Dripping Wings
Yuugi looked down at the map that Atemu was heavily concentrating over. He remembered what Northern Reach was from his studies with Ayana. The section of land that jutted out into the far region of Northis was probably sixty miles wide by two hundred miles long. Compared to the rest of the size of Sekesha, it was extremely small. The area was covered by ice storms nine months out of the year, and heavy rain storms the other three. The only reason it was really tended to was because of the fact that it was a haven for ice Gifted. That was the kind of weather they really enjoyed, and that was where they got the best training for their Gift possible. Any others up there that were not ice Gifted were either family members or Healers that were jealously guarded. It had been decided ages ago that it would be cruel to send Guardians up there that did not have the ice Gift themselves. After all, it would be their station for a number of years. They had to be able to stay there without going mad.
So far, the two Guardians that came with them into the palace had pointed out eleven areas on the map that had been attacked. Atemu had so far given the order for two hundred fighters to be sent up for aid. Already, however, they'd be shorting themselves, as only eighteen would be able to go to each location to help with defense and reconstruction of the damaged areas. What was really needed was an approximate of where the bandits would attack next, and just how many of them were still left.
"Our main concern, so far my Lord, is Kyanah's Hold. We believe it is the next place to be attacked," the male Guardian stated, pointing to the very center of the Northern Reach territory.
"Why so," Atemu asked. "What kind of pattern have you been noticing so far?"
"So far," the woman began, "the eleven prior Holds to be attacked held a large amount of our Healers, children, and food supplies. We believe they are after resources. Kyanah's Hold is the largest Hold we have, and has the heaviest concentration of food, Healers, livestock and family members. So far, the attacks have grown exponentially in size, as well as the amount of resources they have stolen."
Yuugi looked at the pattern carefully on the map. It wasn't complete yet, that he was certain of, but Goddesses above did it look familiar. He traced his fingers over the little black marks slowly, picturing in his mind where the next one would go. "Tell me," he asked as Atemu and the Guardians eyed him curiously, "counting the deaths, which gender has lost more?"
"Excuse me," the female Guardian asked.
"How many men have died compared to women?" Yuugi asked again.
The two ice Gifted looked at each other, clearly going through the numbers in their heads. The woman's eyes grew extremely wide. "Out of the seventy two dead, sixty of them were women."
"I knew it," Yuugi stated, seeing the pattern becoming all to clear. "They're not going to attack Kyanah's Hold. Not yet, at least. The next spot is going to be Ice Ridge. Look here, do you see?" He grabbed a stick of graphite from the table and connected the dots. Suddenly, comprehension dawned on everyone. "It's Kyanah's symbol. These aren't random attacks. These attacks are premeditated, and they have a message in mind. They hate women."
"Sweet Goddess," the woman gasped.
"Someone's behind this," Atemu growled, "someone who's got brains and a grudge that has rallied this army. These aren't bandits raids anymore, it's a call to war. And when I find out who it is, they'll be hanged before the whole city. Kehlnic, run quickly back to the stables. Tell Jono I want another three hundred sent." As he spoke, he furiously scribbled down a note on parchment, signed it, and handed it to the male ice Guardian. "I also want three hundred pounds of food shipped up there, and another two dozen Healers. Saddle up your Sacreds, for we ride tonight."
Yuugi felt a lump catch in his throat. 'We'? As in, the Prince was going with them?
The two Guardians bowed, then ran off towards the stables.
"We," Yuugi heard himself ask softly.
"Yes, Yuugi. Someone is attacking Sekesha with an evil vengeance. I will not sit idly on my throne when my people are up there dying."
Yuugi kept starring at the map that showed the almost complete design of the ice Goddess's symbol. "You're taking way points to get there, aren't you?"
"We have little choice in that matter. It would take us months to get there on foot or horseback."
Yuugi rubbed his neck apprehensively. "I'm afraid that I'm going with you."
The Prince placed his hands on Yuugi's shoulders, a saddened look in his eyes. "No. I won't let you. I'm sorry, Yuugi, but I won't put you in that danger, especially when I don't have to. Besides, I need someone back here in the Divine City."
Yuugi gave a dry chuckle. "I'm rather inclined to agree with you, love, but I'm afraid that we have little choice in the matter."
Atemu looked at him strangely. "Yuugi, what are you talking about?"
Yuugi held up his arm, where there was still a small white scar, hardly discernable from the rest of his skin tone, directly across his artery. "Remember? Wherever you go, by default, I go with you."
Atemu's face paled. "Oh, good Gods, what have I done?"
Yuugi frowned hard. "You've put both you and me in the direct line of fire." He shook his head, wrapping his arms around the Prince in hug. "I've dealt with deadly enemies before. This won't be my first time. Can you say you've ever had a killer chase after you with knives that were inches from slitting your throat?"
The Prince did not respond immediately, but when he did it was a soft reply. "No."
"Well, I have. I know what to do. I've been told that my instincts are good. We'll pull through."
"But-" Atemu started.
"But what?" Yuugi asked. "There's nothing we can do about it. Are you going to revoke your word of going with them?"
"No, I couldn't do that. They need me up there."
Yuugi gave Atemu a chaste kiss. "Then we ride tonight."
xxx
Yuugi sat back down on his bed as he gathered his things. There was a special outfit that he and Atemu would be required to wear. The temperature in Northern Reach was far below what it was in the Divine City right now. If they wanted to live, they'd have to wear garments over most of their face, gloves, special boots, and coverings for their ears underneath of their hood. The clothing could have absolutely no color in it, either. The Northern Reach was almost constantly in white out conditions. It was the ice Guardian's greatest strength up there - all of their Sacred horses were white, silver, or looked like they were carved out of ice, and impossible to see in a storm. Their enemy would have a very hard time seeing an army that was about to attack them, even if there was hundreds of them there.
There was at least one thing Yuugi wanted to take with him, for even he knew that in war one wasn't fighting every minuted of the day. He needed to keep his sanity in the midst of all of the blood that he was sure he was going to see; he put a book in his small carry pack, just a small paperback that held very little weight. It was a fantasy novel written by a Sekeshan native. Yuugi would never have been able to believe that a person could write a fantasy novel when they lived in a fantasy world themselves. He just didn't stop to think that perhaps a fantasy novel here would be considered a science-fiction novel back in Domino.
He looked up when the door to his and Atemu's room opened up, and a woman came in with a pile of clothing in her hands. Yuugi couldn't help but stare for a moment, for he did not recognize this woman. Her hair was long, straight, and a vivid gold in color. Her eyes, even though they did not look upon him, were a bright red in color. Her skin was also not extremely pale, but rather tanned. How extremely odd. "Hello," Yuugi said.
The woman bowed swiftly, then walked over to the cabinet that held their clothes. "Greetings, Sire."
"Forgive me," Yuugi started, "but have you recently come here? I'm afraid I don't recognize you."
The woman chuckled softly, closed the cabinet doors, then bowed again. "Yes, my Lord, quite new. My name is Eve."
Yuugi smiled softly. "Good to meet you, Eve."
She turned slightly worried eyes on him. "You will be careful out there, won't you my Lord? We're all quite fond of you here."
Yuugi sighed, shifting through the contents of his carry pouch to make sure he didn't forget anything. "I will. As careful as I can be, at any rate. I just wish my training was complete. I might feel a little more prepared for this."
"Forgive my bluntness, Sire, but I know from experience that all of the practice and training in the world will still leave you feeling a bit unprepared. I believe that you will do fine. Just...don't let others make you think you can't do anything."
Yuugi gave the woman a strange look. Odd for a servant to be giving him advice such as that. He sighed, however, realizing just how true those words rang. "People don't think much of my abilities due to my size and appearance, do they? If only they knew the place I grew up in."
"Yes. Perhaps. Actions always speak louder than words, my Lord. I wish you all the luck. Bring everyone, Atemu included, home safely."
Before Yuugi could comment more, she quickly bowed, then left the room. That was extremely odd. Who in the world was that woman? He was positive that he'd never seen her before. He was extremely positive. He'd ask Atemu if he knew who she was. So weird...
Well, his pack seemed to be complete. All he had to do was pick up his food rations, then head on out. I'm going to die, he thought to himself. How am I going to manage to pull through this? I've never been in a full blown war before. I can handle the one on one combat, but fighting against an army? Heaven help me...
He grabbed his things, then headed towards the throne room. Atemu would be in there at the moment, setting a last few things on order. Isis would be in charge of the palace until they returned. Lillian would do it, were in not for her duties at the compound. Atemu's voice echoed in Yuugi's head as he headed down the hall. Ever since the Goddesses ruled here in Sekesha, the royal family has always been knows as 'the House of the Warriors.' It has always been the royalty that went out and fought our enemies, right on the front lines with our troops. We are, in a sense, the highest ranked Guardians. It is required not by tradition, but by law, that all able bodied royalty will fight with the soldiers and Guardians. We don't have a choice. We are the strongest people born upon this earth, Yuugi, and that holds responsibilities that not many can handle.
The strongest people born upon this earth...he was still having a hard time grasping such an idea. Yuugi was starting to learn that Sekesha had partaken in a lot of wars over the past nine thousand years, as well. Most of them were with their long time rival country, Queschtal, the male-centric society that believed in only one god, and it was not Senke. That country had tried for thousands of years to gain land from Sekesha, their ultimate hopes of shutting down the goddess-worshiping country always crushed with each new battle.
But Queschtal was over two thousand miles south of the Divine City, and Northern Reach was nearly a thousand miles north. The likely hood that it was Queschtal attacking was slim.
His thoughts were cut short as he reached the throne room doors, opened them up and hurriedly walked in. Atemu was leaning over a desk with Isis, going over some documents quickly. Shoved off to the side was a pile of white clothing, crumpled up and unfolded. "I'm here," Yuugi stated.
Atemu spared him a quick glance. "Good. We have to leave for the stables shortly. Out horses will be ready. I want to leave with the army before nightfall.
"How will all of us fit onto a way point," Yuugi asked curiously.
Atemu shifted the papers around in front of him, placing his signature on some, and others tossing off to the side. "We're bypassing the way points. Lillian will be able to make a portal for us. It's one of her specialties."
"Hm."
The Prince scribbled one last thing down, then dropped the quill. "All done, Isis. Keep the fort down while we're gone."
"Of course, your Highness."
Atemu grabbed the pile of clothing. "Let's get dressed, love. We don't have much time."
Yuugi nodded, still apprehensive about the whole ordeal. "Let's get ready."
"My Lord?"
Yuugi and Atemu looked over when a Guardian in white came stumbling up their way, carrying a woman in his hands that had white hair and wore a black cape.
"What is the meaning of this?" Atemu asked.
"I'm sorry," the Guardian apologized, still holding the unconscious woman. "We've been riding for over a week now. The Byron family is after this woman. She's a newly chosen Guardian, and they won't give her up. She was supposed to marry the son, Delyle, but he won't stop chasing her."
"What happened to her," Yuugi asked.
"She endured the Last Strike of a rogue magi."
"Good heavens, why isn't she dead yet?" Atemu asked, bewildered.
"Because her horse took most of the blow. It died. Her new Sacred is at the stables right now. She needs a healer immediately."
Atemu looked over to Isis, who nodded. "Don't worry, my Lord. I'll take care of it."
"Good. Come on, Yuugi, we have to hurry."
"Agreed," he replied.
xxx
Atemu stuck his foot into the stirrup of Senke's saddle, hoisting himself up. Snow had started to softly fall upon the city. Mage lights littered the sky and ground, lighting up everything. From the stables, the faint glow of the still unfinished ice palace could be made out against the sky line. Senke snorted loudly, stamping his foot on the ground in annoyance. Atemu couldn't help but laugh at his horse. "You'd better get used to the charm. You're going to be stuck with it until we get home." Senke snorted again.
Due to the weather and violent conditions they were heading into, Senke had to have a charm put on him so his coat looked white, rather than a stark black. He would stick out far too much in the snow storm. At least now, he couldn't be seen.
The clothing the Prince wore was completely and entirely white. The good thing about the rather plain attire was the fact that the leather on the outside was covered in imprints of vines and royal symbols. The inside was lined with the same material that his clothing was made out of for the Race of Lights. The only part of his body that was exposed was his eyes, as a specially made mask formed around his face, and tied in the back of his head. There would be no snow or ice getting inside of his clothing. All of the other soldiers and Guardians that were not ice Gifted wore the same thing. Only the ice Gifted dressed as if it were a chilly autumn day. All of the Sacred had also been charmed to look white as well. None of them would be seen. None.
A loud and excited neigh echoed down the stable isle. The Prince watched as Astarte bounded out, looking as ethereal as ever in her white saddle, her rider wearing the same clothing as he was. The only thing that stuck out was Yuugi's extremely bright amethyst eyes. They seemed to act as a prism as light entered them, glowing with a life all their own. Yuugi chuckled softly, pulling his horse to a stop. "Easy, girl, we're not at the battle field yet."
One of the soldiers walked by them, his sword freshly sharpened. He stopped suddenly, noticing the silver band that was barely visible on Yuugi' forehead, which was covered by his form-fitting hood. "Lord Yuugi," he asked skeptically.
"Yes," Yuugi asked him, averting his gaze from Atemu to the soldier.
"You're coming with us," he asked, sounding in disbelief.
"Yes," Yuugi stated, his voice suddenly a bit harsher. "If it's of any comfort to you, where I came from I slept with a rusty blade under my pillow every night. It was rusty because it was consequently used quite frequently." Without waiting for a reply, Yuugi cried a harsh 'hya!' and Astarte ran the rest of the way to meet up with the Prince.
Atemu had a hard time placing the mystery that was now around Yuugi. The thought of battle seemed to change his demeanor entirely. Yuugi no longer looked lost in a foreign land; he looked determined to keep his life. For Yuugi, this was familiar ground. He knew how to deal with this. Atemu, however, was on extremely unfamiliar ground. He'd never seen war before, even though he'd had extensive training from masters all over Sekesah and beyond. The techniques he knew of were unrivaled by many combatants, and he had strategies in his mind that had left armies of thousands begging upon their knees.
But he'd never put any of it to use before.
Whilst Yuugi, however, not only didn't have much training, but he'd survived horrid circumstances without the training. How would he do now that he did have at least some training? How would his new knowledge enhance his ability to fight? "Are you ready, love," Atemu asked him.
Yuugi looked over at him keenly. It was almost frightening to see Yuugi pull a sword out of a holster, examine it, then put it back. "Sword, food, horse, yeah, I think I'm ready."
The Prince sighed, resolute in knowing what they had to do. He pulled Senke around, and starting running the in front of the front lines. Soldiers and guardians started lining up. "Warriors," the Prince shouted loudly. "Are you ready?"
A deafening cheer rose up to answer his question.
"Someone is killing off our women and Guardians in Northern Reach. They are killing our people! Pillaging our land! Kidnaping our children! Shall we stand for it?"
Yuugi watched as swords and spears and bursts of ice and random Gift energy rose in the air, the cries of the army angry.
"So be it! They have war on the palate, let us meet them and quench what they seek! We will give them a war! Warriors of Sekesha, we ride!"
The cries were, if possible, louder than before. Every man and woman alike had a horse to ride. Guardians their Sacred, the soldiers regular horses that had also been charmed to look white. There were even a good dozen Guardians that were on dragons, all of them also white. If they were that way naturally, or if they'd been charmed, Yuugi wasn't sure, but it was a magnificent sight to see an entire body of fighters, all in white. He could feel the anger burning brightly in their hearts, eager to deal out justice to the ones that were attacking the Northern Reach lands.
A brilliant flash of light flared behind him, and Yuugi turned around, seeing that Lillian had created a portal for them. It was massive, perhaps a hundred feet long and two hundred feet high. The dragons would easily be able to fly through, and the army could ride through in less than minutes.
This was it. Into the land of ice.
Yuugi suddenly remembered that he'd forgotten to ask Atemu about the servant that had come into their room. He rode up to the Prince quickly. "Atemu," he asked.
"Yes?"
"Out of curiosity, do yo know of the servant woman named Eve? She has blonde hair and red eyes. I've never noticed her before."
Crimson eyes looked at him curiously. "Yuugi, there is no servant in the palace by the name of Eve. Eve is the shortened name of Eternity, the Sun Goddess."
xxx