Shadows Of The Past
Chapter V
Hope in Despair
Disclaimer – Escaflowne is not mine; the characters and story are the property of Bandai entertainment. The story and characters of 'The Descend Shadow' or 'Shadows of the Past' are the property of Butchs Fan Fiction Forum . Before use of these characters or elements of the story please get permission from Butch Cassidy at butchsvideostopTiscali.co.uk
- Visit the Home of 'Shadows of the Past' at www.butchsforum.co.uk
………
The weather was calm as Dawn stood on the battlements of the castle watching out over all of Cesario. There was only a slight wind as the sun began to set behind the mountains although all remained silent both within the castle and below in the city. It was as Dawn sat down with his back against the battlements, his mind lost in thought that all of a sudden he became painfully aware that something was wrong. Quickly standing up he saw to his horror that the lower levels of the castle were engulfed in a flame that was quickly rising up to the castle itself. Dawn drew his sword immediately as below him he could just see the shadows of men quickly making their way into the castle. He ran to the staircase that led down from the battlements into the main courtyard of the castle and then jumped the last few steps as he ran across the courtyard past the now raging fires as they engulfed the lower foundries of the castle. As he ran through the castle continuously shouting, "Father! Father! Where are you!". The castle was eerily silent with the only sounds being those of Dawn's boots as they impacted upon the stones of the castle floors and the sound of his voice until finally he received a reply.
"Dawn! I'm in here son!"
Dawn quickly raced to the room where the voice had come from and once he entered he found that he was back in the throne room of the castle. He quickly ran over to where his father now stood with his sword drawn, the blade covered in blood as several men lay dead not far from where they both stood.
"Father, Treachery is everywhere" Dawn said as he tried to regain his breath.
"And yet, Treachery is nowhere" His father answered as Dawn stared at him confused. "Do not worry my son" Dawn's father said as he placed his hand on his sons shoulder. But then he suddenly fell into Dawn, the force of which caused Dawn to fall to the floor. As he pushed himself up into a sitting position, he looked down at his father and saw that sticking out of his back was a small dagger. He pulled the dagger out of his fathers back and then threw it with all the strength that he could muster across the room. Then turning his father over in his arms so that he could see his face one last time as he fought to maintain his resolve and stop the tears from flowing.
"Dawn!" came the sound of his father's voice, which was now nothing more than a whisper.
"Always remember that the paths of the future are forged by the deeds of the past"
Dawn simply nodded his head in agreement as he could no longer hold back his sorrow.
"Rememberrrrr" and with that he was gone and Dawn was alone once more.
"No, No, Father" Dawn said as he wept over his fathers now lifeless body and then carefully lowering his fathers head back onto the ground. He walked over to the spot where his father had dropped his sword and stooped down to lift the sword. He then walked back over to his father's body and placed the sword by his side. It was then as he stood up once more and looked at the fires that now raged all around him that he awoke and rubbing his eyes, felt the cold sweat trickle down his face. Every night he was haunted by the same dreams, the dreams of how he was unable to save his parents and of how he never could have.
He then became aware of a sharp pain and with his hand he touched the spot where he had been wounded and felt the soft touch of a bandage. He then became aware that the light of the morning was shining in from the right of the room instead of from the bottom of the room the way it normally did. Turning around he saw that this was neither his room in Fanelia nor the room that he had stayed in while at the inn. Pulling the covers on the bed back he stepped onto the floor beneath him and saw that it was wooden and that beside the windows that had been left slightly open. There sat on a small table beside a washbasin and jug, a set of fresh bandages as well as a clean change of clothes that were comprised of a pair of light green trouser along with a white shirt. He then saw that beside these were his leather arm bracers and what looked like the pendant that his mother had given him for his 12th birthday before she passed away. It was a small blue gem that was set into the shape of a circle and it always hung on a silver chain and upon seeing this he realised that his pendant was indeed missing from around his neck.
He then washed his face in the basin and allowed the cool clean water to surround his whole face, cooling it and awakening his senses once more. Then once he had bathed himself, he took the clothes from the chair and found that surprisingly they were a perfect fit. He then rolled back the sleeves on the shirt until they were just above his elbows and taking his arm braces placed them on and secured them. Then taking his pendant, the last item of clothing on the table, he placed it around his neck once more and tucked it away under his shirt. Then out of the corner of his eye, he saw that lying just below the edge of the bed were his boots and once he had put them back on he opened the door of the bedroom unsure of what to expect next.
He had decided against slipping out through the window like some sort of thief as he wanted to thank the people who had taken care of him but also to find out what day it was as he was unsure of how many days he had been unconscious. As well as this he also wanted to find out where his other possessions had been placed, as they were also dear to him, as he had not seen them anywhere in the room where he had been sleeping. The last thing that he remembered was fighting the goons in the alley and then falling into darkness as the woman he had been trying to find watched over him.
He slowly made his way out of the room so as to give himself a chance to take in every detail of his new surroundings as it may turn out that he would have to leave in a hurry. He saw that he was standing in a sort of hallway that was suspended above ground level, near the top of the building in fact, as below this he could see what appeared to be the main living area, as there was a small wooden table near the end of the room. Around this table were a few chairs and Dawn also thought that he could hear the last cracklings of a fire that was burning out? Then looking in front of where he now stood he saw that the hallway ran slightly further ahead and at the end there was a small window, on either side of which there appeared to be a room. Silently Dawn made his way down the steps to his right and once he came to the last stair he saw that there was indeed a fire and that it was situated at the far left of the room. Besides this fire with their face turned toward it, Dawn saw an elderly man sitting reading a book and he was about to walk forward whenever he heard a voice say.
"Like father like son, eh my young friend" the man said to him with his face still turned towards the fire.
"What do you mean" Dawn asked puzzled and slightly taken back.
"There is no need to be cautious with me Dawn Kosime. Please come and sit down beside the fire with me". Walking forward Dawn sat down in a seat beside the man who then turned around to him and said.
"It's good to see that you are finally awake my young friend" "Thank you but may I be so bold as to ask how you know my name. As I have not told anyone my real name since I arrived here and I don't believe that I carry any possessions that could identify me" Dawn asked.
The man laughed and said "My apologies, where are my manners" and placing his book to one side he stood up and said "I am Yakamo Veila and this is my home. I know your name Dawn because I was a friend of your father and mother, Marek and Clare Kosime".
"How do I know that you are telling the truth" Dawn asked.
"A very good question but what if I was able to tell you something that only a close friend of your parents would know" Yakamo answered.
"Okay then" Dawn replied.
"Well your mother, she loved to sit out on the summer evenings especially if there was a light rain shower and your father used to say that you were like an arrow, always straight and true to your aims" Yakamo answered.
"I've never told those things to anyone, not even to my closest friends. But how do you know this"
"As I have already said young Dawn. Your parents were friends of mine and good friends at that. I used to visit them every spring in Fanelia along with my own family and I always remember a small brown haired scamp running around outside as he played with his father" Yakamo replied with a smile.
"Then you know that he has passed on" Dawn asked.
"Yes, it grieved me greatly the day Marek died" Yakamo's replied.
"Did you also know that my mother died just a few winters after my father" Dawn said.
"What! No! No one ever told me" Yakamo said with surprise in his voice.
"Yes she died when I was still only a boy" Dawn replied.
"I am sorry to hear that, she was a good woman and a kind and gentle spirit" Yakamo said as he walked forward and placed his hand on Dawn's shoulder.
"Thank you and thank you for taking care of me" Dawn said.
"I would do anything to help Marek and Clare's child although you must be starving. Come let us have some lunch and we can talk some more" Yakamo said.
"Thank you" So it was that Dawn sat and ate lunch with Yakamo as they talked about his parents and Dawn listened intently to Yakamo's stories about the adventures that they used to have.
"Yakamo?" Dawn asked.
"Yes" Yakamo replied.
"I've been wondering about something," Dawns said.
"Yes" Yakamo replied.
"Well when I came down the stairs, you said 'Like father like son'. What did you mean by that?" Dawn asked curiously.
"I was wondering when you'd ask about that. Well the reason I said it was because your father could also move silently but I knew him too well and so he was never able to catch me off guard. We used to always joke about it and your father would always say that someday he would catch me out, but he never did" Yakamo said with a laugh.
"You really miss them" Dawn asked as he saw the faint glimmer of memory in Yakamo's eyes.
"I miss them as much as you do. You know, they were my closest friends and I would have died for them if it meant that they could have lived" Yakamo answered his voice now lower than before.
"I'm sorry" Dawn said.
"Why? You have nothing to apologise for. Now I'm sure you probably have more questions that you would like to ask" Yakamo said. It was at the moment that Dawn remembered that there was on thing that he was still confused about but with all the talk about his parents, had forgotten to ask.
"Well actually there is one. How did I get here?" Dawn asked.
"Ah, my daughter Noriko brought you here three nights ago. You were badly wounded and in urgent need of medical attention and together we tended to your wounds. She told me of how you saved her from Tare and his goons. Although at first I was unable to recognise you, it was once you were all cleaned up that I soon realised who you were. At first I thought you were your father although I knew that it couldn't be but then I remembered that Marek and Clare had a son. You know you look exactly like your father whenever he was your age except that you have your mother's eyes" Yakamo replied.
It was just as Dawn had finished his meal that he heard the door open and then the same voice that he had heard before he passed out.
"Father, Father I'm back".
"Hello my dear" Yakamo said as he walked over to greet his daughter.
"Noriko, this is Dawn Kosime, he is the son of two of my oldest and dearest friends. Dawn, this is my daughter Noriko" Yakamo said.
"How do you feel now" Noriko asked politely.
"Better, Thank you. But how are you" Dawn replied as he stood up from his chair. He still couldn't believe that he had met one of his parent's dearest friends and it was then that he remembered his mother telling him once about Yakamo and of how he had helped them in the past.
"I'm fine although if you hadn't of come when you did then I don't think that I would be standing here today" Noriko answered.
"You give me too much credit when really I did nothing" Dawn said.
"Or maybe it is just that you understate your importance in all this" Noriko replied.
"Dawn is modest, perhaps too modest, my dear. It doesn't matter though; all that matters now is that we are all able to stand here today. Now come let us sit" Yakamo said.
It was as Dawn was sitting back down that he remembered about the inn and about his horse Gearoid and how he must still be there along with some of his other possessions such as his spare clothes.
"Yakamo, forgive me but I am afraid that I will have to take my leave" Dawn said as he got up from his chair.
Then Noriko who had been busy putting away some fruit and vegetables upon hearing this turned around and asked "But why?"
"My horse is still stabled at the inn and some of my possessions are still there and I would like to get them back" Dawn said.
"But your wounds, their not fully healed yet" Noriko said concerned.
"I'll be okay, I always am although I am grateful for everything that you have both done for me but I'm afraid that I must now leave" Dawn replied.
"Now before you do anything. I think that I should tell you that the owner of the inn where you were staying is a friend of mine and that all of your possessions including your horse are here. He's stabled around back and may I say that he is a fine animal indeed, oh before I forget your other possessions such as your cloak and weapons are all here safely stored away in the backroom" Yakamo said.
"You have both showed me so much kindness, how can I ever repay you" Dawn asked.
"If you really want to repay us then all you have to do is stay here with us until you are fully healed" Yakamo replied.
"Then please allow me to pay for my keep as I would only feel that I am taking advantage of your generosity" Dawn said. Yakamo laughed and replied, "You really are Clare and Marek's son, but you would not be taking advantage and I would be offended if I thought that you had to pay me and Im sure that Noriko would also be offended".
"Well in that case then how can I refuse, although someday I promise that I will repay your kindness" Dawn replied. Yakamo laughed and after slapping Dawn on the shoulder said "Very well young Dawn and remember that you are more than welcome to stay as long as you like".
.........
So it was that Dawn spent the next few days with Noriko and her father Yakamo and it was over these few days that he learned more about his parents and also about the adventures and experiences that Yakamo and his wife Tahiri had shared with Dawn's parents. It was also during this period that Dawn spent some of his time in Yakamo's study reading his many books and scrolls. While the rest of the time he either spent it with Noriko or with Noriko and her father, which they either spent by sitting talking or by walking around the many markets and street stalls of Cerdula. This is because during the time that he had spent with them, Dawn had developed a close friendship with both Noriko and her father. It was then on the morning of the second day of the third week that Dawn had spent in Cesario that he was sleeping peacefully. When he was awoke by the sound of someone knocking on his bedroom door.
"Dawn, Dawn are you awake" Noriko asked as she knocked gently on the door.
"Yes, I'm awake" came Dawn's reply.
"May I come in for a moment" Noriko asked.
"Just a minute" Dawn answered.
"Sorry Dawn, I'll ah come back when you're ready" Noriko replied clearly embarrassed.
Dawn quickly threw on some clothes and ran to the doorway as he heard Noriko moving away and then opening the door he quickly walked out and said.
"Noriko, its okay, what was it you were going to tell me". Noriko turned around and walked back to the doorway that Dawn was now standing beside.
"Well, father and I were going to go for a picnic and I was wondering if you would like to come with us," Noriko asked.
"I'd love too but I wouldn't want to intrude" Dawn said.
"No you wouldn't be" Noriko replied.
"Well I'll be down in a moment" Dawn answered.
"Okay" Noriko said as she started to walk down the stairs.
Once Dawn had lifted his cloak, he closed the door to his bedroom and made his way down the stairs. Once he came down he saw that Noriko was already waiting for him but Yakamo was just sitting in his chair reading a book.
"Yakamo aren't you coming with us" Dawn asked curiously.
"No I've decided to stay here, I'm not feeling very well but don't worry about me, you two go ahead and enjoy yourselves" Yakamo answered.
"Are you sure father," Noriko asked.
"Yes I'm positive, go ahead and forget about me, just go and enjoy yourselves" Yakamo answered once more.
"Noriko, I'm just going to go and get my gear. Alright" Dawn said.
"Alright, I'll go and see to the horses" Noriko said as she went outside to the horses.
Dawn then went to the small room where his bow and quiver of arrows as well as his sword and dagger had been stored. Then picking them up he placed the dagger back in its sheath and the sword back into its scabbard and then placed his bow and quiver of arrows on to his back. As he walked out of the room and over to the door to the back of the house, Yakamo stood up from his chair and said.
"Dawn I want you to do something for me"
"Yes" Dawn replied.
"I want you to protect Noriko for me and ensure that nothing happens to her as she is still in much danger" Yakamo asked.
"I will protect her with my life" Dawn answered.
"Thank you" Yakamo replied. Dawn then made his way to the outside of the house where he saw that Noriko was already sitting on her own horse as she held the reins to Dawns horse Gearoid who was already saddled and ready to depart. Dawn then walked over and taking Gearoids reins from Noriko as she handed them to him, got up on to the saddle.
"I'll show you the way. So just try and keep up" Noriko said laughing.
"Really, well then we'll just have to see about that now won't we, lead on" Dawn replied.
Noriko then reared her horse and galloped off at full speed as Dawn on Gearoid sped off after her. It was not long before they had crossed the bridge out of the city and then across the land and were now coming nearer to the borders of one of the forests. Dawn and Noriko were now right beside one another and looking over at Noriko; Dawn saw her smile at him just before she rode on into the forest. The forest was large with wide-open spaces and in the distance Dawn thought that he could hear the familiar sound of water trickling. Noriko then shouted to him "Were almost there". They rode on through the forest until finally they came to a small lake unto which shone the light from the sun, illuminating the still waters. It was here that Noriko stopped and stepping down from her saddle she unbridled her horse and allowed it to graze freely. Seeing that this was the spot where they would stay, Dawn also stopped and getting down from Gearoid he unbridled him and allowed him to also graze freely and drink from the lake as it had been a long ride and both horses now needed to take a rest.
"Well what do you think" Noriko asked.
"It's beautiful" Dawn answered.
"I used to come here all the time as a child," Noriko said as she laid a blanket down on the grass.
"Really" Dawn asked.
"Oh yes, as a child I would come here and swim or just sit and enjoy the peace and tranquillity" Noriko replied.
"I too grew up around a forest" Dawn said.
"You did, where" Noriko asked as she sat down on the blanket.
"In Fanelia, my home was on the edge of the forest overlooking the city" Dawn said as he took of his cloak and sat down beside her.
"So you come from Fanelia, Dawn" Noriko asked.
"No, I was actually born and raised here in Cesario, that is until my mother and I moved to Fanelia" Dawn said.
"What about your father?" Noriko asked curiously.
"My father was killed by highway men on the journey to Fanelia. You see my mother and I went on to Fanelia to our new home and the plan was that my father would follow a few days later. Although he never did and it was then that we received the news that he was dead," Dawn said.
"I'm so sorry" Noriko replied.
"It's okay, it happened a long time ago. But come, this conversation is becoming far too dark, so please lets talk about something lighter instead" Dawn answered. They then sat and told each other stories of things that had happened in their lives and while some were funny and caused the two of them to laugh. Others were slightly more serious although Dawn always tried to bring in some sort of humour so as to lighten the mood and so they continued to talk and tell stories while they ate some of the food that Noriko had brought for them. After a while Noriko stood up and told Dawn to follow her as she walked to the waters edge. He then stood up and walked over beside her and together they stood and looked out over the lake.
"Dawn" Noriko said as she turned towards him.
"Yes" Dawn answered.
"Tell me what you see" Noriko asked as Dawn looked at her with an expression of puzzlement.
"Please, tell me what you see" she asked again.
"Well I see the lake with its waters still and bright and I see the sun just above the trees and I see the trees with their leaves silhouetted by the light just on the other side of the lake" Dawn said.
"Look closer" Noriko replied softly.
"There is nothing else only…. Our reflections" Dawn said.
"Ever since we came out here there has been something that I have wanted to tell you" Noriko said as she moved closer to Dawn. She then kissed him lightly on the cheek and said "You should have brought spare clothes" as she shoved him into the lake. Noriko then smiled and started to laugh and once Dawn had stood up and saw the look on her face. He too started to laugh and then bowing his head in defeat he said laughing.
"Very good, you got me".
"Come on out of there and dry off" Noriko shouted to him. Dawn then made his way out of the lake and back up on to the grass, his body and clothes now completely drenched as Noriko continued to laugh as he walked up to her and smiled.
"I am so sorry Dawn but I couldn't resist" Noriko said as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I know" Dawn said and then scooping her up in his arms he began to walk forwards into the lake as Noriko fought in vain to get free.
"Please Dawn, put me down" Noriko pleaded with him.
"But we are only going for a little walk" Dawn said softly as he stepped into the lake and began to wade out near to its middle.
"The lake is so beautiful when you see it up close" Dawn said with Noriko now lying in his arms afraid to move in case he would drop her.
"Please Dawn, take me back" Noriko pleaded with him.
"Anything for a lady" and with that Dawn turned around and began to walk back towards the shore.
"Thank you" Noriko said with a sigh of relief as Dawn smiled at her. Then lightly kissing her forehead Dawn whispered into her ear "You should have brought spare clothes".
"No! Dawn! Dawn don't you dare!" Noriko said to him with fear in her voice but Dawn simply smiled back at her.
"Dawn!" Noriko screamed as he threw her into the water in front of him.
Luckily that part of the lake was shallow as it was closer to the shore although Dawn knew this and that was why he did what he did. Dawn then kneeled down in the water and extended his hand to Noriko who was also now completely soaked and brushing back her hair out of her eyes. She looked up at him and started to smile and taking his hand they stood up together and Noriko embraced him in a tight hug. So scooping her up once more Dawn carried Noriko back to the shore of the lake and then set her down gently on the blanket where they had been sitting earlier. Then taking his cloak which he had left beside the blanket earlier placed it around her shoulders for heat as they each lay back on the blanket and looked up at the sky. After a while it was Noriko who broke the silence when she turned to face Dawn.
"Can I ask you a question Dawn" Noriko asked.
"Go ahead" Dawn replied.
"Well I've been wondering just how old you are" Noriko asked as she propped herself up on to her right shoulder.
"Well why don't you take a guess" Dawn said slightly amused as he turned towards her.
"Twenty Six?" Noriko asked. Dawn shook his head slightly in disagreement.
"Lower" came Dawns reply.
"Twenty Four?" Noriko asked and once again Dawn shook his head slightly in disagreement as he could see the look of astonishment in her eyes.
"Surely you can't be twenty?" Noriko asked in amazement.
"Twenty Two this summer" Dawn answered.
"Then you are only slightly older than I am but how can someone so young possess so much skill" Noriko asked confused.
"I'm constantly honing and refining my skills" Dawn replied in all seriousness.
"Really" Noriko asked.
"And it also helped that I had good teachers" Dawn said more lightly.
"Are you okay" Dawn asked.
"I'm absolutely fine" Noriko replied as she kissed him on the cheek.
"What was that for?" Dawn asked suspiciously.
"That's for everything including making today so wonderful" Noriko replied as she rested her head in his arms. As Dawn lay there beside her, all he could think of was how much he wanted to stay in that moment forever. It was not long before both Noriko and Dawn fell asleep underneath the trees and when they awoke once more they saw that the sun had almost fully set behind the canopy of the trees. It was Noriko however who awoke first and as she lay there with her head now on Dawn's chest, she could hear and feel the soft slow beat of his heart. She then sat up and was going to rouse him but decided against it and instead sat and watched him as he slept. However this was not the first time that she had watched over him as he slept as she had also watched over him after she had tended to his wounds in order to ensure that he was okay.
Although it was as the light was beginning to fade and Noriko looked at Dawn that it seemed to her that all signs of weariness had fallen from him and that he was simply lost in peaceful dreams. A thought that comforted her as she had often heard and on one occasion even seen how badly Dawn suffered from the nightmares that seemed to haunt him constantly. It was in this moment that a thought came to Noriko's mind.
"I think that maybe I … No I don't ..." Then looking at Dawns face once more, lost so peacefully in dreams, she began to wonder "Do I?"
It was a few moments later that Dawn woke up and saw Noriko watching over him.
"I guess my mother was right" he said as he sat up on the blanket.
"Oh and what was that" Noriko asked as she leaned forward slightly.
"She always told me that an angel was always watching over me" Dawn answered. Noriko then started to blush slightly as Dawn stood up and started to gather their gear.
"Its starting to get dark and I think we should be getting back" Dawn said as he extended his hand to Noriko who took it and then he helped her up and for a brief few seconds they both saw deep into each others eyes before turning quickly away from one another. Dawn then gave a short whistle and at first only Noriko's horse Kale came but a few moments later his own horse Gearoid returned. Once the two horses were saddled and bridled once more and all the things from the picnic were packed they set off on their journey back to Cerdula although instead of racing in the way that they had done earlier. They instead went at a steady pace as neither Dawn nor Noriko were in any great hurry to return. Their journey for the most part was a silent one as each rider was lost in their own thoughts and it was only when they had returned to Noriko's home and had tied the horses up at the back of the house that the silence was broken.
"Thank you again Dawn, I really enjoyed today" Noriko said as they made their way back into the house.
"No, thank you, I haven't had so much fun in a long time" Dawn replied as they entered the house once more.
………
"Noriko is that you" came Yakamo's voice from one of the other rooms across the way.
"Yes it's me" Noriko replied.
"Is Dawn with you" Yakamo shouted back.
"I am" came Dawn's reply.
"Excellent! I need you both to come here for a moment" Yakamo answered. So making their way to the room where Yakamo's voice had come from, Dawn followed Noriko as she entered through first. The room was of normal size and at the right of the room there was a small window overlooking the bottom half of the city and in the middle of the room sat Yakamo in a large wooden chair. In this room there was also a small desk and positioned at different points around the walls were several bookcases stocked full of books and just in front of Yakamo. Two more chairs had been positioned and as Dawn looked around he recognised this room as being Yakamos study where he had spent some of his time reading through the old texts. Yakamo stood up and greeted them as they entered.
"Please sit down as what I am about to tell you concerns you both" Yakamo said.
"What concerns me father" Noriko asked confused.
"I'll tell you now" Yakamo said as he closed the door and sat back down in his chair.
"The reason that it concerns you my dear is because I have been thinking about this all day and I've decided that it's finally time that I told you about my past" Yakamo said calmly.
"But you always told me that you were a stable master at the castle, father" Noriko replied.
"Well I'm afraid that wasn't entirely true but what I tell you now must stay for the most part between us three" Yakamo said.
"Dawn, what do you know about your fathers past" Yakamo asked.
"Not very much, Why?" Dawn asked puzzled.
"Because what I am about to tell you both not only concerns my past but the past of your father and of how he really died," Yakamo said.
"What" Dawn said in disbelief as he leaned forward in his seat.
"Easy my young friend all will be revealed now, you see Cesario was originally split into two kingdoms that were ruled by two separate kings and it had stayed this way for many centuries. There were always wars between the two kingdoms and as a result it meant that the country would always remain divided. That is until about three decades ago whenever the princess of the southern kingdom and the prince of the northern kingdom fell in love. The two soon married and this then meant that Cesario was united once more and for many years there was peace as the wars of the past were forgotten. Now in the midst of all this stood your father Dawn and myself. As we were the personal bodyguards of the king and queen of the northern kingdom, which then ceased to be once, the young prince married. This was because the new kingdom was formed in the middle of Cesario so as to represent the unity of the new Cesario. We served under the new king and queen for many years, those were blissful years where everyone of Cesario was happy and content as the new king and queen were beloved by the people because of their kindness and generosity to their subjects.
"Yakamo, I don't understand, what happened to the families to the new king and queen whenever the country united" Dawn asked.
"Well you see once the young king and queen were wed and then coronated, their families were givien lordship over many of the lands of Cesario and have continued to rule them to this day. Anyway as I was saying this bliss was not to last as there was one who was always against this union of the two kingdoms, as they believed that the prince was betraying his people by marrying a southerner. This person was the captain of the king's guards The Wolves, a group of good, loyal men dedicated to protecting both the King and Queen and Cesario herself. However, unlike the men who served under him, the captain of the Wolves was a traitor to his king and his queen as he had been secretly plotting over the years to usurp them and divide the country once more. Now the traitor knew that the majority of The Wolves were men who were loyal to their King and Queen and so he sent a large force of the Wolves to strengthen the countries borders under the pretence that they needed protecting.
Now that many of the men were gone there was only a small force of the wolves left in to protect the king and queen. Now the traitor Salus for it was he who was the Wolves captain was very cunning in the way that he executed his final treachery. For you see on the evening that the King was killed, Salus had the remainder of the wolves patrol the castle walls, as he feared that there might be an attempt on the king and queen's lives. You see this was the strength of his plan as he knew that his men and the king and queen trusted him so they would believe him if he said that there might be an attempt made on their lives. Little did they know that the danger was inside the castles walls and not outside of them as they had been led to believe?
The king was in his throne room along with your father and me whenever the traitor Salus broke in supported by a group of around twelve men. A few of them were wolves who had joined Salus in his treachery while the rest were made up of mercenaries who had been brought in especially for this purpose. They attacked swiftly and silently and surrounded the king who fought bravely supported by those of us who were still loyal. However the king was quickly overthrown and died at the hands of Salus as did your father who had fought valiantly until the very end protecting both his king and the men who fought beside us. It was the worst day of my life whenever your father fell Dawn and in a rush of anger and hatred. I fought Salus in combat but he bested me and dealt me a grievous wound and it was as I lay there watching my comrades' fall around me. That I resigned myself to the fact that it was all over and so I allowed myself to fall into darkness. The last thing words I remember was someone saying "Where's the queen" and then Salus' voice answering "Forget her, the king is dead and our work here is over". After that all I remember is waking up a few hours later when it had all ended and the traitors had left as quickly as they had come that I awoke to find that my wounds were not as bad as I had first thought.
At first I was ashamed and cursed the gods for allowing me to live while my king and comrades had all been killed by that traitorous scum Salus. It was then in that moment that I had to decide whether to lie there and wait for them to come back and finish me off. Or to take Marek's body and leave and have them believe that everyone who knew the truth was dead and return to live in secrecy with my young family in the hopes that someday the truth would be revealed. I made the decision to be the keeper of the truth until the time came for it to be revealed and that is why I tell you both now because if anything should ever happen to me then I want the truth of that day to be known" Yakamo said before finally he broke down in tears and Noriko quickly made her way over to her fathers chair in order to comfort him.
Dawn was still trying to make sense of everything that he had been told as he ran it all through his mind and remembered the nightmares that had haunted him for so long as they began to flood back to him along with the things that the thug had said on the night that Noriko was attacked in the alley. Once Yakamo regained his composure, Dawn asked.
"Yakamo, why tell us this now"
"I know that you are haunted by nightmares about your father. In these dreams you see your father's death do you not" Yakamo replied.
"Yes but how did you know that" Dawn said.
"Because your dreams represent what happened on that fateful night although I'm afraid I can't explain any more than this because only you can decide the paths that you will walk on the road to fulfilling your destiny" Yakamo answered.
"So did my mother know what really happened" Dawn asked.
"Yes but before you ask why she never told you the truth I want you to consider one thing. Do you honestly believe in your heart and soul that you would have been able to handle the truth at such a young age" Yakamo replied as he watched Dawn.
"No, You're right, I apologise" Dawn said.
"You put yourself down too much Dawn, you reacted no differently than anyone else in your situation would have. Although you should know that your mother always intended to bring you here to hear the truth when you were old enough and so that you could also receive your father's last gift to you" Yakamo replied.
Noriko who had remained silent the whole time then asked, "Father are you okay" her voice filled with sadness and concern.
"I am fine now my dear, just glad to be able to finally tell someone about this after so many years of having to hide the truth and that is why I must thank you both for bearing with me. But please sit down and rest your legs" Yakamo said as he made his way over to then end of the room. Noriko returned to her seat by Dawn and placed her right hand on Dawn's left which was now starting to tremble. Noriko smiled at him as he looked around at her and she felt his hand begin to stop trembling. After much fumbling at the end of the room Yakamo finally found what he was looking for and returning to his seat. Dawn and Noriko saw that he was now carrying a large bundle that was wrapped in many layers of cloth.
"Ah, here it is, as I have said after I had made my decision. I carried your fathers body away from the castle to a place where he could be given a proper burial and where he could be mourned properly without having his body desecrated by those scum" Yakamo told them as he pulled back the layers of cloth until finally sitting across his lap was a large sword still housed in its scabbard. Handing the sword to Dawn he said, "This was your father's sword" as Dawn removed the sword from its sheath and was struck by its sheer beauty.
"The blade itself is made from the finest Cesarion steel and is fullered and tapered from the bronze cross guard to the tip of the blade; in the middle of the cross guard there is set a deep blue stone. The handgrip was created from wood and is wrapped in a rectangle of wet leather that has been dyed dark green and covers ten bronze rings that have been swathed on to the handle in order to give it extra grip. As well as this the pommel is also made from bronze and if you look closely you will see that it has been set with a large deep blue stone like the one in the cross guard and around this there are four different brightly coloured stones" Yakamo explained to Dawn.
"Yes I see them but I'm not sure what they represent" Dawn replied.
"Well the large deep blue stone in the middle represents the castle and Cerdula itself, the other four stones represent the outlying cities and their positions around the castle and Cerdula. From the pommel to the tip, the entire sword is around four feet and can be wielded either single handed or double handed, as it is light enough to do either" Yakamo said.
"Yes, its unbelievable" Dawn said in amazement as he placed the sword back in its scabbard which was also made of wood that had been wrapped in wet leather and like the hilt had been dyed a dark green colour.
"So it is now to you both that I entrust the truth of what happened to the king although I would ask once more that you do nothing and that you keep this to yourselves" Yakamo asked.
"But how can we sit back and do nothing now that we know the truth. Surely we should tell the alliance and let them deal with this" Dawn said.
"No! If you do that then you will endanger yourself and Noriko as well as the people of this country and this is because firstly your true identity will be revealed, then the fact that Noriko is my daughter will be revealed and Salus will learn that I am still alive. Finally you will endanger the people because Salus will find a way to conceal the truth and make it appear as though you are lying and then it will be the people who will suffer. No we must bide our time and wait because unbeknownst to Salus. The king's son is still alive and safely hidden from view waiting for his chance to avenge his father's death but only when the time is right" Yakamo replied.
"The king's son!" Dawn and Noriko said at the same time in amazement.
"Yes and it is because of this that you must keep this secret and do nothing" Yakamo said even more seriously.
"I promise" Noriko replied.
"As do I. However there are still some things that I am unsure of such as what happened to the remaining wolves and what of the steward as he has not been mentioned at all" Dawn replied.
"Well firstly when the Wolves returned back and were told the terrible news of the king they mourned his death and swore to continue to protect Cesario and all of its people always should the young prince ever return? However as they have never returned and many people have lost hope that he is even still alive. This is why it is so important that the truth surrounding the prince is not revealed until the time has come for him to reclaim his throne. Secondly the steward Lord Grear has been steward of Cesario ever since the day when the new King and Queen of Cesario were crowned as it is both his and his descendants duties to watch over the country whenever the king and queen are away. Even if that means they have been gone for decades" Yakamo answered.
"But does he know the truth of what happened and what of Salus what has happened to him" Dawn asked.
"No I don't believe that Lord Grear does know as he is a good man who was fiercely loyal to the King and Queen and would have never gone along with any form of treachery towards them. No, Lord Grear like everyone else of Cesario still holds out hope that the prince will return to the throne someday. Salus has also not been seen since that fatal night although there are those of us who believe that he is still alive and is manipulating the steward somehow. Although because he has not been seen again this has meant that the Wolves are solely under the leadership of the steward although this would change should the prince ever return," Yakamo told them.
"So on a lighter note how was the picnic" Yakamo asked. Noriko and Dawn simply looked at each other and started laughing and Yakamo soon followed them until eventually all three of them were laughing.
"Thank you father, you always did know how to lighten a situation" Noriko said once they had all stopped laughing.
"What can I say, I have a gift" Yakamo replied.
"Getting back to the question, the picnic was wonderful" Dawn said.
"Oh good. Now if there is nothing else then I believe that we should all retire to our beds and get some rest for tomorrow" Yakamo answered as he rose from his chair.
They all made their way out of the room with Yakamo going out first, followed by Noriko and followed finally by Dawn. Yakamo wished them both a good night once they reached the top of the stairs and then walked to the end of the hall and into his own room. There was an awkward silence between Dawn and Noriko as they tried to think of what to say one another.
"Well, goodnight Noriko"
"Goodnight Dawn"
Noriko then walked down to the end of the hall and into her bedroom as Dawn lingered in the doorway of his own room as he watched her leave and then once she had entered her room. He walked into his own room and after a few moments of just standing lost in his own thoughts. He looked down at his father's sword and then drawing the sword from its scabbard. He gazed at its craftsmanship and lightly swung it through a series of spins and parries still amazed at how light the sword felt to wield. He then began to think about all that Yakamo had told him that night and about what would happen now. It was as he stood gazing at his fathers sword that he finally decided that it was time to tell Yakamo and Noriko the reason for his being in Cesario and to also ask Yakamo if he knew where he could find a man called Yakamo Kosime or if he knew anything about either the elixir or more importantly one of the mystical objects.
Then placing the sword back into its scabbard once more, Dawn kneeled down and carefully placed it under his bed where it would be safe. He had resolved that he would not use his father's sword until he had returned to Fanelia where there was less chance of anyone recognising where it came from and what it meant. Then standing up once more he changed and retired to his bed.
………
They had all awoken late in the morning that day and were now all sitting around the small dining table down the stairs in the main living space of the house. As they sat and ate their breakfast together Yakamo told them about some of the old myths and legends of Cesario and as he did. Dawn decided that now was the best time to ask about this Yakamo Kosime that Sercole had told him about.
"Yakamo" Dawn said.
"Yes" Yakamo replied.
"I was wondering if you knew anyone still living in Cesario by the name of Yakamo Kosime" Dawn asked.
"I'm afraid I don't. Why do you ask" Yakamo replied.
"I need to find him, I was told that he may have some information that I need" Dawn said.
"Who told you to see him" Yakamo asked curiously.
"An old friend of mine back in Fanellia" Dawn said.
"What was his name" Yakamo asked.
"Sercole, why do you know him" Dawn replied.
"Of course I know Sercole he's an old friend of mine but I haven't seen him in years the old fool. The reason why I don't know anyone by the name of Yakamo Kosime in Cesario is because the old coot was talking about me Yakamo Veila" Yakamo answered and started laughing.
"Oh god, I can't believe I didn't realise that sooner" Dawn answered.
"Don't worry about it, so what did you need to come here to see me about that old Sercole wasn't able to tell you" Yakamo asked.
"Well it's to do with the elixir of Atlantis" Dawn said.
"I see, well what do you want to know" Yakamo replied.
"Well along with my friends I'm trying to find the location of the three mystical objects but so far I've had no success" Dawn answered.
"I'm afraid that I don't know very much about the three mystical objects. However there's always been a legend here in Cesario of something mysterious hidden away in the mountains" Yakamo replied.
"Yakamo is there anyway that I can get to those mountains without arousing suspicion" Dawn said.
"But Dawn, men have searched those mountains for decades and never come across anything even remotely mysterious" Yakamo told him.
"There is one way but you'll have to use the paths that wind up behind the castle in order to get to the mountains and then once you in the mountains" Yakamo replied.
"I'll leave now and take that road. Thank you again Yakamo" Dawn said as he took his leave and stood up from the table.
"I'm coming with you" Noriko said as she too stood up from the table.
"No, I will not risk putting you in danger" Dawn replied.
"You can't stop me besides I know the layout of those mountains better than you do" Noriko said defiantly.
Dawn looked at her and seeing the determination in her eyes bowed his head in defeat as he knew that there was no way that he was going to stop her from going but even though he was afraid for her safety. He was also glad that she would be coming with him as he was unaware of the layout of the mountains but also because he enjoyed her company. So once they were both ready they set off on their horses and rode out of the city and around its perimeter until finally they came to the road that led up into the mountains. They rode slowly up this rocky, uneven path as it wound its way higher and deeper into the mountains and they had been riding for around an hour and Dawn was contemplating going back as they had seen no sign of anything unusual. Until Noriko suddenly started to say in hushed tones "Dawn! Dawn! Look" as she pointed to a small path to the left that led to what appeared to be a crossroad.
As they rode closer, Dawn saw that just visible was a design carved into the rock of what appeared to be a sword handle attached to a shattered blade and it was pointing to the path that ran in the north westerly direction.
"What do you think? Shall we take that road or try one of the others" Noriko asked.
"No, lets follow this road and see where it takes us" Dawn replied as he began to ride on up the path closely followed by Noriko. They rode on for a short distance until finally they came to an opening that had been carved into the cliff face and resembled a sort of rounded triangular shape. Once they had gotten down from their horses, Dawn took out a pair of torches from the travelling bag on the back of his saddle and lit them using two pieces of flint that he had brought. Then handing one of the torches to Noriko, they made their way into the cavern as they led their horses beside them. The cavern was cloaked in pitch darkness save for a small light that seemed to come from the end of the tunnel and for the light that came from the torches. There was no sound in the caverns other than the sound of Dawn and Noriko walking with their horses. They walked for what seemed like hours as there only seemed to be one way that they could go as there appeared to be no other tunnels that they could see nor was their any other sign of movement.
It was because of this absence of other sounds or movement that a growing sense of uneasiness slowly crept over both Dawn and Noriko as they walked further and further through the cavern. In an attempt to the lift the uneasiness that he himself felt and the uneasiness that he could see was plaguing Noriko as well. Dawn asked,
"Are you okay".
"I'll be better once we get back out of here" Noriko replied with a smile.
They then saw that they were now coming closer to the small light that they had noticed earlier and once they had walked a few metres further they reached it. Dawn then handed the reins of his horse over to Noriko and then drawing his sword said to Noriko "I'll scout ahead" as he walked forward into the light. He was gone for what seemed to Noriko like an eternity as she stood alone in the cavern with only the horses beside her as the flame in her torch started to burn out. Although Dawn soon came back and told her of how there was another cavern to the right and that it seemed to be shorter in length than the one that they had just come through.
So Noriko followed him once more as he led the way into the next cavern and as he walked forward a few steps more a creaking noise filled the air and then right in front of her eyes Dawn fell through the ground.
"Dawn!" Noriko shouted as she let go of the horse's reins and ran forward to the large hole that Dawn had just fallen through. Vaguely she could see the figure of Dawn below as he stood up and dusted himself down.
"Are you okay" she shouted.
"I'm fine" Dawn replied as he picked up his sword and torch.
As he lifted the torch up which was luckily still burning he saw that he was standing in a wide-open space with the small hole that he had fallen through above him which now allowed a small stream of light to enter into the space. It was as Dawn eyes were readjusting to the light after walking for so long through darkness that he saw that the light was actually falling on to an old and slightly withered tree that was only marginally taller than a fully-grown man. Its leaves were light brown with slight tinges of green around the edges and its trunk was twisted backwards towards the point of the light.
"I've found it" Dawn thought to himself.
"What is it" Noriko shouted down anxiously.
"Noriko, I've found it, the tree of life, one of the three mystical objects" Dawn replied.
He then moved cautiously forward and putting away his sword, drew his dagger instead and then waited a few seconds just in case anything would happen. When he was sure that it was safe he held up the small box that he always kept for travelling items and scraped some of the bark off the tree into the box being careful not to take too much. He then reached up and did the same to a few of the leaves on the branches again being careful not to take too much and then placed the box back in one of the pouches on his belt. Dawn then walked back into the light of the hole above his head and said.
"Noriko, I need you to lower down a rope so I can climb out of here". Noriko then nodded her head and walked over to her own horse Kale and from his saddle bag removed the coil of rope that she had brought. Then taking one end of the rope, she tied it around a large rock that was not too far from where Dawn had fell and then taking the other end lowered it through the hole. Once the rope was lowered, Dawn began to climb back up out of the hole and when he reached the top of the hole he was helped out by Noriko.
They then made their way back out of the caverns being careful not to disturb anything else within the caverns in case they found that the whole place would cave in and trap them there. As they made their way back out on to the cliff face they had to turn away and shield their eyes slightly so as to give them a chance to readjust to the light once more. When they looked around they saw that they were not alone as facing them now was a group of eight men.
"We'd like a word with Miss Veila in private" one of the men said.
"Surely whatever you have to say to Miss Veila could be said to her here and now" Dawn replied.
"This is private business" the man replied.
"Why what's so important that it can't be said in front of me" Dawn asked curiously.
"I'm through playing games, give us the girl now or we will kill you both where you stand" the man answered angrily.
"I have already told you that whatever you have to say to her can be said here" Dawn replied as calmly as he could even though he was becoming more and more agitated by the speakers arrogance.
"One way or the other she is coming with us" the man replied angrily as he drew his sword and ran forward as his companions did the same.
"Stay close to me" Dawn said to Noriko as he grabbed his bow and pulled an arrow from the quiver and shot the first attacker as he ran forward and then drawing another arrow shot the next attacker as all the time they continued to come closer and closer. The horses who were now spooked were jumping around trying to hit the attackers with their hooves who continued to charge on regardless. Dawn managed to kill two more of the attackers before they had gotten too close and he had to abandon the use of his bow and instead draw his sword. Noriko who had brought her dagger quickly drew it as she waited for the attackers to get close enough for her to strike back. The first of the four remaining attackers ran in and dodging the slash of Dawns sword, attacked with their own forcing Dawn to move sideways to avoid it. Dawn then smashed his attacker on the side of his face with the full force of his sword and then blocked an attack from the second attacker as his first opponent stumbled backwards.
It was while Dawn was dealing with the first two men that the last two had rushed on past him and had begun to attack Noriko who had managed to dodge the first attack and then quickly stab her attacker in the shoulder. Then while he moved back to recover from his wound, the next attacker moved forward and kept a distance that gave him enough reach with his sword to attack Noriko although she couldn't reach him as her dagger was about half the length of his sword. It was in this moment that Noriko remembered about her torch and using it as a brand managed to hold off her attacker and once she had made him back far enough away. She threw the torch at him, which caused his clothes to burst into flames, and as he reeled in pain, Noriko quickly ran in and stabbed him in the heart. This only served to further enrage her first attacker who ran forward and immediately started attacking Noriko as he spat at her "You Bitch!"
Dawn was still fighting off his second attacker when he saw the second man who had attacked Noriko stumble backwards aflame and then saw Noriko kill him and move backwards quickly as her first attacker went after her again with increased ferocity. Seeing this stirred an urgency within him that made him fight even more viciously than what he normally would as he struggled to find a way to get over to her. His opponent started to attack more and more erratically but to no effect as Dawn blocked each attack and then knocking the sword from his attacker's hand. He sliced them across the chest and as they fell on their knees to the ground holding their chest he slit their throat with a quick flick of his sword and then the first attacker who had now recovered once more ran in and started slashing even more wildly than his companion had.
As Dawn was taking on his last enemy, Noriko was fighting for her life against her own enemy. This was because she was trying to block her opponent's attack while trying to attack back at someone who was constantly dodging her attacks. She had managed to give him nasty wounds though on his arm and leg although it didn't even seem to faze him as he just kept coming. He then punched Noriko on the side of the head knocking her painfully to the ground and it was as she was trying to gather her senses. That he kicked her dagger out of her hand and sent it skimming along the ground into the darkness of the cavern and stood over her gloating as he slapped her painfully with the back of his fist as she tried to back away.
Dawn was now fighting his first opponent again and was driving him backwards forcing him to remain on the defensive while Dawn continued his attack. He then slashed at his opponent's neck and his opponent blocked this but this was what Dawn had intended and in the blink of an eye he drove his knee into his attacker's chest causing him to tumble backwards. Dawn then drew his bow once more and pulling an arrow from his quiver shot his opponent in the chest. Then quickly turning around, Dawn saw Noriko's attacker raise his sword ready to strike and immediately drawing an arrow. Took aim and fired at the last of the attackers who then fell to the ground as Dawn's arrow pierced his heart just as he was about to strike and then dropping his sword he fell to the ground.
Dawn then sheathed his sword and ran over to where Noriko lay slumped against the entrance to the cavern and kneeled down beside her.
"Noriko" he said with a sigh of relief as she wrapped her arms tightly around him.
"Dawn!" Noriko replied with tears in her eyes.
"Come on, let's get back" Dawn said, as Noriko released him from her tight embrace. Once they had both stood up, Dawn saw to his relief that the horses were unharmed and had remained with them the whole time. So lifting Noriko up he placed her back on to her horse and then got back on to his own horse and together they made their way back down the rocky, winding paths until finally they reached the end of the road and were riding across the bridge once more up into the city and then finally they were back home. Once they had shared a meal with Yakamo and had told him of all that had happened, Yakamo concluded that they must have been Salus' men, Noriko then excused herself and went to bed leaving only Yakamo and Dawn still downstairs. Once he was sure that Noriko had retired to her bed Dawn said to Yakamo.
"Yakamo, I can't stay here any longer, I'll leave tomorrow"
"Why?" Yakamo asked confused.
"It doesn't matter" Dawn answered silently.
"Yes it does, Dawn I want to know what's happened that would make you have to leave so suddenly" Yakamo replied.
"Noriko almost died today because of me and I care about her too much to put her in danger again" Dawn said silently.
"If you truly cared for her then you wouldn't leave without telling her" Yakamo replied sternly.
"I'm doing this because of how much I do care for her because if I leave now then she can forget about me and I will bring no more pain to your family" Dawn said sadly.
"If you do this, you'll break her heart" Yakamo said.
"What do you mean" Dawn replied.
"Dawn just because I am old does not mean that I am blind, I've seen the look in her eyes whenever she's with you and I've also seen how much more happier she's been since you came" Yakamo said.
"Believe me Yakamo I would stay here forever if I could but I can't because if I did then I would only be putting Noriko in more danger" Dawn answered.
"You don't know that" Yakamo replied.
"Don't I! Yakamo she almost died today because I was unable to protect her" Dawn said.
"But she didn't did she" Yakamo answered.
"I'm sorry Yakamo but my minds made up, I'm going to leave tomorrow and return to Fanelia" Dawn replied.
"You know, you bear too many burdens for such young shoulders to carry" Yakamo said.
"Please Yakamo, don't tell her I'm gone until I'm far away from here" Dawn replied.
"I promise. But surely you don't intend to leave now" Yakamo asked.
"No, I'm too weary, I'll go first thing in the morning while Noriko is still asleep" Dawn answered.
"Go then and get some rest and I'll prepare your things for the morning" Yakamo said.
"Thank you, for everything" Dawn replied as he walked up the stairs to his bedroom and laying down on top of the bed still in the clothes he had wore earlier, he fell into a deep sleep the moment his head hit the pillows.
………
When Dawn awoke that morning he saw that the sun was only beginning to rise and that it was also raining slightly. As he came out of his bedroom he looked down the hallway and saw that Noriko's bedroom door was lying half open. So walking down he saw that she was lying fast asleep and also that her bed sheets had slipped down slightly from her shoulders. Dawn walked over to her bed quietly and pulled the sheets back up and kissed her lightly on the forehead and then closed the door behind him as he left. As he walked down the stairs he saw that all his things had been prepared and that Yakamo was standing waiting on him.
"Good luck and may you have a safe journey" he said.
"I can't thank you enough for all that you have down for me Yakamo" Dawn replied and then he made his way out through the door to the back of the house and taking Gearoids reigns began to walk away.
"You don't want to leave either do you old friend" Dawn said to Gearoid as they walked away from the house and Gearoid tipped his head in agreement. Dawn pulled up the hood on his cloak and walked silently through the streets with Gearoid as he didn't want to wake anyone by riding down through the streets, as most people would still be asleep in their beds. The rain now poured down even heavier as Dawn came nearer to the edge of the city as he walked in a sort of half day dream lost in his own thoughts. However, he suddenly became aware that he was not alone and whispering to Gearoid to remain calm they continued to walk on. This was because Dawn could faintly hear the sound of another pair of feet splashing on the rain soaked ground and moving his hand to the hilt of his sword he waited until the footsteps were nearer. They had just come to the edge of the city and Dawn could hear that the footsteps were now closer and slapping Gearoid on the back causing him to ride slightly further ahead.
Dawn drew his sword as he spun around to meet whomever had been shadowing him and saw a cloaked figure jump at him knocking him painfully to the ground and also knocking his sword out of his hand as it fell and clattered on to the rain soaked cobble stones. The attacker then said to him as they pulled back their hood.
"Did you really think that you could slip off without me knowing about it?"
"Noriko" Dawn said as Noriko wrapped her arms around him and held him close as she kissed him passionately.
"I love you too much to let you leave like this" Noriko said with tears in her eyes.
"You love me" Dawn said in disbelief.
"Yes you fool" Noriko replied as she continued to kiss him.
"Noriko I love you too and I've wanted to tell you that for so long that it's felt like an eternity" Dawn said as he held her even closer and returned her embrace.
"Then why did you try to slip off without telling me" Noriko asked as she pulled away.
"I did it because I was afraid of putting you in danger and I was afraid that maybe I would lose you like I almost did yesterday and the thought of that scares me more than anything else in this world" Dawn said as they both stood up.
"Dawn, I love you too much to let you leave without me" Noriko said.
"Noriko, if you come with me, then you will always be in danger and I can't bear the thought of you getting hurt" Dawn said seriously.
"I would walk into the jaws of death if it meant that I could be with you always" Noriko replied.
"I'm not going to win this argument, am I" Dawn said laughing.
"No!" Noriko replied smiling.
"I love you!" Dawn said as they embraced and kissed once more.
"But what about your father, does he know about all this" Dawn then asked concerned.
"Of course! He told me to go with his blessings" Noriko replied.
"Then I guess it's back to Fanelia" Dawn said laughing.
"Then lets go" Noriko said as Dawn whistled for Gearoid who quickly returned.
"Here let me help you up" Dawn said to Noriko as he offered her his hand.
"It's okay, I didn't come alone" Noriko replied as she gave a soft low whistle and after a few moments, her own horse came and she got on to the saddle.
"Noriko before we go there's something that I need to tell you" Dawn said.
"Dawn, what's wrong" Noriko asked slightly concerned.
"Once we reach Fanelia, we can't let anyone know that were in love because if the king's enemies found out then they may try and use you as a means of getting to me. Instead we'll just tell people that we are childhood friends and that you've been sent back with me as a messenger of your father. Although we will never be far from one another I promise" Dawn replied as he took Noriko's hand in his own.
"I could endure anything if it meant that we could be together always" Noriko said as they kissed once more.
Dawn then got up on to Gearoid's saddle and along with Noriko they rode off across the bridge and past the city on their way back to Fanellia.
......
End of Chapter Five
Sundance
21.05.04
……
Author Message:
I'm afraid that I can't apologise enough for the length of time that it has taken me to release this chapter as it was a lot longer than what I had originally intended would be the length of time before this chapter was released. There are many different reasons for this which I will now explain. The first is that with having so much assignment work to do for my course
I'm afraid that it took longer than I wanted to do the rewrites on this chapter. The second and main reason is that the chapter you have just read is not the original chapter 5, now I know that is confusing but please allow me to explain. I have been planning the events of this chapter for a long time as it was solely concerned with the emerging relationship between Dawn and Noriko something that has an effect on both this story Shadows of the past and on Butch's story Descended Shadow. You see back at the start of February I was sick with the flu and while I was sick I started to come up with all these different ideas for chapter 6 as this was the chapter that would follow on from the cliff-hanger at the end of chapter 4.
As it would tell the story of Dawn finding one of the mystical objects as well as dealing with the emerging relationship between him and Noriko the girl who healed his wounds. This was because Dawn and Norikos relationship is something that I have been designing from the start. So because I was feeling sick and was looking forward to doing chapter 6 I just decided to go ahead and skip chapter 5 for the moment and then write 6 but this would prove to be my downfall as I will explain in a moment. I wrote chapter 6 in three days and was quite pleased with it and then showed it to Butch who also enjoyed it especially the scene at the lake whenever Noriko pushes Dawn in. So everything was fine with chapter 6 but the problem that I now faced apart from having to do a very large assignment as well as some smaller ones. Was that I still had to write chapter 5 as it was coming nearer to the release date chapter 4 and so it meant that I would have start to writing soon.
Chapter 5 proved very hard to write as I left it for around one and a half to two months before I did any serious work on it. The problem however was that in this time I had developed a sort of mental and emotional block over this chapter because of soon it had to be released and also because of all the plot points I needed to set up in it which I'm sorry but I can't tell you about as I still plan to use them. This meant that the chapter felt forced as I was only writing because I needed to not because I wanted to and so I managed to write I think it was two and a half pages but I can't quite remember at the moment. It then got to the stage that Chapter 4 had been released for over a month and both Butch and myself felt that it wasn't fair to keep the readers on a cliff-hanger for so long.
So Butch came to me with the idea of taking the chapter 6 that I wrote and then this as chapter 5 which I have done as it tells the readers what happens after 4 whereas the planned chapter 5 would have worked within the same period of a month as the chapter 6 did. So here it is Shadows of the past chapter 5 and once again I do apologise for the length of time it has taken to release this chapter and I just hope that you all enjoy reading this chapter as I did writing it as along with chapter 4 it is one of my favourites.
Please if you have any questions then don't hesitate to email them to the usual address or to leave them in the reviews section for this story. As I always glad to read the reviews for the chapters to see what you think of the chapters and of how the story is going. I also give you my solemn promise that I will continue to work in ascending order for these chapters and not move out of sequence again.
Also, don't forget that if you have enjoyed this chapter then have a read at the Descended Shadow story which is written by my friend and collaborator Butch and continues on twenty years after the end of this story and twenty four years after the end of the Escaflowne TV series. Well that's it really so until Chapter 6 I will see you all later. Also Chapter 6 should be up a month after this as usual as my course is finishing soon which means that I will have more time to work on the chapters.
Sundance
End.