The nobleman
Nausea. That was the only feeling I could make out of my dead body. It brought me out of oblivion and forced me to focus on my surroundings. Erverything was dark and red and it took me a while before realizing I was lying on bed near a fire. The hut were I was didn't seem too big and was lit only by a few candles and the fireplace. It all seemed dirty and greasy but I putted these thoughts aside. They only increased my nausea.
"Look mommy! She's awake!"
The shrilly voice belonged to a little girl not older than six. She jumped around me, making big gestures with her arms to bring her mother closer. The woman walked to the bed and placed her hand on my forehead.
"It seems your fever is down." she said nicely.
I liked the sound of her voice. It was full and rich and so warm. It hit me how much I seeked warmth all of a sudden. My feet were cold and I wrapped the blanket more tightly around me. The woman smiled and brought me a bowl filled with an odorant mixture.
"Take this."
Hungrily, I drank the whole preparation and sighed in relief when I felt my stomach finally settle down. I smiled and the woman left me to take care of her little girl. I watched them play and go about their business. Their hapiness brought back sad memories from my own family and I almost cried again. I forced the tears back and lifted my chin. I wouldn't cry anymore. I wouldn't let myself crumble and die of despair. I had to live, if not for the past then for the future. Here I was, on an unknown world with my father's sword as only link to Earth and the fact that I still lived proved to me that I had to continue. Whatever destiny had in store for me, I would face it the best way I could. Slowly, I reassembled the pieces of my shattered armour and placed them back together, shielding once more my heart and soul from the rest of the world. When I placed once more my eyes upon the laughing little girl, I felt only hapiness for them and the tears never came back.
The mother noticed my stare and came back towards me. She seemed a bit worried, like any mother should be but also, I could read a touch of fear in her eyes. She was frightened of me...
"Are you alright?"
I nodded. Yes, she was afraid, it was terribly clear. I could sense it by the way she twisted the fabric of her skirt and mostly, by the eyes she placed upon me. She was asking herself what she would do with me. What would happen next?
"Then please, take this and come with me."
She gave me an old, ragged cape and stepped outside. Intrigued, I slipped the cloth over my head and followed her. It was still night and the cold was surprizing. The woman in front of me walked hastily to a big house made of bricks and stone and knocked on the door. A few instants later, a small ray of light filtered trough and the woman spoke with someone I couldn't make out. Finally, the door fully opened and I was invited to step inside. My guide didn't though and I was left alone, in the middle of questionning eyes.
The circle of men was quite impressive but nothing could compare to the stare of their leader. It pierced trough me like arrows of fire and I couldn't supress a gasp. It was impossible for me to look straight at him, his emotions were too well concealed and protected by this incredible aura. This was the first time ever I couldn't stand a stare and read it. I felt vulnerable suddenly but quickly picked my composure as other men started to talk.
"Who are you?"
"Were do you come from?"
"Why do you have this sword?"
"Did you kill all of those wolves? Alone?"
"Silence!"
They had all spoken at the same time and I remained still as the questions fused from everywere. The leader had made an imperious gesture of the hand and I felt his aura stretch around the room, silencing the men. I felt fear in my heart. It was simple for me to answer to all of the others. I could sense what they were feeling in their eyes and could answer consequently but the leader, never. I was defenseless against him.
"Yes, let's start from the top. Who are you?"
I almost smiled. This was the dumbest question but it was expectable. What good would it do to them to know my name?
"Fay, Fay Kanzaki"
Plain me. It was so simple. On the other hand, it triggered an unexpected reaction in the tall man in front of me.
"Kanzaki? As in Lady Hitomi Kanzaki?"
What? How could my mother be known here? I missed that part of her story and bit my lip in regret when the instinctive reflex of asking her as soon as I came home swept over me. Shewas gone. I had to stop thinking about this. Then a thing struck me. The man had said Lady. He had poured tons of respect and admiration in this single word and even more when he pronounced my mother's name. Perhaps I could take advantage of this. I nodded gravely and forced my eyes to his. It was painful, his stare piercing my mind but I held it anyways.
"Yes. She was my sister."
This was completly fake. I made it up as I went out of fright for my real identity. I didn't know the difference between telling them I was her sister instead of her daughter but it let me play spy for a few moments and I decided to keep it like that. The man scrachted his chin and looked at me soflty. This time, I could see in his eyes without mentally screaming in pain and smiled back. Respect washed over him and the rest of the assembly went silent.
"Then it would explain the presence of this sword by your side."
He picked my weapon from the floor beside him and pulled it halfway out from its scabbard. The symbol of my father glistened and the leader placed it back in its sheat.
"Very well. In this case, we must escort you to Lord Rylan."
He handed me back the sword and I took it silently. I didn't know who was this "Lord Rylan" but I didn't really have a choice. I had embarked myself in some wild journey and had only these people to guide me. Might as well go with them...
"Tomorrow, as soon as the sun will be up, we shall escort you to the capital."
With a whirl of his cape, the man turned around, ending the interview. The woman that had escorted me to the building then came back inside and took me back to her place.
As I sat at the small kitchen table, siping a light cup of tea, the woman walked around, picking up things here and there and replacing them somewere else. All of her posture told me she was intruigued now. The fear had disapeared from her eyes to be replaced by a deep sense of respect and admiration. What could've my mother done here that made such a mark on these people?
"Hum... excuse me..." I asked tentatively.
"Yes?"
"Who was the man I talked with earlier?"
The woman lifted an eyebrow but smiled. She went to the fireplace and put a few more branches in it.
"He is Gordon. The chief of this village and messenger to the court."
"Messenger to the court?"
She nodded and sat in front of me.
"Yes. Since we live far from the city, emissaries have to be sent regularly to give news of the villages and crops. Gordon has the honor to be among these emissaries."
"Is he a nobleman?"
The eyes of the woman filled with sadness and pity. Something awfull must've happenned to that man for the deepness of her feelings was striking. It reached down to my heart and I felt my soul cry for him.
"No... Gordon has lost his titles because of..."
She stopped. I wanted to know what was next but her gaze turned to the wall. I felt her close the way to her feelings and the reluctance she emitted told me I souldn't pursue the matter further.
"You... You should sleep now. It is far to the city. Your journey will be long."
"Please, what is your name?" I asked soflty.
"Lahin..."
"Then good night, Lahin..."
When it was all dark and silent, I turned in my bed to gaze at
the last coils in the fire. Lahin was still sitting on her stool
and I could swear I heard her cry...
Notes: I know the last few chapters really sucked... well, I've got author's block and tons of paperwork for school! I'll try my best for the rest! The main plot is gonna start in the next chapter (finally!) so go on and read it! (once its posted.. n_n!