The Legendary Guardian – Child in a World of Sin
"Does it always take this long?" Aurik faced the midwife, a pinched look of worry etched his face. "I don't remember it taking the other women in the village this long. It's been eighteen hours."
The sound of his wife crying out in pain was punctuated the rhythmic bootfalls of Aurik's friend and brother-in-law, Youke. Frowning, the Warrior Monk paced the small pace as if to wear a hole in the floorboards.
"Every woman is different, Aurik. It is her first child. They always take longer. Stop worrying!" The wrinkled old woman turned toward Youke. Her stern hiss held years of commanding men behind its tone. "And you! Take yourself out of this house! The noise is enough to drive someone crazy. You will give her a case of nerves with that incessant racket!"
Youke turned and strode out of the hut with a grunt.
"Why don't you go down to the beach Aurik -- or better yet to the Temple." The midwife smiled and patted Aurik on the arm. "I will send someone for you when the child is born."
Aurik had begged the woman to let him stay by Youri's side when the labor began. "It is not allowed," she'd said. "Bad luck." She would say nothing more on the matter no matter how Aurik pleaded.
"Fine. We go to the temple." Aurik slumped forward in defeat. "But I am very unhappy about it, old woman."
Stepping out of the hut, Aurik took a deep breath to calm himself. The sun outside was bright and warm. A soft breeze played across the water, ruffling Aurik's sun-streaked auburn hair. Far above him, fans of white clouds dotted a seemingly endless expanse of blue sky that melted into a mirror horizon of water.
Surely it is good fortune for a child to be born on such a day, Aurik thought with a smile.
"That crone," Youke's voice intruded. "I will give her a case of nerves." Youke faced Aurik and absently rubbed his thumb against the hilt of his katana. His bearing exuded frustration and helplessness. "The flat of my blade might teach her proper respect for a Warrior Monk of Yevon. That is my sister crying. She could at least give Youri something to ease the pain!"
"Youke, I'm frustrated too. But Youri told her she didn't want any magic or potions. You know how she is." Aurik rubbed his hand across his forehead and raked his fingers through the long bangs that hung there. "I said we would go to the temple to wait. We'll only be in the way if we stay."
"Hn." Youke turned to face the jungle and the temple that lay beyond. "As you wish."
The sun was high in the sky and the soothing sound of water lapping on the docks mixed with the sweet smell of salt air. Gulls called to one another as they soared overhead in play – oblivious to the problems of the people below. Aurik crossed the planks between he and his brother-in-law to lay a hand on his shoulder. Youke's green robes fluttered loosely in the wind. Without a word, they struck out together across the docks toward the temple road.
Aurik fell in a step behind his friend, lost in thought. It never ceased to amaze him that his wife and her brother could look so much alike and yet be so different. Youri's smile made everyone happy. Her zest for life and enchanting nature called people to her like a siren song. Her long raven hair and slanted dark brown eyes were a beauty to behold. Everyone loved her. But where Youri was open and free, Youke was stern and imposing -- a seemingly immoveable object that could threaten a fiend to stillness with a simple word or glance. He was ice to Youri's fire. The raven hair on his head was shorn short and severe, accentuating the angular lines of his face. Youke's deep brown eyes constantly searched for danger, yet held the same shine as those of Aurik's wife. He was a commanding presence – an imposing man - but Aurik loved Youke for his strength and fierce loyalty. You always knew you could count on him.
Realizing he had fallen behind, Aurik lengthened his stride to catch up. "When must you return to Bevelle Youke? Can you stay long?"
"Only a few more days, my brother. I had to plea my case to Maester Umaro. He is a good man." Youke grinned widely. In a flash the face softened into the mirror of his sister's beauty. It was almost startling. "The head of the Bevelle Guard is not one to ignore a personal request of a Maester. Asking that I act as his messenger to the Kilika Temple was inspired on the Maester's part. It has given me at least a week to spend with my family. I am fortunate that the child arrives while I am here."
Youke stopped and turned to face his brother-in-law. The smile vanished as quickly as it had come, his face austere. "Have you a weapon, Aurik? The priests say that fiends have been seen more frequently on the temple road this last month. I do not wish my niece or nephew to be without a parent before they are born."
Aurik's hands flashed from his belt to his face. Two small knives spun through the fingers of each hand. Bright azure eyes shone with mischief. "Of course! What is a former thief without the tools of his trade?"
Youke laughed deeply. "Yevon preserve you, Aurik, you are a rogue!" He reached forward slapped Aurik companionably on the back exclaiming, "I still do not know how you managed to steal the heart of my sister and drag her from the city to this little village. It never ceases to amaze me!"
The sun flashed off Aurik's knives as he spun them back into his belt. They made a small "click" as they slid into their holders. "Fault yourself for the introduction, Youke. I like to think my charm, wit, and good looks carried the day with your sister, my friend."
Youke snorted. "You never were humble." Shaking his head in amusement, he turned away toward the island. "Standing here will not get us to the temple, Aurik. Come."
Aurik and Youke stood side by side at the top of the temple stairs. Aurik, sweating freely, held a hand to his side and panted. Youke towered over him, leaning on his sword to catch his breath. His flowing green robes hung from his waist captured only by a blue and white belt. The black and silver armor breastplate worn beneath was exposed. New scratches and scorch marks were clearly visible.
"I guess the priests are right. What was that thing, Youke? And for that matter, what the name of the Farplane, did you do to it?"
"An Ochuu. It will not bother anyone else." Youke sheathed his sword with a click as if to emphasize the statement. He looked critically in Aurik's direction. His eyes traveled to the side Aurik held. "Are you injured?"
"No. I'm fine; just apparently out of practice. And you didn't answer my question. What did you do back there? I've never seen anyone do something like that!"
Youke raised his head. A dedicated of the temple was racing across the courtyard toward him. Hurriedly, he pulled up his robe. "Not now, Aurik. We will discuss it later."
The young woman almost slid to a stop before Youke and bowed low making the sign of prayer. "Sir Youke. The High Priest welcomes your return to the Temple and bids me tell you that he is finishing the reply to Maester Umaro as we speak." The young woman raised her head only slightly and remained bowed before Youke awaiting his response.
"All praise to Yevon, dedicated." Youke returned the bow. "You may hurry to your master to tell him there is no rush. I have not come for his communication. I have come to pray for my sister who is in childbirth. Tell him also that we encountered and dispatched a large fiend on our way through the forest. He should send the Crusaders to ensure others are not attacked. My brother-in-law and I will be in the temple should he wish to see me."
The dedicated made the sign of prayer again and stepped backward four large paces before turning to run and deliver the message. Youke adjusted the bulk of his robe and tugged his belt back into position. He seemed lost in thought. His lips moved and the words came so quiet that Aurik almost missed them.
"Aurik, when we enter the temple to pray for the health of your wife and child, will you ask Yevon to bless you with a son?"
A look of complete bewilderment spread across Aurik's face. "Why would I? If the child is healthy and happy, why should I care? And for that matter why would you ask? Do you think I'm shallow? I thought you knew me better, Youke."
"You mistake my intent. " Youke turned and laid a guiding hand to his brother-in-law's back. He firmly propelled both of them across the courtyard toward the doors of the temple. "I know you are a good man, Aurik. You lifting my purse all those years ago in Bevelle may have been the best thing to ever happen to us both. I am asking because I wish to request it on your behalf."
Aurik stopped in his tracks. "But why? Youke, why would you want to do something so silly? No offense, but the sun must have gone to your head. I'm sure Yevon's got larger worries than the sex of my child."
An almost wistful look came across Youke's face. "I have faced myself, and my death, many times, Aurik. Home and hearth have never been my calling." He sighed deeply. "I am not meant to have a wife."
Aurik did not like the turn this conversation was taking. Youke talking about his own death like this bothered him. "Don't be silly, Youke, you still have plenty of time. You'll find someone. For Yevon's sake, you are only twenty-two! Sure, you're a little, well, daunting, but some woman will get past that to see the person underneath. I managed it."
Youke ignored Aurik's words. "You asked what I did to the fiend in the forest. It is hard to explain to someone not of the Order. You might call it an Overdrive. Hundreds of years ago an ancestor of mine went to the shrine at Mt. Gagazet for the shugyo – it is a testing of body, mind, and spirit. There is much more to it, but the result was that within his meditations he experienced the tenshin shoda – a divine revelation. Yevon bestowed heavenly knowledge upon him and gifted him with special skills. The one I performed in the woods below is called Kibaryu – The Dragon Fang. This secret knowledge has been passed from son to son through our line. For a nearly a millennium we have used it to guard the people of Spira. I would not see myself be the end of the tradition." Youke stared with hardened eyes at Aurik. "When I return to Bevelle with the High Priest's letter I will leave for Gagazet. I must go by foot, alone, so I may participate in a kessei training period. When it is over I will return to Bevelle. I will apply for a Guardianship. It may be years before I am chosen but, when I am, I will leave Bevelle on Pilgrimage. It is very likely I will never return. Please Aurik, allow me this. Let me ask Yevon to grant you a son that I might pass on this gift before I die."
Aurik nodded. Everyone knew what happened to a Journeying Summoner. They also knew how few of their Guardians lived to tell tales. How could he deny his friend?
"Come then." Youke smiled and his spirits lifted. "If we do not get inside I will not be able to ask Yevon. Youri will have delivered the child while we dally."
The sun sank low in the sky over Kilika – golden light turning the clouds magnificent shades of red and orange. Youke and Aurik emerged from the temple to stand in the courtyard; the prayers complete. Eternal flames trapped in the embedded sphere of the courtyard floor illuminated the growing dusk. The Warrior Monk, standing a full head taller than the fisherman, looked troubled.
"I think we should return." Youke stared at the sunset without seeing. "Even for a first child this long a labor would be unusual. We should have heard from the midwife by now."
Aurik frowned. "The messenger might have been attacked by fiends."
"Surely, that must be the case." Youke did not believe the words but wanted to be of comfort to Aurik. Concern shadowed his eyes turning them almost ebony. Youke and Youri had been deprived of their mother at birth -- a tale that Aurik knew well. "Perhaps the Crusaders stopped them on the road. We will go."
Aurik and Youke were moving at a lightening pace by the time they reached the docks. The Crusaders they met on the road said that they had seen no one. No message had been left about Youri and the child. Unspoken fear lay between them as they rushed home. In his haste, Aurik nearly flipped a drunken man exiting the bar into the water when they collided. "Sorry!" he cried as he turned the corner for the hut.
Suddenly, both stopped before the doorway. The loud cries of a child drifted from the house. The midwife stepped out, wiping bloody hands with a wet rag. "Oh, I thought you two were at the temple." She seemed pleased with herself. "Aurik, it seems your son was not very interested in joining us. I made him listen to reason though."
Aurik's face was white as he looked at the bloodstained towel. "Youri! Is she all right?"
"Of course! She is fine. Tired, but fine. A little blood is normal you silly boy. Now go in and see your wife and son."
Aurik rushed past the woman and into the hut. His face lit from within like the blazing sunset.
The old woman turned to Youke and poked him in the chest. "And you can take your Holy Temple of Bevelle boots off before you enter this home. It's no wonder the boy didn't want to come out with all that racket!"
Youke growled and proceeded to unlace his boots. "Women."
"Do you really have to go, Youke? Can't you stay just one more day?" Youri sat on brightly colored floor cushions feeding her son from her breast. Her eyes held dark circles from the effort of birth and the lack of sleep that had followed. In spite of it, Youke thought his twin sister had never looked more radiant.
"No. The letter to Maester Umaro cannot be kept waiting. I was lucky to be able to come at all. I will now owe much more to the Maester. Had he not extended his kindness, I would not have been here for Auron's birth." Youke reached out a gloved hand and tenderly touched the small head. Auron had been born with a full shock of raven hair. Already he looked like his mother -- and his uncle.
"You will write, or send us a sphere? Aurik tells me you will be gone for many months." Youri shifted the weight of the child in her arms. She smiled as she looked at Youke's hand, so large it engulfed the small boy's head.
"Yes, sister. I will send you both. Neither you, nor Auron, will be far from my mind." Youke removed his hand from the child and bent down to his sister. He took her chin in his hand and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Father would have been so proud," he whispered.
Aurik's voice floated into the hut from the dock. "Youke! You'll miss the boat!"
"Yevon protect you on your path. I love you, brother."
"I know sister, and I love you." Youke up righted himself and strode out the door without looking back.
