The rain made the sky black, blocking out the warm light of the sun. The
day had become night, just as the oracle had said. "When the sky cries and
turns day into night, the Morningstar shall leave the gates and walk the
worlds edge, seeking for one who is dead." HoshiAsa plowed through the
rain and mud. Perhaps the oracle had been right about this, and maybe her
other prophecy was right, but right now she didn't care. She would go to
the end of the world if it would mean she would find him. They had a
sacred contract to keep, and he would not wiggle out of it. She wouldn't
let him. Her smile was dark and fierce. He was a fool if he thought death
would prevent her from her contract with his household. She would not let
him escape her.
Her fierce determination warmed her and guided her through the rain. Light pierced the bleak darkness and HoshiAsa headed for it. It took her another hour to get through the deep mud that sucked her into its grip, fighting her every step, but finally she reached the door of the building. She pulled it open and looked inside at the warm, dry bodies sitting comfortably at tables all throughout the room. Most of the people here were men she noted. In fact the only women here seemed to be two serving maids. One of these young women, who couldn't be more than 15, approached her and spoke in a soft and hushed voice. HosiAsa didn't know the exact words the girl spoke but it was clear enough that she was leading her to a table near the fire. HoshiAsa sat down and silently watched the girl leave the room through a door behind the bar.
HoshiAsa leaned back in the wooden chair and closed her eyes, absorbing the warmth of the fire. It felt good to be some place warm and dry, instead of being out in all that dreadful rain. Soon the girl was back. In her hands she carried a large mug of spiced cider, whose rich aroma tickled HoshiAsa's nose. The girl waited patiently as HoshiAsa took a drink. Delicious. HoshiAsa smiled at the girl and nodded. The girl blushed and darted back out of the room. The men at the table nearest her glanced over their shoulders at her. Their faces were red with drink and their eyes held only desire. HoshiAsa glared at the men and they went back to drinking their ale. One hand rested on her knee, hidden from the men's view. Within it glowed a narrow piece of white paper. It never hurt to be ready for the unexpected.
The girl was suddenly back again, this time carrying a large steaming bowl of stew. HoshiAsa looked at the girl, just looked for a long moment. This girl was nothing special. The brown hair was thick and matted, areas dusted with flour. Her eyes were the same brown as her hair. They would have been worthless eyes if not for the kindness HoshiAsa saw in them. The eyes decided her. HoshiAsa reached her hidden hand out from under the table. The words written on the ofuda suddenly changed and before the girl could see the ofuda HoshiAsa clasped their hands together. The girl gasped as the magic spell swept through her body and for one split second HoshiAsa and the girl were of one mind.
The girl jerked away from HoshiAsa. "What.what did you do to me?"
"Forgive me, miss. But I needed to learn your language rather quickly and you seemed to be an honest young lady. I thought you would have better language than your customers."
The girl blinked. "oh."
"If it makes you feel any better your cider was delicious."
"T..thank you."
* * *
KazeHa looked around, wildly searching for Alexian and did not find him. The field was empty. A snort brought his attention back to the white face staring at him and KazeHa fell deep into a pair of crystal blue eyes. Love wrapped around his heart like a blanket, filling him with a feeling of safety. The love filling him from those blue eyes reached deep, touching the open wound in his heart where his people, his Mother, had been. KazeHa screamed and jerked away from the companion standing before him. Tears poured down KazeHa's face and his body shook.
::Chosen what is wrong?::
"NO!!!!" KazeHa screamed from the deepest pit of his soul. He did not want this! He did not want to feel this!! KazeHa turned and ran away from the companion as fast as he could. The grass whipped at his legs and seemed to fight to keep him from getting away. The companion simply stood in complete shock. He didn't know what to make of this. A chosen wasn't supposed to flee from his companion! He was supposed to feel love for his companion just as his companion felt love for him. ::Chosen!! Why do you run from me? ::
KazeHa didn't know where to go. The field just seemed to go on forever. Which direction was the collegium? Kazeha looked wildly around as he ran. Searching for any place he could hide. Then he saw it. The perfect hiding place! He turned back as he neared his hiding place and saw the companion running towards him, faster than any horse should move. Drawing up the last of his strength KazeHa flung himself the final yards to trees and the safety offered by them.
* * *
The girl, whose name was Annalie, sat and talked with HoshiAsa. They had been talking since the last of the customers had fallen asleep at their tables, about 3 hours ago. A lot of what they had been talking about was simple information about this country HoshiAsa found herself in. Valdamar was truly a strange place. HoshiAsa didn't quite know what to think about these people. They were so very different from her own people. HoshiAsa sighed and went back to listening to the girls rambling monologue.
"And then the boys came back with the wagon full of the missing children and this strange black-haired boy. He came with the Herald and he was soo cute. The herald, I mean, although the stranger, who looks a lot like you, was really exotic looking. He was wearing white too and he was kinda quiet- "
HoshiAsa spun the girl around. "You saw a man who looked like me?"
"Uh.yes"
"What was his name? In which direction did he go?!"
Annalie swallowed hard. "I don't know his name. He didn't speak trade tongue or Valdamarian." Annalie looked away briefly. "He left with the herald..um.Alexian Frelennye, I think was his name." She tilted her head. "My bet is that they were going back to Haven."
"Haven."
"It's the capital, all the Heralds live there."
HoshiAsa smiled. She knew where to go now. She knew how to find YoShen. She stood up from the chair and began to walk towards the stairs that led up to the room Annalie said she could stay in. HoshiAsa stopped at the base of the stairs. "Goodnight, Annalie. You have been a great help to me and I shall pray to Seigi to watch over you always."
* * *
KazeHa ran through the doorway, past many bushes, and some hot springs. He saw a small house up in a nearby tree and made his way up to it as fast as he could. He tried as hard as he could to block out the voice of the companion calling to him. He would not hear it! He could not hear it! Telepathy was forbidden! It was sacrilege!! He would not disgrace his people any more than he already had.
::KazeHa! Please chosen, you must be calm! You must listen to me!::
"Go away! I can't hear you! I can't!!"
::KazeHa, please you cannot ignore me.::
KazeHa cringed at the pain in the voice ringing in his head. He shut his eyes tight, trying to block out everything. He would not hear those pain filled words. He would not see those brilliant blue eyes brimming with love at the sight of him. KazeHa choked back sobs and tears. "Go away.please.leave me alone."
::I can't. Please we have so much that we need to do.:: Outside the companion pressed his head up against the wall of the vale. ::KazeHa, will you ignore everything Shinigami and I told you. Will you ignore your destiny?::
KazeHa gasped as the warmth of the sun and the rich scent of the flowers in Shinigami's garden rose around him. Again came that silky voice, " . in order to fulfill your destiny and your Mother's dying wish you had to first become a ghost to your people. By being a part of their life you could never achieve what you are meant to." Shinigami glanced back over his shoulder at the other man and waved him to come closer. "KazeHa, this is Shai. He will be an important part of your life from this point forward."
Tears poured freely now, down KazeHa's cheeks. He wept with all the pent up pain and grief that had been buried in his heart since that fateful night that he first met Alexian. All his grief over his death, his being bonded to a stranger, the loss of his home, his Mother's death and now this betrayal, the betrayal of his own god, hit him.
::Chosen.::
KazeHa wept.
* * *
Author Note: I know that it took a long time to get this up and I am sorry. My beta reader has been very busy and so she hasn't been able to look at it yet. So here is the unbeta'd version. Since there are most likely quiet a few errors and it took a while to post and have put up two bonus songs. They are kinda' like spoliers so be warry for those of you who don't want hints at chapter 14.
Her fierce determination warmed her and guided her through the rain. Light pierced the bleak darkness and HoshiAsa headed for it. It took her another hour to get through the deep mud that sucked her into its grip, fighting her every step, but finally she reached the door of the building. She pulled it open and looked inside at the warm, dry bodies sitting comfortably at tables all throughout the room. Most of the people here were men she noted. In fact the only women here seemed to be two serving maids. One of these young women, who couldn't be more than 15, approached her and spoke in a soft and hushed voice. HosiAsa didn't know the exact words the girl spoke but it was clear enough that she was leading her to a table near the fire. HoshiAsa sat down and silently watched the girl leave the room through a door behind the bar.
HoshiAsa leaned back in the wooden chair and closed her eyes, absorbing the warmth of the fire. It felt good to be some place warm and dry, instead of being out in all that dreadful rain. Soon the girl was back. In her hands she carried a large mug of spiced cider, whose rich aroma tickled HoshiAsa's nose. The girl waited patiently as HoshiAsa took a drink. Delicious. HoshiAsa smiled at the girl and nodded. The girl blushed and darted back out of the room. The men at the table nearest her glanced over their shoulders at her. Their faces were red with drink and their eyes held only desire. HoshiAsa glared at the men and they went back to drinking their ale. One hand rested on her knee, hidden from the men's view. Within it glowed a narrow piece of white paper. It never hurt to be ready for the unexpected.
The girl was suddenly back again, this time carrying a large steaming bowl of stew. HoshiAsa looked at the girl, just looked for a long moment. This girl was nothing special. The brown hair was thick and matted, areas dusted with flour. Her eyes were the same brown as her hair. They would have been worthless eyes if not for the kindness HoshiAsa saw in them. The eyes decided her. HoshiAsa reached her hidden hand out from under the table. The words written on the ofuda suddenly changed and before the girl could see the ofuda HoshiAsa clasped their hands together. The girl gasped as the magic spell swept through her body and for one split second HoshiAsa and the girl were of one mind.
The girl jerked away from HoshiAsa. "What.what did you do to me?"
"Forgive me, miss. But I needed to learn your language rather quickly and you seemed to be an honest young lady. I thought you would have better language than your customers."
The girl blinked. "oh."
"If it makes you feel any better your cider was delicious."
"T..thank you."
* * *
KazeHa looked around, wildly searching for Alexian and did not find him. The field was empty. A snort brought his attention back to the white face staring at him and KazeHa fell deep into a pair of crystal blue eyes. Love wrapped around his heart like a blanket, filling him with a feeling of safety. The love filling him from those blue eyes reached deep, touching the open wound in his heart where his people, his Mother, had been. KazeHa screamed and jerked away from the companion standing before him. Tears poured down KazeHa's face and his body shook.
::Chosen what is wrong?::
"NO!!!!" KazeHa screamed from the deepest pit of his soul. He did not want this! He did not want to feel this!! KazeHa turned and ran away from the companion as fast as he could. The grass whipped at his legs and seemed to fight to keep him from getting away. The companion simply stood in complete shock. He didn't know what to make of this. A chosen wasn't supposed to flee from his companion! He was supposed to feel love for his companion just as his companion felt love for him. ::Chosen!! Why do you run from me? ::
KazeHa didn't know where to go. The field just seemed to go on forever. Which direction was the collegium? Kazeha looked wildly around as he ran. Searching for any place he could hide. Then he saw it. The perfect hiding place! He turned back as he neared his hiding place and saw the companion running towards him, faster than any horse should move. Drawing up the last of his strength KazeHa flung himself the final yards to trees and the safety offered by them.
* * *
The girl, whose name was Annalie, sat and talked with HoshiAsa. They had been talking since the last of the customers had fallen asleep at their tables, about 3 hours ago. A lot of what they had been talking about was simple information about this country HoshiAsa found herself in. Valdamar was truly a strange place. HoshiAsa didn't quite know what to think about these people. They were so very different from her own people. HoshiAsa sighed and went back to listening to the girls rambling monologue.
"And then the boys came back with the wagon full of the missing children and this strange black-haired boy. He came with the Herald and he was soo cute. The herald, I mean, although the stranger, who looks a lot like you, was really exotic looking. He was wearing white too and he was kinda quiet- "
HoshiAsa spun the girl around. "You saw a man who looked like me?"
"Uh.yes"
"What was his name? In which direction did he go?!"
Annalie swallowed hard. "I don't know his name. He didn't speak trade tongue or Valdamarian." Annalie looked away briefly. "He left with the herald..um.Alexian Frelennye, I think was his name." She tilted her head. "My bet is that they were going back to Haven."
"Haven."
"It's the capital, all the Heralds live there."
HoshiAsa smiled. She knew where to go now. She knew how to find YoShen. She stood up from the chair and began to walk towards the stairs that led up to the room Annalie said she could stay in. HoshiAsa stopped at the base of the stairs. "Goodnight, Annalie. You have been a great help to me and I shall pray to Seigi to watch over you always."
* * *
KazeHa ran through the doorway, past many bushes, and some hot springs. He saw a small house up in a nearby tree and made his way up to it as fast as he could. He tried as hard as he could to block out the voice of the companion calling to him. He would not hear it! He could not hear it! Telepathy was forbidden! It was sacrilege!! He would not disgrace his people any more than he already had.
::KazeHa! Please chosen, you must be calm! You must listen to me!::
"Go away! I can't hear you! I can't!!"
::KazeHa, please you cannot ignore me.::
KazeHa cringed at the pain in the voice ringing in his head. He shut his eyes tight, trying to block out everything. He would not hear those pain filled words. He would not see those brilliant blue eyes brimming with love at the sight of him. KazeHa choked back sobs and tears. "Go away.please.leave me alone."
::I can't. Please we have so much that we need to do.:: Outside the companion pressed his head up against the wall of the vale. ::KazeHa, will you ignore everything Shinigami and I told you. Will you ignore your destiny?::
KazeHa gasped as the warmth of the sun and the rich scent of the flowers in Shinigami's garden rose around him. Again came that silky voice, " . in order to fulfill your destiny and your Mother's dying wish you had to first become a ghost to your people. By being a part of their life you could never achieve what you are meant to." Shinigami glanced back over his shoulder at the other man and waved him to come closer. "KazeHa, this is Shai. He will be an important part of your life from this point forward."
Tears poured freely now, down KazeHa's cheeks. He wept with all the pent up pain and grief that had been buried in his heart since that fateful night that he first met Alexian. All his grief over his death, his being bonded to a stranger, the loss of his home, his Mother's death and now this betrayal, the betrayal of his own god, hit him.
::Chosen.::
KazeHa wept.
* * *
Author Note: I know that it took a long time to get this up and I am sorry. My beta reader has been very busy and so she hasn't been able to look at it yet. So here is the unbeta'd version. Since there are most likely quiet a few errors and it took a while to post and have put up two bonus songs. They are kinda' like spoliers so be warry for those of you who don't want hints at chapter 14.