''Oh, dears, we are so sor--'' The lady herder dropped her sack of bird dung. The children stopped running. In a second, the sun hid behind the clouds and the wind blew cold.
Carysse smelled the danger and immediately planted herself in front of Chaos just in time to parry an arrow.
''Stay right there!'' She ordered Chaos behind her as she felt him itching to move. Chaos just made a tch sound. Only the sentries had access to the bows and arrows so Carysse kept moving her eyes around the rocks but she saw no one there. And she could only think of one person who could throw an arrow from that distance.
Where are you, freak Bal?
With fate's guidance again, the sun peeked a little, and Carysse saw the faint glow of the approaching steel. But when Carysse realized it, her confident smile faltered. It was not only one or two but four arrows volleyed towards them. She won't be able to protect both of them without her being shot at least once.
The flow of the wind changed at her back--the arrival of something swift.
In a blink, steel cut down iron in front of her. Four arrows but a single strike.
''Huh,'' Chaos sneered behind her. ''You're lively as hell, Ashki.''
Ashki twirled his ax and looked at Chaos plainly.
''Thanks though I can't say the same for you.''
Carysse sighed in relief as beads of sweat dropped from her face. They were saved, for now.
The sound of the clink of armor approaching made Ashki look at the front and face Bal.
''Now I see the whole picture, brats.'' Bal smirked and pulled out a sword, the expression on his face was a savage hunter about to kill his cornered prey. ''You are all sentenced to death for bringing a deserter right into the center of the village.''
In his words, the whole village was stirred and then there was an uproar. Carysse squinted at the sight of the villagers coming together with fear and desperation in their eyes and voices.
''What have you done, Carysse?'' One lady shouted.
''You were supposed to protect the village and its secrets!'' Another reminded her.
Many were already crowding them with tools in their hands. The children were just frozen in place, taking into view their once big brother Chaos. The younger ones were juggling their memories on who he was but most of course, remembered, since they sat and ate with him for how many years.
Carysse didn't know what to do. Her perspiration trickled down from her forehead and much more at her back. The tip of her knife was shaking and she was breathing too hard. Ashki looked back in concern at Carysse's strained face. She had to do something that would calm them down. But her voice betrayed her. All she could do at that moment was grit her teeth for she didn't have the power nor the courage left to tell them straight in the face that she held on to a linggering trust towards Chaos that was why she brought him back.
All of her stress vanished when a rough and bony hand rested on her shoulder. If it had been others, Carysse would have jolted in surprise. But she immediately recognized the touch and will forever remember it. It was the same hand that fed her ever since she was little and it was the same hand that worked day and night to revive the village.
''Elder Shimar...'' She whispered without looking back at him.
''You've done more than enough, my child.''
The elder then walked past them with his rod poking on the ground, silencing the uproar. His tan wrinkled skin showed through the red cloth draped around him that was dotted with tinkling shells and beads of all kinds. He was old, anyone can see that his flesh was failing him but his face, hair, and eyes reflected wisdom. An air of dignity and ancientness surrounded him and prompted the villagers to bow down including Bal. Even the sunset displayed its vibrant colors at that moment.
''Go and attend to your duties. Dinner is almost upon us.'' His voice was the definition of authority. The crowd dissipated without another word. No other grumblings.
''And you, my child.'' The old man turned to Chaos and smiled.
''Welcome back.''
***
It was past midnight when they finally called for her.
After dinner, the night was unusually quiet. The kids suddenly had the urge to sleep early. The sewing mothers hid their needleworks in their houses, instead of displaying them outside where they could share their works to their neighbors for it was only during night that they had the luxury to do so. The fathers didn't do extra work and even the sentries were not drinking this time.
The village was on edge.
Although dinner was the usual. The vegetable stew consisted of potatoes, salted liveroot, fat bananas, and white carrots. It was paired with dried fish and sliced pieces of apple and berries. The small sanctuary that they lived provided most of their needs and though not as plenty back in the original village, they were never lacking. There are times when meat was rare but if so, the fish made up for it. And even if the fish were not in season, they had the birds. If the birds were in their breeding season, it was time for the harvest of their gardens. For two years and counting, nature was at their side. But until when?
After having her fill, Carysse grabbed her blanket and climbed her favorite tree that overlooked the village. It was a giant Kairin tree, its white wood reflecting the silver light from the moon and its branches were so wide it could hide a platoon of soldiers. Chaos and Elder Shimar had entered the tent after eating and now was the time for her to rest for a while. For tomorrow will be another day of survival, but this time, with Chaos in their village.
When she was able to sit, Carysse let her anxiety sink in with no one around. She was free this time to finally catch up to her emotions that she forced to hide it earlier. She didn't know when the tears formed but now, they dripped eagerly to the sides of her faces.
The moon above brought her back to that night.
''Chaos!''
She was chasing after him. They were already past the boundary. She had to stop him, or else,..
But Chaos paid no attention to her, his eyes gleaming with the determination to leave.
Carysse brought out a pouch filled with dangerous powder and threw it towards him, the powder hitting the tree in front of him. It was a desperate move but Chaos finally stopped with his vision blocked.
Both of them were panting heavily.
Carysse stepped forward.
''Chaos, let's go back. We can do solve this dilemma if we stay close together.''
Elder Shimar and the others were already at the sanctuary. Only a few of them survived the sudden attack from the outside. Young fighters like Carysse and Chaos were needed more than ever.
''Come on. Elder Shimar and the kids are worried. We need---''
''I don't need you.''
And the rest--that was what Carysse wished was a nightmare that she could wake up from. It was a dark memory that crippled her for a long time--a poison to her emotional being that she had a hard time brushing it off her. She couldn't believe she would suffer at the hands of someone she regarded as family.
'Hey, munaris,' she said in her mind as if the moon could hear her. 'Was I a fool to bring back someone who almost killed me?'
She had swore to herself that she would not bring up his name for as long as she lived. She had trashed his name, erased his good image in her heart, and had forgotten him for good. Yet not forgiven.
But Chaos appearing after two years shattered her resolve. She didn't know why or how. Her thoughts betrayed her for she had only realized now, Carysse had hoped for him to return.
''Damn it,'' she cursed.
A wave of fatigue washed over her. Too tired to think anymore, the warm wind breezed through her like a soft lullaby, lulling her to sleep.
''Carysse. Carysse, wake up.'' The image of Ashki loomed over her as she opened her eyelids. ''Huh?'' Carysse tried to get up and Ashki supported her, letting her back lean on his arm as she sat. She flexed her freezing fists. She had actually slept outside in the cold night. ''I'm sorry. I know you're tired but Elder Shimar is asking for your presence,'' Ashki said. ''Okay,'' Carysse said with a nod and she stood. Ashki offered his hand and she took it. They both climbed down from the tree and Carysse hid her blush as they walked from the Kairin tree to the tent still holding hands. They had been holding hands since they were at the orphanage-- it was a normal thing as children of Thalisse who were closely knitted together but to Carysse who was a growing lady, it was enough to warm her heart, though she knew it had no meaning to Ashki. To her surprise, none other than Elder Shimar and Chaos were present. She had expected for the village leaders to be also there. The two of th
Carysse’s cheeks went red at his words. Stupid body.“Here is the plan. But first, ever heard of Gairoshi?”Ashki squinted his brows. Carysse tilted her head slightly in curiosity.“Perhaps you could begin on the history of Gairoshi, my child.”“I will answer that later, Elder Shimar. I want to clarify what Gairoshi is to…them.”Carysse knew why he hesitated. He was about to say ‘my friends.’“Gairoshi is a phrase from the old language of Apharoth. It means grit for glory,” explained Chaos. A strong wind blew outside the tent and some of the cold breeze got in. Carysse knew she felt the icy air but also felt it from her insides. It was like Gairoshi was a bad omen.“It is an ancient practice much like the gladiators in the arenas found in the outskirts of this nation. It even almost has the same rules where representatives from each tribe gather to duel, making their way to the top until one only remains. In Gairoshi, it's slightly different. Anyone can join. Everyone, whether you a
Elder Shimar was the only one who moved, Carysse catching the old man by the shoulders because he suddenly attempted to stand without any support.Carysse snatched his wooden cane from the ground and helped him regain his posture. “Elder Shimar? What’s with the hurry?” asked Chaos.Chaos was not the only one to notice the different tone in the Elder’s voice. Ashki’s head turned to the direction of the entrance of the tent. “Don’t tell me,” he said as he stood and went near it, his ear pressed upon the thick cloth acting as the tent’s door.“Ashki?” Carysse asked with a hint of fear.Ashki looked at the Elder and both of them seemed to have a mutual talk with their eyes.''I am so sorry, Chaos, my child,'' Elder Shimar said with a low voice. ''It seems like you won't have the time to visit the children tomorrow even though I assured you earlier and even volunteered to accompany you..''Chaos clenched his right fist but then released it as he slowly stood up. ''I see,'' was his only r
If they had left one minute later, Bal would have caught up with them.''Bal?'' Chaos asked as they ran the trail.They had knocked the two guards unconscious earlier at the village entrance. Bal had taken all the guards and even their weapons for his bravery show. That was careless of him. What could have happened if the real enemy suddenly showed up? Would the two incompetent and drunk guards be able to defend the village? Would Bal make up for it?Earlier, when Carysse heard the sound of weapons clinking and the footsteps together, she could only think of one man that could gather such a force. It would be impossible for a normal child to discern such noises but they were warriors of Thalisse. They trained with nature ever since they could hold weapons. This already happened before when he wasn't in favor of Elder Shimar's rules and she couldn't believe he was actually doing it again. She was late to perceive it though. No wonder Elder Shimar and Ashki noticed it first. A renowned
Carysse almost cried as she bandaged Ashki's left arm. Good thing it wasn't his battle arm but it still hurt to see her friend wounded badly. Ashki was the first to be attacked when he scouted for them. He said that they came out of nowhere, the same as how Carysse felt it earlier. ''I don't know but.. it felt like they were waiting for us,'' Ashki said. True enough, the mountain was filled with different routes and trails. Why were they on the specific road that the three of them took? Their attacks were also intentional, intended to kill them. They weren’t holding back. Ashki’s words made the atmosphere colder than what the night should be. Carysse saw Chaos clench his fists near the entrance, his eyes hidden. ''Chaos, do you have any idea who they are? You always distance yourself if you know something.'' Carysse didn't mean to be harsh but if this was part of Chaos' plan, she was not falling for it. ''Then you have to relax yourself. You also tend to pinpoint your fingers w
As soon as Ashki jumped, Chaos grabbed Carysse by the waist again and carried her out of the cave, plummeting to a ravine.They were not hybrids unlike in the age of Elder Shimar where everyone practiced ancient magic. But what they lacked in magic, they made up for their trained bodies. They were pure humans but leaping to dark chasms weren’t really that new to them. It was one of their regular physical exams when they were still trainees. Still, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t scary.Carysse shut her eyes as she felt trees wheeze past through them and gravity pulled them to the ground but Chaos did a good job of holding her tight.By luck, for the second time, they fell on water, and that was a thousand times better than crashing on earthen ground.This time, the river was a little warmer and wider that they had to swim. Chaos helped her up. She was surprised she still had her bag. Chaos also has his lightsword strapped tightly at his back. It made her think of Ashki already and she supp
They were jumping from one branch to another, making Carysse hope that they could actually go over the boundary without any Mahan at their tails. She had lost count of how many minutes they were already running peacefully.If that was the case, then Ashki bought them enough time. A wave of guilt washed over her mind knowing that they left behind a friend just for them to be able to move forward. No, we will see each other again.Ashki said it himself. No one was going to die tonight, only the Mahan. He was not a weakling. He was the best of them three. Carysse filled her thoughts with positivity. She had to stay focused on her own goal.Chaos was in front of her, leading the way. As his back was facing her, she couldn't help but see the similarity two years ago when she was chasing him, trying to make him come back.They pressed on, passing through trees, until they were almost past the boundary.After that, the moon was covered by clouds, and the shadows came.Carysse didn't know if
The old fort was gloomy than ever. Once upon a time, it was a stronghold for the kings of Apharoth whenever their main camp in the flatlands was wiped out. The place served as their last resort, hence the name, Bezelius or Last Bronze in ancient Apharoth language.It had walls that soared fifty feet high. Plus, it stood on top of a hill and so the four towers touched the clouds during the wet season. It was one of the reasons why it was abandoned. During the seven years of the Great Cold, it was rendered useless because it froze its own soldiers. Shrouded in fog, heavy clouds, and continuous rain, the country began to slowly forget Bezelius that once acted as a shield of the people but of course, people always forget. Only the shadows stay.Now, it was a perfect hideout for the Mahan people.“It’s been three days,” a bearded man wrapped in a thick purple scarf started. He sat cross-legged on the small plain throne “Why haven’t the assassins returned?”“Maybe they encountered something