the kid would be more careful where he stepped for about ten minutes and then they would have to start this whole process over again. He was about to give up.
Honestly Shinon wasn't sure why he was out here in the first place. He sure as hell wasn't doing it to help out these people who lived and worked with sub-humans. To him it was all unnatural. But being enemies with an order of assassins also didn't sound too good, that was the reason he agreed to come and stop these knight. Now Ike's telling them that they're no longer going after just a few knights, they going against army!
If they let this scout return to the main group then that's bad news to them. Shinon did not intend to die in fight, especially if they may or may not be getting paid. That's why he agreed to go and that caused Rolf to volunteer. He also saw that the assassin archer was heading the hunt. In the back of Shinon's mind he also wanted to see which one of them was the better archer.
Speaking of him, Shinon couldn't even see him or that other sub-human. It was them who said they should stay within sight of each other and here they were the ones hiding. He wondered if they were even still with them or if they just left them in the middle of the woods just so they could get the scouts. The assassins already didn't like working with them so it wouldn't surprise if they just ditched them.
Shinon was about to climb down the tree to scope out another when he spotted something out of the corner of his eye. He was about to pass it off as Rolf but he didn't see the familiar green hair. There was a figure some kilometers away on foot. It didn't look like that assassin and it definitely wasn't the sub-human. Whoever it was it didn't look like one of their own. Best bet, it was the scout.
He reached back and grabbed one of his arrows from his quiver. Shinon held the arrow in place on the string as he lined up his target. The air was still so it made judging where to aim simpler. All the trees and brush would make the shot difficult but Shinon had made kill shots in similar circumstances. If there was a small chance he was wrong and this wasn't the scout they were looking for Shinon would aim at a non-vital point. They were told by the older assassin to do whatever necessary to prevent the scout from reporting to his group but capturing him alive was favorable.
With his target in sight Shinon went to pull the arrow back. But as the string was almost to his cheek the pain in his arm caused his arm to just go numb and he released the arrow prematurely. His arm just went limp like he had just re-broken it and it caused him to lose his balance on the thin branch. The archer tumbled off and fell a few feet to the ground. He landed on his already injured arm and had the air knocked out of him.
Someone started to run, it was a distant but he figured it was the one who he just tried to shot. Shinon pushed himself up with his good arm and saw just in time the figure running. Suddenly he was out sight but their came a growl from a breast followed by a man's scream. He kept crying out and Shinon could have sworn he heard him say something about sub-human.
There came another pair of feet running only this time it was toward him. "Shinon! Are you alright?" It was Rolf and Shinon could see the young archer bounding toward him not being the least bit careful. Shinon was slightly disappointed with Rolf for checking on him instead of going after that guy. But considering that he did just fall out of a tree he was going to let the matter rest. For now anyway.
At about that time Rolf reached him the yelling from the scout had died down. Shinon tested his arm but it was with great difficult just to move it over his stomach. "Damn it," he mumbled under his breath. The fall must have busted something. It didn't feel like it was broken again so that much was a relief. "I'm fine. Did someone else get that guy?" He asked.
"Yes, no thanks to you," a voice that wasn't Rolfs. Both of the archers turned and saw the assassin approaching them with one less arrow in his quiver. He normally seemed passive and calmed but right now he looked angry, something Shinon didn't think this priest had him.
Shinon just shrugged which actually hurt his arm doing. But the assassin's tone really irritated him. "I may not have been the one who got him but I did spot him and even caused him to run toward you lot."
This angered the assassin furthered as he gritted his teeth to keep from saying something. But it didn't work. "You arrogant son of a-" The assassin stopped and quickly walked closer to them. He then grabbed Shinon's elbow and moved it in a way that made him cry out. "See, you were hurt. And because of you that scout almost got away if I hadn't reacted in time."
Still holding on to his arm Shinon just glared at the assassin. "Oh please, that was probably just luck that caused-"
"You don't get it do you!" The assassin yelled suddenly and grabbed Shinon's collar. "Everybody I care about, all of my friends and family, live in Lynn and by the time we get there they might be dead if we don't stop these damn knights. So I don't care about your stupid pride or any of that crap. All I care about is keeping my home safe."
A small laugh actually came out of Shinon's mouth. "You really think I care about any of this? All I am is a so-called lowly mercenary or so you assassins like to say. I just think it's funny that you say you don't care about pride when you obviously think you're better than use."
He struck a nerve because the archer was caught off guard. But the archer's grip tightened on Shinon's collar and his anger quickly returned. "That has nothing to do with the situation," he claimed. Shinon was halfway expecting him to punch him and he was even bracing himself for one but it never came.
He had no idea why this guy decided to be an assassin since he sure didn't act like one. Being a hypocritical priest seemed more like him. "Doesn't it?" Shinon shot back at him. "If my pride is getting in then imagine what yours is doing." Not matter what he said the assassin wouldn't do anything, Shinon was sure of that.
"Come on you two, stop this," Rolf cried out. "We're on the same side so there's no need to fight each other." But the two archers just kept glaring at each other.
"The kid's right," a voice that belonged to the sub-human. From behind the archer Shinon could see the wolf approaching and he was holding on to the scout by his arm that was behind his back.
The scout was dressed like a common sellsword wearing light but simple leather armor. In his left shoulder there was an arrow that must have belonged to the assassin's. The scout's face was pale and there was a lot of blood running down his front which shouldn't happen naturally from an arrow. Shinon figured the sub-human must have purposely moved the arrow to inflict more damage; of course there could be a chance that he was a free bleeder but that seemed unlikely.
The scout was protesting weakly and the wolf just shoved the scout to the ground and grabbed the other assassin's shoulder. "Kyle, weren't you the one who told me we needed to keep a cool head or we're going to screw everything up?"
There was a tense moment between the three of them but finally Kyle let go of Shinon's collar and quickly turned his back against them. In a harsh turn Kyle said, "If you do anything else that could possibly prevent us from saving Lynn again I'll not hesitate to put an arrow in your back." The archer quickly walked back to where they left the horses.
The sub-human pulled the scout to his feet and led him in the same direction but not before narrowing his eyes at Shinon. The red headed archer watched as the two assassins walk away. He wasn't taking assassin's threat seriously but the sub-human probably wouldn't hesitate to attack him and rip his arm off again like that other sub-human did..
"Shinon?" Rolf interrupted Shinon's thoughts. Rolf's face was full of worry for him.
He shook his head and started to follow the assassins. "Come on Rolf," he said. Like I give a damn about any of this, Shinon thought bitterly.
/~/~/
The sun was beating down on Anna as she was going through her daily unarmed training regimen on a straw dummy. Even during her years when she was Leila's caretaker she kept up this exercise. There was even a brief moment when Leila would join her but she soon stopped because she hadn't like to wake up early. Anna had almost forgot about doing it since she had been busy helping Hroc. She respected the older assassin but she was sure it was time for him to retire. He was getting too old to do things on his own. He could hardly move things off a shelf.
After a quick side kick to where the dummy's rib cage would be she swiped her hand across the neck and she was surprised to see the head roll back. Anna hadn't realized she was using that much force. She called it quits on her training and picked up the head.
As she was placing the head back on the stake a voice said, "What did that dummy ever do to you?" She knew it was Ranulf but she was still startled and dropped the head.
How long has he been watching? Anna wondered feeling her face grow hotter. She knew there were some people who watched her when she trained but at least they didn't make their presence known! Anna quickly regained her usual composed herself before she turned around to face the cat laguz. "It was asking too many questions. "
"I guess that means you know I was going to ask you how you're feeling," Ranulf admitted.
If only I had a coin each time someone asked me that. Sure, she was sweating and was slightly flushed from training but she actually felt great. She was slightly tired but her body felt light. "I'm fine, I told you I'm not pushing myself." As long as I'm not in my other form I should be fine. So far she has avoided telling him about her sickness and she would like to keep it like that.
"Can't blame me for asking," he said as he walked closer to the dummy she had just decapitated and picked up the head. He seemed to be admiring it a bit before he sat it back on the dummy's shoulders. "I know I'm about to ask you another question, but could you teach how to fight weaponless?"
"Why would you want to know?" Anna asked surprise a laguz that wasn't from Lynn would want to know how to fight when they're not in their other form. Even most of the laguz in Lynn didn't want to learn how to fight hand to hand. Ralik was almost as good as Anna but in the beginning of their training the black wolf was dead set against fighting in any other way than his wolf form, he wouldn't even keep a hidden blade. Being a laguz himself, the grandmaster wouldn't force anyone to fight in a way they weren't comfortable as but he strongly encouraged them to learn as much as they could. It was only when an enemy of theirs developed a sort of gas that rendered a laguz from transforming that the laguz assassins started training to fight a different way.
Lynn would later use this gas to make bombs in order to help them on missions when they were up against laguz. Anna had used such a thing during Queen Elincia's ceremony knowing that strong laguz representing their country would be there and she wasn't confident she could take on the knights and laguz. Ann had expected the bird tribe kings to be there but she was relieved when she snuck in to the castle not to see or smell any birds.
Ranulf scratched the back of his head. "Well laguz are pretty vulnerable when were not shifted. And as you know we can't stay shifted for very long. I just thought it might be useful to know," he explained.
It seemed like a reasonable request. Of course she couldn't reveal any of Lynn's secrets. "You know I won't be able to teach you everything I know."
"I just want to know the basics, I don't really want to make this into a whole new fighting style," Ranulf said what a typical laguz would say about learning hand to hand fighting.
Anna didn't see the harm in teaching him some self-defense. It may even keep him from being cut down by someone when he's waiting to transform again. A very small smile crossed Anna's mouth as she walked closer to him and placed one of her hands on the center of his chest. With just the slightest force she shoved him and he fell to the ground. But Ranulf caught himself and landed on all fours like a cat. As he looked up at her baffled she said, "Your stance is all wrong. You need to keep your feet in line with your shoulders and your legs need to be bent so you can easily move around."
"Sort of like our beast form only with two legs instead of four," Ranulf clarified as he stood back up and followed her instruction.
"I suppose you can look at it like that." That was probably why she didn't have any difficulty learning how to fight since she didn't have any pervious way of fighting as a wolf. It had taken some time before Ralik could learn to fight on two legs and he had awful balance. She wondered if Ranulf would be the same way. Then again he was a cat and they were supposedly to be very graceful.
She was just about to check to see if Ranulf's stance was better when her ears picked up the sound of wings, a lot of wings. Ranulf heard it to and looked up to find the source. In the direction of Lynn, flying away from it, were several flocks of birds. What has caused so many of them to fly away, she wondered. What were these birds running away from?
"This is most curious," Hroc announced. Both Anna and Ranulf turned to see the old crow himself standing behind them. Even in his old age he was still as silent as Ghost. He was dressed in black robes and his face and hands were covered in wrinkles. He still had his hair that he tied back but it turned gray long ago.
"Can you uh…understand what they're saying?" Ranulf asked.
Hroc narrowed his eyes at the cat. "Oh you're still here," he said. "No I can't understand them because I'm too far away. My hearing isn't what it used to be. Of course if you want to give me your beast ears I might be able-"
"No thanks!" Ranulf quickly stated and even covered his own ears with his hands. Hroc actually looked disappointed that he said no.
Anna had no doubt that Hroc would have at least tried to do something like that. It was probably a good thing Ranulf wasn't sleeping in the house otherwise Hroc might decide he wanted to try and take his ears while he sleeps. Then again he may even decide to go out into the barn and do it anyway. I should probably stay in the barn tonight in case he does try something like that. "Should I go see what's going on?" Anna asked directing her attention back on the fleeing birds.
The old crow tapped his chin to think. "I wouldn't," he told her. "Whatever's scaring my little friends up there is pretty far away. It'd take too long to see what it is and come back and tell me. No, I think I'll just send a message to the watch towers to investigate. One is in that general direction anyway." Hroc explained. He then began to make his very slow progress back to the house to send the message.
"I know that guy is part of your order but he seriously worries me," Ranulf said in a low voice probably incase Hroc was lying about his hearing and get on even worse terms with him.
She didn't really respond she just kept watching the birds in the sky. She felt the hair on her neck raise up. Something bad is happening. I just know it.
/~/~/
Reyson was on his second day of captivity and he wasn't sure if he could last much longer. The heron has yet to see an opportunity to escape but if his captures even suspected that he was plotting an escape they would cut him with a laguz blade. He has been cut exactly seventeen times. They had yet to stab the blade in him like they did the first time and he was hoping it didn't happen again. It had only been about an hour since he did something to deserve another cut on his arm but Reyson could still feel the burning. Even if these knights decided to let him go Reyson wouldn't have the strength to get very far.
His white clothes were anything but. They were smeared with dirt and blood. There were many tears from the cuts he's received. It was a never ending process it seemed. They'd cut him, clean the poison out, bind the wound, and then do it all over again. Trebor thought he had a lot of inner strength but Reyson was nearing his breaking point.
Thankfully Dnarbis had taken half the knights to take out some watch towers or something. He overheard them this morning and has yet to see Dnarbis. That one was paranoid and if Reyson so much as looked at him wrong he'd either use the dagger or even turn violent or start kicking him. Reyson had a couple of ribs that were now broken. At least Trebor wasn't as impulsive as Dnarbis.
Now, Reyson was alone in the back of a covered wagon laying on the wood trying not to black out again. The knights had temporarily stopped so for the moment everything was still. All he could do was hear a dull roar of the rest of the knights around the wagon. It was at moments like these that Reyson would overhear what was going on. That's how he found out that Dnarbis had left and that they were headed to a place called Lynn. Reyson was aware that it was the village that young girl named Leila was from. He tried to listen in and figure out why they were going there or for that matter why they needed Reyson to begin with. But at this point Reyson didn't even have the strength to pay attention.
Suddenly there was shouting nearby that caught Reyson's ear. It was loud so Reyson didn't have to focus on what was being said. "Captain! We've found one a 'em assassins. What should we do with him?" Someone shouted.
After a short pause Trebor answered, "He's not much of an assassin…Just throw him in the back of a wagon. If he lives we can use him as a hostage when we reach Lynn, from what I've heard the grandmaster is a bit of a pushover when it comes to his own."
Footsteps were coming closer to the wagon Reyson was in. The flap was pulled open but all Reyson could see was a body being thrown in. He waited for his new fellow captive to get up or say something but there was nothing.
Curious as to whom this new person is, Reyson pushed himself up regardless if his body didn't want to. His feet were shackled so he couldn't run and there were bindings across his chest to keep his wings down. Thankfully his hands were free so he could feed himself when he was given food (if it can be called that). It took some time but Reyson finally got to his feet.
He hadn't taken but two unsteady steps toward the new captive when the wagon jolted forward causing Reyson to fall forward on his already broken ribs. He let out a groan of pain and soon realized that they were on the move again. All this bumping around was going to be painful especially if he was lying flat on the wagon. It was the same struggle to try and sit back up but when he finally did he had a good look at who it was he was sharing the wagon with.
The reason this person hadn't said anything was because he was unconscious. He was wearing a white tunic similar to what those assassins back at Crimea Castle and was also wearing a white cape. His hood was down to reveal dark blond hair. The man's hands where bound with rope and there was a large gash on his left shoulder.
There was something else that caught his eye. Around this man were…feathers. Black and white feathers. The white ones probably came from Reyson when he fell but this caused Reyson to move closer and left up the man's cap. As he suspected, underneath the cape where a pair of black wings. But then he noticed that the right wing was bent unnaturally. But it was bent enough to reveal some white feathers underneath.
Upon seeing this Reyson fell back wards dropping the cape back over him. How can this be? Reyson wondered. Here in front of him was another heron. Reyson kept staring at this man wondering if he truly was one of his kinsmen. It was like he was looking at a ghost from the past.
For the longest time he and his father were believed to have been the only ones who survived the massacre. Then he found his younger sister and thought he had been lucky to have found her. But now right in front of him was another one. Oh the herons weren't lost yet!
But before Reyson could be happy about finding one of his kinsmen he remembered what Trebor had said. "If he lives." They weren't going to waste their resources on him because he wasn't important. However Reyson couldn't let that that happen. He refused to let another heron die in front of him, one of his people. The only question was how he was going to do that. He wasn't sure what was wrong with him.
The gash in his shoulder seemed the likely cause. Reyson looked around to see if there was anything he could use to tie up the gash but the wagon was completely empty save them. He looked down at his lap and saw how the bottom of his tunic was torn. An idea pooped into his head and he quickly ripped a piece off. He then started to tie the ripped piece of cloth around his shoulder but it proved more difficult to do since he could only move his arms so much. Reyson would have to try and tie it as tight as he could so the heron wouldn't lose any more blood.
The effects of the laguz blade could still be felt and the vibrations of the cart caused much pain in his ribcage but Reyson was going to do whatever it takes to save this heron.
/~/~/
Random Z-skit Fire Emblem style number 10!
Geoffrey: Excuse me miss, could I ask you a question?
Rhona: Who? You talking to me?
Geoffrey: Well yes. Why would you think I was talking to someone else?
Rhona: I'm just not use to being called 'miss'.
Geoffrey: What are you normally called?
Rhona: Oh you know the standard, woman, hey you, bitch, and the occasionally being called by my name.
Geoffrey: That's not very proper to address a lady.
Rhona: Well aren't you sweet for thinking of me as a lady. Certainly not very often I'm called that even though the male assassins like to get a little to touchy.
Geoffrey: Don't your grandmasters have laws to protect his female assassins?
Rhona: Well of course he does but you're still going to have people who do whatever the hell they want. But of course I don't need to tell you that.
Geoffrey: What do you mean?
Rhona: Come one, there are woman in the knights too. Don't tell me there hasn't been a time when you've been inappropriate with one or two of them.
Geoffrey becoming very embarrassed: I-I would never! I hold much rank in the knights so I must maintain a professional relationship with everyone.
Rhona: Then why are you blushing?
Geoffrey:…
Rhona: I rest my case. You might not have acted on them but you've at least thought about it. Tell me I'm wrong.
Geoffrey: I…Oh forget it, I'll just ask someone else.
Rhona: I suppose that's one way to avoid a question.
/~/~/
Back then I was a good liar. Of course now I couldn't tell a lie, mainly because I won't remember it later.
"Strange, I contacted the watch tower a couple of hours ago and I've yet to hear back from them."
"Can we drop the formalities considering the situation we're in? I'm Ghost by the way."