In which a friendship is forged between Yun and Cecile, and an important detail is brought to light.
Yun and Cecile are the same age. I like to think they would've been good friends.
The young commander of the guards sat atop the stone wall looking across the lake and smiled to herself as the sun dipped below the horizon. Evening patrol was her favorite time of day. As much as she enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the daytime, there was something special and serene about night patrol. She adjusted the wick of her lantern and set it at her side as the sky grew dark.
A quiet presence approached her from behind. The Alma Kinan woman leaned against the wall and draped her arms across the top. "Good evening, Cecile," she smiled.
"Miss Yun! You just missed the sunset!"
"I was actually looking for you," she tilted her head and continued to smile. "I wanted to thank you for making me feel so welcome these past few weeks. I really feel like I'm right at home here."
Cecile felt a swell of pride rise in her chest. "I'm so glad to hear that! I want everyone to enjoy Budehuc! After the war, so many of my friends moved on...it's really exciting having someone familiar return like Sir Fred, and of course making new friends like you! And I confess," she sheepishly rubbed her nose, "it's awfully nice having someone close to my age."
Yun giggled. "I agree, it is nice to make new friends."
"Ever since the war ended, Belle and Mel both left on their own adventures, and while I was very happy for them…" Cecile trailed off as she thought back on her two friends during the Second Firebringer War. The puppet master and inventor were closest to her age and every bit as eager to forge friendly ties. But they were always destined for life beyond the castle walls and quickly took off to continue journeying separately once things settled down. "Well, maybe they'll return to visit one day, just like Sir Fred!"
The young woman nodded and looked out across the lake. Her expression was calm. Cecile felt at ease in her presence. "This place is truly beautiful. I can see why Lady Chris enjoyed her time here and spoke so fondly of it."
"Ah! It has been so long since Lady Chris was here. But she's so famous now, it's amazing she ever has any time to stop by and visit! I suppose that's what happens when you're at the head of the Six Mighty Knights of Zexen though," Cecile swung her legs back and forth from atop the stone wall. "It has been at least a year since her last visit...I wonder how she's doing."
"I hope she comes by to say hello," Yun sighed. "But even if she doesn't, I'm sure we'll make plenty of new friends. The spirits...I think they have something in store for me. I just wish I knew what it was."
"The spirits?"
Yun nodded. "They haven't exactly been forthcoming with me yet...but I know in due time I'll learn why I'm here."
"Wait…" Cecile suddenly grabbed the lantern and raised it up, the light flickering across Yun's face. She frowned and studied the woman's expression. "I… that's why your name sounded familiar!" suddenly she gasped and lowered the lantern.
All this time… how was I so foolish? How could I forget?!
"Y-you're the shaman Lady Chris was talking about? The one who completed the ritual?" Cecile flustered with embarrassment. Chris Lightfellow's tales of a young shaman who performed the soul-sending ritual was purportedly one of the most important actions that helped turn the tide of the Second Firebringer War in their favor. It wasn't the sort of small detail one simply forgot.
And all these weeks have gone by since Miss Yun arrived...how am I only figuring this out just now?!
"Hehe," Yun giggled and rested her chin in her hands. Her brown eyes twinkled mischievously. "Has Lady Chris been telling stories about me?"
"Only the most beautiful stories about a noble sacrifice and—" the second realization dawned on Cecile and she drew in a sharp breath. There was a very important detail in Chris Lightfellow's stories that didn't quite line up with the reality sitting in front of her.
"And…?"
"M-Miss Yun… Lady Chris said you died. As part of the soul-sending ritual, you see."
The shaman's smile was peaceful. She reached out and gave the young garrison commander's hand a gentle squeeze. "That's why I'm so grateful you've helped me feel so welcome ever since I arrived. I was in need of a good friend, and you've been more than kind to me. Your friendship means a lot to me, Cecile."
"B...but… but you're here!" Cecile grabbed her hand tightly, "You're here, and you're talking to me, and you're… you're alive! So then…"
"I don't really understand it either, but yes. I completed the soul-sending ritual, yet… here I am."
"But that was at least four years ago! Or...maybe five...I can't really remember, but…"
Cecile struggled to count backwards. Ever since the Second Firebringer War drew to a close, the days blended together. Day in and out of patrol duty and other basic castle routines all melted into a single stream of memories. Yet regardless of how much time had passed, it still didn't negate the one sticky detail of sitting next to someone who was supposed to be dead.
Yun seemed to sense her friend's unease and giggled again. "If it makes you feel any better, I promise I'm not a ghost. In fact, just yesterday I gave myself a bruise walking down the steps to Mamie's cafe. Can a ghost do that?"
"I...I suppose not…" Cecile sighed and looked back out at the lake. Stars were starting to dot the nighttime sky, and the spring air was filled with the singing of frogs across the water. It was hard to feel anxious when their surroundings were so calm. "Does...Master Thomas know?"
"I imagine he probably already is aware. I haven't exactly kept my name a secret, and when we did meet in the halls, he appeared a bit pale," Yun admitted sheepishly. "But he has been every bit as welcoming as you, I promise."
The young guard captain smiled to herself. She expected no less from Thomas. Yet the entire phenomenon seemed so surreal. If Yun could somehow return from the dead…
"Miss Yun, ah..."
Is it even appropriate to ask?
Yun's smile in the lantern light was almost otherworldly. For a fleeting moment, Cecile wondered if the shaman knew exactly what she was about to ask. She swallowed back a brief flutter of anxiety before continuing. "Do you think… other people can come back too?"
The woman squeezed Cecile's hand again. A warm, calming sensation washed over her. "I'm sorry, Cecile. I don't even know the reason behind why I'm here yet myself."
Ah...well, that was about as much as she could expect. Cecile quietly sighed. It was probably better this way. Losing her father was one of the most difficult challenges she ever faced. As much as she yearned to see him again, the thought of him returning to life almost seemed wrong. The years spent grieving, growing, and moving past the loss were what helped make her strong, after all.
"Life is so precious, Miss Yun… I'm very glad you got a second chance. Maybe we're not supposed to know why it happened to you."
The shaman nodded. "I think you may be right. I hope to make the most of it."