"Please..."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"..."
DON'T TALK,
JUST WHISPER
Chapter 1
*****
"Lord Morov, you called for me?"
"Yes, yes! Please, come in!"
A large room of tiled floor, white-washed ceilings and tapestries on the
walls. Kinoc had barely been in this room, but it was quite the site.
"Please, take a seat." Lord Morov, a stocky and wise man on his mid-fifties,
who wore long robes that hid his body; leader of the warrior monks and next
in line for nomination to Maestry.
"Thank you." Kinoc was a small man, of white skin and small armor. Wise
in military tactics and warfare. He took a seat in front of his Lord, who
had prepared a small tray of delicate treats for their enjoyment. It sat
on a brinstone table to the side.
"How may I be of service, my Lord?"
"Straight to the point," Morov said as he sipped some tea. "Mmm, good.
Anyway, I would like to ask, how fare you, most of all?"
"Please don't scrutinize me, Lord Morov; I doubt you called me to simply
ask how I am."
Morov laughed his jolly laugh. "I apologise if I offended you. Very well;
I simply wanted to make some conversation. I'll start." He cleared his
throat. "Do you know if sir Auron has returned from Djose?"
Kinoc raised a brow. "I believe he is to arrive today. If I may ask,
why the interest?"
"Well, truth be told, it has come to my attention a most peculiar interest
in him."
"Of what sorts, my Lord?" Kinoc asked as he nibbled on a morsel.
"Well, I believe you have already answered my question, so I dare not say
more, or I will be reprimanded. Here are your orders."
Kinoc stood and remained firm.
"I wish you to instruct sir Auron that I require a meeting as soon as
possible. That is all, dismissed."
Kinoc bowed and left. Morov stood and walked to a large window, looking into
the light blue sky. He stroked his chin and gave a small laugh.
"Kids these days..."
*****
With a loud sigh of relief, Auron took his heavy chest armor, drop it,
which made a lud (CLUNK) sound as it hit the floor. He sat on his bed,
looking down. He hated traveling, and it was a great relief to be
home.
He ran his hand across his forehead. Auron, a man in his mid-twenties,
had a reputation among ranks. He had long since been rumored to be
invincible in battle; a rep. he had earned when he was only 17. His
latest mission was to Djose temple, where a pack of Ochu had been nesting
too near the temple.
He placed a hand on his right shoulder and streched his arm, groaning as he
did. He was sore from the Ochu sweep. Taking on a pack was tiring work.
Not to mention, weilding a huge Katana that almost no one could handle
correctly; only with one hand.
After fixing his other arm, he removed his boots and layed down on his small
bed, massaging the bridge of his nose with his eyes closed. He was really
tired and desired nothing more than a good night's sleep.
(KNOCK KNOCK)
'Great,' he thought. "Can't I get a little peace and quiet?" he ended up
saying softly.
His room was nothing fancy. As a higher ranking monk, he was entitled
to much finer quarters, but he prefered a much simpler way of life.
The only luxuries he had were a small closet for his clothes,and
a nightlamp for when he wanted to read at night. He kept his
sword in one corner of the room.
"Yes?" he asked as he stood and walked towards the door.
"It's me brother," a voice behind the door responded. Auron opened the door
and saw his friend Kinoc. They greeted each other by crossing arms; a
signature for battle blood-brothers.
"Good to have you back, Auron," Kinoc said as he followed Auron into his
room. "How was the trip?"
"Torrid. I hate boats."
"I know, of all people," Kinoc snided. They both gave a small laugh.
Auron sat on his bed again, while Kinoc sat on a small stool that was
conveniently around.
"You know, I just heard a rumor."
"What of?" asked Auron.
"Lord Morov. I heard he's going to appoint a new 'First in Command'.
Soldiers are taking that it's going to be you."
Auron gave a non-flattering laugh. "You know that I'm not interested in that
kind of stuff. I'm happy where I am."
"Perhaps, but I have some news for you, my friend."
Auron looked at him curiously.
"Lord Morov wants to see you. He told me himself. I think you should go
see him right away."
"Am I ordered?" he asked, wondering f he would ever be able to get some
peaceful sleep.
"I'm afraid so brother. He didn't tell me what it is he wanted to talk about,
but he did say he'd taken a 'peculiar' interest in you."
"Well, I guess I can see him now, or less I never can sleep again. Thank you
for telling me."
"As always it is a pleasure." Kinoc stood and looked at Auron's face closely.
"Brother, you seem rather tired. I can tell Lord Morov to wait until tomorrow
if you need to rest."
"Thank you, but I think I I'll see him immediately."
"I never was able to disuade your desicions. Take care, I have to leave for
a few days."
Auron stood and they did the arm cross again. "Good trip to you."
"Thank you," Kinoc said with a smile. He punched Auron's arm and left.
Auron sighed, dressed himself up again, and made his way to Morov's chambers.
He wasn't exactly thrilled to be called into an order upon just arriving,
but he wasn't one to ignore them either.
*****
"Auron, my friend, please sit!"
Auron thanked Morov and took a seat in front of his desk. Morov had always
had a strong liking of Auron, ever since his days of training.
"How may I be of service, My Lord?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself. Before anything, I would like to know how your
trip was."
"As usual, My Lord. Nothing new to report. Just some animals."
"Always so stoic." Morov smiled at Auron. "You know Auron, since you were
small, I used to look after you. Do you remember?"
Auron nodded. "Yes. I remember you taking me in after Sin killed my family.
I remember you teaching me how to fight." Morov used to be master monk,
before his promotion to Lord, where he grew jolly. "You have always been
the son I was never gifted with. You know that."
Auron gave a small chuckle. "You have made the point of mentioning that many
times, and I am grateful for your kind words. But, if I may get to the point,
why have you called me?"
Morov's expression changed from careless to serious. He stood and walked
to face the window, as he usually did when he thought deeply. He always
found the sky soothing in his desicions.
"Like I have said many times, you are like a son to me." He turned and
looked Auron in the eyes. "You are my son. That is why I have a request to
make."
"I'm listening, My Lord."
Morov sighed. "I am growing old, Auron. I can feel that each day that passes
takes a heavier toll on my body, and my spirit. It may only be gradual, but
I can feel it. I'm starting to feel the need to rest."
Auron was taken a little by surprise, so he stood and walked to Morov, and
stood behind him. "My Lord, please do not say that. You are the leader of the
Warrior Monks. I cannot contemplate the notion of you not as our leader."
Morov laughed softly. "You are wise beyond your years. I thank you for your
kind words, but the wll not be able to stop what's happening to my will."
Morov left the window and walked to his desk. He opened a drawer, and took
out a small box. Using a key he kept around his neck, he opened it,
revealing a beautiful pearl necklace. He grabbed and looked at it intently.
"You and I are the same, Auron. We both are motivated by the same idea."
Auron remained silent.
"Sin took your family. It took my wife. It took those whom we loved.
We wanted revenge."
Auron didn't respond.
"And revenge I got, when Sin was finally vanquished. But..." He grasped
the necklace firmly and closed his eyes. "I was wrong. I was wrong
to believe that killing it would make things better. In the farthest
corners of my mind, I had hoped that killing it, even if not by my
own hand, would bring back the joy I had felt before. I thought that
I would have it all back. But it was not so."
Auron nodded. Sin was the bringer of sadness and sorrow; he knew that
firsthand.
"I remember craddling my crying daughter, who begged me to bring her mother
back. I wanted nothing more than to fulfill her wish. but experience has
tought me, that the past is to be past. let it only make you stronger,
and never let it hold you back."
Morov looked at Auron. "I can feel it."
"Feel what, sir?"
Morov sighed and walked to the window again. "Sin. I can feel it will soon
return."
Auron seemed surprised. Morov's predictions almost always were right. "But
my Lord, it's been fifteen years..."
"Since it was vanquished last, but I can feel that it will return once more.
It will not be long, either."
Morov once again looked at the necklace in his hand. "I am too old to face
it again. I- I cannot."
"My Lord, I..."
"In my hands I have made many memories, many adventures, but, my hands refuse
to be covered with the blood of another. And my soul."
Morov walked to Auron and put his hands on Auron's shoulders. "That is why,
Auron, I need, no, I want you to be my succesor."
Auron was speechless. "I, uh..."
"No Auron, I need you to be more than that. I have called you my son for many
years, but now, I wish you could make it official."
Auron pulled away. "Sir? What are you implying?"
"Auron, I want you to marry my daughter, Gerrya. Then, you will be my son
by all means, and I will be able to rest, knowing that both my daughter,
as well as the Warrior monks will be taken care of."
Auron thought of a million things to say, but none seemed right. He had never
even met Morov's daughter, who was rumored to be of almost celestial
beauty, and now he supposed to marry her?
"There is no need to answer right away, since I am sure that you do not like
the propect, and neither will my daughter. That is why I want you two
to meet first, and perhaps, take it from there."
Auron let a small sigh escape him, partly of relief, partly of surprise.
"Am- My Lord?'
"You are by no means ordered." Morov answered Auron's unasked question.
"It is not a request either. Just, try it. Please."
Auron had no more words to say, so he did the only thing he knew.
He bowed and left the room.
End of Chapter 1
Author's Notes
Well, this is my new project. I thought of it after finally finding 'Auron's
Sphere' in the game, and it caught my attention how he was actually a
fallen monk for having refused the Lord's daughter. And then I cruised the
site, and found no stories relating to this event, so I thought, why not
do it myself? Stick around!
'Till next time...
BlackDragon
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"..."
DON'T TALK,
JUST WHISPER
Chapter 1
*****
"Lord Morov, you called for me?"
"Yes, yes! Please, come in!"
A large room of tiled floor, white-washed ceilings and tapestries on the
walls. Kinoc had barely been in this room, but it was quite the site.
"Please, take a seat." Lord Morov, a stocky and wise man on his mid-fifties,
who wore long robes that hid his body; leader of the warrior monks and next
in line for nomination to Maestry.
"Thank you." Kinoc was a small man, of white skin and small armor. Wise
in military tactics and warfare. He took a seat in front of his Lord, who
had prepared a small tray of delicate treats for their enjoyment. It sat
on a brinstone table to the side.
"How may I be of service, my Lord?"
"Straight to the point," Morov said as he sipped some tea. "Mmm, good.
Anyway, I would like to ask, how fare you, most of all?"
"Please don't scrutinize me, Lord Morov; I doubt you called me to simply
ask how I am."
Morov laughed his jolly laugh. "I apologise if I offended you. Very well;
I simply wanted to make some conversation. I'll start." He cleared his
throat. "Do you know if sir Auron has returned from Djose?"
Kinoc raised a brow. "I believe he is to arrive today. If I may ask,
why the interest?"
"Well, truth be told, it has come to my attention a most peculiar interest
in him."
"Of what sorts, my Lord?" Kinoc asked as he nibbled on a morsel.
"Well, I believe you have already answered my question, so I dare not say
more, or I will be reprimanded. Here are your orders."
Kinoc stood and remained firm.
"I wish you to instruct sir Auron that I require a meeting as soon as
possible. That is all, dismissed."
Kinoc bowed and left. Morov stood and walked to a large window, looking into
the light blue sky. He stroked his chin and gave a small laugh.
"Kids these days..."
*****
With a loud sigh of relief, Auron took his heavy chest armor, drop it,
which made a lud (CLUNK) sound as it hit the floor. He sat on his bed,
looking down. He hated traveling, and it was a great relief to be
home.
He ran his hand across his forehead. Auron, a man in his mid-twenties,
had a reputation among ranks. He had long since been rumored to be
invincible in battle; a rep. he had earned when he was only 17. His
latest mission was to Djose temple, where a pack of Ochu had been nesting
too near the temple.
He placed a hand on his right shoulder and streched his arm, groaning as he
did. He was sore from the Ochu sweep. Taking on a pack was tiring work.
Not to mention, weilding a huge Katana that almost no one could handle
correctly; only with one hand.
After fixing his other arm, he removed his boots and layed down on his small
bed, massaging the bridge of his nose with his eyes closed. He was really
tired and desired nothing more than a good night's sleep.
(KNOCK KNOCK)
'Great,' he thought. "Can't I get a little peace and quiet?" he ended up
saying softly.
His room was nothing fancy. As a higher ranking monk, he was entitled
to much finer quarters, but he prefered a much simpler way of life.
The only luxuries he had were a small closet for his clothes,and
a nightlamp for when he wanted to read at night. He kept his
sword in one corner of the room.
"Yes?" he asked as he stood and walked towards the door.
"It's me brother," a voice behind the door responded. Auron opened the door
and saw his friend Kinoc. They greeted each other by crossing arms; a
signature for battle blood-brothers.
"Good to have you back, Auron," Kinoc said as he followed Auron into his
room. "How was the trip?"
"Torrid. I hate boats."
"I know, of all people," Kinoc snided. They both gave a small laugh.
Auron sat on his bed again, while Kinoc sat on a small stool that was
conveniently around.
"You know, I just heard a rumor."
"What of?" asked Auron.
"Lord Morov. I heard he's going to appoint a new 'First in Command'.
Soldiers are taking that it's going to be you."
Auron gave a non-flattering laugh. "You know that I'm not interested in that
kind of stuff. I'm happy where I am."
"Perhaps, but I have some news for you, my friend."
Auron looked at him curiously.
"Lord Morov wants to see you. He told me himself. I think you should go
see him right away."
"Am I ordered?" he asked, wondering f he would ever be able to get some
peaceful sleep.
"I'm afraid so brother. He didn't tell me what it is he wanted to talk about,
but he did say he'd taken a 'peculiar' interest in you."
"Well, I guess I can see him now, or less I never can sleep again. Thank you
for telling me."
"As always it is a pleasure." Kinoc stood and looked at Auron's face closely.
"Brother, you seem rather tired. I can tell Lord Morov to wait until tomorrow
if you need to rest."
"Thank you, but I think I I'll see him immediately."
"I never was able to disuade your desicions. Take care, I have to leave for
a few days."
Auron stood and they did the arm cross again. "Good trip to you."
"Thank you," Kinoc said with a smile. He punched Auron's arm and left.
Auron sighed, dressed himself up again, and made his way to Morov's chambers.
He wasn't exactly thrilled to be called into an order upon just arriving,
but he wasn't one to ignore them either.
*****
"Auron, my friend, please sit!"
Auron thanked Morov and took a seat in front of his desk. Morov had always
had a strong liking of Auron, ever since his days of training.
"How may I be of service, My Lord?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself. Before anything, I would like to know how your
trip was."
"As usual, My Lord. Nothing new to report. Just some animals."
"Always so stoic." Morov smiled at Auron. "You know Auron, since you were
small, I used to look after you. Do you remember?"
Auron nodded. "Yes. I remember you taking me in after Sin killed my family.
I remember you teaching me how to fight." Morov used to be master monk,
before his promotion to Lord, where he grew jolly. "You have always been
the son I was never gifted with. You know that."
Auron gave a small chuckle. "You have made the point of mentioning that many
times, and I am grateful for your kind words. But, if I may get to the point,
why have you called me?"
Morov's expression changed from careless to serious. He stood and walked
to face the window, as he usually did when he thought deeply. He always
found the sky soothing in his desicions.
"Like I have said many times, you are like a son to me." He turned and
looked Auron in the eyes. "You are my son. That is why I have a request to
make."
"I'm listening, My Lord."
Morov sighed. "I am growing old, Auron. I can feel that each day that passes
takes a heavier toll on my body, and my spirit. It may only be gradual, but
I can feel it. I'm starting to feel the need to rest."
Auron was taken a little by surprise, so he stood and walked to Morov, and
stood behind him. "My Lord, please do not say that. You are the leader of the
Warrior Monks. I cannot contemplate the notion of you not as our leader."
Morov laughed softly. "You are wise beyond your years. I thank you for your
kind words, but the wll not be able to stop what's happening to my will."
Morov left the window and walked to his desk. He opened a drawer, and took
out a small box. Using a key he kept around his neck, he opened it,
revealing a beautiful pearl necklace. He grabbed and looked at it intently.
"You and I are the same, Auron. We both are motivated by the same idea."
Auron remained silent.
"Sin took your family. It took my wife. It took those whom we loved.
We wanted revenge."
Auron didn't respond.
"And revenge I got, when Sin was finally vanquished. But..." He grasped
the necklace firmly and closed his eyes. "I was wrong. I was wrong
to believe that killing it would make things better. In the farthest
corners of my mind, I had hoped that killing it, even if not by my
own hand, would bring back the joy I had felt before. I thought that
I would have it all back. But it was not so."
Auron nodded. Sin was the bringer of sadness and sorrow; he knew that
firsthand.
"I remember craddling my crying daughter, who begged me to bring her mother
back. I wanted nothing more than to fulfill her wish. but experience has
tought me, that the past is to be past. let it only make you stronger,
and never let it hold you back."
Morov looked at Auron. "I can feel it."
"Feel what, sir?"
Morov sighed and walked to the window again. "Sin. I can feel it will soon
return."
Auron seemed surprised. Morov's predictions almost always were right. "But
my Lord, it's been fifteen years..."
"Since it was vanquished last, but I can feel that it will return once more.
It will not be long, either."
Morov once again looked at the necklace in his hand. "I am too old to face
it again. I- I cannot."
"My Lord, I..."
"In my hands I have made many memories, many adventures, but, my hands refuse
to be covered with the blood of another. And my soul."
Morov walked to Auron and put his hands on Auron's shoulders. "That is why,
Auron, I need, no, I want you to be my succesor."
Auron was speechless. "I, uh..."
"No Auron, I need you to be more than that. I have called you my son for many
years, but now, I wish you could make it official."
Auron pulled away. "Sir? What are you implying?"
"Auron, I want you to marry my daughter, Gerrya. Then, you will be my son
by all means, and I will be able to rest, knowing that both my daughter,
as well as the Warrior monks will be taken care of."
Auron thought of a million things to say, but none seemed right. He had never
even met Morov's daughter, who was rumored to be of almost celestial
beauty, and now he supposed to marry her?
"There is no need to answer right away, since I am sure that you do not like
the propect, and neither will my daughter. That is why I want you two
to meet first, and perhaps, take it from there."
Auron let a small sigh escape him, partly of relief, partly of surprise.
"Am- My Lord?'
"You are by no means ordered." Morov answered Auron's unasked question.
"It is not a request either. Just, try it. Please."
Auron had no more words to say, so he did the only thing he knew.
He bowed and left the room.
End of Chapter 1
Author's Notes
Well, this is my new project. I thought of it after finally finding 'Auron's
Sphere' in the game, and it caught my attention how he was actually a
fallen monk for having refused the Lord's daughter. And then I cruised the
site, and found no stories relating to this event, so I thought, why not
do it myself? Stick around!
'Till next time...
BlackDragon