Author's Note:
This fanfic is set in the distant past, Tortall. Some content belongs to Tamora Pierce, and other content I have taken liberties with. If you are concerned with what belongs to me and what belongs to Tamora Pierce, please email me at cyclepinsetter@yahoo.com
TWO
One
year later
He was a soldier now, a war hero. By doing what he had to
do survive the people of his clan now heralded his name. He
even looked like a soldier, his brown hair had grown long over
the course of the past year, and the somber look that usually
blanketed his face had transformed into a mask of hostility. He looked out across the snow-covered land one more time and
turned away from the overlook.
There was a figure standing behind him. It was Ellisyn. She had cut her long red hair and was holding her father's
helmet. Her blue eyes were direct, as was the tone of her
voice.
I knew you'd be here Yorrie.
You came to say good-bye? He asked.
No. I'm coming with you. Yoric knew
her too well. She had already made up her mind. There
was nothing he could say to persuade her. Father died
last spring. I have no place here anymore. She
never had fit in with the others. She had an affinity for
making unbelievable things happen. Some in the village
called her a witch. Fire appeared where there was no flint,
and wounds healed faster than normal. These traits were
inherited from her mother, and Ellie never learned how to use
them properly, so sometimes an occasional accident occurred.
Just don't get yourself killed Ellie. You have
your father's supplies? Tent and— he looked
closer
She nodded.
Come
on then.
Yoric shivered as he urged his horse down the mountaintop. Soon
he would be out to battle once again. Once again his life
would be endangered. Once again he would wish himself far away
from the bloodshed and return to his body when the battle had run
its course. What coward he was.
He rode into the village as Ethan called
his name. Yoric looked up expectedly.
Prepare your things Cos. We ride at first light.
I never unpacked Cousin. He said patiently.
And Ethan rode off to other regions of
the village.
This village was no longer his home. He could not live in a
place where he was known as a war hero. He perceived
himself as no more than a glorified murderer.
The next morning he bid farewell to his mother and left the
village with the other warriors.
* * *
Yoric hastily closed his Journal and shoved it under a pile of
camping supplies as the flap of his tent opened. He looked
up from his seated position crossly. It was Ellie.
Yorrie, Clan Trebond is attacking. She said
coldly.
Yoric threw on his leather jerkin and grabbed his sword and
shield, pushing past her. Trebond was one of the larger
tribes, so this would be a tough battle. Breathe. He told himself. He mounted his horse charged toward the
nearest group of Trebond soldiers.
He closed his eyes for a brief second, and he retreated into the
back of his mind. The crashing of swords and the cries of
death were silenced. His body moved on its own accord as he
blocked a blow from a tall rider. He quickly finished the
rider off and moved on to the next soldier. Yoric fought
five more soldiers in this same manner before pausing to wipe
sweat from his brow. His hand came back red. That
wasn't sweat.
But Yoric didn't have time to determine if the blood came
from himself, or one of his poor opponents. Out of the
corner of his eye he saw a rider charging towards him.
He whirled around to meet the rider's sword in a jarring
motion that knocked him from his horse. The horse
bolted above him and ran. Yoric struggled to flee, but he
was trapped. He felt cold steel penetrate his shoulder. He fought to keep upright, but his head spun. Finally, he
collapsed on the bloody ground.
Yoric.
What? What more do you want from me?
Yoric.
You said that already. What do you want?
We are all proud of you Yoric. To put the Clan's
wishes above your own.
Why? Because I died valiantly? Because the
bards will sing praises of me for—
You may choose to live.
Choose?! And if I don't.
You may join me.
Who are youfather?
Yes, I am
I don't want to fail you fatherI
want to live.
I know.
Father, I don't want to fight anymore.
You don't have to—Mithros has a quest for you
A quest?
Go to the northeastern Grimhold Mountains.
But where in the mountains? What am I looking
for?
You will know Yoric
But—
You
will know. Now you need a link from this world to your own. Someone with extraordinary abilities.
I know not of such a person.
Are you sure?
Noyes, I know someone.
Of course you do.
His vision returned to him slowly, and he blinked his
blurry eyes a few times. He was a tent. Ellie was
there. As she turned around a look of shock came over her
gaunt face.
He mumbled.
The healers practically gave up hope. I didn't
think you were gonna live.
Well, I have, haven't I? Did we lose?
She sighed. Ethan gave the order to retreat just
after you fell. We lost most of our supplies and half of
our men. We have nothing.
Oh. My journal? Is it gone?
No, I went back later and recovered it. She
handed him the leather-bound book.
you didn't read it—
No Yorrie. But—
I was going to keep it. I really didn't think
you'd make it.
Oh. Well I'm here. He said awkwardly.
There was a pause, and then Ellie spoke.
I'm glad. And she was gone.
Yoric stepped shakily out of the tent into the cool air. Ethan
was talking to another soldier when Yoric approached.
What's our next move Cos?
Ethan turned around. You're
alive? You were dead. He stuttered.
One can not come back from the dead Cousin. I'm
fine. Just a little sore.
The camp healers surrounded him, bewildered.
It must have been that girl, the one we left you with. We must find her.
What about Ellie? What did she do? Yoric
asked.
The searched the camp, but Ellie and her belongings were nowhere to be found.