I woke to the sound of distant music. As I opened my eyes, I saw sun streaming in the window of our small house in Tzeki Village. It was my twin sister Kera's wedding day, our seventeenth birthday, the day I would leave home for Bevelle, where I would train to serve as a warrior for Yevon. The music came from the kitchen, where a woman was singing. I smiled and stretched with the anticipation. Then I noticed the angle of the sun.
"I overslept!" I said aloud as I sat bolt upright. Leaping out of bed, I grabbed at my clothes as I heard a knock on my bedroom door.
"Auron?" The silvery-haired head of Xan, my sister's soon-to-be husband, came around the door, followed by his lean frame.
"I'm sorry!" I said as I threw on my breeches. "Why did you let me sleep so late?"
Xan laughed, his dark red eyes sparkling with amusement as he sat down on the bed. He was three years older than us, and I had thought of him as an older brother since long before he became involved with Kera. "Relax, birthday boy, you still have plenty of time. The priest is running a little late, and you have a long day ahead of you, so Ker thought you should get some extra rest while there was time."
I sat next to him, slipping my feet into boots and pulling on a shirt. "Thanks. With so much going on, I was up late last night, so Kera was right -- it was good to get the extra sleep."
"Yes, we gathered, since we saw you head over to Relle's after dinner, and she didn't hear you come back. Frankly, I'm surprised to see you in your own bed." Xan nudged me in the ribs and, to my horror, I found my cheeks beginning to burn. Xan shouted with laughter. "No, no, we're not scandalized. You haven't taken any vows yet. " He clapped me on the back. "You love Relle, and she loves you. I'd have done the same thing in your place."
"Would have done, or have done?" I asked, repressing a chuckle, blush fading.
He snorted, shoulders shaking, trying not to laugh again. "Are you asking me to kiss and tell?"
Amusement combined with sleep deprivation finally boiled over, and the two of us burst into helpless guffaws. When the fit had subsided, Xan looked my way again, wiping the tears from his eyes. "That was fun. Shall we go eat some breakfast? Relle came by to cook for the occasion."
"Excellent plan," I replied as we stood. I could already smell the food. Besides being my girl and Kera's closest friend, Arelle was easily the best cook in town. My room adjoined the kitchen, and she was there, stirring a pot of something that smelled delightful, singing softly as she worked. Kera was there, too, looking radiant, brown eyes sparkling. But I only had eyes for Relle, my long-time love -- and, as of last night, my lover as well. She was tall for a woman, only a few inches shorter than I. Her hair, long but worn coiled on the top of her head, was the color of a well-polished copper pot, and her eyes, which met mine as I entered the room, were a soft gray. She was glowing, too, her tanned skin rosier than usual, and I felt a gentle tug in my gut as I remembered why. She drew me to her, a moth to a flame, and I walked across the room and kissed her.
"Good morning," I said.
"Happy birthday," she replied in her sweet, high-pitched voice, smiling up at me, reaching up to gently stroke my cheek. "Did you sleep well?" The flame burned a little hotter, and I could only nod as I bent down to kiss her again, more thoroughly this time, my hand cradling the back of her neck.
"Ahem!"
Startled, we broke the kiss and turned around to see my sister and future brother-in-law grinning at us. "Breakfast?" Kera asked. "If we're not interrupting anything more important, that is."
I fought the blush that threatened to rise up again. Relle just laughed, though, and turned back to her pot, grabbing bowls and a spoon to serve up her spiced porridge. I took the bowls as she filled them, carrying them over to the table, setting one for my father by his empty chair. Then I sat myself down and ate, suddenly starving. The porridge was delicious, but I barely tasted it -- all I really noticed was Relle, sitting next to me, her leg brushing mine under the table. She finished her food, then turned to me. "I should go," she said. I glanced at the steaming extra bowl, and we all heard the unsaid half of her sentence -- "before your father gets here." She kissed my cheek and stood up. "I have to get ready. See you when the priest gets here!" I watched her go, staring out the door even after she was out of sight.
After a few moments, I was startled out of my reverie by a gentle poke on my shoulder. I looked up, and Kera was standing behind me. She was grinning broadly. "What?" I asked.
"Nothing, little brother," she said. "Just, it's nice to see you happy."
I smiled back. "'Little brother'? Do I need to stand up and remind you which of us is taller?" Not that she needed reminding -- I'd been bigger than Kera since the day we were born.
She laughed. "No, no, relax. I'll do your hair." She pulled off the leather thong that held it back and began combing through it with her fingers. "We have to make you presentable for the ceremony, after all. Xan, could you get my brush? And the red ribbon next to it." She started to hum as she worked out the tangles. I realized that I could no longer remember whether she had picked up the habit from Relle, or the other way around.
Xan returned with the heavy silver-handled brush that had belonged to our mother and handed it to Kera, along with the ribbon. "Thanks, love," she said. "Now go get dressed, the priest will be here soon."
He bowed and stepped out, leaving us alone.
"Your hair is getting really long," Kera commented as she brushed. I had recently noticed this myself -- it fell halfway down my back. "Do you think they'll let you keep it?"
"I wonder. I've never seen a warrior monk with long hair. But maybe they can put it up under their helmets."
She finished smoothing my hair, deftly braided it, then tied off the end with the ribbon. "There," she said, sitting down in the chair next to me. I studied her face. As always, it was like looking into a smaller, more delicate mirror, except for her hair -- it was also black, straight, and thick, but she had always kept it short. Today her bangs were pinned back with sparkling combs. "Very handsome. You almost look fit to get married yourself." I had chosen my second-best clothes for the day -- a black shirt and rich red breeches. They were better suited to traveling than my most formal outfit, which I was saving for my arrival in Bevelle anyway. She looked at me hopefully. "You know, it's not too late to ask the priest to do a double wedding..."
I sighed, exasperated, and glared at her. Why bring this up again, during our last few moments alone? "Kera. We've talked about this. I want to be with Relle, I do. I love her. But if I married her now, Father would kill me. You know that as well as I do. Let me get myself established with the temples first. Once I have a good position, he won't have anything to say about it. Relle understands, why can't you?"
She looked away. "I do understand. But I can't help looking at you two, and seeing how happy you are when you're together, and wishing you could be like that forever. If it were Xan leaving, I don't know if I could forgive him." She looked straight into my eyes. "You're lucky to have Relle."
"I know," I said. "I'm lucky to have you, too." I reached out and took her hand, then noticed there were tears on her cheeks. "Hey. None of that. This is a happy day, remember?"
She sniffed and nodded, wiping the corners of her eyes with her other hand. "I am happy. But I'm going to miss you, little brother."
"I'm going to miss you, too," I responded. "But I'm not going to miss being reminded that you're half an hour older than I am!"
Kera laughed, her face lightening. "Aw, and that's what I was going to miss the most."
When our father finally walked in, he found us holding hands over the table and laughing together.
Two hours later, my sister was married. The priests had arrived; the elder one performed the ceremony. I had stood up with Xan, Relle with Kera. Afterwards, we all gathered in the village square for the wedding feast. Everyone was in a celebratory mood -- a Calm had begun not long ago, so people were relaxed and happy. Many villagers came up to congratulate me, both on behalf of my family and to wish me luck in Bevelle; I accepted the good wishes but said little, as I had made my public farewells at dinner in this same square last night. Today was Kera and Xan's day, and I wanted to make sure it stayed that way.
And then it was time for me to leave. The priests had come through Tzeki Village on their way from Djose Temple to Bevelle, and Father had already arranged for me to accompany them on their journey. I stood at the edge of the square, taking in the cottages and faces I knew so well, and was hit by a wave of nerves. This was the only home I'd ever known. I'd never been farther away than Guadosalam -- or Djose in the other direction -- and the thought of moving to Bevelle, where I would not know a soul, was suddenly terrifying.
"Auron?" said a deep voice behind me. I turned around to see my father, Dix, a barrel-chested man of average height -- I had been taller than he since I was 15. He was a merchant who traveled to the shoopuff station every day, where he did a brisk business in food and items for travelers. At the age of 40, his short black hair was already well mixed with gray. My neighbors would reminisce about his generous smile and hearty laugh, but those were long gone by the time I knew him; our mother's death and too many years in this "provincial village", as he sneeringly called it, had worn him down and made him bitter. He had grown up in Bevelle, and he never missed an opportunity to tell us how much grander and more interesting it was. Today he was smiling, though, true warmth in his dark blue eyes. "The priest is almost ready. Are you prepared?"
I nodded. "Yes, sir," I said. "All packed. I just need to say goodbye to Kera." I picked up the katana that Dix had given me for my 16th birthday and sheathed it on my back, then hefted my bag to my shoulder.
"Go ahead. I'll let the priest know to expect you shortly."
I glanced toward my sister and brother-in-law and saw that Relle was not with them -- this was the perfect opportunity. She and I had decided that we would keep our public contact at a minimum today, in order to spare everyone, including ourselves, an emotional scene. We had made our final goodbyes last night in her bed; it would be enough.
Xan noticed me looking at them, and he waved me over. I strode over and, dropping the bag, clasped his hand in mine. "Leaving already?" he asked.
"Yes," I said, "as soon as the priest is ready." He nodded, then turned over to his wife and pulled her out of conversation with a neighbor. Kera hugged the woman, then flung herself at me. I released Xan's hand and returned the embrace.
"Little brother," she said, looking up at me with moist eyes. "I'm going to miss you so much!"
I smiled through the growing tightness in my throat. "I'll miss you, too. Hopefully they'll let me come back to visit soon. And I'll send spheres."
"You'd better." She hugged me again, then stepped back.
"Good luck, Auron," said Xan, placing his hands on my shoulders. I braced my hands on his arms. "Yevon be with you, brother."
"And with you... brother."
"Auron?" Dix appeared at my right elbow. "It's time."
"All right." I looked back at Kera and Xan. "Farewell." I bowed in prayer, and they returned the gesture. Then I turned away from them and walked by my father's side, though the thinning crowd of revelers, waving and exchanging last-minute pleasantries. Although I tried not to, I found myself glancing around for Relle. I didn't see her. She'd probably left already. It was a relief, but I realized that it was also a disappointment.
"Son," my father said as we reached the outskirts of the village, pausing and turning toward me, placing a hand on my arm. "I'm proud of you, you know. I can tell that you have the makings of a fine fighter, and you'll find a much better life for yourself in Bevelle than you ever would in this backwater. I'm glad that you decided to show some ambition and go to the temples. Much better than your sister, content to marry that carpenter and get fat. Hmph!"
I held my tongue -- I wanted nothing more than to defend Xan, but I knew that if I did, he'd go after Relle next, and I didn't want to mar this leave-taking with an argument. "Serving Yevon and defending Spira is all I've ever wanted to do," I said instead.
He smiled. "Good boy. Ah, here are the priests!" We had reached the elder, a middle-aged man who had watery brown eyes and a shaved head. His assistant stood several steps behind him. He was younger, with brown hair fading to a premature gray, blue eyes, and a kind face. I guessed he was probably only a few years older than I. Both were dressed in standard priest robes. "Father Shon, Father Braska, may I introduce my son, Auron?"
I made the Prayer of Yevon to them, and they returned it. "It is my privilege to travel with you, Father."
"Thank you, my child," Shon responded. "We will appreciate the company, especially if we encounter fiends!"
"Thank you," I said, bowing again. "I will do my best to protect you both." Then I turned to my father. "Farewell," I said.
"Farewell, Auron. Yevon be with you, on your journey and always." He made the prayer bow.
"Yevon be with you, Father," I said, bowing in return. "I'll send word when I can." Dix bowed again to the priests, and left.
"Well," said Father Shon, "shall we be going?"
"All right," I replied, taking one last glance at the village.
"Take your time," said the younger priest. His voice was quiet, almost gentle. "It's good to have a memory of home to take along when you leave."
I turned to him, surprised but grateful. "Thank you," I said. He nodded. I returned my gaze to the village and stood perfectly still, impressing the view of a dozen cottages scattered around a town square, the Moonflow rushing in the background, trees standing all around, the sound of laughing children filling the air. Then I saw a figure running up to us and my heart leapt into my throat. Relle.
I let go of my bag and quickly walked over to her, hoping to catch her a little distance away from the priests. "Relle," I said, "I thought we agreed-"
"To hell with what we agreed," she interrupted, and put her arms around me. "I couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye!"
I pulled her close, touching my forehead to hers. "I'm glad." We stood that way for a moment, then I kissed her soundly, released her, and stepped back, still holding her hands. "Goodbye, then," I said gently.
"Goodbye, my love." She looked straight at me, her eyes dry but filled with emotion. "Come back to me!"
"By the name of Yevon, I swear that I will return to you," I said, squeezing her fingers gently. She nodded, then dropped her hands and ran off. I watched her go.
Once she was out of sight, I returned to the priests. Father Braska was smiling. Father Shon was not.
"Young Auron," he said, sternly, "are you fully prepared to take the vows of a warrior monk?"
"Yes, Father. But it is my understanding that the vow of celibacy is for unmarried monks only. Once I am established in a position, I intend to send for Arelle and marry her."
"Ah," said the elder priest. "Are you engaged to the lady?"
"No, the understanding between us is informal. I would have made it official, but my father disapproved."
"In that case, may I give you a word of advice?" I nodded again. "If you are truly ambitious, keep your marriage options open. Many important positions are filled through arranged marriages and similar personal alliances. Your father is correct -- this is not the time to be committed elsewhere. At the very least, if you are set on marrying this girl, do not make it common knowledge in Bevelle that your heart is given. You'll never get anywhere if people don't at least believe a family alliance with you to be possible."
"Thank you," I said, and bowed. "I shall take your words under careful consideration."
"Well then. Shall we go?"