Of Dreams and Nightmares
Disclaimer: -sigh- How many times do I have to say it?
Chapter 4: Farewell
"Don't cry mum…"
"How can I just let her go…"
"Arashi's smart, and this is all she's ever wanted…"
"Lecael will be so sad to see her go…"
"Yeah, the way she looks at her, it's like Lecael sees her as some sort of goddess."
"Yeah… But why! How can she just… leave like this?"
"It's not like you didn't see it coming. You, dad and I, we all knew this day would come."
"It… it just seems like it came so soon… and she's so young…"
"You should probably talk with her before she leaves."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Arashi's always thought that you and dad have never really liked her. Don't you want to tell her that that isn't true incase something… happens?"
"Don't talk like that! She's trained everyday since she was seven, and knows when to be careful. Nothing is going to happen."
"…"
Dawn pricked the horizon, delicate rays of sunlight pouring through Arashi's window and dancing across her face, which had grown quite lovely in her teenage years.
Raven strand, now easily reaching her waist, shadowed her deep chocolate eyes, their pools solemn and penetrating, but lit with anxiety.
Lids slipping shut for a brief moment, a short nervous sigh was breathed as the teenage girl hopped from the thin wool blankets layering her small, splintered bed, lithe figure obviously fit and strong, muscles pulsing subtly with each action.
Taking a white strip of cloth from her bedside table, Arashi bound her hair back, fastening the fabric near the ends.
With one last fleeting glance as the sunrise, she hurriedly yanked on a pair of worn, brown leather boots, which were a bit too large for her, and snatched a dark hued cloak from the hook nailed to the wall beside her door, draping its thick folds over one arm. The garments Arashi was now currently donned in were quite similar to those she wore as a child. But they lacked a hood, and both leather and steel armor were beneath them.
Taking a deep, calming breath, Arashi stepped through her doorway, silently walking towards her mother's precious kitchen, from which mouthwatering scents drifted.
"Where's Lecael?" Arashi inquired softly, gaze focused upon the ancient floorboards as Mintra replied, her aged voice forcedly polite, and a bit weary. The woman did not turn as she spoke, for fear of her daughter catching sight of the tears that tainted her storm gray eyes.
"She left the house early… I only saw her for a moment. And I've not a clue where she's got to." Mintra informed Arashi, hands quavering at their work of chopping vegetables as the sound of her daughter's footsteps, wandering from the house, reached her ears.
"Lecael?" Arashi called out cautiously, walking near the town's borders, and the borders of the myrrh's power, guided by half stifled sobs.
The tiny child attempted to push back her tears, as she had seen her older sister perform so masterfully, so many times. But she couldn't. The salt ridden pearls just kept flowing, and Lecael felt Arashi's slender appendage brush them away as she put a soothing upon her little sister's quivering shoulder. She had done this many a time as well…
"You shouldn't be so close to the miasma…" Arashi reminded softly, sinking to the ground beside Lecael, and gently pulling her light ginger locks away from her flushed, heart-shaped face.
"Why do you have to leave?"
The older girl was silent for a few moments, and when she did speak, her voice was fairly empty.
"Everyone is making much too big of a deal over this. It's not like you won't ever see me again."
"Only once a year." Lecael whispered bitterly, earning a patient sigh from her sibling.
"You'll do much better without me here-"
"No!" Lecael interrupted, turning to face Arashi, a fresh unit of tears streaming down her blotchy, once pale cheeks.
"I need you here! You have to help me become a caravanner!"
"You don't want that kind of future. Lecael, you have so much going for you here. Everyone approves of you, and you'll have no trouble finding happiness right where you are. Just because you admire me, doesn't mean you have to be exactly like me." Arashi reprimanded, her features and tone firm.
Searching her idol's eyes, the little girl found only truth and worry, and resigned with a heavy sigh and small pout for good measure.
"Fine… but I'm still not happy about this."
Arashi took her by surprise by giving a hearty laugh, the first in quite awhile, and embracing her sister tightly, grinning widely, eyes dancing with emotion Lecael couldn't quite identify. Wrapping her arms around the other girl's torso, she smiled as well, letting her almond eyes slip shut, and deeply breathed in, imprinting the scent on her memory to last for an entire year. 'Jasmine flowers… and spring rain…'
"This caravan has served us well, for ten, successful years! But this year, their journeys come to an end, and we'll be sending forth a new group!" bellowed the old man perched high upon the steps surrounding the crystal, which had just been replenished the day before. He spoke to the many people gather about him, preparing to announce the ones chosen to set out.
"From the Liltie tribe, young Miss Nitaren!"
A Liltie, a bit taller than the other short beings around her, stepped forward. Her face presented a stony expression, eyes experienced and body bruised and scarred, though nearly completely concealed by heavy armor. In Nitaren's right hand she tightly clutched a spear, it's wooden shaft much taller than its mistress.
"From the Selkie tribe, Morok and Klo!"
Two Selkies, both wolfies, stepped from the smiling crowd, one male and the other female.
Arashi, who was also standing amid the hushed mass of people, quickly assumed that the pair were twins, for they appeared to b the same age, and the resemblance between the two was astonishing. Mischievous glints plagued all four sky blue eyes, and each sported the same prim nose and platinum locks with streaks of dull raven. The only armor worn by them was a steel plate over each of their chests, clothed in animal pelts, their weapons latched to a strap behind them.
After letting out a short chuckle, gazing at the two troublemakers, the elder called out again.
"From the Clavats are Arashi and Rema!"
Lecael smiled up at Arashi, but the girl didn't look down. Her features obtained and kept an empty expression as she walked forward, feeling the eyes of other upon her. A sword was now sheathed at her waist, a shield strapped to her back.
The boy Rema (yes, the same one she saw at the kitchens when she was a child), came forward as well. A black ring of cloth about his skull and over his tanned forehead kept the messy brown locks of his from invading his line of vision given to him by bright green pools. He as well had possession of a sword and shield, his left hand resting lazily upon the hilt of his large weapon.
"And from the Yukes, Beron!"
Arashi, from her position lined up beside her new traveling companions, saw a Yuke slowly step forth. The Yuke tribe had a firm reputation for being mysterious, and this one was certainly no exception. As he came to stand beside her, the sixteen year old felt an odd sense of peace and serenity fall over her, and she looked up to his face, which was concealed in a vibrantly shining helmet.
"Young ones!" the elder now addressed the six adventurers before him, "Say your last good byes now. Your caravan is nearly ready, and I'm afraid it will be quite a long time before you see your family and friends again."
They parted, each returning to their families to give and receive farewells. Arashi walked to her own, kneeling and spreading her arms wide as Lecael raced towards her, tightly hugging her sister as if she never wanted to let go. And she didn't wish to.
Yay! This chapter is much longer. Sorry for the delay, but now that all the chapters will probably be this length or more, they'll take longer. I aiming to update every Monday or sooner, so the next will be up in a week. I also changed the title and summary, I like them better now. If anyone has any suggestions for the story, please let me know!
Chibi Tetra- Thank you for all your reviews! –hugs- I can't believe I'm on someone's favorites list! –cheers- XD
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