-Yorda- By Julie Danskin

Chapter 7 - On the move -

Yorda didn't sleep for the rest of that night, but clung desperately to her young friend's fingers, eyes wide open, for all she saw when she closed them was the terrified face of Mariya, and the confused young face of Keoden. Keoden. Did she see him again after that?

Ico stirred at around dawn, and Yorda sat up the minute his eyes began to open, slits at first, then opening fully, blinking, remembering his existence as Ico the boy. He looked towards Yorda, now paler than Yorda, and looked out into the sea the castle had sunk into.

"Hello Yorda," he said pleasantly, "Have a nice sleep?" "No," Yorda replied quietly, looking down at her feet, "I didn't."

Ico yawned and stretched, sitting himself up slowly, and looked at Yorda again. "Why not? Did you have another dream?" he asked. Yorda nodded, and swallowed. "What happened?"

"I saw Keoden again.he took me to see the horned children, there was one being put in the crypts.there were a lot that were vacant at that time. It was a girl, a horned girl, who-" "How old were you?" Ico asked abruptly, suddenly absorbed in Yorda's words. She looked at him, surprised, "Yorda, how old?" he repeated.

"About ten, maybe eleven," she replied. "Mariya." he whispered. "You knew her?" "She lived in the village.she was.I was.I was only about seven years old, but I knew her. She used to baby-sit me because my mother couldn't trust anyone else in the village that wouldn't kill the "cursed one". She was.my only friend, the only one that understood me. I knew no other horned children. They were all taken from villages on the other islands. Torree was the smallest island, and had the smallest village, you see."

"I tried to save her."

Ico looked at her. "What?" "She bit one of the guards," Ico chuckled, "And they thought he might be cursed. Keoden tried to stop me, but I opened the block her hand was stuck in with my powers." "You can do that?" "I could back then.I still had some of my abilities then. I'd only been in the cage for two years. Anyway, I managed to get her away, and into the tower, but the guards followed us, and I finally got Mariya in the cage with me, and Keoden raised it up again. I moved to close the door because it locked itself when it was shut, but a Shadow Demon hit me in the stomach- "

She stopped as Ico gasped for a moment in horror, but waved her on, wide eyed. "It flew off with Mariya, and the pain in my stomach was so bad, but I threw myself forward and caught her arm. The demon kept trying to pull her off me, but it couldn't because I was strong. But it was stronger because I tired and it didn't. I looked to Keoden for help, but he didn't do anything, or try to. He could have lowered the cage, which might have shook it off. But I weakened eventually, and it got her. I screamed, but she only smiled at me and said "Thank you," and disappeared. I closed the door, still weak, and the pain in my stomach was unbearable, but not as much as the pain in my heart. I had failed her. I heard her scream as she was locked up. That was when I gave up." Yorda bowed her head, and Ico rested a hand on her shoulder.

"It wasn't your fault. She was proud of you," he told her, "Because no-one had ever tried for her, no-one had ever cared. She died knowing someone was mourning her, which is probably the best way to think." Yorda smiled appreciatively. She could die now, knowing Ico would mourn her. Was that how she could be happy? But would he be happy?

They sat for a little while, packing up their camping tools they had made, and were ready to set off, moving for the nearest village on whatever island they were on. Yorda thought they were on Baiya, as it had the huge cliffs above the beach. Ico said their best bet was to climb them, and to see what was on top. They were planning to leave when the sun was at its highest, which would probably be in a few minutes.

"No harm in going early," Ico hummed cheerily, "Let's go, shall we?" "Alright," Yorda replied, standing up, and taking Ico's hand. He didn't need to drag her, and they didn't need to run. There was no hurry. There was no danger. "Ico?" "Mmm?" Ico said, looking along the beach for a suitable walking stick. He found one, and picked it up, propping it under his arm, "Want one?" he asked her. "No. Ico.did you destroy Mariya's ghost?"

Ico's eyes dropped, and Yorda began to cry silently. "I was so angry, Yorda. I saw them all dancing around you, and I could only feel anger and hatred towards them, I didn't care if they were my own.I killed them for you, I told you before."

"I never asked you to kill anyone.Not for me.I am only one person.So many children!" Yorda muttered, unable to look at her friend as they walked along the beach. "Look, I probably FREED their spirits! Yorda, I acted on instincts, I thought I was right and I was, because I got you back-" Ico dropped off at seeing Yorda's eyes flash. He flinched, absurdly frightened. He dropped her hand.

"You acted on anger." She said quietly, and continued walking, her eyes in front of her, looking for the lowest climb up to the peak. She followed Ico, but did not speak to him, did not touch him, did not let him help her when they climbed up the colossal cliff. He went ahead and she followed his footing, followed his speed, but silently, with only the gasp if her footing temporarily slipped, and if this happened he would turn back to help her, but she had by then rearranged herself and continued to climb.

After a long few hours, the two reached the top, stretching themselves out, glad to be back on straight land.

Ico reached for Yorda's hand, and she looked at it, her fingers twitched longingly, but dignity overtook the young Princess and she walked away from it, looking down the cliff, proud of herself for completing the hardship. "Yorda, be careful you don't fall off," he warned her, running to her, grabbing her wrist.

She looked at it briefly, and her eyes softened. "Mannib cad," she whispered quietly. "Yorda, speak my language, please!" "Mannib cad," she repeated, and he dropped her wrist reluctantly. "Oh, Yorda," he said sadly.

After walking for a while along the endless sea of grass and earth, the sky clouded in grey, and Yorda started singing to herself again,

"The island bathes in the sun's bright rays, Distant hills wear a shroud of grey. A lonely breeze whispers in the trees, Sole witness to history,"

"That's beautiful, Yorda. What is it?" Ico asked her, but she simply looked at him.

It began to rain.

"We had better find somewhere to rest."

Nothing.

"Yorda?"

Nothing.

"Oh Yorda."

Walking along the dulled grass, the torrential rains beating down upon them, Ico nearly felt like he could fall asleep in the dangerous openness of the terrain. He watched Yorda weaken too, but felt her defiant energy refusing to give up beside him.

"Baum," she whispered suddenly, very quietly, pointing her thin arm forwards. Ico, startled, followed the direction of her pointed index finger, and his mouth broke into a grin.

"Yorda, you've saved us!" he cried joyfully, grabbing her hand and sprinting towards the cave Yorda had pointed out. She didn't resist, but immediately discarded his grip once they were in the shelter, and he looked up at her mournfully.

"Please, Yorda. I'm sorry." Ico pleaded, searching her eyes for what she was feeling. "Chienyae," she said quietly, shaking her head. It was like before, when Yorda had been small and weak and vulnerable. Ico shook his head in return, sad, miserable. Shouldn't he be at home somewhere, being loved by his mother, and playing games with his 'friends'? Shouldn't he be hanging about with children his own age, and not older girls who he doesn't know the exact age of? He guessed she was about eighteen. Six years older than him. Truth dawned on him. Once she had gotten what she wanted from him, why would she want to stay with a child? But she had said.

As if she had read his mind, she spoke to him.

"Do not be a fool, Ico. This is not the end of us. I just need time, alright? If I didn't want to be with you I wouldn't be here, understand?" she told him, in a firm voice that startled him. Feeling ashamed, he smiled grimly, and muttered a tiny apology. She took it as a large one.

"It's alright," she told him, "I think you're right. Maybe you did free her soul. Maybe you did the same for all of them.oh those poor children." Ico looked away. He didn't mention that the same was going to happen to him, even though she knew already. He decided to change the subject and settle a curiosity.

"How old are you, Yorda? Years, I mean. How many winters have you seen?" he asked her. She looked at him surprised. She obviously thought she was not going to speak to him for a while, but Ico thought she had a lot of time to make up for.

"I have not seen many winters. I have felt many of them through the windows of my tower. I have felt seven and have seen eight winters in my life. That makes.fifteen?" she told him. She had evidently not calculated many numbers for a while. Ico nodded, surprised.

Three years.she was only three years older than him? It seemed strange, but his mother said girls often grew up before boys. "You're three years older than me," he told her. She too looked surprised. "Really? I thought it was more," she laughed. Ico was glad she was speaking to him again.

She looked out of the cave mouth. "We better get some sleep. It's late, and we had better find a village tomorrow. I think they'll be further up the hill," she said wisely, and Ico nodded. He looked for resting-places inside the cave, there were a few bats sheltering and some mice scuttling around the floor which made Yorda flinch, but she smiled reassuringly at him to let him know that she didn't mind. He nodded and found a quiet patch in the corner.

She slept quite close to him, but not very near. She didn't want him to think she was frightened, and that she needed to stay close to him for safety. He respected her choice.

"Ico," she said sleepily, and Ico was dozing slightly. Ico thought this must be one of the thoughts that was haunting her, but she simply couldn't get to sleep without the knowledge to this question, "Ico, how old would Mariya be now? I tried to add it in my head but I couldn't. It doesn't matter but I'd just like to know."

He was silent for a moment. Mariya had gone away when she was twelve, and Yorda had been ten, and was fifteen. That meant Mariya would probably have been about seventeen.

"She would be seventeen, Yorda." He replied simply. "Thank you," she replied, and he heard shuffling as she struggled to find comfort on the hard ground.

Ico looked at her in the dark. She wouldn't attain comfort with that thin, wet dress on. He didn't have much to give her, but he ripped one shoulder of the strange garment his mother gave him so he could lift it over his head. He clumsily tied the two broken ends together and crawled over to Yorda. She sensed his presence and turned to face him. She saw him wrap the garment over her thin shoulders, giving her immediate warmth. It was well made indeed. Ico would miss it.

"Ico.I." she whispered, and attempted to push it away. "Please. It would mean a lot to him. Now sleep." He rearranged it round her shoulder, and gave her a quick embrace, kissing her briefly on the cheek.

As he pulled away, his face burned with embarrassment. He had never kissed a girl before, but then, Yorda was an exception. He bent closer again, and her eyes were closed, her breath rhythmised. She had fallen asleep quickly. Lucky her, he thought, I only hope she dreams well, too. He leant down to her pointed elf-like ear gently. "You are beautiful," he told her earnestly, "And you are my best friend in the whole world. I will protect you with my life, even if I don't have to anymore."

The Princess shifted slightly, and she exhaled heavily, a small smile on her delicate face. Satisfied, Ico crawled back to his space, shooed the rat keeping it warm for him, and lay down. His final thought for the day was of Yorda.

* * * * * * *

Yorda sat in her cage, rocking herself gently backwards and forwards. A sudden voice reached up to her.

"Yorda!"

There were many footsteps, becoming louder as they became higher. Someone was climbing her tower.

"Yorda!"

Very loud now.

Who was making all that racket?

She looked behind her, and Keoden stood at the top of the stairs sheepishly, shuffling his feet.

"What do you want?" she snapped angrily.

It had been over a year since she had seen him. She was twelve now, and waiting for the day her mother would come and put her in the pod like her friend Mariya.

She would be dead by now. And it's all Keoden's fault.

"Yorda! Talk to me! I'm here to apologise!"

"You took your time."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Mariya's dead."

"Yes, Yorda. I'm sorry."

"Are you?"

"Oh yes."

"Alright then. But only because you're my brother and it wasn't really your fault."

Relaxing, Keoden moved right to the front of the railing separating him and his sister. He smiled at her calmly.

He has a nice smile.

He flew back with a cry of protest, and his small body was thrust unwillingly against the back wall. His throat made a gurgling sound, and he spat up blood. Yorda screamed. His eyes were wide, but looked up at her.

"What happened?" she cried frantically.

"Don't panic! I only bit my tongue. I'll be okay." He replied.

"What made you-"

Yorda faltered mid-sentence as a glowing black ball with foul-smelling smoke pouring out in all directions appeared in front of where Keoden lay sprawled. The ball shaped itself into the form of her mother, the Queen. Yorda gasped. She hadn't seen her mother in years.

"Mummy!" she cried. The Queen threw a hand backwards at her, and the small girl was also sprawled against the back of the cage, making it swing backwards and forwards, the chain creaking. Yorda was too frightened to notice her world moving to and fro.

"Silence child. I warned you not to defy me. My soldiers informed me that you both attempted to free a prisoner," she hissed, darting her demon eyes accusingly between them. Yorda shuddered and backed away, seeing Keoden do the same. They were only children.

"But.mother.that was a-a long time ago. A-and it was o-only me th-that tried to get M-Mariya loose." Yorda stammered, terrified, violet eyes open with such fear she felt they may either burst with the amount of tears behind them, or pop out.

"SILENCE!" the Queen's voice boomed, shaking the whole tower. Keoden and Yorda shot each other a look, Keoden with one of gratefulness and Yorda with one of apology for dragging her into this, even though he brought her down to see. "You will not do the talking. I will. Perhaps it was a long time ago, but I had better things to do.more children to attend to."

Her eyes stabbed into Yorda with sheer force, taking the young Princess' breath out of her lungs. Her mother had been unkind to her, yes, but never cruel. She had never looked upon her mother with distaste, not even when she locked her in the cage four years ago. But now she feared her, now she looked on her with hatred, with disgust. She had never hated anyone before. But her mother had killed her friend, and had hurt her brother.

"You both know what you did, and you both know I will not forget this," her voice carried on, forceful and scary, "But you will receive your punishments, and shall forget this incident. Yorda, for one winter will you have a demon fly around your cage every night and taunt you for what you have done. Keoden, you will be sent to a different island, and live in the castle there for the rest of your days. I have spoken. Say goodbye."

The smoke vanished, as did the Queen with the same disgusting hiss.

"Keoden? Are you alright?"

"An island.away.she's sending me away."

"Oh Keoden."

"Yorda."

"What?"

"I'm so sorry."

"Why?"

"Because I know what she's going to do to you. She's decided and she wants me out of the way so I can't stop her but I must live with knowing I could do nothing."

What does he mean?

"What will she do to me?" her voice was no more than a whisper.

"I can't tell you, Yorda. But if you ever escape, or if I ever find a way back, then I will come back for you and rescue you. I don't care if you rule. I don't care. Yorda!"

Two flying shadows had flown down and grabbed Keoden's arms roughly, picking him up, flying out of a broken window.

"Stop! Put him down!"

"It's alright Yorda. We'll see each other again soon."

"No."

"It's alright. Don't worry. Don't let the demons hurt you, Yorda. Word's can't."

He disappeared. Words can't what? Can't choose themselves? Can't be on their own?

"WORDS CANT WHAT?" she screamed into the night, as the demon chosen to torture her arrived.

She never heard his reply, the taunting hiss of the demon's words scorched her soul.

* * * * * * She woke up, panting.

She looked down at her feet. The garment had slipped off her body. She tied it tight around her small waist, and walked to the mouth of the cave shakily.

"Word's can't what?" she whispered into the night.

A face appeared.

A face, so vivid, so recognised, yet not recognised.

A face she knew.

"Words can't what?" she asked it, not sure what else to do.

"They can't hurt, Yorda. They can't." it replied.

It's wrong.the face is wrong.

"Keoden?" she whimpered. The face smiled, but grew concerned as she fell.

She saw no more.

Heard no more.

Just a small thud as she hit the ground, and as her grown brother gasped.