Here be the full version. Hope everyone enjoys it. Lady Storm, that thing with Angela was intended, and you'll see why later on. And to all of you, I love you. Thanks so much, your comments really make me feel better about my writing. (You always review on the bad chapters! :p)
~Truewind
Sandstorm
Duran yanked his left gauntlet off his hand wearily and set it on the side table that stood next to the couch that held him, Kevin, and Riesz. The six travelers were arranged in the room, all in various states of anxiousness. Angela appeared to be completely relaxed; she reclined on a couch of her own facing his across the large dining table. However, the glances she shot toward the doors and windows at varying intervals betrayed her. Bathed and shampooed, the Princess of Altena was even more beautiful to Duran than she had been. Every time he gazed at her, a warm feeling pooled inside of him, giving him strength to combat the weariness and stress that assailed him. He suspected that everyone in the room had his or her own reason for coming on this quest, but none of them dared question any of the others.
"So where do we go from here?" He asked, breaking the silence that had hung between them for too long. Angela blinked, returning from one of her checks. Hawkeye, who had been standing at the doorway to watch the hall, shut the door and came to sit in one of the chairs at the table. Predictably, he chose the most uncomfortable one, he'd always done that to Duran's knowledge. In every inn they had slept at, Hawkeye had slept in the most threadbare bed, sat in the most uncomfortable chair, eaten the poorest food. Maybe it was a result of the deprivation that the Navarran thieves went through, maybe it was his growing assassin's instincts, Duran did not know. All he knew was that Hawk had changed. All of them had changed, were changing.
"We find the other Elementals, of course." Angela replied, and she sat up straight to look at him. "It's what we've been trying to do all along, right? We're half done already, and you know we have to see this thing through."
Carlie bounced up onto an overstuffed chair that was far too large for her and said, "Won't be easy, no it won't."
:She's right. I can feel the forces of evil growing, a discord in the flow of Mana. You have all come far, but it will be even more difficult from here on. I know that you are ready.:
A big map of Fa'Diel was spread over the surface of the desk, and the faerie alighted on the tan section marked Navarre.
:My only question is, how do you intend to go about gathering the Elementals, now?:
Green, glowing dots appeared in four locations on the map.
:Altena, Beast Kingdom, Elf Kingdom Diorre, and Navarre. The four kingdoms with their Stones intact. You are only six, you cannot guard all of them at once. How will you go about your task?:
"Aren't you supposed to be our advisor?" Riesz asked. "Why don't you advise us?"
:I am a being of the Holyland, Riesz, I know nothing of war. I can tell you where to go, and give you direction, but it is up to you to defend the human realm.:
"Elves hide from bad men." Carlie said. "Elfland won't let bad men come in to steal Stone."
Angela nodded to affirm the little girl's words. "My mother tried to pierce the spells that the Faerie King laid about the Forest of Wonder, but she never managed it. It could be that Dryad and her stone will remain safe for a while."
"Okay, so one Stone down. What about the other three?" Duran stared pointedly at the map. "Beast Kingdom isn't far from Forcena, we could get there by foot."
The faerie shook her head, her curly locks waving in a wind that none of the humans felt. :The seal on the woods there is too powerful. I don't think that Luna will let you in until you have Salamander and Undine with you, she is very reclusive.:
In the songs, Undine and Luna were sisters, and Salamander was Luna's lover. Duran thought that maybe the tales had some truth to them. "Why those two?"
The faerie gave him a blank stare. :The reason is personal, Duran. If the Elementals wish to discuss the matter with you, I'm sure they'll come to you.:
Duran blushed and pulled back onto the couch, trying to disappear into its soft folds while Angela tittered at him.
"It doesn't really matter why," Riesz observed coolly, "but that does narrow things down even more. If Luna won't let us in, she's not likely to let anyone else in, right?"
:That's right. The Moon Spirit is reclusive by nature anyway, I can't see anyone but a Beastman getting inside the forest with so much evil running rampant in the world.:
Kevin looked troubled for a moment, but did not say anything.
"Then that leaves just Altena and Navarre." Angela said, still giggling slightly over Duran's mishap. "Hawk, what do you think we should do?"
She had a plan of course, Angela always had a plan. But she also always asked the rest of them for their input before she laid things out for them. Duran liked that about her; strong, but willing to listen. At least, when the moon wasn't messing with her head.
Hawkeye considered the options for a moment, sketched out the details in his mind, then began to speak softly. His hands rested in his lap, but one of them would stray to the sheathe at his belt every few words. Duran found the habit a little disturbing.
"I will take two with me to Navarre, and you will take two to your kingdom, Angela." He said. Then, he raised himself out of the chair and returned to his position by the door, leaving them to hash out the details. Angela nodded, as though this was what she had been thinking of as well. The faerie also beamed approvingly, which, by the way that her body relaxed suddenly, seemed to comfort Riesz.
"All right then." Angela pointed to the dot that marked Altena. "We need to divide our resources evenly so that each team has the right skills to do the job. I propose that I take Duran and Kevin with me, while Hawk takes Riesz and Carlie. That way, each team has someone who can heal, and someone who can attack from far away."
Riesz looked scandalized, and Kevin looked distressed. "I am not going to Navarre." Said the valkyrie, and Hawkeye ignored the burning glare she sent at his back. Angela looked as though someone had slapped her for a few moments, but she recovered quickly. "That's fine. I'll take you and Duran with me to Altena, and Hawk will take Carlie and Kevin. That sound good?" Kevin looked satisfied with that, and if Riesz did not jump for joy, she at least did not scream in protest. "Then it's settled, let's go to bed. We'll get moving in the morning."
"Tell me I don't have to get inside that damn cannon again." Hawkeye whispered to Angela as they shrugged on their clothing the next morning. "I think I lost a few pounds just sweating the last time, and I'm skinny enough as it is."
She laughed. "Well, unless you want to climb over Molebear Heights, you're stuck. I'm taking Booskaboo, you'll have to catch a ship from Vizel. And that means you'll have to get in "that damn cannon" at least one more time. Tell you what; I won't pray to the Goddess that you break your neck this time, 'kay?"
He glared at her, and she laughed again. As they argued back and forth about the logistics of the trip, Hawkeye caught himself looking at Riesz all too often. She was asleep yet, since none of the others dared wake her. Once, Duran had tried. After she rose from the bed with spear in hand, quite ready to impale him, he seemed well discouraged from making further attempts.
"Carlie want breakfast! Angie-wangie, when does Carlie get breakfast?"
Hawkeye looked down at the small figure who tugged on one of the loose flaps of cloth that fell from Angela's scant clothing. Carlie was the very picture of childish helplessness at that moment; hair tousled and eyes still half asleep, she was so very cute.
But also very wise. Too wise for her age. He thought grimly. He still remembered what she had told him about Kevin, he knew he would never forget. Then why can't I get over this feeling? Memories keep popping into my head every time I see him. Memories of Astoria…
Angela bent down on her knees and tugged Carlie's curls into some semblance of order, then led her off to the kitchens for breakfast. She looked over her shoulder at Hawk as she departed, her eyes shining with amusement. Hawkeye forced himself to smile back. When they were gone, he sat down at the table with a soft grunt and began to examine the sleepers. Duran lay sprawled all over the bed as usual, seeming to barely stay atop it. He was like a cat, always taking up far too much space than he should. Riesz slept on her side, with pale, green hair draped attractively over her face in silky locks. But it was Kevin that Hawkeye was interested in now, so he tore his glance away from the valkyrie and turned his attention to the beastman.
"Karl!"
The sweet face of his wolf pup brother greeted him in his dreams, and he was glad to see him. Much slobber and playful scratches were administered before Karl seemed to be satisfied, and only then would he sit on the ground. He looked up at the moon for a moment, not ignoring Karl, but simply admiring its full, round loveliness. When he turned back to his brother, the pup was gone. Eyes widening, he swept the woods for signs of Karl, and found nothing. A distant howl of pain erupted through trees, sliced straight into his heart.
It seemed like hours that he spent scouring the wood of the Moonlight Forest, and he found no sign of his brother pup. Just as he was beginning to give up, he stumbled into a clearing where he saw a scene that horrified him.
Karl was there, frothing at the mouth. Whether it was from fear or anger, he did not know, but it disturbed him to see Karl so. But what really disturbed him was the creature that was facing off with Karl. A massive werewolf was swiping at the wolf with carefully precise attacks, seeming to have every intention of killing the wolf.
But when the werewolf turned to look at him, he saw…
Himself.
Hawkeye observed the beastman's sleeping struggle for some time. Kevin tossed about on his sheets as though he fought an invisible opponent, and did not appear to be winning. When he shot up from the comforter, eyes wide, Hawkeye was surprised that he did not scream. Instead, Kevin simply stared around the room, took in the surroundings for a moment, then stepped out of bed and began to put on his clothes as though nothing had happened.
I have to go through Navarre Desert with this…this thing? Goddess save me, do I have the strength?
Angela, Duran, and Riesz came with them to the courtyard of Forcena Castle. As he stepped into the cannon, Hawkeye felt his gut begin to twist and squirm.
Normal people don't have to do this. Why me?
:Normal people do it all the time, actually. Bon Jour set up a nice network of cannons, should be useful in the future.:
He jumped and slammed his head against the top of the barrel.
Faerie?
:Of course. Careful now, I need you intact so you can get Salamander's aid.: A mental image of a disappointed faerie face popped into his head.
Don't you live in Angela's head? He asked gruffly. Why do you have to bother me?
:Angela isn't the one I'm worried about, she'll do fine in Altena. Duran will help her, and she grows closer to Riesz every day. It's you that I'm worried about.:
Worried? About me? You're crazy.
He felt the cannon angle upward and was thrust back into Kevin's hard-muscled chest violently. A light "So sorry 'bout that!" floated in, and Hawkeye growled in response.
:Oh, I'm as sane as any faerie who crosses the barrier to the mortal world can be, I assure you. Sane enough to know that you're not exactly sane yourself. Why do you hate Kevin so much when he holds no such sentiment toward you?:
That's none of your business.
:Of course it's my business, you silly boy! I'm supposed to guide you, care for you. Why do you flinch every time you get a good look at Kevin? Don't make me dig deeper into your mind.:
Something about her tone made him think she would really do it, so he acquiesced and told her all about his hatred for beastmen; about the terrible feelings that rose inside him every time he looked at one of them. With every mental word, it seemed more of the poisonous feeling was leeched from his body, until there was only blessed numbness left.
:Better, but still not great. Your prejudice hinders your judgement. I'm going to come with you to Navarre.:
Before he could protest, they were shot out of the cannon, and he swore he saw Riesz glaring at him as he flew away to cries of "Have a nice trip!" and "See you next fall!"
Navarran deserts were torture for those who did not live there, and it was no different for Carlie or Kevin. Fortunately, the motley pair of huge beastman and tiny enchantress was assisted by two factors in that forbidding place. Firstly, as heroes chosen by the Mana Goddess, they possessed a preternatural tolerance for pain and discomfort and secondly, they had Hawkeye. As a native, Hawkeye knew how to navigate the sand dunes with ease, and never seemed to lose his sense of direction, even when the broiling-hot noonday sun burned down overhead.
"How much further Hawkie gonna take us?" Carlie asked on that first day.
"A couple of hours, is all." He replied, then continued to walk, hugging his pale mantle closer around his face to keep out the dust that was flying about. A few moments later he stopped when her heard the sound of soft crying come from behind him. He turned around and gaped; Carlie was collapsed on the sands, beating her little fists against the grains disconsolately. Kevin looked up at him, bewildered.
:She's only a child, Hawk. Two hours is a long time to her.:
Well,l be damned if I didn't know that! But she's a Seed, shouldn't she be able to handle it?
:You're all much younger than we expected, it won't be enough. You will need to help her.:
He groaned and marched back to pick up the little girl and place her on his shoulders. She looked even more comical than usual in her cloak, since it was bunched around her head and made a large lump almost as big as her body. Carlie fell asleep promptly, and Hawkeye set out to make it to the cave he had in mind before nightfall. Kevin followed behind uncertainly.
"So cold…"
Duran wrapped his cloak about his body a bit more closely as a stray breeze brought tossed a draft against his back. He shivered and huddled closer to Riesz on Booskaboo's back. The valkyrie would normally have smacked him with the butt of her spear for such insolence, but she was cold as well. Neither of them could understand how Angela was perfectly comfortable in her spare clothing.
"Don't worry, Duran, they'll have warmer clothes in Elrand. We can buy some there. Just hang tight until we get there."
For a girl who was heading fast for a home that had exiled her, Angela was certainly very calm. She stood up, facing down the cold wind as though it was a child who was behaving badly. "Here, I have an idea." She said, and snapped her fingers. Jinn promptly appeared beside her, eyes wide at the odd surroundings in which he found himself. She said a few things to him in Old Fa'Dielish, and he nodded. The wind spirit floated over to where Duran and Riesz sat and started waving his arms around them in complex gestures. Duran looked up at Angela, wincing as another cold breeze lashed his cheek.
"What is he doing?" he asked.
"Weaving the flows of air around you so that no breezes get through. That should help for a while."
"Thank you." He breathed, and she simply nodded.
Hawkeye prodded the remains of the fire as it died down for the third time that night. They had made it to the cave, though not without incident. Several troops of strange duck-men had attacked them on the way, as well as bulettes of various types.
"I could have sworn they weren't that big when I left here." He said to no one in particular.
"It's the flows of Mana, Hawkeye." Said a deep, rumbling voice. Hawkeye turned to Kevin, surprised to see that the beastman was still awake.
"You should be sleeping, it's my watch."
Kevin shook his head. "I can't seem to sleep. You meant those big rock creatures, right?"
The beastman's eyes were a warm golden brown in the firelight, and shown with intensity. Obviously, he wanted to talk about something more than bulettes. But Hawkeye could see uncertainty there as well, Kevin seemed not to have any idea of how to go about broaching whatever subject was on his mind.
"Yes. They're called bulettes. They only live in Navarre, as far as I know. They've always been big, but not like the ones we saw today. And the one with gold armor? I've never seen anything like it."
"The flows of Mana are changing." Kevin replied. "It's not really a far stretch to think that it might begin to warp the bodies of creatures as well as their minds."
There seemed to be some significance to that statement that Hawkeye wasn't quite catching, but he did not respond.
"It affects us all, Hawkeye. When Mana is poisoned, all of Her children are poisoned as well. Every creature has light and darkness, but when the darkness begins to take hold…"
Hawkeye cut him off with a sudden slash of his hand through the air in front of him. "What are you suggesting, beastboy? That I'm turning evil? That I hate you because of some perversion of darkness? Well so sorry to enlighten you, I hated your people far before this all started. And it won't change." Especially after what you lot did to Astoria.
Kevin stumbled back at the vehemence he felt from Hawkeye's words, but he was not about to give up. He came closer, ignoring the fact that Hawkeye had his hand on his dagger. "Hawkeye, we all have troubles…"
"What the hell do you know of troubles, you pampered palace brat?" Hawkeye was shouting now, not caring any longer whether Carlie could sleep or not. "You spout off your pacifist nonsense with no regard for the people around you! Do you even know the meaning of not killing? How can you? You're a beast, a thing, a…a…"
"Monster." Kevin finished, and Hawkeye's mouth snapped shut. "You're right, I am." Pale golden light surrounded Kevin, and he shifted into the form of the werewolf in a fluid moment. He reached out with a hairy hand to touch Hawkeye's face gently, and the ninja flinched away reflexively. "Are rabites monsters, Hawkeye?"
Hawkeye kept his lips tightly shut, trying to move away from Kevin surreptitiously.
Carlie slept through all that?
"Humor me?" Kevin asked pleadingly. Through the thick eyebrows the transformation caused, Hawkeye could see Kevin's warm golden brown eyes shine in the firelight, and something inside of himself drove him to answer.
"No, Mana made them the way they are, they only change because Mana changes."
"Then Mana can make monsters of rabites, then why not beastmen, or even humans?"
"Beastmen started out as monsters."
"Isn't that just your perception of us? How much do you really know about Beast Kingdom, Hawkeye?"
Kevin was moving closer again, and Hawkeye felt like a blanket of blackness was falling all around him, suffocating his soul.
"I know that you're all murdering bastards." Hawkeye said desperately. "That you have no souls…"
"Everything Mana makes is a part of Mana, we are all one soul. Light and darkness are one. You and I…"
"Are one…" Hawkeye breathed.
"HOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUIIIIII!!!!"
Both young men snapped to their feet at the loud sound that echoed through the cave from behind them. Hawkeye's daggers flew out of their sheathes and Kevin rolled up into a fighting stance, bouncing a bit more quickly than usual. Eyes adjusted to the darkness, they saw…
"Carlie?"
"Hawkie! Carlie so cold, why Hawkie let fire go out? Does Carlie have to do everything for herself around her?"
The little girl made a loud grumbling noise and set about building up a fire with all the skill of a person who camps out more often than she does not. Kevin and Hawkeye exchanged one look and collapsed from laughter all over each other.
Outside the cave, the moon was full and round and tinted a faint blue. A tiny figure sat on an outcropping of rock and gazed at the wondrous moon, surrounded by a halo of pale, green light and a whirlwind of sand. Her wings fluttered in the wind as she sat there peacefully, observing every happening in the cave below through a tiny spell of scrying.
Good, very good. She thought, and the sandstorm sang all around her.
Sorry this chapter took so long to churn out, but you all know why. I'll try to move more quickly with the next one. I really love this chapter, so I hope you all do too.
Truewind