Chapter 23: Loyalties
They cleared the Greenwood by dark. Endymion took her arm and led her threw the fringe of oak and elm, out into the tall grass of the prairie. The night sky spread over their heads, an enchanting blanket of stars twinkling down upon them. The soft light of the waining moon was just cresting over the horizon of rolling hills, as he led her towards the main road.
She scanned the eternity above with a wiry smile, casting the moon a rueful glance. Before returning her focus back to earth. Releasing a long, tired sigh she griped his bicep more firmly. They walked slowly, no longer hunted and not really eager to be in the company of others. They took their time crossing the wild fields of barley and wheat. Serenity brushed her free hand across the stiff golden stocks of wheat, curious as to what it was.
Endymion chuckled and reached down and gripped several heads of wheat in his palm and pulled them free. Grinding the shells away from the seeds with his palms and letting the fragments fall like golden snow from between his fingers. Showing her the kernels in his plam with a warm smile moments later.
"We call this the Golden Grain. We harvest its seeds in the fall to make flour and many other things. It has no taste, but it is very versatile and is capable of feeding many, so it is an important export for my kingdom." He offered her a few grains, pouring them into her open hand. Then poured the remainder into his own mouth and began to chew.
She scrutinized the seeds for a moment then shrugged and brushed them gingerly into her own mouth.
Crunching down on them in distaste at first, they were very hard. It took time for them to soften, as she diligently worked them around her mouth.
Endymion laughed with mirth at the horrible expression she had while eating the tasteless grain.
"It is much better sweetened in a bread or pie." He spit the chewed up bits upon the ground. Giving her a way to politely expose of her own mouthful.
Serenity nodded and trotted off a few paces, refusing to spit in front of him.
Endymion shook his head, she truly was a highly dignified noble. With that dress and her demure, refined attitude she was going to stick out like a bruised thumb in town.
When she returned a few moments later, smiling sweetly at him as she came to stop before his chest.
"Thank you, for that." She patted his chest amiably then started off again.
Endymion jogged to catch up, glancing at her curiously. The glowing crescent moon symbol had vanished. It had been glowing like a brand during the battle and slowly fading as they traveled, now it was completely gone, she look completely human again.
The air was clean and crisp, Endymion knew by the time the moon was fully in the sky the temperature would drop. It would be a perfect night for a fire of birch logs. A soft wood that was lightly fragrant but did not burn to hot. He brushed his hand threw the field of wheat, enjoying the tickling sensations of the long wisps of fine hair that grew from the tips of the kernel heads against his palm.
Serenity gave him a curious look.
"Try it." he offered with a broad smile.
She hung her left hand low as they walked, giggling and retracting her hand quickly as the tickling sensation became to much.
"That tickles." she remarked innocently.
Endymion laughed, long and loud. The mirth sparkling in his eyes as he gazed back at her over his shoulder was infectious and soon she was giggling along with him.
Her laughter was so sweet and pure, the joy she felt in his pressence was honest and it warmed him. To long had he
been at court, surrounded by fake smiles and false happiness. The upper houses of Elysian vying for his attention, seeking an audience at their estates so they could parade their elder daughters before him like prized cattle. These witless girls, raised to please the nobility at any cost. Just to honour their fathers and bring their family name up a notch or two in royal standing. They were treated from the moment they were born like a possession, something that could, if sold well bring much wealth. The whole thing turned his stomach, he did not want a fake marriage, a false love. So he had fled to the only real thing he knew of, to Beryl. Whom he knew loved him and he loved her. She demanded nothing more then what he was willing to give. Their relationship over the last year had become his only comfort. She would always be waiting for him, always eager to please him in all the ways he needed. She required nothing in return, she did not need his wealth or his sword to protect her. She took care of herself in every way. He was at ease in her company, as their was no expectations on his part. He could come and go as he pleased. She would always be loyal, always be available when he needed her.
Her love and acceptance was constant and dependable. He could do no wrong, in her eyes.
So he felt no guilt about his sudden attraction to this young woman, to Serenity. Who was nothing like any girl he had ever known. She was the opposite of Beryl in every way. She was small, her body was dainty and light. Her beauty was unearthly, she held an aura of trainquility that soothed him. While Beryl in his eyes was beautiful as well, she was average compared to Serenity. Her aura was not calming, but sharp like a sword. She was a survivor a warrior and she did not need his protection. Serenity's voice was angelic and her demeanour was gentle. She carried herself with a quiet dignity and her childlike curiosity and enjoyment of his world amused him greatly. He would enjoy his time with her to the fullest, but remain cautious until he knew the full reason she had abandoned the heavens to hide here on earth.
They walked in tandem, inches away from each other. Endymion took note of how close their hands were as they traversed the hillside. He could reach out just inch and take her hand in his, but he didn't. Even though he missed holding her hand, ached to feel her skin against his and warmth he gave him.
With a sigh he raised his hand up and rubbed the back of his head to avoid the temptation of reaching for her.
"Do you know why those creatures were hunting you? Or if there might be more here on earth?" He asked, solemnly.
"They hunt me because the darkness is bound to the light." She answered cryptically. "I could have drawn them from the underworld when I used the mirror to descend to earth. Or perhaps they have always been here or perhaps a scion of the darkness resides here on earth and is summoning them for some malicious purpose?" She shrugged.
Endymion groaned, casting his eyes to the heavens in frustration. She was not offering him any absolutes but further plots to deal with.
When his gaze came down, he found her standing before him. Staring up into his eyes, pleading with him silently not to abandon her.
"I do not have the answers, Thorne. I found my life above, rather bothersome and stressful. I needed a break, to think and perhaps find some peace with who I am and what is expected of me in the future." She smiled up at him for a moment, then it faded. As she turned towards the moon, her face fallen into a somber frown.
"I am sorry, to have burdened you. All I ask is that you take me to this village, then I can find my way on my own." Her words were brave, but the tears in her eyes spoke volumes about how little confidence she had at being able to take care of herself.
"Friends do not abandon each other when in need." Endymion grasped her hand then, swinging it merrily for a moment before pulling her forward. Escorting her onwards threw the moonlight prairie.
He could tell his words had soothed her worries, as she moved lightly beside him, a pleased smile gracing her full lips.
They didn't talk as they traversed the rolling hills. It didn't matter, he really did not want to talk anyway.
He had far to much occupying his mind, as he worked through his inner court. Trying to reason out who would have the power to summon darkness? These demons spoke of far more then mere betrayal to the crown. They were a beacon of an oncoming war! A war that went far beyond his mortal borders to that of the Gods. What was going on? How long did he have to avert the death of his own kingdom? The ominous vision of fire and blood was no longer just a nightmare but a prophetic warning of what was to come.
Endymion was eager to get into the village and rent a room at the Dragon Bone. A bath and a warm bed was what he wanted most. He quickly rethought his needs, glancing sideways at his companion. Her head was bowed and her steps were less energetic. Her feet barely lifting from the ground, she was clearly exhausted.
Better to give her the bed, he could make due with the wooden chair set by the hearth. That sounded good too, it had been an extremely long day and he ached all over. He turned them up a small trail past a lone birch tree. They were near the main road now and he was eager to cross the last few miles into the village. As they crested a large hill that overlooked the road below, Endymion was suddenly awash with trepidation. He gently took Serenity's elbow between this thumb and forefinger, pulling her back. Then slowly he sank into the tall grass, pulling her with him into cover.
"What's wrong?" She whispered, her voice tight with worry.
"Maybe nothing, but after everything that's happened today. Caution is prudent. I do not want to just waltz up onto the road only to get into more trouble." He smirked.
She nodded, her frown perplexed.
"Lets just keep our eyes sharp for now." He motioned to the road, "Bandits lurk on this road at night, it's better to travel during the day. But even then it's not a guarantee." he shrugged. He had spent a great deal of the last year recruiting new wardens to patrols the roads. Sent small contingents of his army to secure the borders and maintain law. Even disbanded that unlawful band of soldier's who had betrayed the crown, known as the Outriders. He would have loved to have prosecuted their commander, Alan of Makaiju. He had been a cruel, depraved son of a bitch. Who had preyed upon the local villages, demanding payment for protecting them. Burning and pillaging all the villages who dared to stand up to him. Commanding his army like a Warlord, for his own gain. Those men had been given to him by Endymion's father to protect the borders of Elysian not hold them ransom. His crimes against the people of Elysian were long and disgustingly vile. But sadly, Alan had disappeared, denying Endymion his rightful justice. His kingdom was large and these criminals were like a slow poison, it would take time to cleanse. He would spend the rest of his life seeking the reclaim the peace and prosperity Elysian once had.
Within moments of intense scrutiny, Endymion led the way down the hill and onto the road. The stones crunched under their feet as they walked along the very edge of the road. The moonlight had become faint, as clouds scudded across the moon. Endymion did not like how dark it had gotten and keep a wary eye upon the tall grass that bordered the road. His hand hovered near his hunters knife, prepared to unsheathe it at any moment. They walked in silence for some time, until Endymion stopped short. His finger griped the hilt of his knife tight as he scanned the shadows further up the road.
Serenity huddled behind him, searching the darkness nervously.
"What's going on...bandits?" Serenity asked, only to be silenced by a curt hand motion.
Endymion had heard a noise, it was faint. A dry rustling coming from the trees just off to the side of the road, where it bent out of view about a quarter mile ahead. There was nothing in the woods he feared, he had great respect for the animals and plants who lived there. He knew how to use the woods to his advantage. But here on the road, they were open for attack with no means to evade or seek to hide themselves.
It could be a herd of animals, grazing near the road or a band of thieves laying in wait. Either way he was not so confident in traveling any further down the road. Endymion took her hand and led her off the road and into a well-hidden gulley several yards away. They crouched down behind a fallen log and waited.
A herd of shaggy, thickly build cattle with long twisting horns plodded into view. Their hooves striking the ground like thunder. Driving them along, with carved walking sticks was two young men. Both in their later teen years, wearing the simple clothes of farm hands. By their side was a black and white herding dog. Who trotted merrily at their heels his long pink tongue lolling to the side of his mouth.
"Did you hear, Prince Kunzite of the House of Tanmonten has filled the Golden Palace with what survives of his own people. The North has been conquered by demons, they say!" One boy declaired.
"I heard stories at the Dragon Bone, that the Western Kingdom has fallen as well. Prince Nephrite returned home from his pilgrimage only to find his Castle burned to the ground and his brother's slain. His people have been cast to the winds." The second boy added, his voice proud and overly excited. As if this was a competition at relaying dire gossip.
"Scary..." The first boy responded, his voice low and raspy.
Endymion listened hard as the boys walked further down the road, until they were out of sight. His heart was beating in his throat and had grown pale with dread. Serenity reached out tentatively and touched his arm. He couldn't hide the devastation that was looming in his eyes.
He steeled his gaze when he noticed the fear in her eyes. He grasped her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Then stood up, offering her a hand to help her stand.
"I need to get you somewhere safe." Endymion stated, rushing her back threw the hills towards the forest once more. His heartbeat was a furious, thunder in his chest. His skin grown heated with exertion and the sudden stress of needing to get back to the Golden Palace. The implications of losing both the kingdoms of Vaisravana to the North and Viruspaska to the West was a disastrous. Elysian's borders were weakened, the demon horde would move inward with out any more resistance. Sweeping around the Mountain spine that protected Elysian to the other two kingdoms. It would only be a matter of time before the eastern kingdom of Dhrtarastra and southern kingdom of Virudhaka were overtaken. Then Elysian would be next!
He had to prepare...he had to stop the vison from coming true!
They made their way deep into the forest, taking to the narrow paths that wound around the base of Mount Moon. It was closing in on midnight when Serenity collapsed upon a boulder at the edge of a clearing and refused to budge. Endymion had been pushing her at a fast pace for hours, trying to make it back to the glen that Beryl had built her cabin.
She was exhausted no amount of coaxing was going to make her move. Endymion had to admit he was at the end of his endurance as well. Resolved to make camp here and head out at dawn. Endymion gathered enough kindling for a small fire. The twigs and dry brush was quite willing to ignite and soon a fire was flickering in the center of the small clearing. Serenity settled herself upon the ground near the fire, resting her back against the boulder.
She was shivering, huddled closer to the flames then he liked, with her arms wrapped tight around her chest. Her dress was rather flimsy to keep her warm in this chill. Endymion was quick to unlatch his cloak and wrap it around her shoulders. She gave him a small, grateful smile. Pulling up the hood and clutching it tightly under her chin.
"I am not used to staying in the woods..." she muttered, her teeth chattering. Her eyes were distant, half focused. As she slumped tiredly again the boulder.
"When was the last time you slept?" Endymion inquired, his expression torn between worry and concern.
"Two days ago...I think. It has all become a blur, since leaving the temple." Serenity responded. Her words slurred as exhaustion took its toll on her senses.
Endymion was surprised, she still keep her eyes open. When they were running away from those demons, he had barely been able to keep up to her. It was her fear that had pushed her on, now with all of that behind her. She was starting to relax and sleep was quickly overtaking her.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, digging into a side pouch for some dried fish and hard tack. It wasn't much but it was all that he had.
She nodded weakly, before promptly falling asleep.
Endymion sat before the fire, watching the stars fade in and out of sight as gauze like clouds moved silently across the sky. This had been the craziest day of his life. He had never dreamed to ever meet someone from the realm of the gods. Yet here she was, a lost goddess, hiding here on the mortal plane.
He did not know why or how she had descended, but her appearance was troubling.
She seemed to have brought a dark curse along with her...these demons? They were the harbingers of death...such strange things had been happening all year. The night of the falling stars several months back...the total eclipse of the sun that had occurred just a few weeks ago...he wasn't a very superstitious man. But these signs could not be merely set aside as normal astral phenomena. This was the beginning of the end times...he didn't know if he could stop it.
But he would do everything within his power to save his people...his planet from eternal darkness.
He felt cold to the bone, sitting crossed legged before the fire. At first he had thought to sit down across from her, but changed his mind and sat beside her. Leaning his back against the boulder, he could feel her warmth as they sat shoulder to shoulder. It felt good, like a comforting blanket, he sat quietly letting the heat sink in. Idly nibbling on his chunk of dried meat. So lost in thought, he never noticed the shadow creeping along the tree line.
"So this is were you ran off too?" Beryl's voice invaded his thoughts like a thunderclap.
Endymion snapped his head up, finding her leaning casually against a tree. He couldn't gauge her expression, her face shadowed outside of the firelight. Dressed in her normal, foresters garb. Of leather pants and a dark green tunic, her heavy lavender cloak hanging from her shoulders with her hood pulled up.
He passed Serenity a quick glance, wondering briefly if Beryl would care how close he was to her. The thought was
quickly dismissed. Their relationship would never be more then convenience. His affections for her were true, but it could go no further. The boundaries of social class would always divide them. She could never lay claim to him and he would never claim her either. In time he always figured she would find a good man within her own caste to marry and have children with. He would be happy for her and give her husband a dowry capable of caring for her well into her old age.
"Found a wayward maiden I see?" She stated, her voice was devoid of emotion. The statement was as mundane sounding as asking about the weather.
"Yes." He sighed, raking a hand threw his hair. Debating his request for only a moment. He knew that Beryl would do what ever he asked without much complaint. He could always count on her, she was his best friend. Their was no one he trusted more. "I need to you to watch her for me, until I get back."
Beryl didn't look at him, her face downcast to the fire. "You want me to babysit this dirty, stray you just found?" Her voice was calm, non-committal.
"Beryl, I need you." Endymion rose to his feet, approaching her swiftly. His eyes were determined, a fierceness of command glaring at her.
She shrugged, his attempts to dominate her will had never worked. They were to close, she respected him as a man, as her King. But he would always be just Endymion, the boy she had grown up with. She knew all his secrets, his true feelings and thoughts about everything.
"Look, she is in some real trouble. You are the only one strong enough to protect her, until I can come back and take her to the Palace." Endymion groaned, gripping the back of his neck tightly.
"What the hell is going on!" Beryl hissed, crossing her arms over her chest. Glancing over to the sleeping girl cautiously. "I won't do it unless you tell me the whole story."
"Fine." Endymion growled, going into detail over all that had happened today.
Minutes later, Beryl was staring at Serenity in awe and fear.
"A goddess...demon's hunting her." She whispered then rolled her eyes. "Thanks a lot, Endy!" She howled, flapping her arms into the air in disgust.
"I have got to get back to the Palace, Kunzite is there. Nephrite is on his way. I have to send emissaries to both Zoisite and Jedite before their kingdoms fall as well!" Endymion raised his voice in desperation.
"Fine, fine..." Beryl growled, grabbing his collar and hauling him in close. Giving him a quick kiss and then promptly releasing him.
Endymion smiled broadly. "I can always count on you."
"You owe me big time!" She called with mirth, as Endymion raced away into the greenwood. Heading towards the Golden Palace.
When he was out of sight, Beryl sat herself down by the fire glaring at Serenity from across the flames.
He had been sitting far to close to this small waif of a girl. She might be a goddess, but she seemed rather weak and pathetic. What did the King see in her? Why would he even want her? She had wormed her way into his heart in less then day. Beryl didn't like it. The girl would ruin everything, her gut burned with hatred and jealously every time she looked at her.