Remnants of the Sky
By Zell's Girl
Rating: PG-13
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Chapter Seven: The Moment
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Is love something that can be found? Is it something that is tangible to your average person, or is it only for those the Goddess deems worthy? Perhaps it is just falsehood, an illusion the human mind concocts? Love is the question and answer, the paradox.
The world seems like a cruel place. People are manipulative, and will do anything for power and money, including hurt each other. In a world like this, where does love fit into our lives? Somewhere between the cracks? In the unnoticed cogs? Love is something that seems unnecessary on days some days, but it's all that matters on others.
Love is not something to be forced. The heart makes its own decisions. It defies knowledge. It spits upon the greater good. Love seems is senseless and stubborn. It seems to fool and deceive the most reasonable of people. But, for every shadow, there is twice as much light. That light is just unnoticed when we're blinded.
But, even the blind can sense things. It does not take much to read a person's eyes. The human face gives us many kinds of signals. Signals can be crossed. Signals can be misinterpreted. Not to mention, there is the hazard of a lying tongue. With all these risks, why do people bother?
I'll tell you, it's not because of pride. Nor is it because of stature. It is not due to selfish needs or self-pleasure. It is not to keep that one, lingering moment of happiness. Love, truly, is a selfless act. As the ancients said, 'The only reasonable act is love'.
Grasp that notion and take it with you. Never lose it. There's something reassuring there. Despite the pain, despite the sorrows, despite the situation, love is there. It's sensible and reasonable and logical to love, to feel. It's not a sin to have a heart.
Love looks past so many things; love is blind. The past, the present, the future; they don't matter—love is timeless. Love makes you believe, in yourself, and in others. Love can make a believer out of most people, regardless of who they are.
This is a story young woman's search of love and the broken heart of a noble knight. Remember: as hopeless as things seem, love is something to believe in.
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Chris Lightfellow's team walked across the Yaza Plains. An eastern wind blew lightly against the six warriors. The empty plains seemed to have less monster activity than usual this day. Borus and Yumi stayed towards the back of the group, chatting away.
"I'm sorry you ended up here," Borus said, "we needed an archer and you just ended up being the one. I know you probably had more important things to do."
"You needn't worry," Yumi reassured, "this is war, and I go where I'm needed. Though you may not have noticed, I am a well-trained Alma Kinan warrior."
Borus laughed nervously, and muttered out, "I guess I forgot."
"Sometimes I do, too." Yumi told him. Borus raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Yes. I mean, it might be different for you guys, but back at the village we are taught to be more then warriors. And even now, outside the village, I am finding out so much more about being a real person…"
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Chris smiled at Percival, eyeing Yumi and Borus who seemed to be talking happily towards the tail of the group. Chris' lavender eyes were bright, happier the Percival had seen them in a while.
"Ain't that cute?" Percival whispered, grinning at Chris. "Our little guy's all grown up!" Chris continued to grin.
"Must you always mock Borus? It's good to see him happy."
"If he had half a nerve he'd do the same thing to me," Percival protested, "not to mention I never said I wasn't happy for him. At least he's away from you, I suppose."
"So, anyway," Chris said, changing the subject, "do you know if they are actually together, or just 'friends'?"
"He claims just friends, but it doesn't matter. Before we know it, before he knows it, he'll be sucked in, far too deep."
"Such wonderful views on women," Chris murmured. "Why do I bother with you, anyway?"
"I wouldn't know. Maybe you're as crazy as me?" Percival smirked. Chris pushed him lightly, continuing on the path towards Iksay.
"I must be," she replied.
Percival whispered in a low voice, "I don't mind, not at all."
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Salome let out a sigh and looked at Leo. Leo raised an eyebrow, looking back at the strategist.
"Here's to us lonely people." Salome murmured.
"Lonely?" Leo repeated. "Who ever said I was lonely?"
"Being single with all these couples around," Salome sighed, "it makes me feel so old. Single guys like us have it hard."
"Who said I was single?!" Leo protested, glaring at the smaller knight. Salome looked back up at him, questioningly. "What about you and Lady Lucia?" Salome coughed, trying to restrain some laughter.
"She shot me down a looooooong time ago, Leo. And now, the question is, who're you with?"
"You know, Anne," Leo informed, "Karayan woman, curly blonde hair, runs the bar back at the castle…"
"Why am I not surprised!" Salome laughed. "When did this happen?"
"After the drinking contest a few months ago, we got to talking, and hit it off I suppose." Leo shrugged.
"What do you mean, 'I suppose'?" Salome questioned.
"I can't completely remember…"
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It was around six in the evening by the time that the six reached Iksay. The town was settling down, people heading back to their respective homes. The group was for the most part disregarded as they walked into the small town.
"All right," Chris spoke, "Leo and Salome, check the armory and inn. Borus and Yumi, ask the civilians up by the windmill. Percival and I will scour the rest of the area. All right, men?"
"Yes milady!" The four men chimed together. Yumi nodded, making sure not to single herself out. Each group went to search the areas Chris had assigned.
Yumi looked about Iksay. She had never seen the town before. The fields about the area seemed well cultivated and livestock seemed to roam about freely. Iksay was obviously a farming village. There weren't many houses, and the entire area seemed small. The architecture seemed rather simple and linear, a traditional Zexen style. Scattered about the village there seemed to be some minor fire damage.
"Cute little town, isn't it?" Yumi said, scanning the area. Borus grinned.
"You should have seen it a few months ago after the attack. The whole area was shredded. The townsfolk repaired most of the damage by now."
"I see…" Yumi looked up at the windmill as she approached it. That structure seemed to be the only destroyed thing in the town. The wooden planks that used to be covered in cloth were black and burnt. The foundation seemed to be covered in ash.
"It's quite sad…" Borus sighed, looking about. He saw several villagers talking while sitting at a small picnic table towards the side of the enclosure. Borus began to interrogate the people as Yumi merely watched the sunset.
The golden sun seemed to fit perfectly amongst the fields of wheat, the colors blending together with ease. Yumi leaned against the wooden fence, watching as the celestial light edged its way down the sky. Such beauty she hadn't seen in a long time. Borus watched her moment of distraction, despite the fact that he was busily talking to the group of farmers. Yumi turned and looked at Borus before she began interrogating some of the other villagers.
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Percival shouted ahead through the darkness, screaming, "Borus! Yumi! We've found it!" Chris, Leo, Percival, and Salome ran up the path to the area near the windmill. The other two soldiers turned from the villagers they were interrogating towards their companions.
"Really? Great!" Borus grinned. "Where was it?"
"The items shop," Chris informed. "That is where the problem lies."
"Problem?" Yumi asked, looking between the dark faces of the knights. "What would this problem be?"
"Well, you see, the gold hammer was expensive and we don't have enough money to get a room at the inn. Truth be told we have no money left at all." Percival told them. "It's around ten so we can't get back to Budehuc tonight so… We'll have to camp outside on the plains." Borus groaned. He had not come prepared for more then a day's journey and did not have any camping supplies. Sleeping out on the monster-riddled field didn't sound too appealing.
"I suppose we should rest up now and leave at the first lights of dawn tomorrow."
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It was quite late by the time the knights set up camp in a small grove. Borus had ended up getting first watch. He sat by the fire that Salome has started, leaning against a large stone. Borus had removed his armor to offer himself some slight comfort. He prodded the fire with a tree branch, staring blankly into it.
The crepuscular sky seemed bright this evening. The full moon offered more illumination than most night. Stars above sparkled in the cloud sky, offering a picturesque atmosphere. The only thing that ruined the atmosphere would be Leo's loud snoring.
"Hey," Yumi whispered, approaching Borus from where the other knights lied resting, "have you seen anything?"
"No, nothing seems afoot this evening. Shouldn't you be sleeping though? We're departing early tomorrow," Borus cautioned, continuing to manipulate the flames.
"I could not manage to fall asleep. It is just so very cold." Yumi extended her hands to the fire.
"It never gets this cold in the Alma Kinan Village." Borus peeled of his brown overshirt and offered it to Yumi. She smiled at the knight graciously, wrapping it around herself. "Thank you."
"Not a problem. It's nice to have some company." A silence fell upon the two as the fire crackled loudly. Borus shivered slightly, his undershirt supplied little to no heat.
"Sir Borus, I would like to thank you…" Yumi murmured, moving slightly closer to the knight.
Borus grinned.
"It's not a problem, I have a much better tolerance for weather, the least I could do is aid you."
"Not just that." Yumi looked at the knight sleepily. "For when you helped me at the bar, when you stayed with me, for the time we spent together, and… for refuting some of the teachings."
"What?" Borus asked, confused at her last comment. Yumi looked heavenward, watching the lightning bugs move about the treetops.
"I was always taught… that the people outside the village were not to be trusted. I never believed that other peoples were any different then the Shamans. Knowing you gave me proof that there are genuinely good people in the outer lands…"
Borus stared at the fire. Good person? Borus hadn't seen himself in such a way for a long time now. He'd done so many terrible things… His actions were unforgivable. But somehow… she saw him as a 'good person'. Borus smiled at the girl as she leaned lightly against him, resting her head on his shoulder. In the last few moments she had drifted off to sleep.
The fire burned, casting reddish light upon the two. The stars and fireflies
glowed in a pleasant, welcoming way. She believed in him. Maybe he should
have faith in himself? Yumi breathed lightly against his neck as she slept
peacefully. Borus let out a quiet sigh.
Several minutes later, footsteps echoed with the sound of crushing leaves. "Borus," Salome yawned, "You can go to sleep now, my shift."
"Shh…." Borus hushed, looking down at the girl, then to the Salome. "Just… let me stay here… for a little while longer…"
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End Chapter Seven
Author's Notes:
Ba da da dah!!!! Yay! It's the next
two chapters!!! Cute, huh? Only
two or three left!!!! I wanna thank my
reviewers.... (PLEASE REVIEW!!!)
Al 'he rocks!!!!' Kristopher for
helping me with my POOOOOR
grammar, and anyone who like
BorYumi!!!!! ya ya ya!!! Woot!
Review my stoooooory. And try...
to look at Borus like I do. He's not
all bad! He's so.... misunderstood!
Loveeeeeeeee,
Kate
