The Descended Shadow
Chapter VIII
Enemy at the Gates
Disclaimer – Escaflowne is not mine; the characters and story are the property of Bandai entertainment. The story and characters of 'The Descend Shadow' or 'Shadows of the Past' are the property of Butchs Fan Fiction Forum . Before use of these characters or elements of the story please get permission from Butch Cassidy at
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- Character reference at the end of the Fan Fic. If you forget a character, remember.
………
The flame of a candle may force the retreat of the shadows but it burns its life away and so perishes. From beyond, the shadows advance once more and return the world to its fated path.
There is one lesson that history has taught us time and time again, that those who suffer, and throw off their oppressors become that thing which they hate the most. Hundreds of times it has reoccurred in history and yet it continues to do so, even to this day. During the Great War the nation of Zaibach was defeated by those it had oppressed and destroyed, under one flag, one banner, nations unified under the threat of their enemy, the alliance of six nations. Forged with the ideals of friendship, peace and prosperity it appeared that Gaea was going to enter a golden age. Unfortunately it soon became clear that this was not going to be the case, power corrupting all those whom came into contact with it.
Asturia, Basram, Cesario, Deadalus, Fanelia, and Fraid… these are the nations that made up the alliance, each name known throughout Gaea, each king feared. With the inclusion of Zaibach, to the south, the alliance's borders stretch from the northern most coast, to waters edge in the south, and the east. The now feared border with Entóntria encompassed the western borders of the alliance, opening straight onto Fraid… the largest nation of the alliance. On the southern most tip of Austria, the city of Norte acts as the hub, the centre of the operations of the alliance, the city that its leaders met… the capitol. During the Great War it was the first city of the alliance nations to be liberated from Zaibach's control and so the symbol of this city was born as the symbol of change, liberation and victory.
Though the alliance was a relatively new force they had been involved in dozens of wars and smaller conflicts, stretching throughout their borders. The first of these was the war the sibling alliance had fought with Erráre, a nation on the south, westerly borders of Fraid. Although this war was won in the end, the conflict had sown the feeling in her countries, which would lead to later wars and possible her own end. Fear.
The latest war being that of Entóntria, for the first time a nation that the alliance could hail as an equal. Secretive there was little known about the society that the nation or nations operated under. All that was known was her military prowess and pompous arrogance. Their forces marching in Zaibach, her ships attacking the alliances ports, her people inviting skirmishes north, south, east and west. The peoples of the alliance could be forgiven for believing they where fighting the whole of Gaea and not just one kingdom. Under these threats the foundations that held the alliance together were beginning to crack, to crumble, the first signs of a civil war showing, and all because of one king and his pursuit of the truth.
To one boy, these events were unimportant, only words on a page. For him the only thing that mattered was the freeing of his people, and protecting those of importance to him… it was for them that he fought. It was he, and another that rode along the open road away from the city of Fanel, and though they were not aware that they were being followed by another.
The wind blew through Nimura's hair, freezing his face. The low temperature of the air froze his face with each gust, his horse being forced to run to the very edge of exhaustion. The trees were not but blurs as he rode, shapeless masses the next melding into the previous, each robbed of their individuality. Turning his gaze to the left only for a moment he saw Sadako riding beside him, forcing her own horse as hard as he was. Upon leaving Fanel they had broken into the almost panicked ride down the main road into the forest of Fanelia. It was only a couple of miles down the road that they turned from the main road and into one of the smaller, considerable more dangerous paths that crossed the forests floor. Nimura found himself ducking on his horse more often than not, as underlying branches threatened to pull him from his steed.
His frozen face complaining profusely and he began to weaken the pressure he had placed his horse under. Sadako seeing his actions did the same, slowing her own horse, and looked over to him inquisitively. Within a few moments they had come to a slow pace, the trees that incurred onto the path on each side becoming clearly visible for the first time. Digging its hooves into the ground Nimura's horse came to a complete stop, Sadako's following in suit.
"We can't stop long… These roads aren't safe" Nimura told her, the first words he had spoken since their abrupt departure from Fanel, "But at least this way we can give the horses a quick rest" Sadako nodded in agreement, dismounting happy for the chance to catch a quick rest herself. Leaving her sword with her horse she stepped away towards the edge of the trees and took in her surroundings. She was about to ask Nimura how far they had come when the sound of distant hooves caught their attention. Turning in the direction they had come, they simultaneously realised that the sound was coming from the path they had just come down.
Nimura stood, his eyes transfixed on the road, trying to determine what the best course of action was though it was Sadako who implemented it.
"Quick hide the horses!" She called over to him trying to keep her voice low. He nodded but looking around he saw nowhere to go other than the forest. He shrugged his shoulders; there was no helping it… they would have to hide them in there.
Bringing his horse into the edge of the forest it showed a reluctance to enter but eventually followed its master into the lightly wooded area. Neither of them went too deeply into the forest, keeping in eyesight of the road, to see who their visitor was. They didn't make much noise but at the time it seemed almost deafening.
Peering from behind an oak Nimura caught his first glimpse of the other rider. The riders horse naiad angrily as he made his horse come to an abrupt stop, the beast struggling to carry out the order. The riders face was hidden from Nimura as he leapt from his horse and began to look around him, as if search for something. Spotting something on the ground he leaned down and let his hand pass over the tracks in the top layer of soil. Turning to look right at them the rider rose to his full height.
He took a deep breath and then called out to them,
"I know you're out there… Nimura, Sadako present yourselves!" He ordered angrily. With the call the voice became all too clear to Nimura. He had been mocked and put down by that voice before and only the mere sound of it made his blood boil. Grabbing his sword Nimura walked forward out from his hiding place. Sadako made to follow but he motioned for her to stay where she was. She gave him an angry look but did what he asked.
The rider smiled as Nimura approached, but he only scowled in reply,
"Why have you followed us Onoír?" Nimura asked, the grip on the blade tightening. Onoír saw Nimura's hand on his blade but it only seemed to amuse him, as if faced by a child. Exiting the forest Nimura stood face to face with Onoír, only the few feet of road separating them.
"Why?" He asked again, his impatience getting the better of him. Onoír patted the mane of his horse, ignoring Nimura's presence for a moment, then turned and looked him directly in the eyes.
"Lord Fanel has ordered that I bring you two back, and I intend too" Onoír answered but it was Nimura's turn to ignore him. He smiled ironically for a moment,
"I'm sure you were all too happy to accept that order. Want to get back at me is it?"
Onoír began to glare at the young man,
"You think you are so important, that your so self righteous!" Onoír yelled, his voice echoing, "Your nothing, not even a speck of dirt on my boot" Nimura couldn't believe his luck, of all the people Von could send after them he had to send him… the one man who was guaranteed to make his blood boil. Nimura was about to strike back with a strong yet witty remark but he never got the chance. A sudden scream tore through the air but was forced to an abrupt stop; it came from behind Nimura, from Sadako.
He turned, forgetting Onoír in his moment of panic. He couldn't see a thing beyond the threshold of the woods,
"Sadako?" he called out, "What happened?" Nobody replied. He waited; his heart beginning to beat faster, panic began to leave its mark upon him.
"Sadako?!" He called again, the anxiety evident in his cracked voice. Onoír pulled his sword from its sheath and stepped forward, passing Nimura. Nimura caught him by the shoulder,
"What do you intend to do?" He asked angrily. Onoír turned and smiled,
"I though that were obvious" In a last ditch attempt Nimura called out again before pulling his blade from his own sheath, in preparation to join Onoír.
"She won't answer" A voice came back from within the trees, it was gruff, male, strong… but dirty. Nimura tightened the grip on his sword, and stepped forward into the trees, Onoír on his heels. The light turned to dark, as the canopy came overhead.
"Why not?" Nimura asked, though he was sure he knew the answer.
"Because I won't let her" The voice replied, just as they caught first sight of the man with Sadako, "Now that's close enough. Stop or she will pay the price for your stupidity"
The man was a tall barbarous man. He wore rugged clothes of browns and dark greens. His hair was long and scruffy, he himself being filthy. He held a small knife to Sadako's neck, his bulging hand covered her mouth, flanked on both sides by several other men who looked just as wretched as he. Although she had a knife to her neck Sadako seemed almost relaxed, her eyes calm. Nimura and Onoír came to a stop, and eyed the man suspiciously.
"Release that girl" Onoír ordered the man, taking the lead from Nimura. The man laughed heartily.
"Who do you think you are ordering me around?" He asked, "Anyway, what's she to you?" An all-new ironic smile curled onto Onoír's lips. He raised his sword to the man as a show of strength. He glanced over to Sadako, just in time to see her wink. Onoír turned to Nimura, and understood what was going on.
"What is it you want?" Onoír asked, keeping the man occupied.
"I want…" The man started before letting out a howl of pain. Sadako, without warning had grabbed the knife from the mans hand, turned it and embedded it in his leg. He fell to the ground with a thud, Sadako grabbing her sword, which still lay upon her horse in the confusion. Nimura was already in full sprint, his sword held high. The men either side of Sadako finally realised what was happening around them and lunged at Sadako. They swung their grimy blades in a frenzy trying to hit her, but she pared the attacks from both men. Kicking one of the men back she sliced the other down the chest. He dropped his blade in the dirt, his own body following.
Nimura and Onoír crashed into the other men like a jackhammer, their swords echoing with the early steel on steel meetings. Sadako turned from the man she had downed and turned back to the leader of the group, accompanied by the man she kicked to the ground. She stepped forward her eyes reddened, her breathing hard and erratic. Her posture, her moment, her whole being seemed different. The leader pulled the dagger from his leg and glared up at her in the way only a man robbed of his pride could.
"Who the hell are you?!" He yelled angrily before throwing the knife, like a dagger at her head. With almost unreal speed she dodged the knife and it embedded itself in a tree several meters behind her. She shook her head cruelly and cupped her sword, aiming downwards over the leader.
Cursing under his breath he attempted to crawl away from her. Continuing to shack her head she stepped onto the wound the knife left in his leg. He groaned in pain, but more importantly he was stopped from escape. She prepared to strike at the man but the cry of another man approaching caught her attention. Turning from him she met the oncoming mans blade with equal force, almost effortlessly. With a kick to the back of the leg she brought the man to his knees, and he looked up at her helplessly. With one swing she removed his head, staining the ground red. With every passing second the red of her eyes appeared to darken, till it was the colour of blood.
Nimura may have been in the same battle as Sadako but it didn't feel like it. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't get near her, the remaining four fighters keeping him and Onoír busy. He blocked a particularly harsh blow from one of the fighters, Onoír to his back. Redirecting his opponent's blade he forced him to drop it. With a punch from his fist he sent the helpless man back, only to be replaced by another of his friends. He had begun to pant, beads of sweat falling from his brow.
"What's wrong?" Nimura taunting Onoír, "Is the powerful lord of Fanelia's armies having trouble with a few bandits?"
Nimura heard him spit behind him and one of the fighters hit the ground before crawling away.
"Keep your head on what's at hand…" He told Nimura, "Or you may lose it" Nimura was about to reply when he got an idea,
"Cover me" He asked Onoír, and then ran for it, past the bandits and into a seemingly plain clump of trees. Onoír cursed as he took on the extra enemies reluctantly.
"Great the coward has run for it!" He yelled angrily, blocking one of his opponent's blades. He parried several more strikes from that one before kicking him backwards. Unfortunately when he recovered Onoír was already fighting three of the men at once. He blocked strike after strike from the untrained raffle but it was only a matter of time before he made a mistake.
Blocking two strikes from the one man, Onoír took his opportunity and stabbed the man in the shoulder. He howled in pain but before Onoír could remove his blade, one of his enemies had struck at him. With the sound of steel on armour Onoír felt the mans sword tare into him. The sword didn't go deep because of the armour but it was enough to cause him to lose his balance and fall to the dry dirt. He sent up a plumb of dust on impact, his sword no longer in his hands his enemies gathering around him. One shook his head and prepared to strike.
Onoír closed his eyes in preparation for his fate, but that fate failed to come. Consumed by the darkness of his lids he heard a scream of pain above him. He opened his eyes quick enough to catch sight of the mans blade being dropped and rolled away to dodge it. Grabbing his own sword from the ground he jumped to his feet and prepared to use it.
What reached his eyes he couldn't have expected. The man who had held the sword above his head only moments before lay below his feet shrieking in pain. Blood streamed from an open wound in his wrist, the long shaft of an arrow extending from his flesh. The other bandits had already run, leaving them alone. Onoír scanned his eyes around the woods but he couldn't see anything. At one point he thought he saw the black of a shadow but when he looked back it was gone, but guessed it was only a trick of the light. A new cry of pain brought his attention back to the more pressing matter of his fallen foe. Kicking his sword far from reach Onoír knelled down beside the man, and studied the arrow more closely. The man attempted to shield it protectively but Onoír just grabbed the arm causing him further pain.
"Don't move" Onoír ordered him, and he obeyed… not that he had much choice.
Onoír rose to his feet and paid no more attention to the pathetic man. In a sudden realisation his mind turned to Sadako, and throwing himself into a jog he charged to help her. His eyes caught sight of her in seconds, they may have been doing battle close-by but there is no time for others when you were in battle, thus he had seen or heard nothing from her. He may have been rushing in, knight in shinning armour to save her but she didn't seem to need saving. She was walking towards one man who lay upon the ground, cowering. Behind her two bodies lay, one decapitated, the other impaled. The latter was the leader of the bandits.
He rushed to her side anyway but she gave no indication that she had noticed his presence. The man she was advancing on called out to him,
"I'm sorry! Please, I'll do anything! Just stop her!"
"All right Sadako, let him go" Onoír told her but she made no reaction. Either she didn't hear him or was ignoring him… she just kept advancing and the mans pleas just became ever louder.
"Please GOD!"
Onoír placed his hand on her shoulder in an attempt to stop her,
"Sadako? Leave him!" He told her. Without warning she thrust her blade at him, a loud whistling sound in the air. Onoír jumped back just in time to avoid the blade, cursing from the pain of his previous wound. He held his hand over the open wound and looked up, hardly believing her actions,
"What are you doing?!" He yelled. She had stopped advancing on the man and instead stood facing him, her head bowed. Rising it Onoír saw her eyes, red, clouded, and clenched onto his sword with a gulp.
"What is wrong with you?" He asked, the nervous feeling audible in his voice. She made no sign that she heard the words and raised her sword, now approaching Onoír's position.
Onoír smiled as if something just clicked in his head,
"Alright" he started, "I get it. You are TRAITORS" The words hung in the air for a moment before Onoír continued, raising his sword into the air.
"You want to sell us out, but you need to get rid of me first. That coward tried too by running off. Five on one, odds I wouldn't make it, but I survived and now you're going to finish the job" Sadako didn't answer the accusation, instead she prepared her sword. Onoír raised his sword, preparing to defend when a whoosh filled the air. An arrow embedded itself into the ground between them, and Nimura's head popped up from the arrows source. Below his foot Onoír noted that the arrow was different from the one that had saved him before. He dropped the bow and a quiver of arrows before running down to them, and stood between Onoír and Sadako.
"Sadako what are you doing?" He asked angrily before seeing her clouded eyes and fogged expression.
"Sadako!" He told her, "Snap out of it!" Not listening to him, Sadako launched her sword at him, though the attack appeared half hearted. Nimura had just enough time to deflect the unexpected attack, but her sword slid of his own and sliced him across the arm. He groaned with the pain of the sudden impact but he ignored it as best he could,
"Sadako, please stop" He asked her, his voice weakened. He was concentrating on Sadako's face, her eyes, when something caught his eye, behind Sadako's right ear. With the hilt of his sword he knocked Onoír out of the way just before a small knife flew past Sadako's ear and through the air Onoír occupied just a moment before. The bandit whom Onoír had saved, now having missed his target ran off in fear of retribution.
"What happened" Came Sadako's voice, having been awoken.
Nimura gave a sigh of relief and was about to respond when Nimura interrupted him.
"Nimura" Asked Onoír catching their attention. Nimura turned to find Onoír, his back to them, his sword sheathed.
"During the confusion of a bandit attack I lost sight of you…" Onoír told him before turning to face him, "…and so failed to bring you back" Nimura smiled and offered his hand to the aging man. Onoír took it and nodded,
"Now go before I change my mind"
………
After the Great War with Zaibach Fanelia was in ruins. When King Von Fanel started on the long road to rebuild his homeland he made a decision that would resonate throughout the whole of Fanelian history. Before the war Fanelia was a nation of its own, separated from the world around it, and so it survived with as little contact with the outside world as could be managed. With the formation of the Alliance those days where over forever.
With the reconstruction of the nation Von spared no energy, and it wasn't long till the glittering capitol city of the kingdom was rebuilt. Von then turned his attention to the rest of the country in which dozens of new smaller communities had begun to spring up fuelled by the new sense of commerce and friendship. Most new towns appeared on Fanelia's borders, but on the eastern border one town had grown like no other. This was the point in which Fanelia's border meet with Fraid and Cesario, and it was here the small town of Urthas grow into something a lot bigger.
It was this town that Von's eye fell upon and he founded Fanelia's second city. The city itself was like Fanel in some respects but not others. The city was built into a mountain, but unlike Fanel the majority of the city was actually built on a shelf on the mountainside, a huge shelf. The mountain range the city was built into stretched for over a hundred miles to the south and to the north and the city acted as a geographical centre of the mountains, and offered the only known route through them.
If the route for war should come, any army hoping to attack Fanelia from its western border would need to secure the city. Failing to do so would mean the army would need to travel the traitorous mountain paths, which brought fear to the breast of even the strongest fighters. Throughout the history of Fanelia no other nation had managed to take the vital tunnel which lead through the mountains, but there is a first time for everything and it would appear that Von Fanel expects nothing less than for the city to fall.
The afternoon sun fell over the city, its building constructed from wood and stone took it happily. It was a perfect day but when the streets should be packed with people, joy and voices there were none, only a cool breeze. A large number of the windows of the city where also boarded up, the atmosphere of fear was unmistakable. In fact the few pieces of activity in the city came from the Levi-port, which appeared quite active. Upon the port a large Levi-ship came into dock, flying the flag of Fanelia.
The Levi-port was also a hive of activity some working going about tying the ships anker, and placing the gangway from the ship into the dock. Waiting by the newly placed gangway a young man stood, flanked by a soldier on each side. He may have been young but his clothes indicated that he held a position of some importance. A man started to cross the gangway from the ship, his hair was short, a light brown colour, his appearance well groomed. He wore around his neck a cloak of an emerald green, his other clothes just as richly coloured. To his side he wore a sword, and frowned to see his welcoming party.
"Why are you here?" He asked the young man, "Don't you think I can find my own way back?"
"I am to bring you to the council immediately, matters have developed since your departure governor Néigh " The young man answered, ignoring his superior's snide comment. Néigh's frown deepened,
"Very well but first I want to see it" The young man nodded and agreed,
"Alright, when?"
"Now" Néigh demanded, and the young man chocked,
"Now?" He gasped, "But what about the meeting?" Néigh waved his hand to the wind,
"To hell with the meeting!" He told him angrily, "I want to see it with my own eyes" And without another word Néigh began to walk off leaving the young man behind. Instinctively he began to follow Néigh but he thrust his hand out in front of the young man.
"I no longer have a use for you," He told the young man, "Go back to your meeting and leave me be" He grudgingly nodded before turning on his heel and leaving the aged man. With a hand movement the two guards who where with him also departed and Néigh continued to walk westwards. With time, to his left and right the ground vanished, being replaced by a jagged edge and a sheer drop. Below the sheer drop on both sides of him where the many houses and building of the city, ever getting lower as he advanced along his path. Several minutes passed and his path came to an abrupt end, the cities walls extending ahead of him, defending against attack. From the position he stood he could look over the surrounding lands, and into Fraid.
What he saw before him was something he hoped and prayed he would never see again. Across the open plains that opened out in front of the city, lay the filth of war. Maybe a mile ahead of the walls themselves the army their ally, Fraid lay in wait, ready for war. What looked like a couple of thousand tents scared the landscape, each with their own respective soldiers. The camp, which looked more like a city vocalised in three points, giant fires burning… no doubt to accommodate the wishes of the armies commanders. Upon the borders of the camp dozens of Gymelef's glittered in the afternoon sun there glare blinding Néigh for a moment. He had heard of the gathering forces in his home city but not until now, when he saw it with his very eyes that he truly believed it. He let his mind consider defeat. He was no expert but looking across the field he didn't see much evidence of supplies, which meant if there was going to be a battle… they were hoping for a quick victory.
Turning his back on the mammoth army he looked back into his city. The abandoned streets, its scared peoples, its solemn soldiers. He spat onto the cobbled street before walking back the way he had come… if there was to be a battle would they, no, could they win it?
………..
With a lurch backwards, and a pull on its reins Nimura brought his horse to a stop. He glanced backwards at the oncoming figure he knew was Sadako and looked up at the sky above him. The sun was darkening, disappearing in preparation for the coming of night. Sadako brought her horse to a stop and trotted it up beside Nimura. When she looked at him she knew something was wrong, since their encounter with Onoír he hadn't said a word to her… had something happened when she blacked out?
He was breathing very deeply, almost gasping for air. His face too was beaded with dozens of little droplets of sweat, he looked exhausted and in a great deal of pain. She could hardly believe her eyes; he had been fine that morning.
"Nimura what's wrong?" She asked, her voice awash with sincerity that cannot be faked.
"Nothings wrong" He lied, "I just want to take a little break" Letting go of the reins he brought his leg over the horse and jumped off his steed. As he hit the ground, his legs buckled, and he fell into the dirt. Sadako immediately jumped from her own horse and came to his aid.
"Are you alright?" She asked. He was coughing and gasped for air. Sadako lifted him out of the road and sat him up against a tree, before asking again,
"What's wrong?"
He did not answer but she soon spotted the congealed blood on his left arm. She looked at it for a moment before taking his arm and ripping his sleeve, opening the wound to the air. Nimura clinched his teeth, a sharp sting going through his arm. Sadako looked at the wound, fear in her eyes. It wasn't a large wound, but even a small wound can become deadly if it is left untreated. "Why didn't you tell me?!" She asked unsure whether she should be scared or angry, "Why didn't you treat it?!"
Nimura didn't answer; he just kept his head bowed avoiding her eyes.
"Sadako? What's wrong with you" Nimura asked, his voice quietened. Sadako was taken aback,
"What do you mean?" She asked. Nimura looked up, from her to the wound on his arm,
"What do I mean?" He asked, "It was you who gave me this? Why did I not treat it? If I had stopped, would you have done it again?" Sadako took a step back. She couldn't believe her ears; she couldn't understand what she was hearing.
"I… did that?" She asked, "How, when?" Nimura looked up to her, the sincerity of her voice catching his attention. As Sadako looked upon him he appeared exhausted, and in pain.
"You don't remember?" He asked, "Attacking Onoír? The fight? Any of it?"
She shook her head slowly. Her mind was mostly blank, from when she was jumped to when Nimura ordered them to leave. He just assumed she had blacked out, but if she didn't what did she do? She gapped the few steps between them and kneeled down beside him, then reached out her arm to his injured arm but he pulled away defensively. Bringing her hand to him she took the wounded arm from him.
"We'll discuses this later, but this is more important"
Her face, her words, her whole being seemed different… almost like she was a different person. He looked into her eyes he asked himself,
"Who was she?"
………
"One… Two… Three… One… Two… Three… One…" The words cried out from three dozen soldiers as they practised their swordplay ahead of their leader. With each they took up a different stance, the dry dust rising from the arena with each step. Onoír looked upon them like they where as useful to him as a litter of kittens. He growled angrily under the burning sun,
"What was that?!"
The soldiers who where standing in single file, stopped their training and stood to attention though it failed to lighten Onoír's mood,
"Could someone remind me… what it was I asked you to do?" Onoír asked, then pointing to one of the soldiers at random he continued, "You! Answer" The soldier, who looked like he could be as young as twelve looked completely petrified and seemed to force his back straighter, if that where truly possible.
"You asked us to practise our sword drill sir," The soldier replied, his voice sounding as shaky as he looked. Onoír nodded and looked away from the child, returning his attention to the group,
"That right" He answered calmly before yelling, "Then what is it your doing!? I didn't teach you all how to swing your swords like a scared animal… Now do it again!" Onoír tuned his back on the group to let them practise. Entering the arena, he saw that a young lady was approaching them, her hair blond. Though he couldn't make out much of her from that distance he knew whom it was… Jennifer. He was going to leave them to it when a voice from behind caught his attention,
"Why does he treat us like children?" The voice whisper to its neighbour, "Who is he to tell us we're no good… I bet I could take him"
Onoír froze, and slowly turned to face the line of soldiers. They stopped their training and looked around them as if trying to find who had said the wholly mistimed statement.
"Who said that?" He asked the line, his voice perfectly calmed. When no response came he laughed,
"Among us today, it would appear we have a real man of skill… though that wont be any use to him if he is this much of a coward"
A few steps to Onoír's left a young man stepped out from the crowd his face stern. He looked not a day over sixteen. Onoír smiled towards him,
"How long have you been with your blade son?" Onoír asked, every pair of eyes in the line squared on him.
"Eight years" he answered. Onoír nodded,
"Alright, you want to fight me?" Onoír asked, but he didn't wait for a response, "Now's your chance… come at me" The boy looked around him, as if looking for support from his fellow soldiers but when none came his swords grip became tighter.
"You want me to attack you?" He asked unsure what he should do.
"That's what I said isn't it" Onoír told him, "Now come at ME!"
The boy waited a moment hoping that Onoír might change his mind but when it never happened he raised his sword and charged at his leader. He yelled out angrily as he charged breaking into a full run. Onoír whose sword was still sheathed didn't move a muscle until his soldier was only several feet from him. With a quick step to the side Onoír avoided him and turned to watch him skid to a stop half a dozen meters beyond him.
"I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO FIGHT ME! NOT PUSSY FOOT AROUND" He yelled at Onoír. He raised his sword again, but this time Onoír removed his own and raised it in preparation to facing the child.
Quickening his step he approached Onoír through he didn't run. Still in his stride he brought his sword down on Onoír both hands forcing the sword with all his might. Blocking the blade with one motion Onoír held it in place, and watched the shocked exasperation form on his opponents face. Angrily he pulled his sword from Onoír's and brought it into contact from his left. Onoír blocked it again and shook his head before forcing it away with all his strength. The blade flew from his hand, and sweeping his legs out from under him Onoír brought him to the ground. He groaned angrily as he hit the ground, being silenced by Onoír's sword levelling at his neck.
Onoír looked around the other soldiers present,
"What if this was the battlefield?" Onoír asked the men, "How many of you would have survived this?" Pulling his sword back, he sheathed it and offered his hand to the young man, who took it.
"Keep practising, for soon you will experience the real thing" He warned them. The young man nodded before taking his place in the line again. The soldiers began to practise once more and he turned his back on them again. Seeing Jennifer was now waiting for him he acted like he hadn't noticed her.
"Ah Jennifer, I didn't see you there" Onoír lied, and walked over to her. She laughed,
"Liar" She told him, "You saw me, why else would you have put on the show?"
"Come, we'll go somewhere we can talk" Onoír suggested, leading her away from the soldiers, "There is something you want to discuss?" Jennifer put on an innocent face,
"What I need a reason to come to see you?" She asked, and Onoír raised an eyebrow, and Jennifer crumbled.
"Your right… As always"
He let her go ahead and turned to his soldiers again.
"Keep practising, I'll be back soon enough," he told them to which they responded with a unified and echoing,
"Yes, sir"
Onoír caught up with Jennifer and then led her to the lower level of the arenas stands. The Arena although being used for training the soldiers it is also used for public shows, games and duels. Set up with thousands of seats for people to attend. He let Jennifer take a seat and then joined her, the sight of his soldiers training far off, their voices barely audible from this distance.
"So what's on your mind?" Onoír asked, turning his attention to her. Jennifer took a deep breath before confronting him.
"You remember that rumour I told you about, the one about the army gathering outside Urthas?" Jennifer asked, and Onoír nodded,
"I remember" Jennifer began to fidget with her hands nervously,
"Since then more such rumours have started…" She told him, "…just yesterday we had a couple of traveller from Cesario claim they where turned back when they attempted to head home via the city. The soldiers just refused to let them through"
Onoír leaned back in the chair,
"Remember rumours come and go, there is no need to get scared"
"I know that" Jennifer reminded him, "But there is something different about this one… something almost real about it" She looked up at him and he understood her unasked question,
"So you want me to tell you if the rumour is true or not?" Onoír confirmed and she nodded. Onoír sighed,
"You know the rules on such matters"
"I know but I'd hoped you could tell me… I wont tell anyone, I swear" She assured him but he was still not convinced,
"It makes no difference," He told her. Her head drooped and she looked at her feet sadly,
"Sorry, I didn't want to…" She started but stopped when she felt Onoír's hands on her shoulders. She looked up to see his concerned eyes,
"Jennifer I have known you your whole life, and would do anything for you… and that's a fact but I can't break the laws of the king" He told her, "But I can promise when I can say something you will be the first to know"
She forced a smile,
"Yeah" Onoír removed his hands and leaned back in his chair again, letting his gaze fall idle.
"So how are you doing now that the boy has left?" He asked her. When no reply came he looked over to see her perplexed expression,
"Who?"
"Nimura?" Onoír answered, "He left two days ago, didn't he tell you?"
She gave an angry laugh,
"I don't care what that dirty rebel does. Let him go off with his little hussy" She told him, "Why should I?" Onoír looked over again, he didn't expect this reply.
"He may have been a rebel but that doesn't make him any less of a man, or a person for that instance" Jennifer's look of perplex returned,
"But he's a traitor, how can he still be honourable?" She asked.
"I thought the same till recently…" Onoír answered, "But at least he's following his heart, and doing what he feels is right"
………
Neigh upon leaving his view of Fraid's army made his way into the cities central buildings. These buildings though being far from as impressive as those in Fanel served the purpose of central government and control in the city. Neigh hadn't gone long before he came into what appeared to be a meeting chamber. At the front of the room a large desk and chair sat, a huge window looking out over the front of the city… and Fraid's army lay behind it. Ahead of this desk about a dozen other desks and chairs faced it, much smaller than that at the front of the hall. Neigh entered the room and took his rightful place at the head of the room.
"Welcome home" A kindly voice came from within the mound of desks. Neigh looked up to see whom he had missed, for he hadn't seen anyone within the room.
Sitting upon one of the back desks was the voices owner. The middle-age lady smiled down at him from her much higher position. Her hair was a light brown colour, her eyes a pale green. She wore what appeared to be very aristocratic, a dress of whites and blues, though it was kept short on her legs.
"Its good to be home, but where is everyone, the council?" Neigh replied, waving his hand to the chair in front of his desk. Coming down from the desks she took the seat, and turned to a more serous mood,
"We are in the middle of a very dangerous situation. I told them to go. I though we would work better without their endless talk…" She told him, "…Its good you got back when you did"
"I got away when I could. But Pashihuxika I leave you in charge for a few short weeks and you get us besieged…" He told her humorously, "…This isn't good for your promotion prospects"
"What delayed you? I assumed you would come straight back when you got my message" She asked, and Neigh nodded,
"I was going too but then decided to make a quick stop at Fanel. I assumed King Fanel would understand as we do that we couldn't possible hold out against this force. Maybe he could give us some support"
"Did he?" She asked, her eyes hopeful, but Neigh shook his head.
"No… We have entered a dangerous time. If Fraid attacks it means that the alliance backs them and that means they surround the kingdom" Neigh informed her, "If thats the case to protect this city would cripple the defences of the rest of the kingdom"
Pashihuxika lowered her head sadly,
"Its no longer a matter of if, but when"
"What do you mean?" Neigh asked, his pulse increasing.
"Three days ago a cortège came from the army" She told him, "First came news that Fanelia has been thrown out of the alliance, and the new alliance of five nations has ordered that Urthas be surrendered to them or they would take it by force"
Neigh sighed,
"Great" He said sarcastically, "Did they give a deadline?"
"Tomorrow afternoon"
Neigh rose from his chair and looked out onto the army through the large window. The sun was now setting, the large fires in the camp becoming more prominent as the suns rays failed to fall.
"So war has become inevitable" Neigh's voice carried across the room. Pashihuxika looked up to him, now silhouetted against the window. There was something cold and calculating about his voice. Turning from the window he looked to her,
"This city may fall but we have to delay them as long as we possible can… for the sake of the kingdom"
Grabbing a scroll from below his desk Neigh laid a map out on his desk, an obvious map of Urthas.
"They will enter through the weakest parts of the cities defensive parameter, the gateways," Neigh told Pashihuxika indicating to the walls on the map.
"They will never make it past the walls, I'll make sure of it!" She boasted, "My men will not allow them entry" Neigh wagged his finger,
"No, we want them to get in" He told her. She looked from the map to him and back again,
"We want them to get in?" And Neigh nodded,
"They will continue into the central courtyard, both gatehouses leading to that location…" He explained, "…And it will be there that we will be waiting" Pashihuxika looked down at the map again as if she had missed something,
"But why Sir, why surrender the walls so easily?"
"Within that army a collection of Fraid's new 'Marquis' Gymelef units" Neigh reminded her, "And there is not a chance that we could defend the walls against those" Pashihuxika looked as confused as ever,
"Marquis?"
"Yes Marquis. The latest Gymelef type to come out of Fraid. They have retrofitted a normal class unit with a ballista upon its left arm. Our men on the walls wouldn't do much with those firing… our only chance is to lour them into a confined space" Neigh informed her, "So we will use the city as our battlefield"
"You want us to battle within the city?!" Pashihuxika asked, unable to believe her own ears, "But that's madness, you're willing to destroy the city?"
Neigh nodded,
"You must understand, we have no choice if we are to hold off the enemy. A pitched battle would be over in hours, but this way we will stand a fighting chance"
"Maybe so, but what about the civilians?" She asked, still unconvinced by the drasticness of the plan,
"We will be evacuating them tonight, all of them" Neigh continued, "Under the cover of darkness we can keep the enemies suspicions from arising"
As Néigh stopped Pashihuxika sat for a moment and considered the plan.
"Alright, what are we to do?" She asked, agreeing to the basis of the plan.
"You, being head commander of our forces here will have to be in charge of their preparation, I shall handle the other responsibilities"
"It's been a while since I wore my battle armour, I hope it still fits... Wait a minute, we're preparing for a battle what other responsibilities are there?" She asked, and Neigh laughed,
"You'll have to wait and see"
"Alright" She agreed before he continued,
"Split your men into groups of five, they shall be scattered throughout the city before their arrival. I want half our Gymelef's in the courtyard. I assume my Melef is ready for use?" Neigh asked.
"Your going out sir?" Pashihuxika asked back,
"Of course, if this battle is fated to take my life, I would rather ride out and face it, not cower here like some Entóntrian slime" Neigh told her, "Anyway someone has to lead the courtyard assault, when your heading the cities defence"
Pashihuxika rose from her chair and saluted Neigh,
"I shall carry out your orders," She told him; "I shall prepare for the evacuation" He nodded in return and dismissed her from his presence. He sat for a moment in the fading sunlight looking at nothing in particular.
"I hope I'm doing the right thing"
………
With a bang Jennifer closed her window. She sighed angrily and sat back in front of her desk. She had been trying to think but the noise from outside had started to become distracting. Her desk was neat, it had no clutter what so ever, and in fact the only item on the desk was a single brown envelope. The unopened letter was addresses to her, the words written neatly in green ink.
The moment the letter had arrived she knew who sent it, but she had no wish to read it. But now she looked at it anew and she wasn't so sure anymore. She had felt so betrayed when she discovered what Nimura was… but was she really being fair. Until that afternoon she had no doubt in her mind, but Onoír's words continued to burn in her mind.
"At least he's following his heart, and doing what he feels is right" She quoted, the newly acquired silence offering her no answer, no response to her words. What had happened to Nimura she could only imagine, losing his father, then his mother, being pulled off into an alien land. However he got involved with the rebels he must have felt it was justified. She sighed again, picking up the letter… her mind made up. Tearing it open she pulled the small page from inside and began to read it to herself.
Dear Jennifer,
Not with mere words can I hope to convey my sorrow to you. It is true what you have been told, I am or rather was a rebel fighting against the alliance until only a short time ago, but it was not my intention to either keep this fact from you or hurt you in the process. But for the hurt I have caused I am sorry. I pray this letter finds you well, farewell.
Nimura Kosime
Finishing the letter she placed her head in her hands,
"Where are you Nimura?"
………
Nimura looked into the crackling flames of the campfire, in what had started to become a tradition. The relaxing nature of the crackling flames seemed to give him the opportunity to think things over. He didn't understand what was wrong with Sadako, but what made him uncomfortable was she didn't either. They rested till dawn, and then travelled the next day without incident but what if that happened to her again? Would he have to hurt her?
He sighed, the flames offering soles but he didn't know what to believe or to do. How could things be the same between them now? It could be a danger just to be around her… though he was used to being around dangerous people. A cold hand being placed on his shoulder caught him by surprise. He called out and drew his sword, and aimed it at the person. He found in front of him a very surprised Sadako, looking fearfully down at the sword he had placed to her neck.
Nimura retreated his sword but still Sadako stood a look of a terror in her eyes, directed squarely at Nimura. She took two steps backwards, before turning and running as fast as her legs could carry her. A moment passed before what had happened clicked, 'She must have thought I was going to… but I would never… '. Jumping to his feet he gave chase,
"SADAKO!"
Ahead of him, Sadako was running her heart pounding from the sudden exertion she had just forced upon it. She was breathing heavily, though she tried to hide her breath. She was panicking, petrified. Nimura had claimed that it was she who gave him that wound but she never dreamed that he would… The more she thought about it the more sure of his actions she had become, spurring her on, even with his cries chasing after her.
Branches hurt her as she ran, constantly tearing into her. It was nearly pitch black, she was unable to see anything ahead of her, except a mound of shadows, which could represent anything. Behind her, as well as the calling she could hear Nimura stumbling after her, but no matter how much she pushed herself he appeared to be catching up. Ahead the shadows suddenly disappeared and the trees appeared to thin. Guessing what she had just come too she skidded to a stop just before the edge of the steep drop.
She turned back ready to face Nimura but a blinding pain tore through her mind, her very being. Images quickly flashed before her eyes, and then she lost consciousness. Even in the dark Nimura saw she was falling, and jumping at the last minute he grabbed her, leaving them both to fall together.
………
"Where am I" A voice came to Sadako's ears, "Who am I" The voice at first felt eerily familiar, but then she understood it. She was listening to her own voice. She felt the ground beneath her but she couldn't open her eyes, the voice continuing,
"Why are you here?" It continued, "Is it fated… are you fated?"
"WHO ARE YOU?" She yelled out, but only a distant echo returned to her, the words lost to the dark. Beyond her eyelids a new bright light illuminated, the darkness melting away. Her eyes opened this time, the bright blue sky above her coming into view. Pulling herself from her lying position she could see where she was more clearly. She was sitting upon a grassy hill, some trees dotted around the place; far below them in the distance was the beginning of a city, a large city. Skyscrapers dotted the landscape, their windows gleaming like jewels in the bright sunlight. She jumped to her feet,
"I'm home?" She asked, "I'm back" A golden smile spread across her lips,
"WELCOME HOME!" She yelled into the light breeze, her voice carrying in the air.
"What are you doing Sadako?" A female voice questioned from behind her. Turning Sadako found that a middle aged, brunet was sitting on the top of the hill, looking at her inquisitively. Sadako could hardly believe her eyes; she was looking at her mother,
"Who are you?" She asked, refusing to believe her eyes. The lady shook her head,
"What do you mean, who am I?" She asked, "Are you not feeling well?" Sadako could feel a choke in her throat before running at her mother. Falling to her knees, she grabbed her tightly and began to sob into the bosom of her mother.
"I'm home" She sobbed, "I'm finally home"
"Your not…" The saddened voice of her mother told her, "Not yet anyway" Sadako looked up at her, a tear in her eye,
"What?" Hitomi took her by the arm and stretched her hand out along the view,
"This is not real. None of it" She told Sadako, "It is all an illusion, a vision"
"But your…?" Sadako started but was cut off by Hitomi's reply.
"I'm not really here either"
"But how?" Sadako asked only to be greeted by a shacking head,
"That's not important" Hitomi answered, "I'm here, now, for you" Sadako clung tighter to her mother, as if afraid if she let go even for a moment she would vanish and she would be left alone again. Eventually Sadako let her free and looked up upon her face again,
"Why? She asked, "Why didn't you warn me of what was to come?"
Hitomi suddenly looked disheartened,
"I did as much as I could…" She told Sadako, "I helped you, but I knew you would have to walk this path alone. This is your test… and you needed strength to pass it, not warning"
"I'm not strong, I never have been" Sadako reminded her mother, "I have always been weak"
"Really?" Hitomi asked before their surroundings melted away. They where now sitting on the swings of a children's playground, the slides, roundabout, seesaws and a Jungle-gym ahead of them. There were several children playing, though no adults appeared to be around.
"You where never weak Sadako" Hitomi told her, "Never weak"
Sadako was about to answer when she noticed that all the children had stopped playing, and were starring at a group of five or so girls who entered the park. As they approached the majority of the children quickly left the park. One girl, however remained, having not noticed the girls approach. The girl was swinging happily on another set of swings, her size suggesting she was twelve, maybe thirteen. The group of girls appeared to be about the same age, and insulted her pigtails as they reached her,
"Young wee Sadako, I hear your family can't afford ribbons" The head girl mocked, "But I guess that's why your using those rags instead" The little girl stopped her swinging and turning to the gang, her eyes terrified. The girls just smiled and joked among themselves.
Sadako with Hitomi buried her head in her hands, knowing what was still to come,
"I don't want to see this… why are you making me watch this?" Her mother took her hand and held it tightly,
"To prove a point… please watch" Sadako took her mothers hand and returned her attention grudgingly to the scene.
"I really hate your kind… lazy, stupid people, teachers pets, suck-ups" Sadako continued to look at the girls, too scared to move. Her silence only made the girl angrier,
"What you think your better than me now? I'm not good enough to hear your voice?" The girl asked angrily. Sadako finally getting over her fear turned and ran from the girls. Unfortunately she wasn't fast enough the head girl grabbing one of her pigtails. Yanking back on it the girl pulled Sadako off her feet and into the dirt. A roar of laughter came from the girls, following the lead girls lead.
Sadako coughed, the dry dirt from the ground affecting her breathing but the next thing she knew she was pulled to her feet by her pigtails. She screamed as it felt her hair was being pulled right from her head, but the laughter from the girls only became louder.
Letting go of Sadako's pigtails she grabbed her arm and forced her to follow. Climbing to Jungle-gym she brought Sadako with her, and stopped on the top. Her friends gather below, the girl looking over the fence at the daunting ten-foot drop. Grabbing Sadako's face she yelled at her,
"You think your so much better that me," She told Sadako, "But your not" She forced Sadako to lean over the fence of the Jungle-gym, trapping her hands so she couldn't fight back. Sadako began to sob,
"Please don't"
The girl removed a small pen knife from her pocket and brought it to Sadako's hair,
"We'll see how many people like you now" She told her before hacking into Sadako's hair with the knife. Moments later the girl held up Sadako's pigtails up high like trophies and then dropped them into the gang of girls below.
Sadako's breathing became weak, angry. The girl loosened her grip,
"Know who your betters are" With the girls grip loosened Sadako appeared to go mad and struck at the girl repeatedly. She cried out in shock as Sadako attacked her. During the confusion the girls face got smashed against the fence, and she tumbled over the side, her gang scattering as she fell.
Sadako with Hitomi shook her head,
"I broke her nose, and the fall fractured her leg. What does this prove" Sadako asked, watching the confusion at the Jungle-Gym continue, most the girls now running scared from Sadako.
"Did those girls ever try to bully you again?" Hitomi asked sadly as if hoping Sadako would make this connection on her own,
"Well, no" Sadako answered, still disgusted by her younger self's actions.
"Exactly. And what was it that caused them to stop their bullying?" Hitomi asked her voice becoming harder, "Rage"
Sadako looked from the scene to her mother, her eyes widened,
"What?"
"Rage. Don't you see, your rage, your anger is a weapon Sadako. Use it like you would a sword, strike out at your enemies. Use your rage… it is your most powerful weapon" Hitomi told her, almost excitedly. Sadako got to her feet and backed off from Hitomi,
"Who are you?" She asked, and Hitomi looked surprised,
"What do you mean? I'm your mother" Hitomi told her but Sadako yelled over her,
"Bull! My mother would never tell me to use rage, against anyone… especially when my friends get hurt," Sadako told her, and Hitomi sighed,
"So this was a step too far," Hitomi told her, her voice deeper, almost crueller, "Well… I suppose I can't pretend to be your mother anymore"
"Who are you?!" Sadako asked again this time more forcefully,
"That's for me to know and you to… well, not know," She told her, "Maybe next time I will come as your beloved? Maybe that would be good…" Before she could say anything more her mother's impostor had vanished leaving the swing gently bobbing from side to side.
Sadako took a last look at herself before everything turned white and she awoke.
………
When Nimura came too he wasn't too sure of either where he was or what he was doing there. As his eyes opened the sun seemed to blind him. He couldn't see a thing but he did know what he felt and it wasn't very comfortable. His whole body appeared to be aching. As his vision finally began to return the dozens of trees that appeared to be above him swung into focus
Slowly turning his head to look around he realized that he appeared to be in the middle of nowhere, that and he was lying on a slanted hill. He tried to move but found that he couldn't and only then did he realize why. Wrapped in his arms, still unconscious was Sadako, lying on top of him. It was then that the events of the previous night started to return to him. His mistake, the chase… the fall.
His heart began to pound, and he carefully loosened his hold on her. Lifting his index finger to her neck he felt her pulse and immediately relaxed. He laid back down a moment his body still aching and looked up at the darkening clouds above them.
"A dark omen" He muttered. He was about to continue when Sadako appeared to stir. He watched her eyes twitch before opening.
It was for only a second that the contact of their eyes brought them together, several seconds that appeared to last a lifetime. For those moments Nimura felt like he was looking right into Sadako's soul, her very being, her true self. In his mind all questions of weather the Sadako who had hurt him and the girl in front of him were the same vanished… the Sadako in front of him was the true Sadako.
Realising herself Sadako got off Nimura and quickly backed against a tree and eyed him suspiciously. Her suspicious gaze reminded him that she must still believe that he wanted to hurt her. He raised his hands into the air,
"I don't want to hurt you" Nimura told her humbly, getting off the ground and into a sitting position himself, "I never wanted to hurt you" She continued to eye him suspiciously but he could tell she was contemplating her next move carefully, he could see it in her eyes.
"I don't believe you," She answered, "Ever since yesterday you have been all weird, crazy even… why should I believe you?" Nimura bowed his head,
"I know, and I'm sorry but I would never hurt you…" He told her, "Never"
"Words" She mocked him, "Words are useless"
His head still bowed Nimura got to his feet, and walked past Sadako.
"I've said my bit. If you trust me, I will wait at camp until midday…" He told her, "If not, just go back" His voice was not spiteful, or acidic but their was something in the delivery that made Sadako feel like the worst person alive, and then he walked on, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
The same question crossed her mind for a long time before she made up her mind.
"Did she trust him?"
………
"Times up"
Néigh stood with Pashihuxika upon the walls of the city. They looked out over the enemies' army, a hive of activity their deadline for surrender having been exhausted. The burning sun above them signified midday, bathing the city with light… though it was still dead. The walls looked nothing like a city preparing for a battle. There were no soldiers upon the walls, none what so ever.
Néigh looked upon the army with the greatest contempt,
"So they really want to do this do they… Alright we'll show them what Fanelian's are made of" Turning he faced Pashihuxika, a solemn look on his face. Pashihuxika stood before him in armour, a chain mail that protected her, though she wore red cloth over the metal. To her side, sheathed was a sword, the seal of Fanelia upon the scabbard.
"Are they in the courtyard?" Néigh asked and she nodded,
"They're waiting for your orders"
Néigh nodded, and was about to turn away from the army when something caught his attention. From the army a single horseman rode out onto the field, seated on a pale horse.
" 'And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him' "
"What?" Pashihuxika asked but Néigh batted it away,
"Nothing" And with her at his side slowly walked down a staircase to the side of the walls leading into the courtyard below. The cities first line of defence. There were dozens of soldiers waiting in the courtyard; each in armour ready for battle but the silence was almost unnatural. Not a sound came from the men.
"Was the evacuation completed?" He asked Pashihuxika and she nodded,
"The city is deserted, we have as much liberty as we need when dealing with our enemy. I even posted a guard at the other side of the tunnel… we don't want anyone accidentally coming our way" She told him.
"Very well"
For the remaining minutes of their trek they remained silent, instead leaving themselves in thought. Neigh took his place at the head of the soldiers, Pashihuxika at his side and they closed in around them. No sooner was he ready than each of them were close enough that they could hear him, even if he spoke in his normal voice. He cleared his throat,
"Beyond our walls, there is an army. An army of wolves'… rabid dogs. You've all seen it, they hide behind the alliances name, but that is all they are, dogs. This is our city, our home and we will not, cannot let them take it from us"
Néigh took a breath before continuing,
"We are the Kings first line of defence… and let us show how worthy we are for that title. We will be a wall of diamond, unbreakable. A friend of mine once said that first impressions are the most important… well lets give them a first impression that will never forget" There was a quite murmur of agreement in the crowd,
"Now get into your positions, and give them hell"
The crowd dispersed around them and within a few moments Pashihuxika and Néigh were left alone in the courtyard.
"They have already proven their professionalism with their silence… lets hope they keep it up" Pashihuxika nodded in agreement,
"I would have been terrible if the enemy caught wind of us through our voices" Pashihuxika agreed, and Néigh started off.
"Come on, our Melef's await"
………
Nimura looked up at the sky, the sun telling him that it was now midday. With a heavy heart he sighed, and he untied his horse. He knew it wasn't likely but he had hoped that Sadako would return. He cursed under his breath. 'Had all the time they had spent together in the past couple of months meant nothing to her?' he though angrily before kicking a stone clear across the campsite. Gathering his bags from around the site he placed them on his horse and slowly tied them in. He was working slower than usual, maybe he wanted to waste time, encase she came after all.
It wasn't long before he had finished and mounted his horse ready to depart. His horse took several steps before he stopped and looked back at the remains of the camp, and Sadako's horse still tied up.
"I hope she comes back for it… once I'm gone anyway" He told himself before, with a heavy heart he continued to trout off.
"STOP!" He was caught by surprise by the voice and he did stop in his tracks. Looking back his eyes caught those of Sadako's and they just stared dumbly at each other. Then Sadako prepared her horse, mounted and trotted up beside him.
"So where are we going?" She asked, before continuing on leaving Nimura to follow.
"I thought we should head for Cesario first… the tunnel into the country is not that far from here"
"Cesario? Isn't that where you're from?" Sadako asked and Nimura nodded,
"Yes it is… I'm going home"
………
Néigh sat in his Gymelef, his feet and arms supported by the mechanisms that controlled the massive fighting machines movement. He was trying hard to keep his breathing calm, for he was far from it. He wasn't scared, not at all but he hated being in a Gymelef, they made him feel claustrophobic.
His breath was visible in the air, even if the sun was heating the outside the steel of his Gymelef remained cold at all times. He turned to his left and showed his impatience to Pashihuxika,
"What's the hold up?" He asked but when her response came it was cool,
"You've been out of the field too long," She told him, "Half of this game IS waiting" No sooner as she had finished talking than the first sounds of the enemies advance entered reached their ears. Néigh clenched his sword.
As he looked forward he saw the empty courtyard, none of his people visible though he knew they were there hiding. From the gates side, one of the enemies Gymelef's entered his view, an ordinary model. Four more followed in suit, along with a man on horseback. Néigh whispered to Pashihuxika,
"Traditional Alliance tactics. Send in a few to clear the situation before the bulk joins them" He laughed, "Never use alliance tactics against an alliance member… its so predictable"
He watched as the horseman turned and galloped back out of the city as fast as he could,
"And their goes the messenger with 'The coast is clear', that's what they think" He mocked, and once the sound of the horses hooves had died away he leaned over to Pashihuxika again,
"You wanted to know what I was doing?" He reminded her, " Well this is it" He raised his hand into the air and without warning Four of the enemies Gymelef's hit the ground, with what looked like tree-trunks sticking out of their cockpits. Ballista bolts fired from Ballista's. The last Gymelef looked around itself panicked, unsure what to do.
"Clever" Pashihuxika complemented.
"Forget the flattery, just get to your position" He called to her, himself already running into the courtyard. The enemies Gymelef couldn't react quick enough to the sudden appearance of the unexpected Melef, and Néigh's blade sliced the Machine in two, from its shoulder through to its waist. As the Melef hit the ground he called out,
"Lets do this! And remember, nobodies permitted to die without my explicit permission!"
End of Chapter Eight
………
Butch Cassidy
09.09.04 (Euro-Date system DD.MM.YY)
………
Author Message:
And so it begins… but will Fanelia survive what is to come? Will Sadako and Nimura ever fully trust each other again? What dangers lurk just round the corner? Yes, well that was The Descended Shadow, chapter eight… and a small chapter it was too. I guess that's to balance out seven, eh? Before I continue I'd better warn you all that the next chapter of The Descended Shadow will probable not be released until December/January. And No its not because I'm lazy! First I have some other projects to catch up on, second it's going to be another long one, and third, I love leaving people on such an ending. Oh, the quote "And I saw a pale horse…" was taken from the book a Revelations, King James Bible, if anyone is interested.
I hope people are enjoying this series and we are getting there. It may be a long read but by the end it will be worth the effort… or I hope so anyway. As usual Questions and Comments are welcome, and so are reviews which can be submitted through either or by emailing me, or even a submission on my website. Speaking of my website I had better plug it. Its great, filled with lots of fun things, including pictures connected to the series, the series, histories and additional information. Visit if you have a moment.
Anyway I hope to see you all when it comes to chapter IX, and I hope you can all hold out until then, but see you later and keep those pages turning.
Butch Cassidy
Cast #Ref Chapter VIII (Alphabetical) –
OC – Original Character
NC – New this chapter
Jennifer – Sarah and Gaddes's daughter. Childhood friend of Nimura
Hitomi (OC) – Sadako's mother, originally from earth
Nimura – Originally leader of Rebel cell, now close friend of Sadako's
Néigh – Governor of Urthas, the second city of Fanelia
Onoír – Head of Fanelia's armies, advisor to Von. Lead attack on rebels (P2)
Pashihuxika (NC) - Military head of Urthas, would appear to have history with Néigh
Sadako – Hitomi's daughter, epicentre of the series
Von (OC) – King of Fanelia. Need I say more?