A Familiar Tale of Revenge

Chapter 3 – Guardian

Zack ran as fast as he could, desperate to keep pace with the horse as it cantered through the twilight. The sky was already fading to black, and he knew there was a storm coming. He did not want to be without shelter when it hit. For the thousandth time, he hoped he was doing the right thing.

It had been just a few days since the Great mother had allowed him to return to Corus. She had explained to him that though her brother the Black God had allowed him to seek revenge, the dead could not return in their original bodies. To Zack, this had made sense. If he was to find his murderer he would need stealth and a disguise. He had not expected the nature of his rebirth.

Typical. He thought. As usual I rush into something without finding out all the information first, and now I am stuck chasing a massive horse just before an immense storm, and my fur is going to get wet!

You see, when the Goddess told him he would return to the world of the living, he had always assumed he would return as a human... When he awoke on the sun-kissed rooftops of Corus, he was shocked to say the least to find that the body he now inhabited was considerably different to that he had left behind.

Stumbling and falling on his new legs, he managed to get to a puddle at the other side of the roof, where he peered intently as his new reflection. He was a small, black kitten!

Once the initial cursing and ranting wore him out, he managed to see the (small but tangible) good side to his new situation. No-one was likely to suspect a cat, and he was sure he could find someone to help him. Descending to ground level, he kept to the shadows, and followed the trail of busy streets to the palace. He was sure that his murderer was a noble of some kind, despite his robbery. The man's voice had been cultured and without accent.

When he got to the castle, he managed to scale the stairs on the outside of the wall. This led him to the battlements, and he was able to peer into the courtyard. Here he watched, and waited. The Mother's words came back to him as he thought.

"You must protect the vulnerable, the defender of truth. They ride a hard journey, and follow your path to justice. You will know them, and you will see them ever after. Guard them with your life my Son, and your revenge will be assured."

This did not make much sense to Zack, but he decided that he had to start somewhere. The Mother had put him in Corus for a reason, of that he was sure.

As the sun began to sink below the horizon, a small figure appeared from the guardsman's hut. They were dressed in the red and golden arms of the king, but carried no shield, only a sword and spear.

A squire, or a guard. Zack thought. He moved closer, curious about the size of this warrior. He was certainly shorter than average, though he carried himself well and seemed muscled. A hostler approached the figure, leading a magnificent golden mare. The figure conferred with the hostler, and Zack suddenly decided that he would follow this person to the gates, and see if he recognised him.

Darting through the streets, he stopped at the gate to the city, hoping for a better glimpse of the figure. He came round a corner about five minutes later. Zack was able to confirm his earlier guess – it was a squire, a young one too by the look of it. He seemed worried, and clutched a parchment container strapped round his waist. Zack shadowed the mare as it trotted out of the gate, and took the great road that led past his home.

"They follow your path..."

It was a sign! Zack was sure of it. He started to run, and found that though he could only just keep up with the horse, it did not tire him. So now he ran into the fading light, the only noises the pounding of hooves on the packed earth.

Zack was relieved to note that as soon as it began to rain, the squire decided to take shelter under a large tree. He crouched under a bush nearby, and watched as they built a fire and tended to the mare, which grazed and took absolutely no notice of Zack.

The squire looked even smaller up close, if that was possible. He was slightly built, and his thin face was emphasised by his coppery hair, and violet eyes. Zack had never seen anyone with violet eyes before, and he knew it was a sign of great magical power. However it did not seem to fit with this individual. They seemed very small and vulnerable as they dried their wet clothes and sat alone by the fire. Zack decided that this squire must have been through many hardships – they were certainly much smaller than average. He was impressed that they had even made it this far, as a knights training was legendarily difficult. His new admiration made him want to talk to the squire, and ask him how he had coped so well. Even from where he sat, he could see the scars of battle on the boy's bare arms.

Suddenly he detected a great presence behind him, and he lowered his head as the Great Mother knelt to whisper softly to him.

"Are you sure?"

Then he knew. This squire was the one. They needed him, and he them. It was the road to his revenge, but the Mother's tone suggested it would be a difficult ordeal. He looked her full in the face for the slightest instant, and said silently: Yes, I choose my path.

"So be it. Wait here a moment."

The mother approached, the squire, and the first words she spoke stunned Zack

"My daughter." She continued to speak, but he no longer heeded her.

The squire was a girl! Zack was astonished, but in a way it explained everything. The difficulties of being a female squire! It made the feat even more remarkable in his eyes. He wanted to help even more, he felt inexplicably drawn to this girl - and then it happened. Suddenly he knew her. He saw what she had done, felt what she felt and knew with a certainty that they were destined to help each other. He sensed a bond between them, and the kneeling girl looked up, startled.

"Come now, small one." The Mother said, beckoning to him

He emerged from the bushes, and walked towards them.

"Guard her well."

He looked up at the Mother, and nodded.

I will.

The Mother now addressed the girl one more time.

"Farewell, Alanna. Keep my token and your guardian. May you both find your way."

Alanna nodded, and picked up Zack, who was too startled to protest. He decided not to complain – she would discover his true nature soon enough.

Just as suddenly as the Mother had come, so she left them; and Zack and his new charge Alanna settled down for the night, both with a lot to think about.

--------------------------------

Okay, this took almost a year in getting done but it is strictly a setting- the-story chapter and the next ones will be much longer. Now you all know who Zack is, I suppose I can say that though some of the plot will be similar to "In the hand of the Goddess" and following books I do have an original idea that will be the main focus of the story. I suppose this means it is an Au fic...no surprise coming from me.

Anyway, sorry for the incredibly late continuation and I hope some of the lovely people who reviewed this story last time (Thank you!) are still alive and can read chapter 3. Hopefully chapter four will be along soon.

Kuja