Of Angels and Salamanders
Chapter three:
Dreams are made winding through her hair.
Dawn had come and the awoken sun had taken back his throne from the lunar guardians. Beatrix and Lani now lay in their own beds, taking a little rest before they would be called for the first day of training. Their eyes were veiled by their gentle eyelids for a few moments before a shower of freezing water fell over them.
Drops of water fell to the bed as the drowsy girls instantly sat up. Between the blurred vision of freshly opened eyes and drenched hair falling over their faces the outline of a person could be vaguely seen. Through strands of wet hair they slowly made out the image of General Gogo, standing with a recently emptied, rusty bucket in her hands.
'Good morning soldiers!' She yelled in a loud military voice. 'Get dressed and ready for zero-six-hundred hours and come to the training room!'
With all the emotion of a corpse she turned and left the room and the two soaked girls behind.
The girls crawled out of their wet beds. Taking some towels from the worn brown cupboards the two girls themselves. Beatrix took her bear and placed it under a pile of towels, so that Gogo wouldn't find it. With no need to shower thanks to the courteous General Gogo they got dressed in the same uniforms that they had worn on the previous day.
'I'm glad you're here Bea.' After giving her friend a nickname she turned until their eyes met.' You don't mind me calling you that, do you?' Said Lani as the two girls left their so called room.
'No its fine, just don't expect me to start calling you La.' Replied Beatrix revealing teeth as pale as her skin.
The girl was trying to make Lani feel a little better for reasons unknown to herself. Lani just looked like she needed a tough person to help her through and as eight year olds go they don't come much tougher than Beatrix. Whether or not Beatrix was tough through circumstance or that it came naturally was unsure, she just knew she had to be strong to find that man.
They left the stone room behind and made for the training room. When they entered they noticed a pile of large back packs in the room. Battle axes, swords, daggers, all sorts of offensive weapons lay on the floor at the back of the room and bags of flour hung from the ceiling.
Within the next ten minutes the rest of the recruits entered the room swiftly followed by General Gogo.
'Good morning ladies. Today will be the first day of your lives as soldiers, and I shall spend no more time with meaningless talk. Each of you take one of those weapons in that pile and please think carefully of the advantages and disadvantages of each weapon.' Said Gogo.
Gogo waved her right hand, signalling for the girls to take their weapons. Beatrix and Lani stood side by side surveying the weapons as the rest of the girls took what they wanted. When the others had taken their arms there was only a sword and a lightweight axe left.
Beatrix reached for the sword before Lani made a move. She had found her weapon, as old as the blade may have been it was hers until she chose another.
Throughout the world, amongst the common folk at least, swords are known as the most noble of weapons. The blades are of the earth and as pure as Gaia herself. It seemed appropriate to Beatrix that a sword would be her weapon of choice, the blade would one day return the honour stolen from her mother on that night when the heavens wept.
Lani had no choice but take the axe as it was all that remained.
The axe was more of a brutal weapon than a noble one for it was made for deep and messy cuts inflicting great pain and blood loss. It didn't fit Lani at all but as it was fairly light her lack of strength didn't matter too much.
The two girls then got back in line.
'Now, each of you take your place in front of a flour bag.'
The girls did as they were told.
'When I give the order to you personally you shall give me a demonstration of what you are capable of.'
On the mention of their name girl after girl attacked their opponents.
Lani was called.
Young Lani held her axe in an unusual manner. She gripped the handle like the hilt of a sword with the axe blade pointing to the bag. She tilted the blade slightly and with an almighty swing sliced across the bag creating a hole through which white power bled. Quickly she followed up with a flurry of swings slicing the bag to pieces.
'Beatrix!' Yelled Gogo.
Now Beatrix didn't see that bag before her; she saw that man. She thrust her blade forward striking the centre of his body. Dragging the weapon upwards she tore through flesh and bone. The flour was not white but red. It was not powder but fluid. It ran as blood.
She released a scream and withdrew her sword only to strike him again. Strokes fell from various directions until there was no bag but simply a piece of rope hanging from the ceiling.
Gogo looked on in shock at the anger that Beatrix displayed. Few soldiers that Gogo had seen were able to draw that power from within themselves and be so destructive. She would have to keep an eye on this girl.
The remaining girls displayed their abilities after which Gogo gave some pointers.
'Now ladies, will each of you take a backpack? You will find that they are very heavy but you will carry them or the load will be doubled. Each of you grab a bag.'
The girls put on their backpacks and found that General Gogo was not joking when she said that the would be heavy. None of the girls complained of the weight for it were doubled it could very well break their spine.
'You okay Lani?' Asked Beatrix.
'Excuse me Beatrix, do you have anything that you would like to share with the rest of us?' Interrupted Gogo.
'No.'
'Whether or not you wish to share, you will share it with us or face a heavier load.'
Deciding that more weight would not be good Beatrix spoke. 'I was asking recruit Lani, if she was okay.'
'You doubt her abilities?'
'No Madame.'
'Why did you enquire, if not through doubt?'
'I do not know.'
'You disappoint me recruit, your load shall be doubled.'
'Doubled!?'
'Perhaps you would like it to be tripled?'
Sensing that it would be wise to shut up Beatrix dared not reply.
Gogo opened Beatrix's backpack, then lifted another from the floor and emptied the contents into the sack. Beatrix almost fell backwards but would not give any such satisfaction to Gogo. The girl would stand strong no matter how much weight tried to drag her down.
Gogo herself placed on a backpack. 'Follow me!' She yelled before running from the room.
As the new recruits and their General ran ahead Beatrix and Lani fell behind.
'Sorry about this.' Said Lani.
'Don't-uh-worr-y' Replied Beatrix with much effort. 'Ju-st-uh-run.'
Beatrix then ran ahead overtaking many girls before running alongside General Gogo.
'I knew you had it in you, Beatrix. Now keep up.' Remarked Gogo
For the next few hours the girls ran around the castle's dungeons alternating between running , jogging and walking. At an uncertain time of day when the sun still hung in the sky the recruits were allowed to rest, eat and cleanse themselves.
In the shower room there was many naked girls each washing the sweat from their bodies. Lani looked at Beatrix's bare back and shivered. Two red marks ran down either side of her back, indentations caused by such an intense weight being place upon her.
'I'm really sorry Bea.'
'Don't worry, It's not your fault.'
'I know but I still feel guilty. Let me wash those sores for you.'
'It's all right, I can get them myself.' Beatrix tried to rub the sores with a soft sponge but found that it hurt. 'Alright but keep an eye out for Gogo. I don't want her hurting you.'
'Okay.' Replied Lani with a smile.
The dripping water and soft kisses of the sponge felt heavenly against her aching body. Every part of her body that hurt seemed to be healed magically within moments. Beatrix lost herself in the sensation as the world around blurred. Forever had passed when the loud thumping of boots echoed down the stone hallway.
Quickly, Lani ceased comforting her friend and went back to washing herself. Just then Gogo entered the room.
'Ladies, get dressed. Return to the training room A.S.A.P. for weapons training.' She left again.
'We better get ready Bea.'
'Yeah.' She replied.
A short while later all of the girl stood in rows of five, each holding their weapons securely whichever hand they found more comfortable. After a demonstration of various attack techniques and having the blades of their weapons bound with a fine rope the girls were ordered to pair up. Beatrix and Lani instantly chose each other but Gogo had other plans.
'Recruit Lani! Pair up with another soldier. I shall train with miss Beatrix.'
Reluctantly Lani paired up with another girl leaving her best friend in the capable or possibly incapable arms of General Gogo.
'I never find need to explain my actions to those in training Beatrix.' Said Gogo. 'But I can see that you are special. You see, you intrigue me. I know you fight for a reason and that reason is yours alone but I shall help you get to your goal. I need your trust.'
'My trust is yours. Do with it what you will but dare not break it.'
'I dare not. That trust may be bent but never broken. Now, take off the ropes that bind your blade.'
'But I may strike you.'
'Do not get ahead of yourself. You have natural talent that I can match now take it off.'
Beatrix pulled one of the knots and stretched the rope across the blade. The light rope tore against the rough steel and fell to the floor.
'Dance with me Beatrix.'
The display that followed caused all of the others to stop their training and watch Gogo and her student. Natural talent versus natural talent. Each stroke by the blade of Beatrix was parried and blocked by the blade of Gogo. Beatrix was unfazed also, it was as if she could predict which direction the blade would attack from and counteract the swing.
For a further fifteen minutes blade stuck blade, heart battled heart until the two warriors came to an end.
'What are you girls looking at!?' Yelled Gogo, scaring the life out of the spectators.
Each of the girls went back to training.
'As I predicted. You are a match for even me. Perhaps one day you will hold my blade and protect her majesty's honour.'
As Gogo spoke Beatrix admired her weapon, it looked as a majestic blade should. It seemed to be made of pure silver and decorated by red jewels.
'May I ask what you have named your blade my general.'
'My blade was not given a name by me but by the smith who made it centuries ago. This sword is entrusted to those would risk death to ensure the life of our queen. Thus it was dubbed Save The Queen.'
'I see.'
'Beatrix go and take a rest in your quarters. You have worked hard today.'
'Thank you, Madame.'
Beatrix left the training room, returned to her quarters and changed into clean clothes. With nothing better to do she headed up into the castle and found her way to a balcony protruding from the magnificent structure.
She looked out into the large city that was Alexandria. From the steeples of churches to the roofs of houses all could be seen. Two moogles flew to the balcony to greet Beatrix.
'Hello there, Kupo!' Said the male Moogle. 'I am Kumopo and this is my fiancé Kuriyama, and we do seem to be lost.'
'How can I help you both?'
'Well,' Said Kuriyama. 'My cousin Figaro, told us that we could get married in Alexandria. That there was a Moogle church here. Kupo! Do you know where we could find it?'
'Well you could-'
'Go over there and find it behind the bakery?'
'Yes. How did you know that?'
'I'm psychic. Kupo! You see it comes and goes.'
'That's quite a gift.'
'I have a gift for you. Kupo! Although it is something I would like you to pass on. A letter that is. Kupo.'
'No problem. Although I must warn you I don't get out of this town much. It may be years before I pass it on.'
'That's fine. You wont have to deliver it for a long time anyway. You must pass it on when the time comes. Kupo! Give me a moment to write it.' He said before flying off to a corned and withdrawing a quill and parchment from his backpack.
'I apologise for this Kupo! My fiancé is a bit strange but his intentions are good.'
A short while later Kumopo returned with a note in a sealed envelope and handed it to Beatrix.
'Pass this on to the one named Stiltskin. My reasons will be clear then. If you should open it before then the words will simply vanish and your fate may be as sealed as this envelope. Kupo!'
'Goodbye miss.' Said Kuriyama before they flew off to get married.
'Strange couple.' Thought Beatrix.
After watching the birds playing in the sky until the sun grew tired and fell into the horizon she returned to her room.
Although it was early evening, Beatrix was exhausted and went of to dream. Before the train departed to the land of nod another tired passenger entered the station.
'Hey,' She yawned softly 'Bea. How are you?'
'Exhausted. You?'
'Pretty much the same. Gogo is one hell of a task master. How did you manage to get on her good side?'
'To be honest I'm not on any side of her, I just wouldn't let her pull me down no matter what she did and it got to her. It got to her so much that I think she took a liking to me because of my resilience.'
'Think it'd work if I did the same?'
'Probably not. As you said, she's quite a task master.'
'I guess.'
The pale silk gown hung loosely over her body providing enough comfort for her to forget her worries and fall asleep. Her darling bear was held close to her breast as if it were part of her. When her eyelids fell she drifted off to sleep.
Lani however slept very little for all she could think about was how inspirational her new friend was. She could have sworn that Beatrix didn't even know this herself.
Night fell and stars came into the skies above the castle. Fate and destiny met that night and had great plans were born for young Beatrix Potter.
Chapter three:
Dreams are made winding through her hair.
Dawn had come and the awoken sun had taken back his throne from the lunar guardians. Beatrix and Lani now lay in their own beds, taking a little rest before they would be called for the first day of training. Their eyes were veiled by their gentle eyelids for a few moments before a shower of freezing water fell over them.
Drops of water fell to the bed as the drowsy girls instantly sat up. Between the blurred vision of freshly opened eyes and drenched hair falling over their faces the outline of a person could be vaguely seen. Through strands of wet hair they slowly made out the image of General Gogo, standing with a recently emptied, rusty bucket in her hands.
'Good morning soldiers!' She yelled in a loud military voice. 'Get dressed and ready for zero-six-hundred hours and come to the training room!'
With all the emotion of a corpse she turned and left the room and the two soaked girls behind.
The girls crawled out of their wet beds. Taking some towels from the worn brown cupboards the two girls themselves. Beatrix took her bear and placed it under a pile of towels, so that Gogo wouldn't find it. With no need to shower thanks to the courteous General Gogo they got dressed in the same uniforms that they had worn on the previous day.
'I'm glad you're here Bea.' After giving her friend a nickname she turned until their eyes met.' You don't mind me calling you that, do you?' Said Lani as the two girls left their so called room.
'No its fine, just don't expect me to start calling you La.' Replied Beatrix revealing teeth as pale as her skin.
The girl was trying to make Lani feel a little better for reasons unknown to herself. Lani just looked like she needed a tough person to help her through and as eight year olds go they don't come much tougher than Beatrix. Whether or not Beatrix was tough through circumstance or that it came naturally was unsure, she just knew she had to be strong to find that man.
They left the stone room behind and made for the training room. When they entered they noticed a pile of large back packs in the room. Battle axes, swords, daggers, all sorts of offensive weapons lay on the floor at the back of the room and bags of flour hung from the ceiling.
Within the next ten minutes the rest of the recruits entered the room swiftly followed by General Gogo.
'Good morning ladies. Today will be the first day of your lives as soldiers, and I shall spend no more time with meaningless talk. Each of you take one of those weapons in that pile and please think carefully of the advantages and disadvantages of each weapon.' Said Gogo.
Gogo waved her right hand, signalling for the girls to take their weapons. Beatrix and Lani stood side by side surveying the weapons as the rest of the girls took what they wanted. When the others had taken their arms there was only a sword and a lightweight axe left.
Beatrix reached for the sword before Lani made a move. She had found her weapon, as old as the blade may have been it was hers until she chose another.
Throughout the world, amongst the common folk at least, swords are known as the most noble of weapons. The blades are of the earth and as pure as Gaia herself. It seemed appropriate to Beatrix that a sword would be her weapon of choice, the blade would one day return the honour stolen from her mother on that night when the heavens wept.
Lani had no choice but take the axe as it was all that remained.
The axe was more of a brutal weapon than a noble one for it was made for deep and messy cuts inflicting great pain and blood loss. It didn't fit Lani at all but as it was fairly light her lack of strength didn't matter too much.
The two girls then got back in line.
'Now, each of you take your place in front of a flour bag.'
The girls did as they were told.
'When I give the order to you personally you shall give me a demonstration of what you are capable of.'
On the mention of their name girl after girl attacked their opponents.
Lani was called.
Young Lani held her axe in an unusual manner. She gripped the handle like the hilt of a sword with the axe blade pointing to the bag. She tilted the blade slightly and with an almighty swing sliced across the bag creating a hole through which white power bled. Quickly she followed up with a flurry of swings slicing the bag to pieces.
'Beatrix!' Yelled Gogo.
Now Beatrix didn't see that bag before her; she saw that man. She thrust her blade forward striking the centre of his body. Dragging the weapon upwards she tore through flesh and bone. The flour was not white but red. It was not powder but fluid. It ran as blood.
She released a scream and withdrew her sword only to strike him again. Strokes fell from various directions until there was no bag but simply a piece of rope hanging from the ceiling.
Gogo looked on in shock at the anger that Beatrix displayed. Few soldiers that Gogo had seen were able to draw that power from within themselves and be so destructive. She would have to keep an eye on this girl.
The remaining girls displayed their abilities after which Gogo gave some pointers.
'Now ladies, will each of you take a backpack? You will find that they are very heavy but you will carry them or the load will be doubled. Each of you grab a bag.'
The girls put on their backpacks and found that General Gogo was not joking when she said that the would be heavy. None of the girls complained of the weight for it were doubled it could very well break their spine.
'You okay Lani?' Asked Beatrix.
'Excuse me Beatrix, do you have anything that you would like to share with the rest of us?' Interrupted Gogo.
'No.'
'Whether or not you wish to share, you will share it with us or face a heavier load.'
Deciding that more weight would not be good Beatrix spoke. 'I was asking recruit Lani, if she was okay.'
'You doubt her abilities?'
'No Madame.'
'Why did you enquire, if not through doubt?'
'I do not know.'
'You disappoint me recruit, your load shall be doubled.'
'Doubled!?'
'Perhaps you would like it to be tripled?'
Sensing that it would be wise to shut up Beatrix dared not reply.
Gogo opened Beatrix's backpack, then lifted another from the floor and emptied the contents into the sack. Beatrix almost fell backwards but would not give any such satisfaction to Gogo. The girl would stand strong no matter how much weight tried to drag her down.
Gogo herself placed on a backpack. 'Follow me!' She yelled before running from the room.
As the new recruits and their General ran ahead Beatrix and Lani fell behind.
'Sorry about this.' Said Lani.
'Don't-uh-worr-y' Replied Beatrix with much effort. 'Ju-st-uh-run.'
Beatrix then ran ahead overtaking many girls before running alongside General Gogo.
'I knew you had it in you, Beatrix. Now keep up.' Remarked Gogo
For the next few hours the girls ran around the castle's dungeons alternating between running , jogging and walking. At an uncertain time of day when the sun still hung in the sky the recruits were allowed to rest, eat and cleanse themselves.
In the shower room there was many naked girls each washing the sweat from their bodies. Lani looked at Beatrix's bare back and shivered. Two red marks ran down either side of her back, indentations caused by such an intense weight being place upon her.
'I'm really sorry Bea.'
'Don't worry, It's not your fault.'
'I know but I still feel guilty. Let me wash those sores for you.'
'It's all right, I can get them myself.' Beatrix tried to rub the sores with a soft sponge but found that it hurt. 'Alright but keep an eye out for Gogo. I don't want her hurting you.'
'Okay.' Replied Lani with a smile.
The dripping water and soft kisses of the sponge felt heavenly against her aching body. Every part of her body that hurt seemed to be healed magically within moments. Beatrix lost herself in the sensation as the world around blurred. Forever had passed when the loud thumping of boots echoed down the stone hallway.
Quickly, Lani ceased comforting her friend and went back to washing herself. Just then Gogo entered the room.
'Ladies, get dressed. Return to the training room A.S.A.P. for weapons training.' She left again.
'We better get ready Bea.'
'Yeah.' She replied.
A short while later all of the girl stood in rows of five, each holding their weapons securely whichever hand they found more comfortable. After a demonstration of various attack techniques and having the blades of their weapons bound with a fine rope the girls were ordered to pair up. Beatrix and Lani instantly chose each other but Gogo had other plans.
'Recruit Lani! Pair up with another soldier. I shall train with miss Beatrix.'
Reluctantly Lani paired up with another girl leaving her best friend in the capable or possibly incapable arms of General Gogo.
'I never find need to explain my actions to those in training Beatrix.' Said Gogo. 'But I can see that you are special. You see, you intrigue me. I know you fight for a reason and that reason is yours alone but I shall help you get to your goal. I need your trust.'
'My trust is yours. Do with it what you will but dare not break it.'
'I dare not. That trust may be bent but never broken. Now, take off the ropes that bind your blade.'
'But I may strike you.'
'Do not get ahead of yourself. You have natural talent that I can match now take it off.'
Beatrix pulled one of the knots and stretched the rope across the blade. The light rope tore against the rough steel and fell to the floor.
'Dance with me Beatrix.'
The display that followed caused all of the others to stop their training and watch Gogo and her student. Natural talent versus natural talent. Each stroke by the blade of Beatrix was parried and blocked by the blade of Gogo. Beatrix was unfazed also, it was as if she could predict which direction the blade would attack from and counteract the swing.
For a further fifteen minutes blade stuck blade, heart battled heart until the two warriors came to an end.
'What are you girls looking at!?' Yelled Gogo, scaring the life out of the spectators.
Each of the girls went back to training.
'As I predicted. You are a match for even me. Perhaps one day you will hold my blade and protect her majesty's honour.'
As Gogo spoke Beatrix admired her weapon, it looked as a majestic blade should. It seemed to be made of pure silver and decorated by red jewels.
'May I ask what you have named your blade my general.'
'My blade was not given a name by me but by the smith who made it centuries ago. This sword is entrusted to those would risk death to ensure the life of our queen. Thus it was dubbed Save The Queen.'
'I see.'
'Beatrix go and take a rest in your quarters. You have worked hard today.'
'Thank you, Madame.'
Beatrix left the training room, returned to her quarters and changed into clean clothes. With nothing better to do she headed up into the castle and found her way to a balcony protruding from the magnificent structure.
She looked out into the large city that was Alexandria. From the steeples of churches to the roofs of houses all could be seen. Two moogles flew to the balcony to greet Beatrix.
'Hello there, Kupo!' Said the male Moogle. 'I am Kumopo and this is my fiancé Kuriyama, and we do seem to be lost.'
'How can I help you both?'
'Well,' Said Kuriyama. 'My cousin Figaro, told us that we could get married in Alexandria. That there was a Moogle church here. Kupo! Do you know where we could find it?'
'Well you could-'
'Go over there and find it behind the bakery?'
'Yes. How did you know that?'
'I'm psychic. Kupo! You see it comes and goes.'
'That's quite a gift.'
'I have a gift for you. Kupo! Although it is something I would like you to pass on. A letter that is. Kupo.'
'No problem. Although I must warn you I don't get out of this town much. It may be years before I pass it on.'
'That's fine. You wont have to deliver it for a long time anyway. You must pass it on when the time comes. Kupo! Give me a moment to write it.' He said before flying off to a corned and withdrawing a quill and parchment from his backpack.
'I apologise for this Kupo! My fiancé is a bit strange but his intentions are good.'
A short while later Kumopo returned with a note in a sealed envelope and handed it to Beatrix.
'Pass this on to the one named Stiltskin. My reasons will be clear then. If you should open it before then the words will simply vanish and your fate may be as sealed as this envelope. Kupo!'
'Goodbye miss.' Said Kuriyama before they flew off to get married.
'Strange couple.' Thought Beatrix.
After watching the birds playing in the sky until the sun grew tired and fell into the horizon she returned to her room.
Although it was early evening, Beatrix was exhausted and went of to dream. Before the train departed to the land of nod another tired passenger entered the station.
'Hey,' She yawned softly 'Bea. How are you?'
'Exhausted. You?'
'Pretty much the same. Gogo is one hell of a task master. How did you manage to get on her good side?'
'To be honest I'm not on any side of her, I just wouldn't let her pull me down no matter what she did and it got to her. It got to her so much that I think she took a liking to me because of my resilience.'
'Think it'd work if I did the same?'
'Probably not. As you said, she's quite a task master.'
'I guess.'
The pale silk gown hung loosely over her body providing enough comfort for her to forget her worries and fall asleep. Her darling bear was held close to her breast as if it were part of her. When her eyelids fell she drifted off to sleep.
Lani however slept very little for all she could think about was how inspirational her new friend was. She could have sworn that Beatrix didn't even know this herself.
Night fell and stars came into the skies above the castle. Fate and destiny met that night and had great plans were born for young Beatrix Potter.