Battle Song
Abby Ebon
Despite living all her life surrounded by the Sun Lord's people, Nëd had never prayed to him before. Not for lack of belief, merely because she had never thought herself worthy of his attention. He was the God of the people, and the Priests claimed anyone might call on his aid – but the poor were frowned upon, and Nëd had always thought that they reflected the opinion of the Sun Lord.
: Gods are never quite what we think they are, for no teaching can encompass all that a God is. : Need whispered to her, the jewel of blue twinkling at her knowingly.
: Do you think he will take offence to my prayers? : Nëd asked, looking from the sword to the stars, and filled with a sort of wonder at what she dared think to do. Her fingers nervously fidgeted on her bare thighs, for she had worn only a large shirt to bed. Normally on the summer nights she would go without – but it did not seem proper to prayer unclothed for the first time.
: Child, he saved you yesterday after you killed that assassin – I doubt he would find offence in anything you did for saving the Son of the Sun.: Need assured her, seemingly amused at her question – though her answer was very firm.
: But…the Priests…?: Nëd protested, remembering hearing second hand their teachings.
: They are only human – they will not hear nor know of your prayers. They merely think to control and prioritize the Sun Lord in the mind of his people – which is not their place, and they shall be dealt with by him in the afterlife, I assure you. : Need lectured, and Nëd wondered if she prayed quickly her answer to the Son of the Sun's request the Sun Lord would pay quite as much attention.
: How do I begin? : Nëd asked Need, after a somewhat awkward silence, the sword answered.
: As if to a friend. : Nëd sighed aloud, closed her eyes – and wondered if she looked silly.
Her nose itched.
":I accept.:" Nëd spoke aloud and within her own mind, directing the thought to what feeling and memories she had always associated with the Sun Lord.
:Good.: He praised in answer, and though she half thought she had imagined his voice while she was falling – she was in no danger now, and she still heard him. She thought she might have gasped aloud, and when she opened her eyes – her window was like a painting, but better for it shined and pulsed with life.
: You approve? : He asked her, sounding proud – like a man showing off battle scars.
"Yes…thank…thank you." She answered aloud, she felt her cheeks burn and knew she was blushing.
: You are welcome. : Vkandis assured her warmly, it was as if he was smiling.
"Why…?" Nëd dared to ask, wondering if he would take the painted window away now that she had questioned him.
: It is…appropriate to show my feelings. : He answered, and she felt his presence recede, and did not draw him back – for, in his own way, he had answered her, and she was grateful. She found sleep easily as she lay down.
It was the day and she was expected to meet with the Sun of the Son, her stomach felt as if it was twisted in knots, fluttering in her chest. Nëd took a calming breath, telling her family had been hard - but she was sure it was the right thing to do. The painted window plane proved that to her when she had awoken with its colors painting her rooms. There was nothing else like it. She had carefully taken it out of the frame and wrapped it in cloth and packed it. It would be given to the Son of the Sun for safe keeping.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the cat that had been watching her since she made her decision last night give one last smug look to Need, turn, and flicker out of sight. She knew it to be a firecat - for it was as tall as her knee.
Nëd heard the door then open, but ignored it – knowing it was Mama.
"Are you sure this is what you want to do Nëd?" Mama asked in a concerned tone as she watched the girl who she had long thought of a daughter pack away her few belongings – clothes, a bedroll, and the sword into and onto a pack.
"Yes, Mama – I am sure. When I fell off that roof – there was this presence, I think it to be the Sun Lord Vkandis." Nëd said assured of her path as she turned to meet Mama's eyes. She smiled, and a ghost of a smile echoed back.
"Well, I shall not stand in the way of Vkandis' will. Just…be careful." Mama begged and Nëd hugged her reassuringly.
"I shall. I promise." Nëd assured her, inhaling the scent of cinnamon and baking bread.
"Good girl, now go see to Suzy." Mama ordered, and Nëd nodded, swinging her pack over her shoulder, her sword in a belt and scabbard. Nëd crossed the hall to the room across from hers. She knocked twice, but the door swung open – seemingly of its own accord, revealing Suzy – her face splotchy from crying and blond hair in fuzzy disarray.
"Suzy…" Nëd murmured haltingly, but it was enough to get her adopted sisters attention. Suzy sniffed, and looked up to see her, her eyes widening – then narrowing.
"Come to say good-bye?" Suzy asked scathingly, crossing her arms childishly and staring at the wooden floor.
"Yes. I…I will see you again, I do promise you that." Nëd said awkwardly, coming forward to sit beside her on the bed. Suzy glanced to her, hands knotted in a damp handkerchief.
"Most don't survive being in the Sun Lord's Army." Suzy whispered, so soft Nëd nearly did not hear.
"I will." Nëd sounded far more confident then she thought she felt. It was then a small hawk – barely a fledgling, flew down from the rafters to land on Suzy's leather padded shoulders. Nëd knew Suzy had a soft spot for the animal, and was working on making leather gloves – thicker, she claimed, then the ones the Army had.
"How can you be sure?" Suzy asked as she raised her hand to stoke the soft feathers of the little hawk.
"Do you need me to live?" Nëd asked then, knowing it would at least get a reaction that wasn't sorrow. She did not want Suzy to cry.
"Why would you ever ask such a stupid question? Of course I need –want – you to live!" Suzy exclaimed, practically spitting the words in her anger. Nëd smiled a little, and Suzy flushed, embarrassed when a call from the street asked if she was alright. The hawk screamed, and the nosy – if concerned – neighbor knew all was well. Suzy's little hawk was famous for keeping Suzy safe. It had once attacked a man who had tried to steal their money while Mama and Nëd had been to the market and on a quest for Need respectively.
"Then my sword, who answers woman in need, will see I do not die." Nëd stated, smiling slightly when Suzy's eyes sparkled in understanding.
"The Son of the Sun is a woman – and she needs you to live too. So is Mama, so Need can't falter!" Suzy exclaimed, and while she was normally disapproving of Need, she now looked down at the sword fondly.
"I'm glad you see my reasoning." Nëd stated, and Suzy stuck her tongue out for Nëd's smugness. Then she fell against Nëd's chest- the hawk shrieking once and jerking away to fly to the rafters, as Suzy hugged her as hard as she could, her warm breath stirring the small hairs along Nëd's neck.
"Love you, Nëd – come back safe." Suzy whispered, and Nëd said nothing, hugging her adopted sister in turn until Suzy pulled away.
"Love you too Suzy – take care of Mama and the inn…and that little nuisance." Nëd stumbled over her words until the hawk let out another shrill screech, and the last part was said firmly with a sneer and glare at the smug little fledgling hawk.
"You have your Need, Nëd – I have my hawk. I'll try to train her to fly messages to you from us." Suzy stated, the last part said in a rush, as it was obvious the idea had not occurred to her until just then. Nëd rolled her eyes when the fledgling chirped, either in agreement, or protest. Personally, Nëd thought the little hawk too smart for its own good, for it seemed to understand every word said. But if anyone could get it to deliver messages willingly and loyally, it would be Suzy.
"If you manage it; do tell the Son of the Sun, would you?" Nëd asked the younger girl gently, she kicked her feet in protest, but eventually – with much reluctance – muttered a reply.
"I suppose." Nëd patted her shoulder, and Suzy shrugged her hand off, still pouting at the thought of what should have been just between them shared with another. The fact the other was the Son of the Sun mattered little to Suzy.
"Good girl." Nëd said, smiling, and rising off the bed with her pack; as she left she never noticed the blue eyes that stared at her through the window of the inn.
Eventually Nëd made her way to the palace, and entered – a firecat greeted her, leading her to where it thought she ought to be, which was luckily where she needed to be – with the Son of the Sun.
"Ah, Nëd how good to see you, I trust you have agreed to our bargain with Vkandis?" Lorkia asked with a smile, though she must have known the answer.
"I am here, am I not?" Nëd stated, finding her self slightly uncomfortable with the luxurious and rich surroundings, as she had gotten used to being poor for most of her life. Yet there Lorkia sat on a chair that looked to have been made with her in mind, of fabric no one could sell or buy in the black-market for it was highly regarded and guarded well for that reason alone.
The walls were painted with warm reds and soft yellows that reminded one of sand and sun; Nëd felt warm just looking at the pattern. The floor was entirely carpeted – luxurious to feel the fur that ticked her sandaled toes. Still, all of it paled in comparison to the gift the Sun Lord had given her when she had made her decision – to offer proof that she had done as Lorkia asked.
When she set her pack on the ground and slid the painted window out, she saw Lorkia give her a puzzled glance, when she began unwrap it – it turned to awe.
"He gave you this?" She asked softly, standing to come closer – even going so far as to kneel beside it to get a good look at the detail.
"Yes." Nëd answered solemnly feeling oddly protective of what had been given to her by the Sun Lord.
"It is undeniable proof, if you do not mind…may I keep this?" Lorkia asked pleadingly – for a moment Nëd almost said no; then she remembered her resolve to leave it with the Son of the Sun to see it protected.
"While I am away, I shall leave it with you – but I must ask you go to Mama's inn and see my window replaced. Also, my sister-of-heart may have a new way of communicating – though hawks. She is likely even now training one." Nëd stated softly, fingers caressing the painted window one last time before Lorkia moved to take it.
"Thank you, you do not know what a gift you give me. Of course I shall see that they are well taken care of, the hawks sound promising – what a fascinating idea…" Lorkia murmured, the awe in her voice as she looked at the Sun Lord's painted window reassured her that it would be treasured.
"Which of the Sun Lord's Army units shall I join?" Nëd asked then, seeming to gain Lorkia's attention right away.
"Oh, yes – you shall be under General Kiyamvir, a noble of our people who seeks power. You shall act as his assistant – though you are my assassin." Lorkia told her, tone and body language now solemn.
"When shall I begin?" Nëd questioned, fingers tapping on Need's hilt.
"Today – he is on his way here, and I intend to have the two of you meet."