Breath of Fire is copyright Capcom, as is Mina.
Ok, hurrah, it is chapter 2 time for people who even read this. o_o This will eventually lead up to one of the saddest events in Breath of Fire 2.
Chapter II - Tainted Feathers
The biruburu fell quite easliy, Trianna thought to herself, withdrawing her blade from the beast's side and sheathed the quenched sword into a scabbard that hung from her belt. The massive, horned boar-like creature's hardened flesh was far too rough and scratched up to be of consequence; hardly anything good enough to be used as a pelt, but she knelt down to examine it anyway. It was worthless, as she expected and stood up to kick it aside. Mina shivered at the sight of the disemboweled corpse and looked away, shielding her eyes with both gloved hands. Ginmae shook her head in silence as she looked between Trianna and the princess, each whom seem equally disgusted, just at two different things. Wordlessly, the violet-haired woman gestured them forward, through the grassy plains and around the large, still lake that laid out before them. In the distance, the wooden bridge leading to the majesty castle of Wyndia could be seen. Though, with each step, it became further, and further away. There were no conversations, no words, or eventful meetings that caused much of a damper upon their journey. The only thing of relevance that occured was a stray biruburu who messed with the wrong woman. Trianna was one not to be reckoned with, the carcass would serve as a reminder to anyone who passed it by. Ginmae had been watching the princess attentively since they left the castle an hour ago, it was pretty boring, but she knew this had to be done, knew that Mina needed to be protected. At least Suzy was active, trotting about the ground, shoving that wet snout into the ground, snorting and squealing at almost imaginary feats that no one except the little piglet could see. If anyone knew Suzy best besides the princess, it was herself, Ginmae. She knew that Suzy loved to take walks, even if it was inside the castle, sometimes she'd have the little pig run around in the dungeon... Well, of course with her watchful eye, that is. One could get lost if they didn't know their way around the dark corridors. That was one thing Ginmae knew best, during her training to become a guard, they used to let loose some of the knaves and watch them wander around aimlessly for hours! It wasn't funny to her at the time, but now.... now that she thought about it; it was funny. The guard found herself laughing.
"What's so funny, Ginmae?" Trianna asked from up ahead, not even bothering to turn and acknowledge it.
Ginmae shook her head, trying to stifle her laughter with a goofy looking smirk, "Nothing, ma'am, I was just thinking..."
Mina smiled to herself, ease-dropping on the conversation. She was curious, what exactly was Ginmae thinking of? The princess glanced over her shoulder, "What were you thinking of, Lady Ginmae?" Her words seemed drowned out by the passing breeze, ruffling the feathers of her folded white wings, and the strands of her deep, cerulean hair. However, the guard heard her just fine and just laughed once again.
She shook her head with a smile, "Nothing, it's too embarrassing to even mention." Ginmae continued to chuckle to herself as they walked beyond the mist covered lake, seemingly oblivious to the surroundings. Well, Ginmae was, at least...
"It feels good to be outside." Mina finally said, kneeling down to scoop up the tuckered out Suzy, whom happily nuzzles against her breast. The little piglet snorts happily, then drifts off to sleep. Mina smiles down at her in the way a mother would smile upon her sleeping infant.
"You must not get out alot, huh?" Ginmae says, stretching her arms over her head and nearly trips over a stone embedded into the green earth in the process. Those white wings of hers spanned out, catching upon the loose wind and hovering her form in mid-air. It had stopped her from falling flat on her face, how embarrassing would that be? Falling in front of the princess, that would surely bring shame upon her very name. Ginmae resumes study footing upon the ground and folds her wings, rubbing the back of her head nervously. Hopefully no one saw her do that.
A light, silver-coated laugh reached her ears. "You are so clumsy, Ginmae." Trianna said from up ahead. That was a surprise, was she watching the entire time? Of course, Trianna always kept a close eye on her troops, especially Ginmae... she was terribly unbalanced, but she had promise... that's what she saw in her. A loyal, fight-to-the-end, type of girl. Though, Trianna would never admit that to anyone.
"What? Oh... I do not understand, but... No, Lady Ginmae, I do not get outside alot." The princess was confused by Trianna's amusement, she had not seen the little accident Ginmae had had. It was of little importance to her now, but she would be left wondering what was so funny... Mina was a very curious person, after all.
After that small piece of conversation, emptiness filled the air, save for the echo of bird-song and the splashing of water from the lake aside them. The silence stretched through a period of around thirty minutes, by now, the churning fog upon the lake's surface was well out of view. The entourage had come to the steep cliffs of the Tag vicinity, known notoriously for the attacks bandits made on travelers, and the herd of higher gongheads that migrated through here. Ginmae swallowed a lump of dry air and began to glance uneasily beside her every few minutes as they came to the edge of the cliff. Looking down, the view below seemed small from their height; little blotches of assorted greens, browns and yellows seemed painted on the ground. Upon the horizon, loomed the seemingly unending ocean that enclosed all around the high raised land. Just beside the cliff, was a beaten, forged path leading down against the wall of the structured earth. It was the only way down, and it was exceedingly dangerous. Trianna paused before the beaten path, turning to face Ginmae and Mina with a feignly serious look.
"We go down from here, though be very careful... We may get ambushed, we may not." The tall, female Wyndian began, spinning upon her heels and descending down the path. "Come, princess." Mina nodded and hesitantly followed her lead.
"Whoa! Wait! Ambushed by what?!" Ginmae yelled as she began to spread her wings and leap off into flight. The swooshing of her apparent dive toward her companions carried out on the wind, arousing a herd of bloated, golden colored creatures with gigantic beaks that hovered just above on a natural cliff shelf.. "And why don't we just fly down?" She called out, her wide spread white wings gliding her along side Mina.
"I don't want to risk being ambushed in mid-air. Think, Ginmae... " Trianna began, "If the princess were struck down in mid-flight.. the impact from the fall would kill her. It would kill us if we befell the same fate." The breeze tunneled through the small group, whipping their hair to the wind, drowning out their ability to hear depths. Oblivious to the swarming fleet of gongheads above them, Trianna continued to lead them down as Ginmae fought against the wind to place herself back on the path and fold her wings. Silently, the pack of creatures trailed them as far as their ledge would allow them, but they reached the point where there was no more footing. So, they hurled their bodies down onto the path the Wyndians wandered, landing with a loud thud before them. Trianna jumped back, unfolding her wings as she reached a hand down for her sword handle. Ginmae simply shrieked in unison with a screaming Mina and stepped back in surprise.
"Back away, Princess!" Trianna yelled, diving down upon one of the large, orange, spiky creatures that resembled floating puff-balls. The edge of the blade easily sliced through the hide of the gonghead, following through to the backside of the beast. A warm spray of hot, sticky blood splatters against the ground as the Wyndian captain quickly moves onto her next target. Through her course of actions, she glanced over her shoulder, calling out to Ginmae. "Come, Ginmae! Draw your sword!"
Ginmae swiftly reached a hand down to her sword handle, drawing it with a loud hiss. One of the gongheads charged her, ramming the rigid and exceedingly sharp beak into her side. The soft, yet durable material worn caused the guard to feel only a mild discomfort, though the razor sharp tip had pierced through to her skin, pricking her like a needle. The bird immediatly wheeled around and thrust her blade into the large creature's forehead, sinking the length of light metal into the gonghead's skull easily. The cry of defeat was cut short, the monster was soon rendered into a heap of decay as Ginmae swung her sword, sliding the corpse off and sending it plummeting toward the ground far below. Ginmae beamed proudly, having defeated her first monster ever, considering she was a mere castle guard, she never actually slayed anything.
"Lady Ginmae, look out behind you!" Mina cried, embracing the small, fleshy pig closer to her chest as she backed far away from the carnage, warning the guard of an incoming gonghead ready to dive upon her. Suzy squealed in surprise as the creature lunged forth at Ginmae, the piglet struggling fiercely within Mina's grasp.
"Huh?" Ginmae peered over her shoulder, her eyes widening at the sight of the spiky creature ramming into her face. The Wyndian went tumbling backwards, swearing in tongues as she flailed her arms around wildly like the fool she was. She couldn't fall over, especially near the edge of the path, which would ultimately send her falling toward the ground. However, in her panic, it never occurred to her that she should just fall, and that her wings would catch her. Such simplicity was hard for Ginmae to obtain. Instead, she managed to plant her feet down firmly and hang her head, bringing both her hands over her face as the guard shook her head in pain.
Trianna, in the meantime, made quick work of the many gongheads that flew at her. Her blade was quenched, easily slicing through their bodies with ease, like a hot knife through butter. She did not seem to mind, no… she did not seem to notice the blood that had been strewn admist her. As if she were oblivious, or rather, made complete by the shedding of the crimson liquid. The captain turned in the direction of Ginmae, resting her gaze upon the clumsy girl trying to defend herself.
One.
She had slain one. That was pathetic, Trianna thought to herself and then leapt into the air, spreading her snow-white wings. The woman soon came tumbling down upon the gonghead, feet first onto its back and then with a powerful thrust, drove the tip of her blade through the beast. Trianna had paused in a kneeling position momentarily before sliding off of the bristly back, quickly withdrawing her blade from the corpse before her. The threat was gone; the princess would be safe. She could hear Mina in the background trying to calm a panic, squealing Suzy.
"Ow, ow, ow…" Ginmae whimpered, finically touching her nose to test the source of pain. She had received a bloody nose from the assault made by the gonghead, and quite frankly, she was very distraught over it. This was her first battle ever, and she didn't quite yet have the proper training to focus her wits on the more ensuing affairs around her. "That hurt! I oughta-"
"It is gone, Ginmae, you witless girl." Trianna announced, sheathing her soaking blade at her side and folded her wings.
"What?!" Ginmae exclaimed, lifting her head up to peer up at an angry Trianna, and then around her. Corpses of living beings, the gongheads, had been scattered all along the pathway and she had only slain one. That was… kind of pathetic, she thought to herself. "I… I uh, I'm sorry… I guess I didn't do too well…." The girl hung her head, sighing. She knew she was in for a major ear-thrashing of a lifetime.
Trianna's mouth opened, ready to scold Ginmae for her irresponsible behavior and incompetent fighting skills when Mina simply interrupted.
"Oh, it is alright, Lady Ginmae. I would not know what to do either, but I'm glad you saved Suzy and I! That one was so close to us, I was so scared." The princess said softly, letting that cheerful smile of hers spread across her delicate features. She gave a small curtsey, or as best as she could with the now content Suzy within her arms.
Trianna sighed in the background, shaking her head in disgust. However, if Ginmae did manage to help the princess, she did suppose she could forgive her just this once…. Again. Luckily, that would be the last ambush they would come across, she knew that it was not too far from the city of Coursair. That would be their destination for now; there they would seek lodging and nurishment. The captain began to lead them down the path once more, "Let us go before their stench attracts scavengers."
* * * *
The three of them walked for hours on end, passing by the Tag woods that stretched further behind the field of their vision. The heavy scent of pine saturated the air, mostly from the hunds of spruces and pine trees that grew in the forest. Most of the trip had been a peaceful stroll through grassy plains, nothing too exciting and most of all, it was almost sleep inducing at one point. They all pressed on, especially Mina, whose smile never seemed to fade with each step she took. Her wispy cerulean strands played along her face, and to the wind; she seemed so very happy and peaceful. Princess was also very determined to get to Hometown, to visit her sister… That would have to wait for another day, however.
A tall, lengthy wall of beige and tuscan red brick came into view upon the horizon. Day was slowly sinking into the horizon, shrouding the fields in a dull shadow. Cricket song carried upon the soft, refreshing breeze that had oh so tenderly caressed their cheeks, arousing their senses when they felt the loving touch of sleep come upon them. Little specks of light could be seen from within the confines of the wall surrounding a large building, a colosseum of some sorts, built in the architectural style of the Greek. It was hard to see at this point anyway, straining their eyes would do little to help them deduce the actual appearance of it from this distance. The tranquil toll of a bell echoed in the air, from the small church within the city that was within their reach at long last. The inclining widows peak towered over beyond the wall, pointed and jagged; a church of Saint Eva, no doubt.
It took just a few more minutes of travel, by this time Ginmae had began to nod off, by far neglecting her duty of watching over the princess. However, by this time, no one had noticed; they were just as equally exhausted. The small piglet had fallen into deep slumber in Mina's gloved arms as she marched steadily toward the steel archway that connected the large city gates. It was a fairly large city, and even at night, it was bustling with activity. Trianna paused and nudged Ginmae lightly in the side, stirring her awake.
"Huh?" The startled guard responded, blinking rapidly and pretended to look aware of the current situation.
"Be alert, Ginmae, this city is fairly dangerous at night… There isn't a man alive here who wouldn't kill to take the princess into their possession." Trianna commanded, once again, taking the initiative and stepping into the city first. The heels of her boots tapped against the smooth cobblestone of the streets, the captain gazed upon each looming brick building, studying them cautiously for danger.
"Yeah, yeah…" Ginmae responded in a sigh, rubbing her eyes in an attempt to remain in focus, she then turned to face the princess with a smile. "Come on, princess." Mina nodded and followed Trianna slowly, gasping in amazement at the size of the city, however, her sight seeing was cut short.
A gloved hand grasped ahold of her arm, leading her along the streets, away from the crowds of indecent looking people amassing underneath a street lamp.
The women threw their heads back in laughter, amused by an unheard joke as the bright, generated light bathed them. However, their laughter immediately ceased as the Wyndians passed by.
They stared at the unusual sight, gawking at them like one would gawk at a circus attraction.
Trianna tossed her main of dark violet back and leered furiously toward the group of ruffians under the street lamp. Her cold, deep crimson pools dug into their gaze, causing them to look away. Obviously, she was not to be trifled with; no one made a fool out of her. Quickly enough, she ushered both Ginmae and Mina into a large, wooden building; the truly distinguishing features could not be deciphered in the night. The only way of knowing what it truly was, was the large wooden sign hanging above the doorway. Carved into the wood was "INN."
* * * *
Glass shattered against the wall of the building. Shards of translucent brown rained onto the dank cobblestone in between the darkened alleyway of two towering buildings built abreast.
A loud, echoing belch sounded.
"Didja see that…" A lone figure murmured, leaning up against the cold, barren brick siding of one of the buildings. The voice was low and raspy, "that woman…the one with the dark hair?"
"Ya'."Another voice responded, a male voice.
"It's been awhile, ya knooos…" The initial voice, obviously male, had slurred out through mingled words.
"…Yup." The other one responded, surrounded by the lengthy shadows the buildings casted upon each other. "...Got some pretty cute ones with her too."
The drunk one nodded, chuckling to himself as he folded his arms over his chest, "Ya, who caresh…We shood tell da bossh. About da cute girlsh and Fahrenheit."
"Ya'." He simply added in, nodding.
The other man, however, brought the rim of a slim bottle filled with liquid to his lips, "After thish lasht drink, dough… mmkay…?" He lazily said, half of his speech drowned out as he poured the bottle back, taking a quick swig of alcohol.
He brought the bottle down, sighing in relief; his thirst quenched.
The man lightly tapped the back of his head against the wall behind him and laughed once more.
"Fahrenheit's gonna get it when we tell the bossh, ya…?"
"…Yup…"
They both laughed as the bottle of alcohol hit the street below, shattering into a myriad of glass shards. The heavy footsteps carried down the secluded alleyway as the two men departed, leaving behind the dull, glossy shards.
* * * *
Glass shattered.
Mina bolted upright in her bed, clutching the white sheets around her body tightly as she frantically looked to her side. Suzy was laying next to her, sprawled on her side as she dreamed dreams of pig-like fantasy. Whatever they may have been. The princess looked down, alarmed by the piercing sound of glass shattering and completely unaware of where the source had come from.
"What was that…?" Mina whispered to herself, a little shaken. The only comfort she found was in stroking Suzy's backside, listening to the little piglet snort in pleasure even while in her sleep. The princess shook her head and slowly threw the sheet covering her aside, sliding her frame out of the bed.
Her white wings spread out, stretching out to their full length. It was a relief. Sometimes, her back would cramp up from having her wings folded up for so long, she just had to stretch them every once and awhile. Mina glanced toward the window, gazing outside of it from beside her bed; there was little she could see besides the illuminating glow of the moon and stars. It was not enough to satisfy her curiosity and so further she went, toward the window.
The floorboards creaked underfoot as she moved slowly toward the transparent glass.
Mina's palms pressed against the cold surface of the window as she gazed over at the rooftop of the slightly shorter building across from her visage. Fog built up upon the glass as she exhaled quietly and with a sigh, she would easily wipe it away, only to see it return once more. Glancing downward, she noticed a trail of red cloth disappear into the shadows, it was sarcely visible from this height, but the hue of the material was undisputable.
The floorboards creaked and Mina felt her heart race. Just as she had glanced out the window, she had witnessed a figure running towards the front of the building. What if they saw her? What if they were doing something that no one was supposed to see?
The princess stood perfectly still, her bottom lip trembling as the loud footsteps came closer and closer. She closed her eyes tightly, praying and hoping that this was just a dream; that those men weren't after her...
Mina felt a heavy hand grasp her shoulder and spin her around. The princess shrieked loudly, however, the same hand came and smothered that voice.
"Princess, please, it is just me."
Mina, blushing in embarrassment, sighed and shook her head with that familiar smile of hers, "Oh… Lady Trianna, it is you. I am so sorry… I heard something…"
"Likewise, that is why I came here to check up on you." Trianna said, now guiding the princess back to her bed. "Come now, you need your sleep."
"I heard something from outside, so I looked out the window and saw a figure running away." Mina said in a hurried sentence, her words moving out faster than she could think as Trianna laid her down onto the mattress. "Why would anyone be in the alleyway? It is very dark there, I do not understand."
Trianna remained silent and brought the covers of the bed over Mina quickly. The captain turned around and headed towards the door, only to pause before reaching it. "There are many things I am sure you do not understand, Princess… perhaps that is for the better. I believe you saw the barbaric members of the "Joker Gang," as they call themselves. They are a band of thieves, gangsters, liars, murders, and rapists." Trianna walked through the doorway, turning around to close the door, "It is for the better that you do not pay attention to anything you hear at night… Just go to bed. We're leaving early in the morning."
The door shut.
Mina blinked once and then sunk deeper under the covers. For a few minutes, she stared up at the ceiling blankly before drifting off to sleep.
Was life outside of the castle… Bad?
* * * *
"Oh god! Oh god!" A voice cried from outside of the inn in desperation, "Somebody, help us!!" A woman kneeled down on the ground, holding the body of a profusely bleeding teenage girl in her arms.
The girl's clothing had been torn almost completely off her body, leaving her bruised flesh exposed. The woman cradled the girl, rocking back and forth as she brushed a hand through the victim's hair. A long, crimson slit ran across the teenage girl's throat, which continued to pour with blood and the woman, apparently the girl's mother, continued to cry.
The door to the inn burst open, and out came the aqua-haired woman, Ginmae, along with the stout owner of the inn. Ginmae gasped and immediately ran to the mother's side, kneeling down to examine the girl in her arms. The owner just furrowed his eyebrows, shaking his head at the sight of the mother and her daughter. Calmly, he walked over to Ginmae and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Quick, go to the church and bring the doctor and priest!" He commanded her and helped her up. Ginmae nodded and took off down the street, toward the church, which was luckily, just a few yards away. The owner sighed heavily and knelt down beside the woman, wrapping a single arm around her shoulder.
He pulled her close to his chest as she sobbed frantically.
"No! No! No! No! No…." The woman whimpered, leaning her head against the man's chest, weeping her tears into the cloth of his shirt. "She was s…s…so young….No…no…"
"Shh… I know… I know… " He said, comforting her in any way he could. This was the third victim this week to be killed, but it looks like the girl had also been raped as well. The owner could feel tears sting his cheek, his heart turning bitter with a glance to the sky. "Why does Saint Eva allow these horrible things to happen…?"
---
Inside the inn, sitting cross-legged at one of the wooden tables, Trianna sipped her bottle of alcohol she bought at the pub next door nonchalantly. Her icy gaze remained fixed through the window, observing the events from inside the building. Yes, perhaps some things were better left not understanding and perhaps, some things were best left in the past. The Wyndian captain continued to remain unphased, even as the mother wailed as the priest laid a white cloth over her daughter's body.
Trianna took another sip and then brought the bottle down upon a coaster.
It was a shame she had forgotten what it was like to regret the loss of innocence. Ginmae, however, she had not. Trianna hoped beyond hope that she never would. With that, the captain stood up from her chair and headed up the stairs.
She too, needed a goodnight's sleep.