(I wish but) I don't own Capcom, Breath of Fire or its characters. But the characters, and world in this story for the most part are my own creation
Chapter Sixteen: A Criminal's Humanity and Old Wounds Reopened
Carefully eyeing the brazen young woman riding the Arabian horse in front of him, Evenson's mind began to wander back to his days in the Alliance. Back then, a quest like this would have been run of the mill. Find the enemy, strategize the attack, defeat the enemy, and then take the spoils, it would all be the same.
All the battles, the bloodshed, everything the Alliance did were for the sake of safety and protection of the civilians around the continent. Well, that was the reason Commander Kenneth gave to his soldiers. Back then, that simple explanation was good enough for Evenson. Back then when his father spoke; all he said was law and that was good enough.
But things change.
Her head steadily looked forward, never turning back once to see if he was still following her. Juri's persona dripped with poise, almost to the point of conceitedness. Yet, it didn't bother him, he knew that type of attitude well. He bore it for most of his young life when he was a soldier. Shaking his head slightly, he traveled on, wrapped within the dark thoughts of his earlier days.
The pungent smell of sulfur and charred wood welcomed Evenson's nostrils as his horse trotted through the forest clearing towards the town of Avolon. As soon as Juri and he entered the town's gates, the prevalent destruction could be seen.
"I've received accounts that this is where the beast was first seen." She informed Evenson as she carried on. "Looks like the reports were accurate."
A few of the townsfolk could be seen sifting through the burnt wreckage, trying to salvage anything possible. Others were seen dragging and mounting piles of burnt wood in the middle of the town's square to help with the rebuilding process. Looking about, Evenson glanced at the distraught faces of the people. Their fear and uneasiness did nothing to lurch the jaded heart in his chest.
"You still don't believe the monster of legend walks the earth?" Juri voiced stiffly as she pointed towards a group of mourners "Look at them, ask them who are laying to rest their friends and family if the fiend exist."
The iciness in her voice caused Evenson to give Juri a heated glare "Monsters come in many forms, my lady. Just ask the commander you served under." He returned just as stiffly.
Giving him a hard glare, Juri dug her heels into her horse's sides and trotted away towards some of the villagers in the distance. Coming upon an items shop, Evenson dismounted his horse and tied him to the wooden post in front of the store. Leaning upon the shop's wall, he inconspicuously observed the activities of the townspeople, watching and waiting to see if something or someone would grab his attention.
He didn't have to wait long before he noticed a female ox with three young children walking briskly towards a makeshift shrine near the edge of the square's fountain. In one of her hands she was carrying a bouquet of wildflowers, in the other she held the youngest of the children. Evenson continued to observe them, deciding not to disturb them for the moment seeing she was in the mist of praying.
He could easily tell that she was upset by the way her shoulder's jerked sporadically. When the ox woman finally placed the flowers on the ground, Evenson made his move. Her soft sobs filled the air around them as he approached. Her children watched their mother in silence as she continued to cry. Offering his handkerchief, Evenson began to gently interrogate the bereaved woman.
"What a tragedy. I can't believe this happened." He announced with feigned remorse as he looked at the flowers lying on the town marble tiles. "So many people lost..."
"I can't believe that he is gone," The ox woman continued to sob softly "He was only trying to get some money so we could eat..."
Evenson nodded his head slightly as he bent down to the woman's level "You lost your husband?"
"Yes, I lost my love but," She offered tenderly "but they, they have lost their father." she sadly added hugging her children close. "They don't understand, and I can't explain it."
"I'm sorry for your loss, ma'am." Evenson added sincerely as he stood, placing his hand on the ox woman's broad shoulders. It was easy for him to understand the loss of a spouse, especially when they are murdered.
She turned to look at him, fresh tears caused her eyes to shine "After I had the baby, I was so sick, I couldn't leave the bed. Doctor visits cost us so much that we could hardly make ends meet. Ye'sho worked two jobs in order to keep food on the table." She looked towards the wildflowers as the tears fell.
"He worked so many hours that he hardly slept but we still need more money. He began to steal from people. I told him it was wrong to take from others, but he would say every time before going out 'this will be the last one, I swear.' He never meant to hurt any one. He stole for me; he stole in order for us to live. " An uncontrollable sob racked her thick frame but it quickly turned to heavy coughing.
"He was wrong for attacking that young girl, I admit that." She explained emotionlessly, staring off in to the horizon "but he didn't deserve to die the way that he did. That little blue haired boy turned into a dragon and burned him to death. He burned him without a second thought. He didn't even have a chance to redeem himself. All I had left of Ye'sho was dust, nothing more. I couldn't even bury him and after all is said and done I won't be able to feed my babies."
Evenson reached into his leather pouch and withdrew a medium casing of zenny. Reaching for this ox woman's arm he gently placed the prized parcel within her hand. When she began to object, he held up his hand, silencing her. "By telling me about husband, you have helped me in my quest. Please take this as a token of my appreciation." Evenson replied, squeezing the woman's hand.
Thanking him profusely for his gift she stood with her children and went off to the items shop. Watching the widow walk off, Evenson's mind went into overdrive. She spoke of a young woman and a child with blue hair. "Could this be the 'blue seed' Maya wanted him and Juri to find?" Evenson thought to himself as he made his way through the town.
----------------Another part of town-----------------
Juri watched as the tired man and his family continued to drag the charred remains of their house towards the town square. The sight of the blackened wood, the burnt smell of the wood made her queasy. The sounds of the wood splinting, the men and women shouting to each other, the on going crying, made her jump as the commotion sent her reeling back into her own past.
-----------------The Kingdom of Winlan, in the past------------------------- -
GO!" Cryden, her father yelled, pushing her on to the upstairs of their house "You and your mother climb out of the window when the chance comes. Me and your brother will follow." Although she heard the urgency in his voice, Juri's feet refused to move as she stood in fear.
The winlanian townspeople were pushing and kicking against the doors of her house, calling for the cleansing of the Winlan kingdom. Her brother was still trying to barricade the back door but was beginning to lose the battle against the gaining opposition.
"Father!" Royce cried out " I can't hold on any longer!"
"You must! Your sister's life depends on your strength!" He called back to his son.
"GIVE US THE OMEN!" a voice called from the darkness.
"SHE WILL CAUSE WINLAN'S DOWNFALL, SHE MUST BE SCRAFICED!" another voice called out.
"DEATH! DEATH TO THE OMEN!" came another voice as three arms broke through a crack in the front door, grabbing her father be the neck and arms. Fighting them off, Cryden shouted through the door. "Leave us be! We have done nothing wrong!"
Turning towards his motionless daughter, he screamed, "Damn it, Juri! Run!"
With this she raced up the stairs into the waiting arms of her mother. Io shielded her daughter's ears from the increasing pounding and shouting from downstairs. Realizing there was nowhere in the house for her to hide her daughter from the group of renegades, she began to pull on the thick wooden boards that barricaded her bedroom window they had nailed in a few hours earlier.
"SMOKE THEM OUT!" came the increasing cries from the ferocious group.
Fire lit clubs smashed through the boarded windows igniting the wooden floor instantly. Hearing the screams of her husband and son, Io immediately ran to the steps to see the whole first floor ablaze. The townspeople seeing the house catch fire, turned their attentions immediately from killing the girl, to trying to save the "normal" family inside.
"WATER! Someone bring water!" voices shouted from the outside.
"ROYCE! CRYDEN! NO! Oh the gods, NO!" Io shrieked as the fire began to spread upstairs. Juri wailed helplessly as she watched from the top of the stairs with her mother. Grabbing her remaining child, Io raced back to the window in her bedroom desperately hoping to climb to safety.
Io and Juri hasten to pull the wooden planks down. A terrifying heat and choking thick black smoke filled the room quickly, disorientating the mother and daughter. Coughing, Juri turned within the smoke to hazily see ruby and golden flames quickly coming toward where her and her mother stood. Juri's head was beginning to spin from the lack of oxygen, when her mother pulled down the last board blocking their escape. Using her hands, Io broke the glass from out of the windowpane, trying to lift her child to the safety of the outside. Weakened from the smoke and heat, Io struggled to lift her daughter to the pane. Juri began to scream in pain as the heat from the flames began to lick at her skin.
Without a second thought, Io spread her white wings shielding Juri from the blaze. The flames danced in a sickening wave upon her soft delicate feathers, causing her to screech out in horrific pain. The disgusting smell of singed skin and feathers filled Juri's nostrils. With a inner strength to protect the one she loved, Io lifted her daughter to the safety of the outside.
"MOTHER!" She screamed as she reached out for her. Io clung to the hand offered as Juri pulled with all of her might.
"MOTHER!" those firm hands that held her tight allowing her to live, suddenly let go. Leaving Io to stand within the flames. Like a beautiful angle falling from grace, her mother continued to stand there with her wings stretched to protect her remaining child.
"Run, Juri." was the last words she heard as she saw her mother finally crumble to the smoldering floor. Suddenly two men appeared on the roof of her house. Not wanting to leave her mother, Juri hesitated briefly until she noticed while one of the men carried a bucket of water the other carried a metal spear in his hand.
"Please save my mother!" Juri cried out as she climbed down the side of her house. She ran with all her might as some of the townsmen gave chase.
"NO!" Juri screamed as firm hand began to tighten upon her shoulder. She deftly twisted the hand that rested upon her body. Flinging the assailant to the ground she quickly straddled him, unsheathing her crossbow and pointing it directly their jugular vein.
Evenson's questionable gaze penetrated hers as he looked up into her sweating face. Breathing heavily, she came back into focus. Gaining her composure, she finally recognized the man she was sitting astride as that of her associate. Offering no apologies, she stared down at him her face frozen with hostility.
"Be advised, Evenson." she whispered dangerously "The next time you touch me without me giving you acceptance, I will not take it so lightly."
Evenson never took his eyes off of hers as she stood and walked off in the distance. Sitting up on the marble ground, he rubbed the imprinted mark on his neck and began to question what exactly he got himself in.
Standing up, he dusted off his clothes, walking away from the inquisitive stares and whispers of the surrounding townsfolk. He finally had found a lead on this 'blue seed' monster and was nearly killed in the process of relaying the information to his 'partner'. He saw his father in her actions and that thought alone made his stomach churn. How could he work with someone so willing to spill his blood? As if she was reading his mind, Juri turned around and stared into Evenson's face. It was as if she was almost challenging him to step over the line she drew for him. They glared at each other, both not willing to stand down.
Never again will he consider the feelings of others until this mission is completed. Never again will he let his guard down around Juri, not for a moment. Never again...
"The next time you draw a weapon against me, I will not hesitate to do the same." He voiced coldly, loud enough for her to hear. "Nor will I hesitate to kill you where you stand."
She nodded once, agreeing to his terms. She turned back around and continued to walk away into the horizon.
Evenson snorted to himself, as he walked back towards his horse still tied to the item's shop post. For the moment he needed to get as far away as possible from Juri before he made good on his threat. He then changed his mind as he went to find bedding for the night.
It was going to be a long trip.
Chapter Sixteen: A Criminal's Humanity and Old Wounds Reopened
Carefully eyeing the brazen young woman riding the Arabian horse in front of him, Evenson's mind began to wander back to his days in the Alliance. Back then, a quest like this would have been run of the mill. Find the enemy, strategize the attack, defeat the enemy, and then take the spoils, it would all be the same.
All the battles, the bloodshed, everything the Alliance did were for the sake of safety and protection of the civilians around the continent. Well, that was the reason Commander Kenneth gave to his soldiers. Back then, that simple explanation was good enough for Evenson. Back then when his father spoke; all he said was law and that was good enough.
But things change.
Her head steadily looked forward, never turning back once to see if he was still following her. Juri's persona dripped with poise, almost to the point of conceitedness. Yet, it didn't bother him, he knew that type of attitude well. He bore it for most of his young life when he was a soldier. Shaking his head slightly, he traveled on, wrapped within the dark thoughts of his earlier days.
The pungent smell of sulfur and charred wood welcomed Evenson's nostrils as his horse trotted through the forest clearing towards the town of Avolon. As soon as Juri and he entered the town's gates, the prevalent destruction could be seen.
"I've received accounts that this is where the beast was first seen." She informed Evenson as she carried on. "Looks like the reports were accurate."
A few of the townsfolk could be seen sifting through the burnt wreckage, trying to salvage anything possible. Others were seen dragging and mounting piles of burnt wood in the middle of the town's square to help with the rebuilding process. Looking about, Evenson glanced at the distraught faces of the people. Their fear and uneasiness did nothing to lurch the jaded heart in his chest.
"You still don't believe the monster of legend walks the earth?" Juri voiced stiffly as she pointed towards a group of mourners "Look at them, ask them who are laying to rest their friends and family if the fiend exist."
The iciness in her voice caused Evenson to give Juri a heated glare "Monsters come in many forms, my lady. Just ask the commander you served under." He returned just as stiffly.
Giving him a hard glare, Juri dug her heels into her horse's sides and trotted away towards some of the villagers in the distance. Coming upon an items shop, Evenson dismounted his horse and tied him to the wooden post in front of the store. Leaning upon the shop's wall, he inconspicuously observed the activities of the townspeople, watching and waiting to see if something or someone would grab his attention.
He didn't have to wait long before he noticed a female ox with three young children walking briskly towards a makeshift shrine near the edge of the square's fountain. In one of her hands she was carrying a bouquet of wildflowers, in the other she held the youngest of the children. Evenson continued to observe them, deciding not to disturb them for the moment seeing she was in the mist of praying.
He could easily tell that she was upset by the way her shoulder's jerked sporadically. When the ox woman finally placed the flowers on the ground, Evenson made his move. Her soft sobs filled the air around them as he approached. Her children watched their mother in silence as she continued to cry. Offering his handkerchief, Evenson began to gently interrogate the bereaved woman.
"What a tragedy. I can't believe this happened." He announced with feigned remorse as he looked at the flowers lying on the town marble tiles. "So many people lost..."
"I can't believe that he is gone," The ox woman continued to sob softly "He was only trying to get some money so we could eat..."
Evenson nodded his head slightly as he bent down to the woman's level "You lost your husband?"
"Yes, I lost my love but," She offered tenderly "but they, they have lost their father." she sadly added hugging her children close. "They don't understand, and I can't explain it."
"I'm sorry for your loss, ma'am." Evenson added sincerely as he stood, placing his hand on the ox woman's broad shoulders. It was easy for him to understand the loss of a spouse, especially when they are murdered.
She turned to look at him, fresh tears caused her eyes to shine "After I had the baby, I was so sick, I couldn't leave the bed. Doctor visits cost us so much that we could hardly make ends meet. Ye'sho worked two jobs in order to keep food on the table." She looked towards the wildflowers as the tears fell.
"He worked so many hours that he hardly slept but we still need more money. He began to steal from people. I told him it was wrong to take from others, but he would say every time before going out 'this will be the last one, I swear.' He never meant to hurt any one. He stole for me; he stole in order for us to live. " An uncontrollable sob racked her thick frame but it quickly turned to heavy coughing.
"He was wrong for attacking that young girl, I admit that." She explained emotionlessly, staring off in to the horizon "but he didn't deserve to die the way that he did. That little blue haired boy turned into a dragon and burned him to death. He burned him without a second thought. He didn't even have a chance to redeem himself. All I had left of Ye'sho was dust, nothing more. I couldn't even bury him and after all is said and done I won't be able to feed my babies."
Evenson reached into his leather pouch and withdrew a medium casing of zenny. Reaching for this ox woman's arm he gently placed the prized parcel within her hand. When she began to object, he held up his hand, silencing her. "By telling me about husband, you have helped me in my quest. Please take this as a token of my appreciation." Evenson replied, squeezing the woman's hand.
Thanking him profusely for his gift she stood with her children and went off to the items shop. Watching the widow walk off, Evenson's mind went into overdrive. She spoke of a young woman and a child with blue hair. "Could this be the 'blue seed' Maya wanted him and Juri to find?" Evenson thought to himself as he made his way through the town.
----------------Another part of town-----------------
Juri watched as the tired man and his family continued to drag the charred remains of their house towards the town square. The sight of the blackened wood, the burnt smell of the wood made her queasy. The sounds of the wood splinting, the men and women shouting to each other, the on going crying, made her jump as the commotion sent her reeling back into her own past.
-----------------The Kingdom of Winlan, in the past------------------------- -
GO!" Cryden, her father yelled, pushing her on to the upstairs of their house "You and your mother climb out of the window when the chance comes. Me and your brother will follow." Although she heard the urgency in his voice, Juri's feet refused to move as she stood in fear.
The winlanian townspeople were pushing and kicking against the doors of her house, calling for the cleansing of the Winlan kingdom. Her brother was still trying to barricade the back door but was beginning to lose the battle against the gaining opposition.
"Father!" Royce cried out " I can't hold on any longer!"
"You must! Your sister's life depends on your strength!" He called back to his son.
"GIVE US THE OMEN!" a voice called from the darkness.
"SHE WILL CAUSE WINLAN'S DOWNFALL, SHE MUST BE SCRAFICED!" another voice called out.
"DEATH! DEATH TO THE OMEN!" came another voice as three arms broke through a crack in the front door, grabbing her father be the neck and arms. Fighting them off, Cryden shouted through the door. "Leave us be! We have done nothing wrong!"
Turning towards his motionless daughter, he screamed, "Damn it, Juri! Run!"
With this she raced up the stairs into the waiting arms of her mother. Io shielded her daughter's ears from the increasing pounding and shouting from downstairs. Realizing there was nowhere in the house for her to hide her daughter from the group of renegades, she began to pull on the thick wooden boards that barricaded her bedroom window they had nailed in a few hours earlier.
"SMOKE THEM OUT!" came the increasing cries from the ferocious group.
Fire lit clubs smashed through the boarded windows igniting the wooden floor instantly. Hearing the screams of her husband and son, Io immediately ran to the steps to see the whole first floor ablaze. The townspeople seeing the house catch fire, turned their attentions immediately from killing the girl, to trying to save the "normal" family inside.
"WATER! Someone bring water!" voices shouted from the outside.
"ROYCE! CRYDEN! NO! Oh the gods, NO!" Io shrieked as the fire began to spread upstairs. Juri wailed helplessly as she watched from the top of the stairs with her mother. Grabbing her remaining child, Io raced back to the window in her bedroom desperately hoping to climb to safety.
Io and Juri hasten to pull the wooden planks down. A terrifying heat and choking thick black smoke filled the room quickly, disorientating the mother and daughter. Coughing, Juri turned within the smoke to hazily see ruby and golden flames quickly coming toward where her and her mother stood. Juri's head was beginning to spin from the lack of oxygen, when her mother pulled down the last board blocking their escape. Using her hands, Io broke the glass from out of the windowpane, trying to lift her child to the safety of the outside. Weakened from the smoke and heat, Io struggled to lift her daughter to the pane. Juri began to scream in pain as the heat from the flames began to lick at her skin.
Without a second thought, Io spread her white wings shielding Juri from the blaze. The flames danced in a sickening wave upon her soft delicate feathers, causing her to screech out in horrific pain. The disgusting smell of singed skin and feathers filled Juri's nostrils. With a inner strength to protect the one she loved, Io lifted her daughter to the safety of the outside.
"MOTHER!" She screamed as she reached out for her. Io clung to the hand offered as Juri pulled with all of her might.
"MOTHER!" those firm hands that held her tight allowing her to live, suddenly let go. Leaving Io to stand within the flames. Like a beautiful angle falling from grace, her mother continued to stand there with her wings stretched to protect her remaining child.
"Run, Juri." was the last words she heard as she saw her mother finally crumble to the smoldering floor. Suddenly two men appeared on the roof of her house. Not wanting to leave her mother, Juri hesitated briefly until she noticed while one of the men carried a bucket of water the other carried a metal spear in his hand.
"Please save my mother!" Juri cried out as she climbed down the side of her house. She ran with all her might as some of the townsmen gave chase.
"NO!" Juri screamed as firm hand began to tighten upon her shoulder. She deftly twisted the hand that rested upon her body. Flinging the assailant to the ground she quickly straddled him, unsheathing her crossbow and pointing it directly their jugular vein.
Evenson's questionable gaze penetrated hers as he looked up into her sweating face. Breathing heavily, she came back into focus. Gaining her composure, she finally recognized the man she was sitting astride as that of her associate. Offering no apologies, she stared down at him her face frozen with hostility.
"Be advised, Evenson." she whispered dangerously "The next time you touch me without me giving you acceptance, I will not take it so lightly."
Evenson never took his eyes off of hers as she stood and walked off in the distance. Sitting up on the marble ground, he rubbed the imprinted mark on his neck and began to question what exactly he got himself in.
Standing up, he dusted off his clothes, walking away from the inquisitive stares and whispers of the surrounding townsfolk. He finally had found a lead on this 'blue seed' monster and was nearly killed in the process of relaying the information to his 'partner'. He saw his father in her actions and that thought alone made his stomach churn. How could he work with someone so willing to spill his blood? As if she was reading his mind, Juri turned around and stared into Evenson's face. It was as if she was almost challenging him to step over the line she drew for him. They glared at each other, both not willing to stand down.
Never again will he consider the feelings of others until this mission is completed. Never again will he let his guard down around Juri, not for a moment. Never again...
"The next time you draw a weapon against me, I will not hesitate to do the same." He voiced coldly, loud enough for her to hear. "Nor will I hesitate to kill you where you stand."
She nodded once, agreeing to his terms. She turned back around and continued to walk away into the horizon.
Evenson snorted to himself, as he walked back towards his horse still tied to the item's shop post. For the moment he needed to get as far away as possible from Juri before he made good on his threat. He then changed his mind as he went to find bedding for the night.
It was going to be a long trip.