ShadowDancer and SunSinger
"Rocky" Oberlin
Chapter 6
Disclaimer: The Ronin Warriors still belong to whomever owns them
and the idea for the ShadowDancer and SunSinger still belongs to
Mercedes Lackey.
Cale kneeled before his "Master". "You wanted me Master Tulpa?"
Tulpa ignored his warrior for a few minutes to show his displeasure of being addressed by a minion. The spy from last night stood at his side to watch how the Shadow master would wiggle out of this little mess.
"I was told that you and the other Warlords knew who the ShadowDancer was. That you know of the SunSinger and the possibility of him being with other Clans." Tulpa paused to finish his thought. "That you plan to lose to these Clans when you fight them."
Cale wasn't like Dais; he couldn't control what the eye sees with illusions. But he knew how to spin a good lie; he had been doing it since he was brought into Tulpa's service.
Cale bowed before his Master. "I only know what you have told me, Master. The only thing I know about the SunSingers is that you cursed them when you cursed the ShadowDancers. I think that any SunSinger who wanted to stay alive would probably join with someone to protect him or her during his or her cursed sleep. As for losing to the Clans, who has told you such tales? My fellow Warlords and I were making plans on how to defeat them. They will not bow before you anymore then the SunSinger Clans did. If they think they are winning then they will not fight as hard. That is when we will crush them to your glory." Lies mixed with truth are the most dangerous.
"What of your sister being the ShadowDancer?"
Cale feigned a look of surprise. "My _sister_? The ShadowDancer? What you were told HAD to be taken out of context. How could my sister be a ShadowDancer? You destroyed any that you found here and the others are lost on the Mortal Realm. At best she is a Shadow Master like I am."
Tulpa growled. "Very well, you may leave. May be I should have Mia work for me as well. She could make a good warrior."
Cale almost panicked. His sister a warrior for Tulpa? Not if he could help it. One moment in his presence and Mia would be found out. "I don't think that would be a good idea, Master. She isn't the type to fight. She is best left where she is. My sister would be more hindrance then help with the soldiers."
Tulpa absently nodded. "Very well; you may leave." Cale turned to leave the throne room hurriedly. "I may have her reassigned later though," called Tulpa to Cale's retreating back.
Cale turned once more and bowed before his "Master". "As you wish." Cale was almost to the throne room doors when he commanded the shadows to part for him. They complied and Cale saw the face of Mia's betrayer. It was the Lady Kayura. A once friend was now more interested in gaining power and privilege associated with Tulpa's favor. Cale smirked to himself. This was one time when her little scheme wouldn't work. After the tale Cale spun for his "Master" the Lady Kayura won't be believed too soon unless she had concrete proof of what was said.
Cale walked through the doors and out of Tulpa's presence. He had to make more plans with his friends and figure out how to protect Mia a little better.
Mia came back with Dais to see her brother with Anubis and Seckmet in a serious discussion. When the two made their presence know to the others, grim faces looked back at them.
"Lady Kayura knows of our plans," stated Cale.
"That's not good," said Dais. "She's bound to go to Tulpa with her tail."
"She already has," said Anubis. "Cale was able to twist our conversation around so that she would be discredited, but now she will be even more dangerous then she was. We will have to watch what we say away from protected areas."
"I also had to tell Tulpa that you were a Shadow Master, Mia. Kayura told him that you were the ShadowDancer. If he finds out the truth, then you will be killed."
"And us along with her," muttered Seckmet.
"He's right," said Mia. "You will be killed if Tulpa finds out that you lied to him."
"So, how do we protect you?" asked Cale. "Tulpa is already talking about reassigning you someplace else and I had to talk him out of making you one of his warriors."
Mia grimaced at that idea. "Thank you, no. I don't want to be a warrior or be reassigned. How much you want to bet being reassigned will be closer to Tulpa? Being one of his warriors will mean that I will have to be like Kayura. I don't have the attitude to be that nasty."
"I can agree with you there," said Dais. "Kayura was nice at one time, but being one of Tulpa's warriors has corrupted her as bad as Dalla or the Sand Twins."
"It almost makes me glad that Saberstrike left when he did. Can you imagine what he would be like if he had followed that path?" asked Anubis.
"He would be a dark samurai," answered Seckmet. "All the knowledge of a true warrior and the all the devotion that comes with being a samurai. Scary." He gave a small shutter.
"What are we going to do about Tulpa's new interest in me?" asked Mia.
"We will have to hide you more. May be keep you out of his eye sight for a while and he will forget about you," offered Cale.
"You know what he's like, big brother. He'll keep asking until someone talks or one of his minions finds me. It might be best if I disappear from the Nether Realm."
"Where would you go?" asked Anubis.
"If you don't know, then you won't be able to tell," said Mia. "I'll go tonight. That way Tulpa wont' be able to get me."
None of her "brothers" like the idea, but they saw the merit. Mia had to stay hidden from Tulpa and her being out of his castle would keep her that much more secure. And if they knew, then they could be "convinced" to tell.
Rowen walked out the door to think about what he had been told by the others after their meeting with the red haired man Anubis. Rowen wanted to see what the stars had to say about the matter and he wanted to listen to their music. Legend had it that HeavenSingers were once able to leave the confines of the earth to fly among the stars to listen to their music and hear their wisdom. If it was true then the art had been lost a long time ago. The same legend said that the FireDancers were able to walk across live volcanoes without being burned, but Rowen wasn't sure about that. If Ryo knew, then he wasn't telling anytime soon.
The stars welcomed their Singer with a bright song and Rowen reveled in the music. After the first five minutes Rowen decided to pose his question and see what the bright spots in the sky had to say.
"What are we to do with the ShadowDancer? Is she a danger to us?"
The stars laughed at the second question and started their explanation. They sang of a time when all the Clans knew each other, of peaceful times enjoyed by all. Then came Tulpa. He cursed the ShadowDancers and the SunSingers for using their power against him. The FireDancer Clans retreated into the deep forests to hide from the dark warrior and the curses he created. The stars cried for the Dancers that would welcome their Singers and would Dance to their music. The stars sang of hope, of the prophecy that would lead to the downfall of Tulpa before the power of a ShadowDancer and a SunSinger working together.
"So we need the help of the ShadowDancer to stop Tulpa. I guess we're need to follow Ryo's suggestion and find the ShadowDancer and ask her to help us."
"Hey, someone admits that I had the right idea, what a concept! I should write this down on the calendar!"
Rowen turned to see his FireDancer friend leaning against a tree, watching him.
"How long have you been there?" asked Rowen.
"Long enough to hear you say that may be you should follow my suggestion. The fire told me about the prophecy so I got the basement room ready because I think that the ShadowDancer will be coming."
"Now all we have to do is keep Sage away from her," said Rowen. "A lot of good it would do us if she was destroyed before we could figure out how she will help us."
Ryo shook his head. "I think that they should be together somehow. It will take both the powers of the ShadowDancer and SunSinger to defeat Tulpa. It would do no good if Sage was in a coma at the first touch of darkness and the ShadowDancer would be destroyed at the first glimpse of light. Something has to tie them together."
They were going to continue the conversation when Rowen jerked his head up to the sound of the stars breaking out in a glorious song. He followed the path of their attention to see the ShadowDancer leaving a Gate from the Nether Realm.
Ryo followed his HeavenSinger friend's gaze to see the same figure he was seeing. Ryo absently noticed that there was another person with the ShadowDancer, but he backed to the Gate and departed. The ShadowDancer stayed in front of them with no way home. Ryo stepped forward.
"Uh, hi."
She was just as Rowen remembered her from the first time they had seen her. She stood uncertainly and waited for an answer to her greeting. Rowen was surprised that Ryo stepped forward.
"Hi. I'm Ryo FireDancer. This is my friend Rowen HeavenSinger. Why did you decided to come to us tonight?"
Way to be blunt, Ryo, thought Rowen. The ShadowDancer didn't seem to mind and answered the questions.
"I'm Mia ShadowDancer. I came to ask for your help. I know about the FireDancers and HeavenSingers, my brother told me about your Clans. I'm surprised that you have managed to stay away from Tulpa for so long. Cale said that he was cursing the FireDancer Clans for disappearing so well."
"How does your brother know us so well?" asked Rowen.
Mia sighed. "It's a long story, but if you want to hear it I would suggest that we go someplace else. If I stay here too long, then Tulpa or Kayura will get suspicious and follow the power signature here. I don't want to get caught so late in the game."
"You can come home with us," said Rowen.
Ryo gave him an approving look and smiled at the ShadowDancer. Finally they were going to get some answers, but will they be the right ones?
At the house Ryo and Rowen sat their guest down at a table and Cye gave her a cup of tea. Kento sat down across from her and watched her with intent eyes. Mia seemed to ignore the glare and started her story.
"Cale was a young boy when our Clan discovered that he was a Shadow Master. I had yet to come into my power so I watched as the Elders taught my brother everything they knew he would need. They taught him how to use the shadows up to a certain limit, how to recognize a ShadowDancer, and how to protect himself and the ShadowDancer from the light because of the curse. Then Tulpa came to our region. I was starting to show my power and Cale was the first to recognize it. When the village was attacked we were hid to keep the hope of a ShadowDancer alive. When the raid was done we were the only survivors of our village. A neighboring village that knew nothing of our heritage took us in. Tulpa came by again searching for conscripts and Cale was one of the first taken because of his ability with a sword. He refused to leave me knowing that I was a ShadowDancer and we took a risk at being right under Tulpa's nose. Tulpa punished Cale once when he found out my brother was a Shadow Master and hadn't told him. Cale was almost killed, but Tulpa thought better of it considering that Shadow Master's knew how to identify ShadowDancers. My other "brothers" know about me and helped Cale hide me as much as possible. They were "recruited" the same way. The only reason they have some much favor is because they seem to follow Tulpa's commands, but in secret they grieve over the people they have killed. Cale hopes that the prophecy will come true soon and they can be rid of Tulpa for good." Mia's face became wistful. "Then may be the Nether Realm will be what it once was again."
"That is an interesting tale," said Cye. "It explains why that Anubis guy was willing to talk treason with us and why they seem to hover over you."
"As far as anyone know, I'm the last known ShadowDancer. All the ones in the Nether Realm are either hiding in deep holes or are dead. With the Mortal Realm and the Nether Realm separated from each other, no one knows if there are any ShadowDancers even alive in the Mortal Realm. Tulpa made sure that we couldn't talk to anyone."
"But you're talking to us," pointed out Kento.
"That's because Tulpa doesn't know that I'm even here," said Mia. "Seckmet made sure that I left the Nether Realm while my brothers kept Tulpa and Kayura distracted. They don't know where I am in the Mortal Realm now and hopefully that will stay that way until Tulpa can be overthrown."
"Why?" asked Kento.
"Because Tulpa will hunt me down and use them to do it. Or he will kill my brothers and send Kayura in their place. He has many loyal warriors who would love to take my brothers' places." Mia looked out the window and noticed the soft gray of predawn. "I have to hide. The morning is coming and I can't be here."
"I have the basement ready if you want to use it," offered Ryo. "The fire said that you would be coming and I figured that you could use a place to stay."
Mia smiled her thanks and followed the FireDancer down to the haven made for her. Kento scowled, but held his peace. Time would tell if she would be trustworthy or not.
As dawn lit the house Sage came down the stairs to see his friends gathered at the kitchen table. Correction, everyone was there except for Ryo. The SunSinger wondered where the FireDancer was when said person coming up from the basement answered him.
"Morning," greeted the SunSinger.
"Morning," said Kento grouchily. "We have a houseguest."
Sage arched an eyebrow and looked at the rest of his friends. Ryo answered his silent question. "It's the ShadowDancer that we've been wondering about. It seems that she needs sanctuary from Tulpa as well."
"Rocky" Oberlin
Chapter 6
Disclaimer: The Ronin Warriors still belong to whomever owns them
and the idea for the ShadowDancer and SunSinger still belongs to
Mercedes Lackey.
Cale kneeled before his "Master". "You wanted me Master Tulpa?"
Tulpa ignored his warrior for a few minutes to show his displeasure of being addressed by a minion. The spy from last night stood at his side to watch how the Shadow master would wiggle out of this little mess.
"I was told that you and the other Warlords knew who the ShadowDancer was. That you know of the SunSinger and the possibility of him being with other Clans." Tulpa paused to finish his thought. "That you plan to lose to these Clans when you fight them."
Cale wasn't like Dais; he couldn't control what the eye sees with illusions. But he knew how to spin a good lie; he had been doing it since he was brought into Tulpa's service.
Cale bowed before his Master. "I only know what you have told me, Master. The only thing I know about the SunSingers is that you cursed them when you cursed the ShadowDancers. I think that any SunSinger who wanted to stay alive would probably join with someone to protect him or her during his or her cursed sleep. As for losing to the Clans, who has told you such tales? My fellow Warlords and I were making plans on how to defeat them. They will not bow before you anymore then the SunSinger Clans did. If they think they are winning then they will not fight as hard. That is when we will crush them to your glory." Lies mixed with truth are the most dangerous.
"What of your sister being the ShadowDancer?"
Cale feigned a look of surprise. "My _sister_? The ShadowDancer? What you were told HAD to be taken out of context. How could my sister be a ShadowDancer? You destroyed any that you found here and the others are lost on the Mortal Realm. At best she is a Shadow Master like I am."
Tulpa growled. "Very well, you may leave. May be I should have Mia work for me as well. She could make a good warrior."
Cale almost panicked. His sister a warrior for Tulpa? Not if he could help it. One moment in his presence and Mia would be found out. "I don't think that would be a good idea, Master. She isn't the type to fight. She is best left where she is. My sister would be more hindrance then help with the soldiers."
Tulpa absently nodded. "Very well; you may leave." Cale turned to leave the throne room hurriedly. "I may have her reassigned later though," called Tulpa to Cale's retreating back.
Cale turned once more and bowed before his "Master". "As you wish." Cale was almost to the throne room doors when he commanded the shadows to part for him. They complied and Cale saw the face of Mia's betrayer. It was the Lady Kayura. A once friend was now more interested in gaining power and privilege associated with Tulpa's favor. Cale smirked to himself. This was one time when her little scheme wouldn't work. After the tale Cale spun for his "Master" the Lady Kayura won't be believed too soon unless she had concrete proof of what was said.
Cale walked through the doors and out of Tulpa's presence. He had to make more plans with his friends and figure out how to protect Mia a little better.
Mia came back with Dais to see her brother with Anubis and Seckmet in a serious discussion. When the two made their presence know to the others, grim faces looked back at them.
"Lady Kayura knows of our plans," stated Cale.
"That's not good," said Dais. "She's bound to go to Tulpa with her tail."
"She already has," said Anubis. "Cale was able to twist our conversation around so that she would be discredited, but now she will be even more dangerous then she was. We will have to watch what we say away from protected areas."
"I also had to tell Tulpa that you were a Shadow Master, Mia. Kayura told him that you were the ShadowDancer. If he finds out the truth, then you will be killed."
"And us along with her," muttered Seckmet.
"He's right," said Mia. "You will be killed if Tulpa finds out that you lied to him."
"So, how do we protect you?" asked Cale. "Tulpa is already talking about reassigning you someplace else and I had to talk him out of making you one of his warriors."
Mia grimaced at that idea. "Thank you, no. I don't want to be a warrior or be reassigned. How much you want to bet being reassigned will be closer to Tulpa? Being one of his warriors will mean that I will have to be like Kayura. I don't have the attitude to be that nasty."
"I can agree with you there," said Dais. "Kayura was nice at one time, but being one of Tulpa's warriors has corrupted her as bad as Dalla or the Sand Twins."
"It almost makes me glad that Saberstrike left when he did. Can you imagine what he would be like if he had followed that path?" asked Anubis.
"He would be a dark samurai," answered Seckmet. "All the knowledge of a true warrior and the all the devotion that comes with being a samurai. Scary." He gave a small shutter.
"What are we going to do about Tulpa's new interest in me?" asked Mia.
"We will have to hide you more. May be keep you out of his eye sight for a while and he will forget about you," offered Cale.
"You know what he's like, big brother. He'll keep asking until someone talks or one of his minions finds me. It might be best if I disappear from the Nether Realm."
"Where would you go?" asked Anubis.
"If you don't know, then you won't be able to tell," said Mia. "I'll go tonight. That way Tulpa wont' be able to get me."
None of her "brothers" like the idea, but they saw the merit. Mia had to stay hidden from Tulpa and her being out of his castle would keep her that much more secure. And if they knew, then they could be "convinced" to tell.
Rowen walked out the door to think about what he had been told by the others after their meeting with the red haired man Anubis. Rowen wanted to see what the stars had to say about the matter and he wanted to listen to their music. Legend had it that HeavenSingers were once able to leave the confines of the earth to fly among the stars to listen to their music and hear their wisdom. If it was true then the art had been lost a long time ago. The same legend said that the FireDancers were able to walk across live volcanoes without being burned, but Rowen wasn't sure about that. If Ryo knew, then he wasn't telling anytime soon.
The stars welcomed their Singer with a bright song and Rowen reveled in the music. After the first five minutes Rowen decided to pose his question and see what the bright spots in the sky had to say.
"What are we to do with the ShadowDancer? Is she a danger to us?"
The stars laughed at the second question and started their explanation. They sang of a time when all the Clans knew each other, of peaceful times enjoyed by all. Then came Tulpa. He cursed the ShadowDancers and the SunSingers for using their power against him. The FireDancer Clans retreated into the deep forests to hide from the dark warrior and the curses he created. The stars cried for the Dancers that would welcome their Singers and would Dance to their music. The stars sang of hope, of the prophecy that would lead to the downfall of Tulpa before the power of a ShadowDancer and a SunSinger working together.
"So we need the help of the ShadowDancer to stop Tulpa. I guess we're need to follow Ryo's suggestion and find the ShadowDancer and ask her to help us."
"Hey, someone admits that I had the right idea, what a concept! I should write this down on the calendar!"
Rowen turned to see his FireDancer friend leaning against a tree, watching him.
"How long have you been there?" asked Rowen.
"Long enough to hear you say that may be you should follow my suggestion. The fire told me about the prophecy so I got the basement room ready because I think that the ShadowDancer will be coming."
"Now all we have to do is keep Sage away from her," said Rowen. "A lot of good it would do us if she was destroyed before we could figure out how she will help us."
Ryo shook his head. "I think that they should be together somehow. It will take both the powers of the ShadowDancer and SunSinger to defeat Tulpa. It would do no good if Sage was in a coma at the first touch of darkness and the ShadowDancer would be destroyed at the first glimpse of light. Something has to tie them together."
They were going to continue the conversation when Rowen jerked his head up to the sound of the stars breaking out in a glorious song. He followed the path of their attention to see the ShadowDancer leaving a Gate from the Nether Realm.
Ryo followed his HeavenSinger friend's gaze to see the same figure he was seeing. Ryo absently noticed that there was another person with the ShadowDancer, but he backed to the Gate and departed. The ShadowDancer stayed in front of them with no way home. Ryo stepped forward.
"Uh, hi."
She was just as Rowen remembered her from the first time they had seen her. She stood uncertainly and waited for an answer to her greeting. Rowen was surprised that Ryo stepped forward.
"Hi. I'm Ryo FireDancer. This is my friend Rowen HeavenSinger. Why did you decided to come to us tonight?"
Way to be blunt, Ryo, thought Rowen. The ShadowDancer didn't seem to mind and answered the questions.
"I'm Mia ShadowDancer. I came to ask for your help. I know about the FireDancers and HeavenSingers, my brother told me about your Clans. I'm surprised that you have managed to stay away from Tulpa for so long. Cale said that he was cursing the FireDancer Clans for disappearing so well."
"How does your brother know us so well?" asked Rowen.
Mia sighed. "It's a long story, but if you want to hear it I would suggest that we go someplace else. If I stay here too long, then Tulpa or Kayura will get suspicious and follow the power signature here. I don't want to get caught so late in the game."
"You can come home with us," said Rowen.
Ryo gave him an approving look and smiled at the ShadowDancer. Finally they were going to get some answers, but will they be the right ones?
At the house Ryo and Rowen sat their guest down at a table and Cye gave her a cup of tea. Kento sat down across from her and watched her with intent eyes. Mia seemed to ignore the glare and started her story.
"Cale was a young boy when our Clan discovered that he was a Shadow Master. I had yet to come into my power so I watched as the Elders taught my brother everything they knew he would need. They taught him how to use the shadows up to a certain limit, how to recognize a ShadowDancer, and how to protect himself and the ShadowDancer from the light because of the curse. Then Tulpa came to our region. I was starting to show my power and Cale was the first to recognize it. When the village was attacked we were hid to keep the hope of a ShadowDancer alive. When the raid was done we were the only survivors of our village. A neighboring village that knew nothing of our heritage took us in. Tulpa came by again searching for conscripts and Cale was one of the first taken because of his ability with a sword. He refused to leave me knowing that I was a ShadowDancer and we took a risk at being right under Tulpa's nose. Tulpa punished Cale once when he found out my brother was a Shadow Master and hadn't told him. Cale was almost killed, but Tulpa thought better of it considering that Shadow Master's knew how to identify ShadowDancers. My other "brothers" know about me and helped Cale hide me as much as possible. They were "recruited" the same way. The only reason they have some much favor is because they seem to follow Tulpa's commands, but in secret they grieve over the people they have killed. Cale hopes that the prophecy will come true soon and they can be rid of Tulpa for good." Mia's face became wistful. "Then may be the Nether Realm will be what it once was again."
"That is an interesting tale," said Cye. "It explains why that Anubis guy was willing to talk treason with us and why they seem to hover over you."
"As far as anyone know, I'm the last known ShadowDancer. All the ones in the Nether Realm are either hiding in deep holes or are dead. With the Mortal Realm and the Nether Realm separated from each other, no one knows if there are any ShadowDancers even alive in the Mortal Realm. Tulpa made sure that we couldn't talk to anyone."
"But you're talking to us," pointed out Kento.
"That's because Tulpa doesn't know that I'm even here," said Mia. "Seckmet made sure that I left the Nether Realm while my brothers kept Tulpa and Kayura distracted. They don't know where I am in the Mortal Realm now and hopefully that will stay that way until Tulpa can be overthrown."
"Why?" asked Kento.
"Because Tulpa will hunt me down and use them to do it. Or he will kill my brothers and send Kayura in their place. He has many loyal warriors who would love to take my brothers' places." Mia looked out the window and noticed the soft gray of predawn. "I have to hide. The morning is coming and I can't be here."
"I have the basement ready if you want to use it," offered Ryo. "The fire said that you would be coming and I figured that you could use a place to stay."
Mia smiled her thanks and followed the FireDancer down to the haven made for her. Kento scowled, but held his peace. Time would tell if she would be trustworthy or not.
As dawn lit the house Sage came down the stairs to see his friends gathered at the kitchen table. Correction, everyone was there except for Ryo. The SunSinger wondered where the FireDancer was when said person coming up from the basement answered him.
"Morning," greeted the SunSinger.
"Morning," said Kento grouchily. "We have a houseguest."
Sage arched an eyebrow and looked at the rest of his friends. Ryo answered his silent question. "It's the ShadowDancer that we've been wondering about. It seems that she needs sanctuary from Tulpa as well."
