Chapter One: Legends are Whispers - COMPLETE

"You should spend less time in the books and more time perfecting your archery." Sugoroku ran a weathered hand along the worn string of his grandson's bow before letting out a small sigh when no response was given. It was nothing new. The boy had his head in the clouds more than on the land. And speaking of the land- "You have tended to the fields today?"

"This morning." Yuugi Motou turned away from the thick tome in his hand and gave his attention to his grandfather who looked less than pleased. "I have also fed the animals and brushed Mahad and Mana." Yuugi frowned at the last tidbit. "We'll have to see Master Yoshimori about them soon. Their coats aren't thickening for the winter and they'll freeze if something isn't done."

Sugoroku's lips thinned at the information. "Winter is arriving sooner than expected and the weather is affecting the timing of the coats so we'll have to put them inside the barn until they've adjusted. Do we have enough wood to last?"

"Enough to last us through the winter but not enough to warm Mana and Mahad." Yuugi closed the tome and set it on the desk next to its compatriots. "I'll head into the forest and chop enough to get them through. Will you be needing something from town?"

"No, and neither shall you." Sugoroku took a moment to assess his grandson's room. Books upon books lay scattered on the desk, floor, and even on the bed. It was a wonder that the child had enough room to sleep. Why, if Yuugi had his way, then he would eat, sleep, and breathe books. "The merchants from the capital haven't arrived and thus no new books for this rather massive collection."

"Alright," Yuugi smothered a chuckle at the stern look he received. "No more books, but balm for your hands and knees no? The winter always aggravates them and I'll not see you bedbound for the entirety of winter. You know that Anzu is coming to visit and she adores you."

"Of course." Sugoroku turned back to bow laying against the door and nudged his head in its direction. "Do you not think it's time to pay a visit to the blacksmith? Your bow is in dire need of repair and the creatures do grow more wicked during the night."

At the mention of the bow, Yuugi fell quiet and lowered his gaze. "Do I have to take it? I am fine with magic-"

"You must not be reliant on magic." Sugoroku cut him off ruthlessly. "You know as well as I that the mana becomes thin during the winter and magic is placed on reserve. We are left to normal means until the Spring. So, it is in your best interest to take the bow and have it repaired."

Yuugi lowered his head further until it was all but hidden in his shoulders. "Yes. I understand, Grandfather."

Sugoroku let out a small sigh at the adopted, timid tone before placing a hand on his grandson's shoulders. "I know that it is not easy wielding your Father's bow but I know that he is proud of you for keeping it and putting it to good use. We come from a long and prestigious line of archers that fought in the War of the Dragons. We are warriors and scholars dedicated to those crafts and we mustn't waver in continuing it and thus-"

"Continue to wield the bow as if is an extension of ourselves." Yuugi continued, a small smile fighting to pull at his lips. "The Arrows of the Motou Family Will Always Fly True and Home."

"Words that must be kept close to your heart, little one." Sugoroku pressed a firm kiss on Yuugi's forehead. "Be off with you now. The sun shall not linger long."

"Yes, Grandfather."

Yuugi waited until he was well out of his grandfather's sight before unstringing his bow and tucking it away. He would have no use for it. The short sword would be sufficient to defend himself once he headed further into the forest. His grandfather would be appalled at his behavior, but Yuugi couldn't bear the thought of wielding his father's bow.

Not when it failed him when he needed it most.

It seemed as if an eternity had passed, but Yuugi could still remember the smell of blood as his Father took his last breath in his arms. And in his hands was the very bow Yuugi abhorred, stained with his own blood and that of the monsters who had gradually overtaken him in the same forest Yuugi traveled through ten years later.

Traditionally, a Motou would be buried with their bow so that it may travel to the next life with them, but his grandfather who had been reinstated as the Head of House Motou had stepped in and granted Yuugi his Father's bow - Dawnbreaker - as a reminder that his Father died protecting their people but he died protecting his only son. He knew that not using the bow was all but spitting on his Father's name and his sacrifice, but every time he looked at it all he saw was blood and the life faded from his father's eyes.

"I'm sorry." Yuugi slid a gloved hand over the curve of the longbow. "I can't allow you to carry me. Not yet."

He didn't know how long it would take for him to take up his Father's bow and wield it with the respect it deserved, but when that moment arrived he knew that his arrow and his heart would land true and not a single regret would be left in its wake.

It was Yuugi's intention to creep into Illyuria Village, obtain his grandfather's balm, and obtain enough wood to keep Mana and Mahad warm until their coats settled for the winter. It was not his intention to run into Master Yoshimori and Rishid as he tied Mahad to the set of stables next to the entrance. He pulled his lips into a timid smile as both men approached with disapproval in their strides.

"Masters Yoshimori and Rishid." Yuugi bowed his head, lowering his hood. "Good Eve to you both."

"You wish us a Good Eve with no intention of greeting us in the first place?" Rishid murmured, approaching Yuugi and laying a rather rough hand on his snow-soaked shoulder. "Your Grandfather sent us a message stating that you would be arriving in the village with your bow to be repaired."

"And a tonic for the horses." Yoshimori put in sending Mahad a measured look. "Yet, I see no intention of doing either?"

"My bow needs no tending and I seek firewood to keep Mahad and Mana warm for the night. Grandfather and I discussed that since winter was arriving early it would affect their coats. It was under no malice that I was avoiding either of you." Yuugi narrowed his eyes in their direction. "Yet, I see that my dearest Grandfather had other plans."

"He's well aware of how his grandson acts when he's being a stubborn mule." Yoshimori nodded his head to a well-lit shop in the center of the village. "Come, the balm he needs is at my shop, and hand the bow over to Rishid."

Yuugi didn't have another chance to protest as Yoshimori turned on his heel and moved in the direction of his shop. He sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth before reluctantly handing over his bow to the master blacksmith.

Rishid, seeing his hesitance, pulled his lips into a small smile. "I understand your reluctance to wield this weapon, but the coming winter will be long and dark and the monsters even stronger. You will need all the tools necessary to survive." Rishid shook his head when Yuugi opened his mouth to protest. "Your feelings will matter naught in the face of death."

"I know that-"

"And yet, you continue to risk your life and that of your grandfather because of these feelings?" Rishid continued, unheeded to Yuugi's forming scowl. "There will be a day where you have to lay them to rest, Yuugi, and that day is approaching sooner than you think."

"What do you mean?" Yuugi asked, wary.

"Our world is changing, little one." Rishid reached out, placing a hand on Yuugi's shoulder and giving it a tight squeeze. "And not all change will be good. The sooner you open your heart to it and that bow the better off you will be in this changing world."

"Ah." Yuugi tried and failed to hide his confusion. Rishid had always been the oddball in the village despite his skills. "I will keep your words in mind, Master Rishid."

"Good. I'll return your bow post-haste. Good Eve, Yuugi."

"Good Eve, Master Rishid."

With Rishid's words, tickling the edge of his mind, Yuugi continued to Yoshimori's Apothecary, a small shop set in the center of the village that had been in place long before Yuugi had drawn breath and if the silly rumors were correct, long after Yuugi departed. No one believed that Yoshimori was Half-Elf, but Yuugi wasn't stupid enough to ignore the signs shoved in his face on more than one occasion. But, Yoshimori's decision to keep it to himself was one Yuugi would respect.

He just wished people would grant him the same curiosity.

"Good." Yoshimori greeted as Yuugi slipped into the door. "The balm and tonic are almost ready. Take a seat." Yoshimori moved back towards the bottles sitting against the back wall. "Do you need the oil for their hair?"

"No." Yuugi kept his eyes on the bottles, watching with a hint of fascination that Yoshimori was able to pick and mix the bottles with such confidence. "We still have plenty from last winter."

"Ah. I keep failing to remember that Mahad and Mana are pure-bred horses." For a moment, Yoshimori looked envious and Yuugi would have enjoyed it if not for the fact that Mahad and Mana tend to eat them out of the house and home during the summer months and are extremely temperamental during the spring.

"You are more than welcome to visit or care for them during the summer and spring. They are disobedient children with more time on their hands than I can comprehend." Yuugi smiled as he was handed the bundle, frowning when it was heavier than his usual lot. "Did you give me extra?"

"I gave you healing salves for the trip to the forest." Yoshimori waved him off as he dug into his pockets for the spare gold. "Your safety is the only currency I require on this night, little one." Yoshimori nodded his head towards the door as it creaked open revealing Rishid. "The same goes for our friend."

"Indeed." Rishid latched the door shut, approached Yuugi, and carefully handed him the bow. "It required a little handling but it will do you well during your trip to the forest. Or, you can buy the firewood in town."

"I need something that can burn for hours." Yuugi's lips thinned at the thought. The firewood in town would have been fine on a routine basis but considering it was Mana and Mahad they were discussing. "It's not going to warm them."

"Right." Yoshimori adopted a blank look before his lips pulled into a small, warm smile. "You'd best be on your way now. The hour grows later and your grandfather will be expecting you soon."

"Of course. Good Eve, Master Yoshimori and Rishid."

Yuugi slipped out of the door and back into the cold night, allowing Yoshimori and Rishid a moment to share a worried look. "Do you think he will be alright?" Rishid looked pensive, his ears twitching as he heard Mahad's loud neigh as he took his charge back out of the village. "The Blackwood Forest is dangerous and holds nothing but chaos even during the brightest of days."

"He will be fine," Yoshimori assured. "He is more than capable of handling himself and he will not let his pride get in the way of keeping himself and Mahad safe."

"He is stubborn enough not to use that bow," Rishid grunted out. "He has a good head on his shoulders, but he uses his heart far too often. He is to be the Head of House Motou and in charge of our people. He must use his head before his heart."

"And there will be times where his heart must come first. After all, are we not his heart? And do we not come first? It is the reason his head stays in those tomes he so dearly loves." Yoshimori's face darkens for one brief moment. "You know that as well as I do that with the arrival of winter comes the Black Riders-"

"And with it, the Blood Ceremony." Rishid finishes with a grim frown. "Sugoroku has informed me that it will be Yuugi's decision and that he will not interfere with it."

"You, too, will leave it alone considering that we are choosing someone for the Black Riders will devour." Rishid gave the door a blissful glance. "I do hope that he will find an answer to it all with those tomes."

"As do I, my friend, as do I."