Chapter 5:
Faraco looked at the slumbering girl. Perched on the old lightning hit tree not far from the cave his yellow sleepless eyes kept a night long vigil on the strange girl.
'What am I doing here?' Faraco thought angrily 'Watching over a girl who I hardly know. Protecting her!"
He had tried to leave but his heart would not allow him to wander far from her. She was different from all the other girls he had ever seen .Her appearance, her scent, her strange clothing, all indicated that she was indeed a newcomer in this land. And she gave him her strange food, granted in the beginning he had tried to bully her into giving up her food and she had been badly frightened. Faraco frowned .Had she never seen a shape shifter before? Probably not. But then, it was not strange. Shape shifters are extremely rare. Some wizards magically acquire the power to shape shift but very few are born with it, as he was, with the power to morph into any beast he wanted. It was a useful skill; it had helped him to evade the hunters for over a month now. But, he was slowly running out of time and luck.
The eastern sky was slowly becoming lighter. Faraco stretched his wings .He saw Lee come out of the cave straightening her unusual kimono. She walked to the river and washed her face. Her copper brown hair shone in the morning light casting her in an almost otherworldly glow. Faraco frowned .A long forgotten memory rose to his mind…
" And so the maiden came from another world" the voice was tired and came from a sandy haired woman.
She looked down at the young boy that laid his head on her lap, her thin hand moved carelessly in his unruly sandy hair.
"What is a maiden?" The boy looked up adoringly at the woman.
"A maiden is a miko that comes from another world. She can summon Suzako and He will grant the miko three wishes. There are seven seishis who protect the miko ", she ran a pale cold hand over this bare chest and the sign that was there "As are you, a seishi, my seishi of the willow!"
Another figure entered the hut. It was a tall boy of a thin and wiry build "Come Faraco. " His voice held a calm authority "You are tiring mother."
The smaller boy followed the older boy outside " I am a sacred warrior brother. I am special! " his voice was gleeful
."You are special Faraco." the older boy smiled down at him "But not because of the sign on your chest. But because you are Faraco."
Faraco let out a long mournful screech.
'You lied brother. About everything….' he thought angrily rudely awakened from the fond memories of yesteryears' Why?'
Faraco looked at Lee keenly. She looked different, so different that could she be the miko of the legend? That was a definite possibility. If she was indeed the miko of the legend then it was his duty to protect this girl and take her to the Emperor. But what if she wasn't the miko? What then?
'It hardly matters ' Faraco thought bitterly ' I have already been branded. Sooner or later they will catch me. And then, I will have to face the consequences…'
He saw that Lee was leaving. He stretched his large wings and flew over her, his keen yellow eyes watching her. ' But if she is indeed the miko, then, .I will have extracted myself and my family from the trouble of my brother's making."
For the first time in weeks Faraco felt a tiny glimmer of hope in his heart. His sharp yellow eyes regarded the young girl a little fondly 'You truly must be the miko of the legend.' He watched Lee trudge along the riverbed. 'The legends say that the miko shall give us hope. Your presence has given me hope. You must be the miko my mother told me about. '
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Lee followed the river. Theoretically, if there is water then there should be a village on its banks somewhere .All those hours she had spend enduring Ms. Horner's history lessons just might come to some use after all. After all, water was life. She heard a long lonely screech of a falcon .She looked up to see the majestic bird circle over her head. Suddenly she felt very vurnarable. She was standing in a near dry river bed in a world she thought existed only in her grandmother's stories clutching her silly school bag. How the hell was she supposed to defend herself? She couldn't fight her way out of a chocolate éclair! Damn! Why the hell did that boy Faraco leave her alone like this?
'And why would he care about you.you stupid girl.' A nagging voice spoke in her head 'You only just met him!'
True she had met Faraco only yesterday and she did not know anything about him except for the fact that he could turn into a wolf. Come to think about it, she truly was naive to expect a boy she just met to protect her.
'And what grantee is there that he is a good man? Granted he did not kill her and he did save her from falling down a cliff. And he did not take advantage of her when she had fainted or run away with her bag…. Still, is it wise to trust him?' She frowned running a hand through her scalp 'All this thinking is making me hungry. '
She stopped absentmindedly twirling a stray lock of hair that fell on her face. So, her first order of business was to find a village. Then she would have to find something to eat. But all she had with her was the money, the money from the real world. She doubted it would be of any use here. Still it couldn't hurt to try. And then, what after that? She sat down on a rock by the riverside. Again that nagging sense of fear made itself known, gnawing at the insides of her stomach or it could have been hunger! She did not know anything about this land except of what she heard from her grandmother but even that knowledge had become hazy with time. When was the last time she heard that story? Oh…when she was about nine years old and now, she was fifteen years old. Damn… She should have paid more attention but you are not exactly supposed to remember stories. The hawk that was circling tirelessly above her settled on a rock not far from her and proceeded to preen its feathers.
Was the hawk following her? Nah! She was just being delusional.
She sighed again getting up. If only Yang was with her .Oh…she was in the real world. How will she ever be able to return to the real world? Perhaps she would go to the capital.and then what? Well first things first. Firstly she had to get to the capital unharmed, without getting robbed or killed or worst. She gulped nervously and forced a cheerful smile on her face. Well what will happen will happen! On that philosophical note she moved forward.
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Lee groaned .Her legs ached .Her lovely pink sandals were definitely not meant for walking on really unkempt dusty village roads, especially for so long a distance.
After walking for sometime along the riverbed Lee had noticed that there was a road running parallel to it. Lee had felt elated to see a road .A road must lead somewhere. And she had been walking on this god-forsaken track for only Kami knows how many hours.and still no village! She gave a silent shout of joy when she saw a tiny shack by the roadside. Perhaps it was a public resting place. There was even a well beside it. Lee found the cool shade of the shelter quite comforting .She put her backpack down and took a seat on a pile of hay that was kept inside stretching her aching her aching legs.
Suddenly she heard the sound of hooves. Horses. Horses meant men. Men meant she could learn exactly how far she was from a village. She got up straightening her skirt. Soon five horses came to a screeching halt in front of the shed. The men on the horses looked of certainly dubious origin. All of them sported rusty amours and motley of ill-fitting clothes that looked stolen. Their faces were dirty and covered with unshaven hair. Lee gulped.
' You really are a fool Lee .You hardly know this land and you automatically assume that everybody you meet is going to be a bonafide honest person.', the irritating voice in her head quipped.
The men looked like the television representation of muggers. You know the kind that waits in a dark alley accosting old women and children and the heroine who conveniently walks alone in the misty alleyway… well, she gets saved after a few minutes of screaming by the hero who seems to pop out of nowhere. Lee gulped. There was no hero to save her.
' You should have hidden when you heard them approaching. That way you could have studied them and determined whether they were dangerous now' the voice in her head spoke again.
"Where were you like five minutes ago?"Lee growled at the voice in her head.
No answer.
Well it was too late to backtrack now .Lee set her mouth in a determined pucker and waited.
'Maybe they are good men despite their appearance ' the optimistic part of her brain thought.
The leader of these men stepped forward .He looked over Lee in such a manner that made her flush angrily
'Well " He leered "What is a pretty lady like you doing alone.here?"
'So much for optimism '
She gritted her teeth "I am going to the capital but, I am not alone!" she lied bravely "My brother is with me."
The man stepped closer to her, his bad breath hot on her face."Where is your brother then?" he leered
Lee gulped, instinctively taking a step back.
"I understand. You are lying " the man smiled nastily.
"Of course I am." Lee tried to appear cocky " I thought you'd never guess."
' Oh simply brilliant Lee. This is a classic example of open mouth insert foot ' the voice in her head spoke in a doomed voice.
"Oh so the little girl is out here all alone." another man grinned.
Lee suddenly felt tiny creeping insects crawl up her skin. The way the men looked at her made her suddenly feel weak and helpless…and flustered. She frowned "Well nice meeting you and all I must go now."
She made a move to walk past the men.
'With extreme grace and dignity show them that you do not fear them or their downtown crook like appearance. ' The annoying voice in her head spoke again.
Lee walked with slow unhurried steps past the leader of the group when he suddenly shot out a hand and caught Lee's delicate white ones. Suddenly Lee found herself crushed against the man's dirty smelling Armour.
"I didn't say you could leave wench "Lee felt a shudder of revulsion and fear wash over her upon seeing the man's coarse unshaven face only inches from hers.
"Let me go!" Lee struggled ineffectually in the nauseating embrace.
"She is a feisty one Boss" one of the other men smirked.
"Yeah that she is "the 'boss' tightened his hold on Lee "Made me want to toss her on the hay and have my way with her from the moment I saw her."
Lee froze. Her face turned purple and pale.
' He didn't…mean…OH MY FREAKING GOD! Lee you are in deep shit…. REAL DEEP SHIT ' the voice in her head had started to panic.
"Let go you obnoxious pig." Lee renewed her efforts to get free.
" Oh little one... your protests only turn me on more." The man's voice was mocking .Lee felt one of his calloused palms on her thigh .She saw red.
'Ok no more miss nice little girl.' The voice in her head had declared war against this …situation. ' Kick him in his you -know-what!'
Lee raised her leg and delivered the kick.
. Suddenly she was free.'Now RUN.' Her whole body screamed.
She swung her backpack like a mace. There was her arithmetic book inside there.it was its only chance to prove that it could be of some use to her. Suddenly she stopped. There was a sleek black panther standing across the mud road, the sun glistened on its silky skin, yellow eyes fixed malevolently on them fangs bared. Strangely enough, Lee felt no fear on seeing the beast, she felt safe. The leopard lunged at the crew with a roar .Lee froze. The men screamed, the horses neighed rearing on their hind legs…and then miraculously Lee found herself alone again in the shed …with the leopard…
"Cowards."
Lee turned her head from the direction of the retreating men and looked at the source of the voice.
"Faraco!" Lee's lips trembled "You came back!"
She launched herself on Faraco's chest clutching at his shirt as if it was his lifeline "Oh…Thank you! Thank you!" she sobbed.
Faraco's face flamed .He patted Lee's back awkwardly looking around to see whether anybody could see them like this.
"It is all right!"He patted her back in soothing motions" I am here now!"
Lee pulled away a blush staining her cheeks.' What were you thinking Lee? Throwing yourself on him like that!"She smacked herself internally on her head.
"Why did you come back?" she asked him.
" I was worried "Faraco looked away.
"Oh!"
All of a sudden Lee felt angry "I can take care of myself." She said defiantly.
"Yes, I could see that." Faraco crossed one arm over the giving him the look of an extremely sulky schoolboy "What were you thinking Lee? You should know better than to trust strangers at this time of war."
"War!" Lee chewed her lips. "What war?"
Faraco raised an eyebrow "Never mind .We can talk later. We must find a shelter "
Lee nodded grateful for his company. Somehow she felt she could trust him. Faraco led them off the road into the jungle.
"Why can't we simply go into the village and rest in an inn there?" Lee asked.
"Because.it is much safer here!"Faraco waved his hand around the quiet stillness of the forest.
"Still it would be much better to rest my aching legs in a real bed for once." Lee grumbled.
'Yes it would…. But you don't understand! I cannot go into a village! Not until…' Faraco sighed.
"Here we are "
It was a hollow under the roots of a huge ancient tree that grew beside a clear forest brook.
"Water!"Lee exclaimed happily chucking off her shoes and jumping in the cold water "It is true Faraco. Water is life!" She splashed the water on her face and hands.cupping some of the cool water she let it soothe her parched lips.
Faraco leaned on the mossy bark of the tree a broody look on his thin face .He had seen the men approach Lee and knew that she would be in trouble.
Still he waited…
There was still a doubt in his mind. What if she was not the miko? If she were indeed a mighty miko she would blast those men to nothingness… Right? But all he could feel was the fear that radiated from her. He could smell her anger and her revulsion. She fought like an ordinary girl. There was no hint of magic around he.
…Then again …
He looked at her simple joy at finding something so ordinary as a brook and wondered at her innocence. He wondered how she had managed to remain so untouched by the ravages of war. How she could so easily trust somebody she hardly knew?
Somebody like him?
He gave a low growl of frustration.
"What is wrong Faraco?"Lee turned to look at him.
Faraco marveled at the anxiety in her beautiful stormy blue-black eyes. Was she worried for him? How long was it since anybody even spared a look at him? It seemed like forever.
He smiled a little cynically "Nothing is wrong Lee. Still, where are you headed?"
Lee sat down on the grass that grew beside the brook. Depression seized her again. Where would she go? She had been so happy to see Faraco that she had nearly forgotten about her troubles .Now they came back at her with an alarming force
She hugged her knees" I was planning to go to the capital."
Faraco came and sat down beside her "I will take you there… if you want."
Lee peeked at him "You would do that?"
Faraco nodded. It would be risky for him to leave the safety of the forest. Still he found it hard to refuse her anything. Innocence such as her should be protected from the brutal reality of their war-torn land!
'And I thought that this month had toughened me up. Look at me now. I am trying to protect a girl I hardly know, especially since I am quite incapable of protecting myself ' Faraco gave a inward snort, then his eyes softened …'You are kind Lee. And naïve .I am having doubts as to whether you are really the maiden; still, I will protect you. I will help you find your people. Nobody should be parted from the ones they love.'"Thank you Faraco "Lee gave him a rather watery smile "The truth is that I have no idea where to go. " Her lips trembled "I just want to go home."
Her shoulders shook with suppressed sobs. Faraco could smell the salt in the air.
He felt uncomfortable.
"Stop crying girl ", gingerly he patted Lee's shoulders "Tell me then where are e you from. I'll take you there."
"You don't understand I can't tell you "Lee sniffed a little leaning into Faraco's shoulder
' And even if I told you, you would not understand.'
"Lee "Faraco called her name softly
Lee looked at him, a small smile gracing her lips. Faraco felt strange seeing somebody looking at him with so much trust and she had known him only for a day
"Lee I need to tell you something "he began.
If she were to travel with him she had to know what kind of trouble could befall them.
"When I first saw you I was surprised. It was quite clear that you were from another land. It is not like me to refuse help to one in need, still I left you!"He continued.
Lee smiled up at him "That's okay. You have come back, right?"
Faraco groaned, "You don't understand Lee .I am a wanted man .My brother was a spy for Kutou!" It pained him to even say that.
"What? But… but why are they after you then? You did nothing wrong!"Lee 's voice was indignant.
Faraco gave a bitter laugh "I did wrong Lee .My crime was to be of the same blood as the traitor! And now they want me because they think that I may know something about my dear brother's whereabouts .So, I have been hiding for the last one month here in the jungle…If you stay with me, then, they will think that you are a…"
Suddenly he stiffened.
The jungle was quiet…
Too quiet…
"We have visitors Lee "Faraco gave a low growl "Run Lee. I will…"
He never got to finish his sentence. Armored solders jumped from behind the trees. Faraco's eyes began to turn yellow and the panther launched itself at them.
"Faraco "
The beast turned at the source of the sound.
Lee!
A solider held the girl a cold steel edge biting into her neck
"Turn back now or your little friend here gets it!"
The beast snarled.
Lee cursed herself for her weakness .For her now Faraco would get captured. She whimpered a little as the blade dug a little deeper into her soft flesh leaving a thin trail of blood to trickle down her neck.
Faraco growled again and changed back .Lee screamed as another solider swung a heavy mace colliding with Faraco's head Faraco crumpled like sodden paper falling into a pool of his own blood.
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