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A Legend's Journey

Chapter 32

Even though he was a menace to himself with anything sharper than a butter knife, at the end of Trainee Nelson's courses of study, he graduated. He was a Guardian!

Within seconds of the end of the ceremony, he found his elbow taken by Deputy Commander Sten and was steered off to the side to the Academy Commander.

"Congratulations, Nelson! You made it."

Eyes shining, fair face flushed, the ecstatic young man said through an enormous grin, "Yes, Sir! I really did! I don't know how, but I did!"

The Commander said, "You graduated, Nelson, because the Deputy Commander and I badly need you to fill a position here at the Academy."

The young man's clear blue eyes were puzzled but interested. "Yes, Sir?"

Hearing them out, Nelson was nearly beside himself. "Oh, Sirs! That sounds just perfect for me! I can't do a whole lot of things, but I can do a really good job in what you need!"

Nelson was told to come to the Commander's office in the morning where they would continue the discussion. The Deputy Commander had a word with the leader of Nelson's contingent and explained that Nelson would be staying behind at the request of the Commander.

Nelson's leader had no idea what business the Commander could possibly have with the intelligent but most inept Guardian imaginable, but he was incredibly relieved that the blond-haired young man was no longer his problem.

By the end of a week, both Marin and Sten wore happy smiles. All of the paperwork of the Academy had fallen to the two of them because the words 'Ronso' and 'paperwork' would never, ever appear in the same sentence. Kimahri and Alsa didn't even know they had offices!

Nelson could take one look at a clump of papers and completely restore order in an amazingly short time. He thrived on creating schedules and unsnarling problems. He loved wading through stacks of papers. He could organize information and present it in a clear, concise synopsis that was thorough and easily comprehended. He had the entire office completely organized from top to bottom and could put his hand on any piece of information at any time. He was truly in his element.

He also approached the Deputy Commander about making a few changes in the current schedules which smoothed out the entire day to everyone's benefit. He had suggestions about many things, most of which were soon implemented and made life better for everyone.

He was a organizational genius and was deliriously happy that at last he had found his place in the world, especially as a valued staff member of The Academy of Guardians! He put his heart and soul into his duties until the day he died many years later.

By the second week, both of the senior staff members were almost totally freed to spend their time in the other places that had needed their attention.

A directive was issued that reminded all staff to keep their eyes open for trainees who for some minor reason would not be graduated as Guardians but who could serve in a valuable capacity in the administration of the Academy. There were certainly other 'Nelsons' out there somewhere and they were needed! Over time, Nelson's administrative staff grew as the needs of the Academy grew.

On this day Marin was somewhat surprised to find himself with some time free and there was still plenty of daylight left. He went looking for one of the Instructors on his staff. Heading to the weapons training area, he found the Instructor working with a group of about a dozen trainees.

He stood on the sidelines, quietly observing for a time. When it became obvious that the Instructor was engrossed with instruction and totally unaware of his presence, he had to step in closer to the group and cleared his throat before he was finally noticed.

The Instructor said, "My apologies, Commander."

"No apology. If you are about finished here, there is something I would like to discuss with you."

"Yes, Sir. Only a moment or two and we'll be through for today."

The Instructor turned back to the wide-eyed trainees who were all brand new to the Academy and were awestruck at the Commander's presence. A last few words and they were released for the day.

The Instructor then turned to the Academy Commander and said with a beautiful smile, "What's on your mind, Big Brother?"

The Commander smiled and said, "Two things: First, my Instructor in Advanced Swords shouldn't be spending extra time working with brand new trainees. That is what their own Instructor is for! And second, how does a nice, long ride sound?"

A big grin spread across her face. "Oh, yes! That sounds just wonderful! I need to tell Auron. Do you know where he is?"

"I think I saw him leave a short time ago."

"Great! Let's go!"

Auron had just gotten his shower and was beginning to gather the things for their evening meal when the two entered. He received a long embrace and a happy kiss from his wife. "Marin finally has some free time; do you mind if we go for a ride?"

Holding her, looking into the dark blue eyes he loved, he rumbled, "Of course not. Have a good time! The food will be ready when you get back."

Not even stopping to change out of her uniform, Raine practically bounced out of the house, Marin right behind her. Dan and Daisy started dancing as soon as they saw their two riders exit the compound and head their way.

The two staff members were unaware of the picture they presented in the Academy's uniforms as they crossed the huge square to the corral. And every eye seeing them recognized the source of the design, appreciating the symbolism. Harlan was indeed a master's master!

With a wave to Carlon, the pair left on two extremely happy Chocobos. As they headed out the eastern gate, Raine turned to Marin and said, "I'd like to make a stop first, if you don't mind. I'd like to go see AJ for a few minutes."

Marin nodded and followed her to the knoll where the beautiful tree with the pink and white flowers grew. Daisy knelt and sat quietly while her rider went to a small headstone that read 'Auron James D'Auron' and spent a little time with her son.

Marin knew that she came regularly but this was the first time he had been with her. He waited quietly beside her until she gently caressed the small stone and sighed. He extended his hand and helped her up.

Softly she said, "Thank you, Marin. Ready to go?"

They remounted and set off again. They rode down the lane leading away from town for a time, then circled back toward the lake that Raine loved to visit. The two birds enjoyed this place, as well. They had thick, soft grass beneath their big feet, lots to forage and they were out of the corral for a while with their humans. They were happy birds!

Sitting on the grass, leaning back against a tree, the two mostly just kept their own thoughts for a while. They talked about a few things concerning the Academy, mostly Marin telling her of Nelson's great success in his new position.

She responded, "Just don't let him have anything sharper than a pencil!" and they both chuckled. She continued, "I'm just very glad there was a place for him. He really is an excellent young man!"

Marin said, "I was serious about what I said earlier, Baby Girl. The new trainees need to be with their own Instructors. It is the responsibility of the assigned Instructors to give the extra time, if needed. Your job is Advanced Swords and supervision of other classes. You'll burn yourself out if you try to do it all. Understood?"

He got a side-long look and a sheepish, "Yes, Commander Big Brother."

He aimed a swat at her which she easily avoided.

It was quiet by the lake. Raine leaned against the strong shoulder beside her and just listened to the peaceful lapping of the water.

Finally she said, "You're right, Marin."

"About what?"

"Spending so much time at the Academy. Time is passing quickly and the years are going by. I want to be able to ride more, have time to play the piano, have our sessions on the roof, be with Auron. It's too easy to let something else get in the way of the things that are really important."

Marin was quiet as his thoughts turned to a darker time. His low voice muttered, "Yeah. How well I know!"

Raine sat up and looked at him. "Marin, you aren't blaming yourself for AJ, are you?!"

His sad, downcast eyes gave him away. She took him by the shoulders and turned him to face her. "Marin, it just happened! No one has any blame! It just happened!!"

In his eyes, she saw the pain and guilt he still carried but had kept masked. "Marin, trust me. Please trust me! Julan explained it so clearly. You know he is honest and his word is to be trusted! If one of us had any blame in it, you know he wouldn't have been so adamant that there was none."

Tears were forming in her eyes and began to trickle down her cheeks. "Marin, please! Please. You cannot blame yourself. There is no blame to be placed!"

At last she saw the beginning of tears in his soft brown eyes and pulled him close to her as his pain and guilt spilled out of his heart soaked the shoulder of her scarlet tunic.

Time passed and she just held him as his healing began at long last. She, Auron and Kimahri had benefited from Julan's wise council, but Marin had kept his own pain, guilt and grief so well hidden that they had not given him the consideration he so badly needed.

When he sat up, he looked into her blue eyes, touched the side of her face with one big hand and said quietly, "Thank you, Baby Girl."

She just nodded as they sat in the peaceful setting a little longer. Finally, Marin took a deep breath and said, "We'd better head back. Sir Auron will wonder where we are."

He gave her a hand up, whistled for the birds and they returned to town and a really great meal that Auron had prepared. Foregoing a session on the roof, they made plans for the following evening and Marin took his leave.

As Auron held her in his lap as they enjoyed the cool evening on the roof, Raine told him of Marin's inadvertent confession by the lake and the cleansing release he had finally gotten.

"You have a kind, gentle heart, Raine. That's one of the things that first drew me to you. I'm glad you discovered that about Marin. I knew he had felt it keenly but I didn't know he had held on to it."

He thought back to his own time when Kimahri had forced him to go to AJ's grave. Without the Ronso's intervention, he didn't think he would have survived the guilt he felt over the baby's premature birth and death.

The quirk at the corner of his lip led Raine to ask, "What are you thinking about?"

Auron replied, "Of a big-hearted Ronso who forced me out to AJ's grave and let me pound myself to pieces against him." He told her what had happened that day.

In the quiet that followed, she asked, "What would we do without our friends?"

The rooftop instruction resumed on a regular basis and Marin and Raine continued their mastery of swordsmanship under the tutelage of Sir Auron, a master's master. Kimahri, Alsa, Marin and Sten often enjoyed good evening meals in the villa's kitchen and the big piano was played again.

Auron had placed an order with Jaho for something to be brought to him by one of the airships at some point in time. It pleased Jaho to comply and very soon thereafter, he appeared at the outer door, juggling a number of packages in his hands.

Auron was very glad to have received them so quickly, thanking Jaho for making the arrangements.

That evening after a rare meal alone, he asked Raine if she would play the piano. She looked at him a little oddly but she knew that Auron usually had a specific reason when he asked that something be done, so she sat at the keyboard and asked, "Anything in particular?"

"No, whatever you'd like."

She thought a moment and began to play, soon losing herself in the music flowing from her fingers. After a time she looked up at him with a soft smile and began to play the simple ballad they both loved. His dark eyes instantly went to hers as the opening notes began.

As the last notes died away, she asked, "Is that enough for now?"

He nodded and one corner of his mouth tweaked upward.

Seeing that, she laughed and asked, "What are you up to, Auron?"

He held up a strange roundish object that she had never seen before. She got up from the piano and went to see what it was. He did something to it and she heard the music she had just played.

"Auron! What is that?!"

"A sphere." He explained what it was and that it could record not only live pictures but sound, as well. She was fascinated by the device. And so surprised was she by his wanting to record her playing she forgot to ask him why.

Gently smiling, he reached for her hand and led her to the roof. He set the sphere on a bench and it began to play the beautiful music he had just recorded.

Looking up at the black sky full of sparkling, diamond-bright stars, he held out his hand and asked softly, "Shall we?"

Raine gave him a radiant smile as she took his very big hand. "This is so special, Auron. I love dancing with you." He had proved to have a natural ability for dancing and she loved being in his arms, following his lead, as much as he loved holding her.

Holding her close as they moved to the music, he said, "I don't know why I didn't think of the spheres sooner! I cringe to think of all the lost opportunities."

She laughed softly. "We'll just have to do this much more often to make up for it."

Then she laughed again. He asked, "What?"

"I can't wait to do a tango with you!"

"What's a tango?"

"A dance. You're going to love it! We'll do our own freestyle version of it."

He looked at her, not quite knowing how to respond. But he did know how to respond as the night of dancing beneath the stars continued. Their love continued to grow stronger and deeper with every passing day.

The periodic demonstrations conducted by Sir Auron with Marin and Raine were wildly popular with the trainees and staff alike.

Raine had had a thought in her mind for a long time, but had hesitated about approaching Auron with it. One evening in particular Auron noticed her quietness and knew something was on her mind. "What is it, my love?"

She looked up at him, then her eyes dropped as she considered her words.

Looking back up at him, she said, "Auron, I've been thinking about this for a long time. You conduct sword demonstrations with Marin and me, but there's another one that should done."

Auron was looking at her intently, but not seeing where her thoughts were going.

She looked into his beautiful dark eyes for a moment, then forged ahead. All he could do was say 'no.'

"The workout, Auron."

She saw him freeze for a moment, but couldn't tell what he was thinking so she continued, "People have never seen it, Auron. You are the only one who knows it and can do it. It is a part of you. It is a part of your Legacy. If they see you do it, they will want to learn it and it will continue. Please don't allow it to be lost."

He hadn't moved or said a word, completely unreadable as only Auron could be. After many long minutes, he said, "You do it. You are accomplished enough and you'll do well. I'll be on the sideline as always. I'll have Marin set a time for it."

Raine knew that was not the way it should be done, but she said nothing. Yes, her sword could now sing, but she was not Auron and her sword was not his. But, if he refused to do it, maybe this was the best she was going to get from him.

Very reluctantly, she nodded. Auron knew she wasn't happy with his answer, but he wasn't ready to relinquish that last part of himself yet. Thoughts of those brutal days of living on the ragged edge of his wits, surviving as best he could, came back to his mind. All he had ever asked for himself was that time in the dawn with his blade as he did the ritual. He had clung to that and his secret dreams to get him through some terribly vicious, heart-rending days and times.

A few days later, The Guardian asked Marin to schedule a demonstration that he wanted to conduct. Sir Auron gave no further information and Marin asked no questions but sent the order to Nelson to put it into the schedule.

At the appointed time, over two hundred trainees and staff waited in silence in the large weapons training area until the door opened to admit Sir Auron and Lady D'Auron. At the command of an Instructor, they stood as the two entered.

Any demonstration conducted by Sir Auron was highly anticipated, but this is the first time that the Academy Commander was not to be part of the demonstration and they wondered what they would see. The Commander was also waiting to see what was going to happen.

Sir Auron stood to the back right side of the platform as Lady D'Auron took a place towards the front center. She briefly glanced back at her husband, then took a deep breath and began to speak.

"There is a very ancient ritual workout for swordsmen that originated many, many thousands of years ago. The workout incorporates every move and every position that would be used in battle."

"It is learned over a long period of time as the student slowly becomes proficient in the exact order of the steps, the movements of the blade and gains the muscle strength and control necessary to handle the blade at high speeds. Only when the highest possible speeds are reached, does the blade begin to sing as it moves through the air."

Glancing at Auron again, she continued, "Sir Auron has taught this to me and it is his wish that I demonstrate it to you today, under his supervision."

Marin was a little surprised by this. He knew that she had been learning it, but if she had progressed to the point of being able to reach the final high-speed portion, she had indeed mastered it! He also knew that Sir Auron would not have her do it unless he had full confidence in her ability to complete it with full success. And obviously she had not been able to persuade him to perform it. Well, at least the ritual would finally be seen.

Sir Auron said from the sideline, "There must be silence during this demonstration."

Lady D'Auron removed her scarlet tunic, took a deep breath and, blade in hand, closed her eyes to began her mental preparation. When she was ready, she slowly began the beginning steps and movements of the ritual, moving in perfect harmony with her blade, gradually increasing and increasing the speed, her dark hair flying, the audience's rapt attention focused on her. Then she suddenly stopped.

She turned to Sir Auron and looked at him for a moment, then said softly, "This isn't right, Auron. This belongs to you." They stood looking at each other, her eyes pleading with him, his trying to resist. Silence echoed in the building.

She slowly reached out her hand to him. He stood unmoving for another moment, then slowly walked toward her taking her hand for one brief moment, gave her a small nod, that corner of his mouth fractionally tilted upward. He realized that she was right. It was time to turn it loose and put into the hands of others. The last of the Legacy he would leave.

He removed his great red coat, unfastened the leather collar, unbuckled the breastplate, and removed the dark glasses, handing each article to his wife.

Standing so very, very tall before them in the all-black clothing that had dictated the uniforms of the staff, the dramatic scar down his face fully visible, the silver touches in his black hair, he was an incredible sight.

Since he always wore his trademark coat, few ever saw how truly strong and fully muscled was his fighter's body. For another moment, he stood looking at his wife who now had a soft smile on her beautiful face as she looked up him.

She moved off to the far side of the stage, leaving her magnificent husband alone in the center with his impossibly huge blade in hand, collecting himself, breathing deeply as his mind totally focused. Raine's voice quietly said to the audience, "I remind you to maintain silence."

Marin began to get chills even before Sir Auron began moving. He had never seen the complete ritual, only a bit of it in those few minutes from the stairway.

The huge man slowly began the ritual steps and lost himself in it, the moves smooth from his natural, powerful grace, his massive blade totally under control as it flew around him.

The tempo began to increase, a ballet between the man and his sword. Those watching weren't even breathing, it seemed.

The tempo increased again.

Then again.

And again.

And again - until a sound began to be heard, growing more and more audible until it was reverberating throughout the entire building. The blade, a shining silver blur, was singing! It and Sir Auron became indistinct to the eye, so fast were they both moving, but in total synchronization and harmony.

From the blazing fast moves, Sir Auron brought the blade instantly to a perfectly controlled stop, perfectly centered before him.

For long moments no one in the building was even capable of moving, the only sound was his deep breathing from the exertion of the long workout. Marin slowly stood to his feet as did every person in the room.

When Raine saw Auron take a step back, she moved to him with tears in her eyes. Very softly she said, "Thank you." The corner of his mouth moved up and he nodded. Taking her hand, they stood looking at each other for a moment, then he slung the huge blade over his right shoulder and they stepped off the stage and left.

Still in stunned silence, the assembly seemed frozen in place until Marin finally got his own mind functioning again and issued the order "Dismissed!" which sounded loud and out-of-place in the silent room. The group began to slowly break up but no one had yet found his voice as they tried to digest and come to grips with what they had just witnessed.

Like Marin previously, they had knew they had truly seen The Legend! The profoundness of it left them completely awe-stricken and speechless. Not one of them could have verbally described what he had seen. It was a performance that was felt, imprinted in the spirit, in the soul, in the very visceral parts of the being. It left hearts pounding, minds reeling, tongues useless.

Auron and Raine walked back to the compound in silence, she still carrying his coat, breast-plate, collar and glasses. Those in the square who saw them knew that something unusual had occurred because, in all the years he had been there, they had never before seen Sir Auron out without his red coat and they too were awe-struck by the astounding condition and muscling of his body.

Once inside the villa, Raine dropped his clothing on the couch and took his enormous hands in hers. Looking up into his beautiful face, she softly said, "Thank you, Auron. They needed to see you do that. It was only right that you were the one doing it."

He took her in those strong arms and held her tightly. "You were right, my love. I just didn't want to let go of it. But you were right."

He looked in the depths of dark blue eyes he loved. "Thank you for convincing me." He smiled, "When will I ever learn to listen to you?"

She smiled back. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

In his soft, deep rumble that radiated and resounded into her soul, he said, "Yes, and I want to hear it some more."

He left her to get a shower, then sought her out, taking her in his arms again. If the bells at the outer door rang, they would go unanswered for a very long time!

Unknown to Auron, Raine took one of his spheres and carefully placed it in the doorway to the roof one morning and recorded the entire ritual. Later at the Academy, she quietly gave it to Marin, saying, "Keep this, Marin. It is the only recording that exists. One day, it will be very valuable."

A bit puzzled, Marin looked into her blue eyes, nodded and did as she asked as she had offered no further information. Later, alone in his office, he looked at the sphere she had given him and played a little of it to find out what the recording was.

When he saw what was recorded, he understood what she was thinking. His thoughts had never gone the direction of hers but, considering the content of the sphere she had recorded, he now felt the full impact of what she had given to the Academy. He sat for a long time without moving, staring silently out the window.

Not long afterward, Sir Auron and Lady Raine stood before a carefully handpicked group from their Advanced Swords classes who would be the first to begin learning the ancient ritual.

This group was the elite of the elite and to a man they felt the enormous honor of their selection along with the awesome responsibility that would be theirs to see that the ritual never ended.

Sir Auron and Lady Raine made a magnificent teaching team and their students couldn't get enough, always eager for more.

Often Lady Raine demonstrated as Sir Auron explained what was happening in the ritual and why. Then the students would begin trying to emulate the steps and movements with guarded blades as Sir Auron and Lady Raine observed closely, pointing out mistakes and things done properly, offering tips, suggestions, correction and encouragement.

The group worked hard every day and, in time, progress began to show itself as each trainee began to make it farther and farther into the routine without error. None of them had any real speed yet but that could only come with time. A great deal of time.

Marin, Sten, Kimahri and Alsa observed from the background as often as possible, along with as many off-duty staff and trainees as could manage to squeeze in.

But soon Sir Auron limited the observers to staff only. He learned that some of the observing trainees had decided that they could learn just by observing a few sessions and decided to try it with their swords. Unguarded swords. Thankfully, their injuries were relatively minor.

But the offenders were ordered by Sir Auron himself, no less, to stand before him. They received a short, vividly descriptive and candid lecture which none would ever in their lifetimes forget and never again did anything that could even remotely cause displeasure to The Legend. He could be absolutely terrifying!

The days flew by for Auron and Raine as they continued their work at the Academy and still tried to have time for themselves. Days and weeks quickly turned into months, then years. Their work, plus the dedication of the Academy staff, reaped great dividends in establishing and securing the Legacy of The Guardian.

The Security Forces of Spira's towns and cities were formidable in their abilities, professional in the carriage of their duties, and impressive to all who saw them. And the demand for The Academy's graduates never abated.

Auron sat in one of the big comfortable chairs in the villa, sipping a glass of sake, absently rubbing his temple as he thought.

His thoughts reached back to a frightened five year old boy suddenly orphaned and placed into the austere care of Warrior Monks. He thought of the years of growing up in that cold, spartan environment while rigid codes of conduct were daily drilled into him along with his lessons.

He also thought of the superior weapons training he had received and of his success in his chosen path of Warrior and Guardian.

Faces of those with whom he had traveled and fought and protected floated before his mind's eye. Faces of those who died looked back him from his memory.

Recollections of so many battles fought, so many enemies, so many fiends, so much pain, so much suffering, so many scars both mental and physical. The final battle with Sin.

He thought back to when Raine was first dumped on his doorstep and the incredible journey they had traveled together. Any thought of his beloved wife softened his face and made at least one corner of his mouth tilt upward.

He could hear her in the kitchen softly singing to herself as she prepared their meal. He loved to hear her sing. He loved the music she had introduced to him. He loved holding her as they danced under the stars on the roof. He loved their intimate times together. He loved her with every fiber of his being.

He was brought out of his reverie by soft fingers gently playing in his hair. His hands reached around a slim waist and picked up a beautiful dark-haired woman with very blue eyes and sat her in his lap, holding her close in his very strong arms.

His very soft, deep rumble said, "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

His loving wife smiled and said, "Yes, but I want to hear it again."

He kissed her tenderly and sweetly and said, "I love you, Raine."

The spell was never broken.