Disclaimer: Nope, I never talked them out of it!
A Legend's Journey
Chapter 33
Marin looked around as he left his home.
The square had totally changed from the old days. The colorful tents were all gone, replaced by shops that lined the walls and a double row of them back-to-back through the center. The color, character and warmness were gone.
In fact the entire town had changed. It was more a small city now with the increased population drawn by the industries and services required by the Academy. In honor of the one who had brought all of this to pass, the original nondescript name of the city had been officially changed to D'Auron.
Leaving the city walls through the eastern gate, Marin walked to a green knoll and stood by a tree again noticing the beauty of the pink and white blossoms that covered it.
His eye fell on the nearby walls of the huge edifice that was the Academy and his thoughts turned back to the early days in the converted warehouse. It had served them well in the beginning but the Academy had grown until it was bursting at the seams.
Sir Auron had selected a large parcel of ground outside the town walls, not far from the eastern gate and construction began on the enormous complex that would meet the needs of the Academy far into the future.
The Academy itself was more like a walled town within itself, shaped like the letter H but with additional crossbars at the top and bottom of the letter which created two very pleasant, grassy courtyards with bubbling fountains, flowers and cool shade trees within the complex.
The upper floors of the wings formed by the sides of the H were dormitories for the Trainees. All the lower floors were for classrooms and open areas for weapons training.
The top floor of the top crossbar provided accommodations for those Instructors and staff who required it; the lower floor contained the kitchen and dining room where three excellent meals a day were served.
The upper floor of the center crossbar provided apartments for the Commander and Deputy Commander of the Academy with a conference room situated between the two. On the lower floor were more classrooms.
The lower floor of the bottom crossbar contained a lobby and office space. The upper floor had the offices of the senior staff, as well as plenty of storage space for supplies, uniforms, weapons, etc.
The new Academy could easily accommodate nearly four hundred people and, once it opened, it stayed full with a waiting list.
It was an amazing day when they made the transition to the new facility. It was everything that they had hoped it would be. He was extremely pleased that the transition had occurred under him as Academy Commander!
He and Sten had worked their butts off during that time, but the one who really deserved the credit for organizing the unending details of the move was Nelson. Marin smiled as he thought back. Without Nelson's organizational genius, it probably would have been a disaster!
Through the years, many, many men and women had successfully graduated from Sir Auron's Academy of Guardians. They carried his Legacy with them as they returned to their cities and towns and took up their positions as Guardians. Not one had ever failed to uphold the pledge taken, not one speck of dishonor was ever brought to the shining silver emblem of The Guardian.
Marin had served as the Academy's Commander for thirty-five years before finally turning it over to his hand-picked successor who was now serving in that capacity.
He sighed and his eyes turned to the stones now standing in the green grass of this knoll near the eastern gate of the town.
As he looked over the names carved into the stones, he felt a wave of sadness wash over him.
Old Julan, the wonderfully kind, gifted and warm-hearted Healer who had served them all so well and so faithfully. He still missed the marvelous old gentleman badly! He could see those gray eyes mischievously sparkling at him now! What a sense of humor he had!
Sweet, kind-hearted Nan with the bright eyes and big smile. Her friend Anya. Nan's daughter Patti now ran the food store with the help of her children and grandchildren. He would never forget the image of Nan's first attempt to ride a bicycle! She had the time of her life! Everyone who was there when they first saw the bicycle always smiled when it was remembered.
Ren. What would they ever have done without that extraordinarily gifted master carpenter? The construction of the new Academy was his last project and it was beautiful testimony to his genius and ability!
Harlan and Calley. Harlan was truly a master tailor! His designs were unsurpassed. Harlan's talented sons had continued their father's business and it was now so big that the business had moved into the old Academy building next to the villa. Just furnishing the various uniforms for the Academy and the Guardians throughout Spira was enough to keep them going long into the future. Many people were employed there.
He was thankful that the uniform of the staff had remained unchanged through the years. It never would; Harlan's design was perfect and symbolic!
His throat tightened and the muscles in his jaws worked as he looked at the two largest graves. Two unlikely comrades for a small town man as himself, but there were no more loyal or hard-working friends anywhere than Kimahri and Alsa. They had contributed their considerable skills and knowledge to countless Trainees and had lived out their days in D'Auron. There was genuine sadness wrapped around his heart as he looked at those two stones.
His debt to them could never be paid for the work they did in the hot sun now fifty years in the past as they tried to teach a handful of rag-tag amateurs to be proficient fighters and protectors. At that time, none of them had any idea what would grow out of those first efforts!
He grunted a half-chuckle remembering Kimahri's version of a smile. It would terrify anyone who didn't know him! But he had the biggest, most kind heart Marin had ever known. He sighed.
Tanaka. His bicycles were all over Spira now and his sons and grandsons were continuing the smith's business. He thought of that good man's work-worn face, hot and dripping sweat from bending over his fiery forge. Always willing to lend a hand, to stand up for a friend and head-over-heels in love with his Mayla!
Nathan. Nobody could create a blade as he did! Marin's hand touched the leather sheath at his side, then moved up to the hilt of the beautiful blade that Nathan had so carefully crafted at the behest of Sir Auron. Marin would never forget the evening that Sir Auron had presented it to him. Never before of since in his life had he been given such a magnificent gift! He treasured it to this day.
Nathan had crafted and supplied weapons to the Academy for many years. None had ever been better!. The current smith was excellent, but Nathan, a true master at his craft, was head and shoulders above him. One of Nathan's great joys was to just talk 'weapons' with Sir Auron.
Weldon. There were so many heads requiring regular trims and cuts that the genial and talented brown man finally closed his shop in town and worked in his own space right in the Academy. One thing that Sir Auron had been adamant about was attention to personal appearance and that included haircuts!
Carlon. Marin smiled. In his mind, Carlon would always be associated with those two magnificent Chocobos, Dan and Daisy, who had long ago completed their days on earth, but their names would never be forgotten as a result of the role they had played in returning Sir Auron home from Cortland.
With a catch in his throat he recalled the wonderful, happy hours that he and Raine had ridden together. The two birds were much loved and they loved their humans in return!
Carlon took the best of care of his birds and was a thoughtful, good, honest man. It would be so good to prop his elbows on the top rail of the corral fence and pass some time talking with him again. He missed that.
Sten. Oh, Sten! What a wonderful colleague and friend! Marin sadly smiled as he pictured the sandy-haired man who had spent so many years at his side. They had made a formidable team, the two of them!
From their early days with their little band of brave men to heading The Academy of Guardians, they had worked tirelessly together, each complimenting the other in abilities and personality, always sharing a common purpose and goal, a true partnership. It was hard to think that the man who had served so well and so long at his side was gone. It was a heavy loss to bear.
Marin looked at the large stone before him. Everything that had happened in his life he owed to this one man. Marin had held him in the most extreme height of esteem. He had never addressed him, or even thought of him, as anything other than Sir Auron!
He never understood what the Legendary Guardian had seen in him to merit the degree of attention and effort in mentoring that he had, but he would be forever grateful.
He had spent his life trying to live up to the unsurpassed trust that Sir Auron had placed in him by selecting him to lead the Academy that would forever bear his name and continue the vision and magnificent Legacy he had left behind.
Marin looked down and saw that the patch of ground where he now stood was bare of grass from the treading of so many, many feet to this spot to pay homage to the most beloved, respected and famous man in Spira's history. He would never be surpassed.
Memories of the man flooded Marin's mind. The fierce, stoic Guardian in public. The warm, loving, very happy, devoted husband who adored his beautiful wife in private. The dedicated teacher who tirelessly worked with him and so many others. The fearless fighter who was willing to die trying to protect innocent people. The man who enjoyed preparing a really fine meal. The man who would go hungry and endure great hardship in order to help someone else. A man who was secretly and privately very generous to others. A man of great depth. A man who had a wonderful, dry sense of humor that he rarely let be seen except to a select few. A highly intelligent, educated man. A man of honor and integrity. A Warrior. A Guardian.
Marin's greatest honor was to have known him, to have been trusted by him, to have been befriended by him.
The stone beside Sir Auron's brought tears to his eyes that ran unchecked down his cheeks.
Raine. Her beautiful face with those dark blue eyes. Her dark hair that sparkled in the sun. Her bubbling laugh. Her spirit. Her determination and iron will. Her stubbornness. Her gentleness. Her kindness. Her understanding. Her great, unending love and devotion for her husband. Her love for her Big Brother and Kimahri. She was such a special and unique person, so perfectly suited to be the wife of The Legendary Warrior and Guardian of Spira.
Marin stood lost in his thoughts of the days in the past.
The Academy Commander looked out of the window of his office and saw a tall, straight figure that he immediately recognized. The wind was softly ruffling the head full of soft, snow-white hair, still as unruly as ever.
He rose from his desk, fastened his scarlet tunic, told his Deputy that he was going out and would return shortly. He walked out to the grassy knoll and quietly stood beside the older man.
When Marin looked over at him, the Academy Commander said, "Good afternoon, Commander Marin! How are you, Sir?"
Marin smiled, "Fine, thank you. How are things in the Academy these days?"
"Going well, Sir! You left a finely-tuned organization for us to follow. All we have to do is continue what you had in place."
Marin smiled. "Credit Nelson with most of that. The man is a genius!"
The younger man smiled, "Yes, he is that. Thankfully, we have another one just like him being trained right now."
Marin just smiled.
The younger man said, "If you are ready, may I have the honor of escorting you back home?"
Marin looked into the other man's dark brown eyes and laughed softly, "Yes, that would be very nice. Thank you."
The two left and slowly walked back through the eastern gate and to the outer doors of the compound. Opening the door, Marin turned and asked, "Will you come in?"
The Academy Commander said, "Another time, Sir. I have a class to observe shortly. But thank you."
Marin smiled and said, "Okay, Tep. But don't wait too long. I'm an old man!"
The Academy Commander smiled back and said, "I won't, Commander Marin. I have a story to tell that you may not know. I'd like for you to hear it."
Marin nodded and said, "Come tomorrow."
Commander Tep smiled and said, "Yes, Sir!", then began the walk back to the Academy, thinking back to that day so many years past when, as a very small boy, he had his first encounter with the great Legendary Guardian.
At first he had been terrified, then discovered warmth and friendliness in the dark eyes that looked into his own. From that moment on, he had felt a certain bond with The Guardian, never dreaming that he would wind up in his current position!
As he walked, he also thought of the man who had served as the first Academy Commander and of the truly magnificent job he had done. The solid foundation he had built during those many years would ensure that the purpose of the Academy would never change.
It was Commander Marin who had so closely followed his own career, first as an Academy Trainee, then as an Instructor and who had selected him to succeed him, entrusting him with the truly awesome responsibility of continuing what Sir Auron had begun with the four founders The Guardian had personally chosen to carry his vision forward.
Tep thought back to his father and how very proud he had been of his son's selection! With tears in his eyes, Ren had told his son of his Patron's identity, the kind and generous man who had enabled him to have a first class education. For him to follow in the footsteps of Commander Marin in ensuring that The Guardian's Legacy would be protected was a debt of honor that he was dedicated to paying until the end of his days.
There was a young man who had completed his training and was now on staff that Commander Tep was watching closely. With his sandy hair and steady blue eyes, he looked remarkably like his grandfather for whom he was named. He had also inherited many of his grandfather's characteristics.
Tep smiled. He hoped that Sten continued to live up to his expectations. He would very much like for the young man to succeed him one day!
Marin entered the villa, poured himself a glass of cold juice and sat in one of the big chairs in the living area as his thoughts continued.
Where had all the years gone? He was near the end of his seventh decade now. It was nearly fifty years since he had first met Sir Auron and his beautiful, loving wife. Thirty years since Sir Auron died and twenty-nine since his heart-broken wife followed him.
Sir Auron had left everything to his adored wife. When Raine followed him, she left everything to her Big Brother, but in the years that he lived here, he still thought of it as their home.
Everything was just as they had left it. He had even set up a narrow bed for himself in the smaller bedroom, unable to bring himself to disturb what had been their room.
He looked at the big piano, sitting silent these many years. He was leaving everything to the Academy when he left this world, smiling to think of what they would ever do with it! No one in Spira knew how to play it! Well, maybe someday someone would figure it out.
Marin had found many music spheres that Sir Auron had recorded of Raine playing. He had listened to them by the hour, remembering how she had looked when she lost herself in the music she played so beautifully.
He thought back to the first time he met her. It was in this very room when Sir Auron had invited him to be her sparring partner and he was nearly bowled over by her! In fact, he was actually intimidated by the beautiful, smiling woman who had so graciously welcomed him to her home.
He thought of her grin as she looked at him with sparkling eyes over her sword during a match. She was a formidable opponent who expected her partner to give his all in the match and would let him know it if she felt he hadn't! She never backed down from a challenge and her courage was well proved.
He thought of that terrible journey they had made to and from Cortland. His fingers unconsciously rubbed the long scar that ran from his shoulder to his elbow. That was when he first began to love her for all the wonderful qualities in her that journey revealed.
He was always very glad to be her Big Brother. It had certainly started that way, but over time, he grew to truly love her, though no one would ever know, most especially not her! He very carefully stayed within his role as Big Brother.
She had belonged heart and soul to Sir Auron from the moment they met and he to her. The two of them were destined to be together and their love story was one for the ages. He honored and respected that deeply and had kept his own feelings most carefully hidden within himself.
Sir Auron had trusted him and he would never, under any circumstances, break that trust!
He thought back to that terrible, unthinkable morning. He and Sten had finished their usual morning meeting with Nelson and he had gone downstairs to the area where the Advanced Swords class was held.
He knew he was a few minutes late, but on entering the room, the Trainees were standing around looking at each other, wondering where their other Instructors were. Sir Auron and Lady Raine were never late!
Marin also knew that they were never late and a faint alarm went off in him. Sending a Trainee for Sten to come manage the class, he left immediately and hurried to the villa.
Getting no response to ringing the bells at the outer door, he entered the compound as his heart began to thud in his chest. In the silent house, he called out and got no response. He quickly ran up the steps and checked the empty roof garden.
He paused a second then walked back to the bedroom. Raine was kneeling on the floor holding Sir Auron's head and shoulders, staring at his still face, running her fingers through his hair. Marin's own heart nearly stopped with shock!
Sir Auron was dressed in the all-black portion of the uniform, Raine in her staff uniform, attesting that they had been preparing to go to the Academy when he had suddenly collapsed, having had only enough time to whisper "I love you" to his beloved Raine.
Marin had to take one moment to deal with the shock, then he knelt by Raine and put an arm around her.
"Raine?"
Nothing.
Several more times he called her name before she slowly turned and looked at him. Her eyes, always so expressive, were completely empty and she never said a word.
Marin left her and ran outside, calling for someone to get Casen as fast as possible and to get Sten.
He returned to find her still in the same place, still running her fingers gently through his black and silver hair, still silent, her face devoid of expression.
He didn't know the time frame, but he became aware of the sound of Sten's boots racing across the tile floors to the bedroom. He looked up to see the shock and disbelief on Sten's face as he took in the situation.
Marin could find nothing to say; there were no words to say! Sten's head dropped with a sharp exhale but, hearing the bells ringing stridently, he turned to go answer.
It was Casen who looked at him questioningly. Sten simply pointed toward the bedroom and the Healer quickly went to the room. The scene before him momentarily stopped the Healer in his tracks. He knelt and carefully checked the big man, then sat back in silence, just looking at the man he had helped return to health so long ago. Sir Auron was gone.
After a moment of dealing with the finality of his findings, he looked at Lady Raine. She was in deep, deep shock, sitting immobile, caressing her husband's hair as he had seen her do for many days and weeks when Sir Auron was in the coma long ago.
The days following were nightmarish. The entire world nearly came to a halt as the news was sent throughout Spira.
Dressed in his full Warrior's uniform, he was buried beside the son he had so desperately longed for.
Raine was able to function only on the most basic level for a long time. He spent much time with her, getting a little food into her, holding her.
She tried, she really tried, but she was simply unable to sustain life without Auron beside her. They had shared twenty years of great, devoted love for each other and their lives were totally entwined, inseparable. In less than a year, she joined him.
He had been sitting on the couch holding her as he did so often when she had opened her blue eyes, looked at him and softly said, "I love you, Big Brother." Before he could answer, she was gone.
In the lobby of the Academy's entrance was a life-sized manikin of Sir Auron, crafted to look exactly like him, dressed in one of his scarlet coats, everything carefully and precisely duplicated. His massive blade was by his side, the sphere recording of the ritual workout embedded in a nearby stand.
Every time Marin had walked in the door, he stopped and looked at the likeness. It was so real in appearance that he felt as Sir Auron was actually going to speak to him. Trainees and staff alike found themselves drawn to the lobby and would stand just staring in silence at the magnificent man they honored.
A beautifully painted portrait of Lady Raine hung on the wall. It captured her beautiful, laughing face and sparkling, dark blue eyes perfectly, as she stood wearing her scarlet tunic, her silver blade strapped to her back.
As Marin sat with his thoughts, the day faded and he entertained the notion of preparing something for his evening meal, but he decided that he would do that later. He would rest a while first.
The next morning, Commander Tep rang the bells but got no answer.
Sir Auron's protege, the first of the new breed of Guardians, the last of the founders, was gone.