Chapter 5 "Cat and Mouse"

Nin sat in a tree. It was early, just before dawn. The sky was a dark blue fading into lavender and orange in the east. The winter season in this land was often short, lasting only about eight weeks or so, and the air was already less crisp the, thin layer of snow beginning to recede. It had been a month since the death of Nin's mother, and he had not seen his father or brother since.

He had heard in town that Taurun had not rebuilt his home, but chose to find new property in order to hide from the overseers. Nin did not know where his father and brother had settled, but he still kept tabs on the activities of the overseers, and knew they had not found them yet. It was fairly easy to disappear in this land, and many residents who were wanted in other lands for crimes, found it easy to blend in here. Nin knew Taurun could stay out off the map for quite some time. As far as he knew, the overseers believed both of Taurun's sons were still with him, and so they were not actively pursuing Nin.

The ruins of Nin's old home remained in their desolate state. Nin would visit them often, but always in hiding, lest the surrounding villagers find out who we was and alert the overseers. His sometimes sat near his mother's grave at night, listening to the night wind and grieving for her. He had fashioned a plaque out of wood planks, and carved his final message to his mother, "I Love You," into it to preserve it, then placed it at the foot of the mound which was slowly fading back into even ground. At the bottom of the plaque he had added the words, "Fallen Angel."

Nin had taken to living in the woods surrounding the village, trapping and hunting small game, receiving some help from his friend Gin, and at times stealing what he needed to survive. A stream cut across the wood heading towards town, and Nin had found a very small cave carved at the base of a small hill in the bank of the stream. This is where he spent most nights, but at times he would sleep in the ruins of the house, which was becoming increasingly more risky.

His only real contact was with Gin. When she could sneak away from her parents, she would find him and they would share information they had gathered, hunt, or just sit together. Nin found their relationship confusing. The society he was raised in gave him no examples of affection or feeling towards the opposite sex. In the east, women were trophies to be possessed, and to bear children, and men were protection from the pigs who stalked the streets. Nin thought of Gin as a friend first, but as he grew older, and new feelings came to him, he saw no other potential partners for him. Gin was different, and like he was, able to feel love and compassion for someone.

Neither had gathered the courage to speak about their feelings, or attempt anything physical, so the stalemate remained. Deep down Nin almost felt held back by the fact that he had no other options but Gin. Gin felt differently however, she wished for no other suitor than Nin, even though he was now an outlaw. Her feelings for him were more primal; she cared for him, but desired him more. As her body matured, she took to following other single teens in the village, attempting to look attractive and sexy for Nin. But this often had the opposite effect on him, as he despised the slutty nature of typical village girls. He told her often that the things he liked most in her were her differences from the average easterner. This often left her feeling confused on how to win his affection.

Nin did think Gin was attractive. Her hair was not quite as dark as his, but did remind him somewhat of his mother's. He noticed the filling out of her chest and hips, and the way her body moved. Her eyes were a dark green, and her complexion dark, like most easterners. He found it a difficult and confusing process to distinguish what held him back about Gin, but his daily life left him little time to ponder it. Survival was always priority one, and his relationships took the back burner. She however pondered almost constantly on how to make him hers, and lost herself more and more often in his blue eyes.

Nin had dozed off slightly on his tree branch as he thought. The rays of the rising sun woke him, and with a sigh he climbed skillfully through the branches and dropped to the cold ground. He stretched his arms and yawned. He set off in the direction of the village. Gin and himself had made plans to meet that morning and do some information gathering about Nin's situation. He was hungry, but he ignored that for now. He had a small re-curved bow that he had made during his time in the woods for hunting small game, and he was becoming a good shot with it. It was back in the cave now though, so he would get it later and try to find a meal if he couldn't get something in town.

Nin walked with bowed shoulders north up the road. The road would then join two others at a main road which lead east into the village. As he came up on the main road, a voice caught his ear, one he had not heard a month, though it seemed like years. He stopped dead in his tracks listening, "That asshole merchant who wanted me to pay silver for ale just because we are running." Then another younger voice answered, one that Nin had not heard in even longer, "What did you do to him father?" Nin's heart leapt out of his chest when he recognized Rin's voice.

Reacting instinctively, Nin ducked and crept behind a small brush on the side of the road. His father and brother approached heading away from the village, and Nin heard his father chuckle darkly and answer, "Stupid fool didn't know his wife was raped last week by an overseer's body guard, I told him they would find out if he didn't give me a fair price." Nin was used to this kind of chilling dialogue amongst his people, but hearing his father speak to Rin this way turned his stomach. As they passed his hiding place Nin was able to catch a glimpse of the same eager expression on Rin's face that he had seen six weeks ago.

Nin tuned out the remainder of the conversation, but followed his father and brother, dodging through the tall grass on the side of the road, and forgetting his previous plans with Gin. Keeping his distance he remained unseen. Taurun and Rin continued at a meager pace. As he followed Nin thought to himself that they were very unwary for people in hiding. They made no effort to check their surroundings, or to conceal themselves or their route. After about half a mile they reached the crossing where the road splintered into three paths each going to a different housing area. The South path led to where their old home was the ruins of which Nin now haunted. The main road continued west to a richer housing district, and this was the direction and Taurun and Rin went, with Nin now following.

After another 15 minutes, Taurun and Rin began to become more wary, occasionally peeking behind themselves to spot any followers. Nin was forced to be more careful, and trail at a further distance, though he knew by his father and brother's behavior they had to be close to their residence. Nin reached a spot in the brush where low branches forced him to crawl. He dropped and began belly crawling as fast as he could. When he came up on the other side, his father and brother were no longer visible.

Nin stayed silently in his crouch and surveyed the area ahead. His father and brother had obviously left the road, but he could see no path, trail, or even a break in the trees from where he was to indicate where. He closed his eyes and listened close. He could hear the chattering of small animals, a light wind rustling the trees, but no footfall. Taurun and Rin must have been treading very carefully. After a minute Nin risked venturing out onto the road again. He loped softly out of the brush and looked closer at the tree line for any clue. He continued carefully forward down the road, and a bit further down he found his clue.

On the opposite side of the road from where Nin had hidden there was a deep ditch, and in the softer grass at the bottom Nin could see a distinct foot print. It was not large enough to be Taurun's, most likely Rin had misplaced his foot. Looking further in, Nin could also see some noticeably bend twigs of shorter trees, reaffirming that this was where his estranged kin were hiding out.

Nin wondered for a moment why he was seeking them out. He had absolutely no desire to see his father. Though the white hot rage he had felt the last time he saw him had cooled, the deep throbbing hate he felt for him was stronger than ever. Thinking of how Taurun had treated Mother made Nin's stomach turn. Thinking of mother threatened to brings tears to Nin's eyes, and thinking of Rin….. Yes, Nin now knew what he needed to do. Rin was quickly following his father's wicked ways, and soon Nin feared he would lose him. He remembered clearly the fascination in his brother's eyes at the mention of violence. How Taurun had nurtured this tendency the same way Mother had nurtured kindness in Nin. Time was running out.