Grrrr…I gave my disclaimer, and I will in chapter six if ever I get that far.. If you need to see it, it's in the Prologue, the chapter 'The Messenger'. If you didn't notice, I made the female character dominant over the male. Dude. I'm a girl. The only reason I used the name Kieru is because in reality, my brother's character is Danatoth. I named mine Rose. If I were to have named her Rose, I'd've given her too much over Danatoth, since my brother, despite being older in actual time, has played a some seventy hours less than me. His character is a level Fourty-Nine; Rose is at Nintey-Nine. His strongest weapon is a pair of Crimson Glare (A pair of aerolite daggers(I forgot what stone)) at fifty-eight, mine is the Dior Wood Bow at level Eight hundred and Fifteen. No, I don't have the Japanese version of the game. It took me forever to get the damn bow to begin with.
This chapter follows up immediately with the Prologue, in case you didn't notice…Also, the 'impression' that takes placed has nothing to do with Anne Mccaffrey's hold on my mind via. Pern. It is similar but not the same.
The scent of thick rabite broth predominated the main living space inside of Danatoth's home. Indeed, everything seemed to predominate that small room, including the voices of Reia and Danatoth as they conversed. Outside, the storm raged in a fury, angry pellets of hail pummeling like snare drums on the windows.
Un-noticed by the two indoors, a rather battered bird landed in front of Danatoth's home long enough to insert a piece of thick, luxurious parchment into his mailbox before winging away again. Except for that, when it departed, it caught Reia's eye.
"You get post by bird, right? Specifically a white pelican?" It had butted in on their conversation about, of all things, raising pets. But that didn't really matter. Or did it?
"Indeed. I didn't think she'd want to deliver the post today, though. Maybe it's the letter that was supposed to warn me of you." He grinned easily at that. "Also, I'm going to see if something happened in the coral; a few minutes ago I heard Kieru's Lashadane making the most unearthly sound." A Lashadane was one of the largest creatures Danatoth had even known., and just what his sister saw in the beast was not visible to him.
And, indeed, when he entered the Barn, the Lashadane was baying a call for Danatoth's attention. He watched, and finally saw what had been upsetting the beast. An aerial egg he'd acquired a few weeks back had fallen from the upper loft where his other pets resided, and now danced in the whirl of hatching. Cracks were forming , and several shards flew off at every jounce.
After what seemed hours, though it was only a few minutes, the hungry creel of an egg-fluid-soaked beast. It looked like no other he had ever seen. Danatoth is here? Near his Taayx? His is hungry and cold. The creature creeled piteously again before heading towards one of the filled feedboxes and gorging himself. Unaware, Danatoth realized that he felt as though he had never tasted food. When he got inside, he'd probably do his guest's appetite up one.
"Who said that?!" The man exclaimed, leaping into the air. Never had he ever had such a sensation of unconditional love and affection as he did now. The beast proceeded to eat the contents of three more feedboxes, though it shied away from the scent of the lashadane on the fifth. Finally, the thick covering of viscous material slid smoothly off of the little best, unearthing it.
It seemed ethereal, the beast. A pair of wings lifted towards the roof, the cruelly spurred appendages flailing in order to rid themselves of the remainder of the sticky egg residue. The wings were bedecked in shimmering feathers, like minute prisms, though there seemed a glimmer about the extremities. Curiously, Danatoth laid a hand on the wing of the beast, and drew it back instantly. He stared at the beginnings of a burn turning the flesh of his palm bright crimson. It was not a serious burn, but it had felt like fire for the moment of contact.
Whatever the beast was, it acknowledged the presence of the man at once but turning on him and tripping him. For a moment, he stifled a moan of pain as his burned flesh slammed forcefully into the straw strewn dirt floor. His moan only lengthened when he realized that his fingers were cut several times. Blood left rivulets on his dusty palms, and dyed the dirt on the ground pale red. Hurriedly, he pressed his fingers to his leggings as a sort of compress in order to cease the bleeding. The creature took the opportunity left by this moment to taste the blood of the man.
The rest of the creature, Danatoth now took the time to notice, was also bedecked in shimmering plumage. It had a definite undertone of sky blue, as if the flesh beneath were ghastly white. It was shaped vaguely like a kid dragon, with a ridge of spines resting in a slight hollow along the spine. Large, doleful, crimson eyes stared at the man who was to be his soul mate forevermore.
Danatoth reached out the stroke the creature's skull, just between the eyes. The warmth was just that, not heated enough to be even remotely hot, and the creature made a sound akin to a purr as the man took a much more vigorous hand at the task. The creature ruffled its plumage, and suddenly it changed. The undertone of the feathers suddenly seemed pale red as opposed to blue, and the warmth faded into a soothing coolness. The man gasped suddenly and drew his hand back so suddenly that he carried himself a pace back with force.
His hand, which had started scabbing, was suddenly as it had been. It was the same sensation that he had experienced when he'd brushed Reia's horn. But what was more disconcerting was the dragon's sudden changed in body temperature. And color; now there was a riddle; blue for hot and red for cold. How intriguing.
When he returned inside the small creature was closely pursuing him. Reia ogled the beast for a moment with popping eyes. "Where, in the name of the goddess, did you find a thryyaine? They are holy beasts! The last seen was over three centuries ago!" Her excitement was odd; she'd seemed abject to anything religious. The creature gave a piercing gaze toward the Ronso woman.
What of the enlightened she, if Taayx might inquire? Why does she dare grace our presence? The creature sounded angered, and if body language were any guide, the creature's tense stance spoke volumes. The sound that emanated from its throat was nothing short of feral anger. The snarling beast was regarding Reia with eyes that seemed virulently infuriated, as well as dangerously bloody. Why do you not punish her for disrespect? Does Taayx have to do it?
As if Reia could hear the creature's thoughts, she knelt in a bow that would have done the meekest servant proud. He heard the soft rustle of both her matted hair and horn against his floor, and knew that there was some tie between the beast and her religious belief, however detachedly she held them. For a moment, Danatoth waited for her to straighten again. A minute passed in utter silence before he mustered the courage to break the palpably tense air.
"Enough!" He shouted, his voice somehow reverberating throughout the room. She leapt to her feet, drawing in on herself and cowering. The creature-he was sure the race was not called the Taayx-purred smugly. Danatoth then realized his error.
"Reia?" He asked, tentatively, reaching for her hand. She mewled with a crazed fright and dove towards the door. However, he managed to snatch her arm before she could force it open and leap through. "Reia! I might not know you well, but I did not mean to frighten you. I have never been the one to shout. I do not understand what came over me. Forgive me…" He carefully guided her towards the table and her previous chair.
She would not sit until he instructed her to do so. "Please, I want you to explain what…Taayx is…" He sounded the slightest bit meek himself. The creature had followed the man and perched himself comfortably on the floor.
"He named himself? I did not think they would do so quickly…" Her voice was disbelieving, but full of awe. "Taayx," She began with the utmost respect. "Is a Tasharaad; they are holy beasts of the goddess. They are her sole children; the goddess created the world, but she did not birth the creatures of it. Born of any saplings of the Mana Tree, they are extensions of the goddess to her people. They are worthy of the utmost respect. To be chosen by a Tasharaad is to be raised to the utmost level within a temple of the goddess. Your status, were you one of us, would be equaled to that of a priest or priestess." She bowed again to the beast. "How might I serve?" This was addressed to Taayx alone.
You could relieve this poor creature of the terrible itch down his left wing The creature said in mock piteousness as it offered the proffered extremity. She smiled slightly and reverently scratched the reddish white plumage and the flesh beneath. Obviously, the creature wanted to be touched. Perhaps temperature changed with emotion…?
The creature purred and butted the woman's hand affectionately. Apparently, any transgressions the creature had felt affronted by had been resolved by the tender care the woman put into rubbing the creature's hide. So there shall be two…? The human will not suffice. I am yours, Reia, heiress of High Priestess Fyryaine regh'Tramand Aneith, and you are mine.. You are destined to follow in her traces. Reia gasped as a feeling of contented love and warmth spread through her. Danatoth's eyes widened.
"What does this signify?" He asked at last. The creature finally backed away and curled up next to the fire.
"A twice bond…" Reia breathed at much the same time, eliciting momentary confusion. "With mention of my Ancestress. Goddess, I will die from the shock!" And certainly, the sudden realization that Danatoth now felt three bundles of thought and emotion that were not his was startling. Most defined was Taayx, and next was those which had to be Reia's. Third, and most vague, were Kieru's. It seemed that natural empathy was weaker than created empathic bonds.
"I guess I'll let us recover by reading the letter, then?" Danatoth inquired, allowing a steely smile to come over his features. Carefully, he unfolded the thick parchment. The script was fine and spidery, and rather neat.
My Highest Regards to a One Danatoth Nivare,
And a One Kieru Nivare,
I bid you hello! I am afraid, however that, though I am to be a new acquaintance, my first words to you are to be of bad tidings. The body of the great goddess, the Holy Tree of Mana, has begun to seed itself about the world. This is a terrible thing! The normal beasts of the area have begun to change, become difficult and dangerous to catch once more. Our livestock and other animals have begun to change, also. Oxen have begun to birth calves with terrible horns and oddly sharpened teeth. Horses die birthing foals that look more like four legged sky dragons. I am sure this is not the last letter you will receive on this problem.I have sent three messengers to find you. Reia Czareaina, Ryo Czareaina, and Lan al'Thorein. They should arrive within a week of this letter.
My Deepest Regards,
Savarend tsar'Anyearved.
For a moment, he gaped at the thing as though it had produced voice and sung a shanty. "He is to be an acquaintance? How sure of that is he?" He chocked on the last; he did not like people who made arrogant assumptions. "I am very tempted not to go and meet him, now." The last had a hint of steel to it. To him, assume was spelled in such a manner as to string out as ass-u-me. In other words, it meant that it was going to make an ass of the two it was meant for in the end.
Reia looked at him smugly. The Tasharaad purred as a reflection to her emotion. "You don't have a choice. Twice-bonds work in not only forming a bridge to our minds, but also are, for some ghastly reason, rather painful the further we are apart. If I were to go, say, five miles, you and I both would experience a migraine of terminal proportion, though it wouldn't be fatal. That's just how it works. We should go as soon as the storm ends. It takes two weeks to get to Roar, but about a day extra to get from here to there. And that is if we run the whole time, which we shan't be doing with a hatchling Tasharaad in tow. That's about a month of sturdy travel unless you can find a steed large enough for me. And that won't shy away from Taayx." She petted the creature's silken plumage, and he once more emitted an almost purr.
Danatoth's eyes rolled into the back of his head, and soon the rest of his body went that way as well. He fainted dead away.
Having talked more than she could recall doing in a long time, Kieru was beginning to feel tired. That, and, after three and a half bottles of very strong spirits, anyone normal would be blind drunk, though in her it was only a vague bliss. Her companion frowned at her as she suddenly and abruptly cut off what he had been about to say. "Something wrong?" He asked, confused.
"You say that the Mana Tree going to seed is a bad thing, but that we should find a way to preserve the saplings while ridding them of the plaguing evil. But then you say that the only way to do that is to preserve a single leaf and nurse it back to health, but that then the resulting tree runs risk of being overtaken by the plague again! Goddess! It's more than even a sober mind could comprehend! I always was told that other races could be trivial, and that anything with a core would be less so; you are as trivial as they come!" That was more than she'd ever said at once. She could confirm that. Perhaps the alcohol had loosened her tongue a bit. After a moment, though, she sagged backwards. "Goddess, I'm tired…" It sounded like a ripple breaking on a boulder, resulting in little or no sound.
She trotted away, towards the only place that allowed her free rooming. Not that she wasn't fond of the person who owned the place, but she certainly did not like the woman's personality.
Softly, she pushed open a moderately embellished door to reveal the room within. The flickering light of at least fifty different lamps gave the chamber an otherworldly glow, and cast the shopkeeper, who could be described as nothing else but a siren, into an ethereal aura. "Monique?" She asked, softly, pushing the door open the rest of the way. "May I stay in your spare room tonight?"
The siren was just that-so be it that the soldiers of the imperial navy thought them hags-and one of the most beautiful women that any man could dream of. Or, that is, until you realized that they shared the lower portions of doves. Monique's face was beautiful, but oddly delicate, even for a siren. High cheekbones gave way to an even more fragile jaw line. Her porcelain complexion was the result of spending many years inside of her lamp shop. Her lips were full, but rather pale, albeit that they curved upward with recognition. Her eyes were an indiscernible shade of almost black gray, but the strong undercurrent of satisfaction and happiness made them glimmer as brightly as any pale stone.
She gave a little hop like step and leapt over her worktable. Her entire length from the waist down was that of a dove, including the long toes, which made her stance look uncomfortable. A wreath of spectral golden flowers and vines encircled her like an aura, fading into a plain emerald ribbon towards her waist, before the ends disappeared near her feet. A crown of similarly existent roses crowned her brow. The sirens could not decide what their wreath looked like; it was a reflection of how they actually were.
Monique's roses symbolized that she judged by a person's inner beauty, rather than appearance. The golden flowers symbolized generosity and purity of heart, and the health of the vines said that she had never taken a sailor's life. "Of course you may, Kieru. I still owe you for helping me sell my lamps when I nearly fell into poverty." Her smile was as warm as her eyes.
Kieru smiled and hugged the woman. Okay, she had to admit that she liked Monique; it was hard not to like her; she was too kind and generous. She didn't talk too much, either. "Thanks." She said, simply, before trotting off towards the storeroom.
When she opened the door, the first thing that greeted her was the scent of lamp oil and scented hemp wicks. She sought out a single crate, pushed away from the rest, filled with pillows and quilts. Quickly making herself a neat pallet, the last sounds she heard were the soft croons of her hostess. They lulled her into a relaxed rest.
The next day, the storm was pounding harder than before, if it were possible. She decided it was time to don her cloak, but also that there was little chance of leaving the town for the next few days. There was no problem there; Lan was rather nice company, despite his trivial state of mind. So, for the next three days, she would meet him at the tavern and they would discuss all manner of things. She let her notice of how slack the rain had become pass her until a rather unexpected sight met her one dank morning.
A female Ronso, as well as her brother, and an odd creature, came walking calmly up the steps to the tavern, speaking merrily.
"Reia!" Lan exclaimed in jubilation, sweeping the girl into a quick embrace.
"Hey!" Kieru exclaimed moments later. "Isn't that my shirt? And my robe? And my hair tie?" She glared accusingly at her brother, who shrugged.
"Her dress was torn to shreds, and Lisa noticed that your proportions were the same. What can I say?" His grin was rather malicious. "Before, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that you kept a stash of identical tunics." He smiled at her grimace.
"Shut Up before you find yourself with one less head. I won't entail which of them I'd remove first." Before now, she had not cared notice the creature, but now that it was suddenly growling, with spurred wings outstretched, at her, she actually saw it.
"Hush, Taayx; she didn't mean it." He stroked the creature's head and gently folded its wings back against its back. "She says it a lot and doesn't mean it." Reia reached down and soothed the ruffled feathers that stood like a crest atop its head.
"No, no, Taayx, she wouldn't really do it; they're siblings." She added. Lan stared at her with nearly popping eyes, before muttering something about insane girls and putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Both of you?" He asked incredulously.
She nodded.
"…A Tasharaad?!"
She nodded.
"He already named himself?!"
Once more, she nodded.
"Your mother isn't going to believe it!" He said, bowing to her quickly, though he didn't wait for instruction to straighten again. "Neither is high priest Frainye! He'll try to have you hung for blasphemy!"
"And probably be murdered by Taayx and me." Danatoth said, smiling in a steely manner. "I'd rather not have the sensation of being hung without actually dying."
Lan's eyes were more acid as he fixed a burning glare at Danatoth. "You! I'm surprised you had the mental strength that a Tasharaad would seek out! Humans never seem have the knack." He sounded more irked than angry, though. "Neither Priest nor Priestess will like having a human possess higher rank than they."
After a moment, though, he inclined his head toward Danatoth's ear and murmured in a low voice, "I have a need to discuss something away from Reia. We shall do so later." It was not a request or an invitation, but a command. Danatoth feared for his neck on the tone; did the man wish to kill him?
"Well." Kieru said after a moment. "Since it seems we have to go meet their leader, I might as well make the detour to Etansel. It's on the way to their realm." She grinned. "Perhaps they'll open up to a race whose cores have been sought after before, too." She looked grimly cheer about it.
"Of course." Danatoth groaned inwardly. One of the beasts that had come with the saplings of the Goddess was capable of taking one person and splitting them asunder. It would create a body for the stolen half, and all would exist as normal. He ad heard that Jumi created siblings in a similar manner. If Blackpearl faced one…Pearl would…
Forcefully tearing thoughts of the woman whose heart he chased from his mind, he put thought back into the situation at hand. Departure time had been decided in his brief absence of mind; they were to be up and out by dawn, and there was to be no complaining.
They began socializing, the three Ronso and Two Humans, until the darkness was slightly darker than that of the daytime, signifying evening. Danatoth found himself surprised that his sibling had finally found a companion who could bring out the happier aspect of her.
To Danatoth, she was like a shellfish. On the outside, she was cold and hard; softness was a thing she had cast away with youth. But, with the proper coaxing, the shell could be opened. She did have discernible emotions; they were just hidden inside of her trivial, slightly crazed, mind.
"Hello?" The 'affore said female inquired, tapping her fist on his skull. "Is the withered material that we might call a brain present at this time?" She sounded slightly childish, which astonished him. He hoped her shell didn't always stay open; he almost preferred the solemn girl he'd grown up with much better.
"Hmn?" He asked as he fended off a second bought of fists wrapping on his skull, though this time they were Ryo's.
"Kieru was just asking," Reia began with evident relish, "If you intended to say hello to Pearl when we got there alone or with all of us in tow." And indeed, Ryo's evident snicker signified that Kieru had said something about him and the Jumi of Purest White. He knew better than to counter with anything; any mention of Elazul would turn warm merriment into icily contained rage.
He murmured something strangled that sounded like "I can't say.", before rising from his seat. "I'm going to go check our supplies;" He said at last and left the laughing lot of them. He growled slightly as Reia gave him a knowing wink before turning to the group.
"He looked ready to chew your head off, Kieru. How important is Pearl to him?" The curious Ronso female inquired after he had departed from hearing range. Taayx's hue began to seem greener than his previous contented red. He growled menacingly at her.
He loves her! He wanted to retort, but his sister must have some feel for the person named Elazul; I sensed much animosity in his mind. Perhaps his fear of her response frightens him. He sounded slightly approving. He has told me much of her, for in his thoughts she is never far from significance.
Reia grinned knowingly, "Thanks, Taayx. No need to say more, Kieru; I have a mind reader."
Lan suddenly stood up from his seat. "I'm turning in early tonight. See you in the morning." Reia realized at once how strange it was that Lan was going to retire early. He seemed to never sleep.
On the whole curious, she watched him go, but knew better than to try to stop him.
"I knew you'd follow." Danatoth said as Lan trudged silently behind him. He had, in fact, only taken the liberty of walking to the flight of steps in front of an empty building near the "Mummy Seeker".
"I will say this, and I will say it in no uncertain terms. I care deeply for Reia. I have dedicated my life to keeping her safe, as her mother entrusted her guardianship to me. You are nothing more than an interloper on that term. But, if ever she is in your presence, under your protection, and anything happens to her, let it be known in no uncertain terms that I will maul you. I know killing would leave her insane, but mauling wears off very soon after." His voice was emotionless, but something about his eyes told Danatoth that he meant every word of it.
"I will try my best." He said at last, not portraying a whit of thought beneath his guise of noncholance. He was good at looking relaxed; when Pearl was around, he tried to do so, so that she did not catch the tension or feel, which could be dangerous.
"Damn straight." He said, easing a bit. The stiffness in his stance eased ths slightest bit, and his face relaxed. "So, how about we go check supplies now that that's settled?"
"I don't see why not; I wasn't lying about checking over. Ru says that I'm a worrywart."
"Ru?"
"Get used to it; Kieru is Ru, and I am Danny to her, or Toth. You'll hear her call me one of those soon enough."
Wow! I turned out a chapter in a week! Or less! I feel so good....
Reviews: Feral Claw: Thanks. Ryo, like I said, is based off of a friend's concept. To quote him while we were discussing outline(this dude's not literate enough to appreciate the word concept, but he wanted to tell me the exacts of his character) he told me "that Ryo drinks more than normal and is a pervert. A very disguisting, aggrivating pervert. Who gets decked every once in a while..." The last bit was his idea! Honestly! Dactuar(we call him that) is odd.
And, about the style and complexity: At my school, complexity is a big word! Well, so is Deoxyribonucleic Acid, but that's scientific, so it dosen't count... In math, we have groups, and I have the two most annoying boys in school.Their language is horrid! On purpose! I wanted to let my fingers flow on the keyboard; this is how I write. Deal with it!