by C. J. Haines
-Chapter 1-
Present
Many years had passed, the era of Shirindul having ended long ago, and another Mother had been chosen to succeed her, and in the passing of time, their era had also come to an end. It was now the era of the Mother Dhahn, known to some as the scarred-Mother. However, in the many years before her era had begun, the world had changed very much. Stories of the wolves had spread across the land, the truth of their nature common among all who lived. A great towering city was built around the pit, that which the wolves had been born from. Many had feared that not all of the wolves had come out, and that some may lay dormant in the pit. So, they built a city to watch over the flaming pit, just in case they are right, and the wolves do still live, perhaps, awaiting the right moment to rise.
The weather was that of a beautiful sunny day, the wind was fleeting, but cool when its presence was known. A pair of horses strode speedily across the open plain, charging ahead, sending dust scattering beneath their pounding hooves.
The leading horse was fitted with armor, gold and rustic, with runic designs written upon it. The horse’s head bearing a mask, with one short, curved, half circle blade running down its front, for battering enemies in combat. Riding the steed was a sturdy looking warrior. He was dressed in armor, which resembled that of the horse, runes and all. He wore a great battle helmet, with two horns, one on each side, curved forward, and sharpened. He had a visor with slits for his eyes to bear witness through, and a black cape which flailed gloriously in the wind as he strode atop his horse, gripping his steed’s reins with well-fitted gauntlets, each with a small, but sharp spike on each knuckle.
The horse behind the intimating sight had two twin girls on it. They were only but ten years of age. They both had very pale skin, bright green eyes, and red hair, with grey streaks in it. Both of their hair was braided, each had theirs done in different spots. They each wore a hooded jacket, golden, and with runic symbols written upon it, a fashion seen commonly of their people, along with a double-notched piercing on each of their left ears.
The twins followed the front horse closely, as the armored figure pointed ahead, calling back to them. “We’re near there, my daughters…only a little left to go.” The voice from the mask was calm and monotone.
Having reached their destination, the two horses stopped as the riders surveyed their aim, looking upon it in astonishment.
They stood before the Order of the Aura. Its green stone walls were great and thick. Beyond them were many more, containing houses built into them, and wooden walkways built to reach the massive battlements above, and at its center stood a great tree, greater than any other tree in the world. Climbing the tree, like a mad growing vine, was a tower of green stone that bore resemblance to that of the walls. It was as if another layer of bark to the great tree, and as it met the tree’s crown, it blossomed into a great chamber of stone, with a balcony to watch all who stood below its magnificence, the many leaves and limbs outstretched above looking as a great, green and flourishing halo, providing shade for those below who were harvesting fruit from many smaller trees surrounding the great one, each tree bearing a different fruit, apples, pears, and many others. The fruit all had a different look to them. They all glowed with an unnatural blue color when bitten into, and their skin was quite pale, varying red, green, and blue, pending the fruit.
The warrior looked back at the children and called to those who dwelled inside the walls. “It is I, Kaimana of the Dawn Bringers. Open up, my friends. We are here in a moment of great urgency.”
As the voice spread over the tall walls, reaching far, a beast of good nature was napping on a perch, outside his window. He lived in a small housing, built into the side of the great tree tower, about a quarter of its height up. Outside his stone housing, there was a wooden perching that protruded from within the stone form. It was the branch that the housing was built around. The beast in question was not just a beast, but a very characteristic one. He was an owl, but very much that of a man. He was sleeping peacefully on his wooden watch post, when he was awoken by the call from below, and opened his eyes. Surveying the walls and greenery below, his attention was called to the outermost walls, as he heard the plea repeated once more. Putting his spectacles onto his beak tip, the beast cleared his throat, and made his way, flying gracefully downwards for the outer gate.
Kaimana backed away as he heard the heavy, stone doors creak, and recede inwards. The opening revealed the owl beast standing before them. He was wearing a fine cloak of dark green, with a puffy looking collar of the purest white around his neck, his arms like that of humans, fingers and all, but quite a great deal more feathery. He stood gripping his hands in front of himself, as he stood looking upon the visitors, speaking in a fine and distinct manner. “Kaimana, my dear friend, how are you? It is so good to see you once more. What is the occasion that has called for your presence?”
Kaimana dismounted his horse, and allowed it to wander past the feathery figure. The steed had seen the great walls before, and leaned its head on them, as one would a dear, old friend. “Hoosun, I need to speak to Dhahn right away, it is of great urgency. I have very little time.”
Hoosun nodded his head in agreement, and looked at the twin children sitting upon the still serving horse. “Then you must see her now, my friend. Are these your children? How beautiful they have grown in the passing years.”
Kaimana looked at the twins and removed his helmet, revealing his shoulder length, grayish hair, a three-notched, piercing in his left ear. The piercing was common amongst all his people, the number of notches showed the status of the bearer. His was one of high status, the status of a leader amongst his people. His face was serene, eyes bright green and calming, as he showed a caring smile to his children. “Yes, they are Hoosun. Would you be so kind as to take them in for me? Maybe show them around the grounds, while I talk with Dhahn?”
Hoosun bowed respectfully, and grabbed the reins of the tiresome horse. “I shall do as you say, my friend, for it shall be my pleasure.”
Kaimana patted his old friend on the back. “Thank you, my friend. Daughters, I want you to go with Hoosun. I’ll be back soon.”
His daughters nodded, with a worried look upon their faces, ones which Hoosun did not miss. He pulled the horse along, and turned a gear inside the entrance, causing the gates to close as he strode with the horse next to him. The twins looked around, and were amazed, yet left with a feeling of discomfort to their surroundings. This was a place they had never been before, and it did not make them feel at ease one bit, especially to be left with one who was a stranger to them, even if he knew their father from the past.
While passing through the many walls, there were bridges going out from one, and into another. Many people were passing from them, carrying baskets of fruit, chasing one another in children’s games, or just taking peaceful strolls. Having reached what appeared to be the harvest grounds, Hoosun stopped the horse and brushed its head, speaking softly. “There, good boy. You’ve come a long way, haven’t you? You can rest, now. Don’t worry. I don’t think these children will be putting you to much work, now.”
The twins smiled at the apparent care which the owl dealt to other living beings with. They dismounted their steed and looked at their surroundings. It was truly wondrous to behold. One of the twins began to pat the side of the horse’s long features, while the other stood surveying the tree which stood far above them. Brushing the horses head, the girl turned her head sideways, peering into the dark, brown eyes of the sturdy beast, while addressing the owl. “My name is Samana. It’s nice to meet you, Hoosun.”
Hoosun held his arms in front of him, and surveyed the other twin, who appeared baffled at the great size of the tree. “Nice to meet you, Samana, is your sister usually this silent?”
Samana looked at her twin, and tilted her head. She had five braids on the left side of her head done up. They hung down as she lolled them around, playfully, turning her head, as she called to her twin. “Daim
ana, come over here.”
Daimana turned around. Her attention was removed from the vast surroundings, though she felt as if she was under a spell looking at the great tree, for it was a mesmerizing sight. Daimana’s hair was also in braids, she had two long braids hanging from the back of her head, down the front of her shoulders, and two small, shorter braids per side of her head, each with a green band tied at their ends.
Daimana put her hood up, and gripped the feathery hands on the humane owl. “Hi. Sorry that I seem dazed. I just feel very off, right now. This place, and these walls, they’re a lot to take in. We’re not used to such grand places. We’re used to living in an open field, with the only structures being stacks of burning firewood, and tents.”
Hoosun chuckled through his closed beak, amused at the youngster, and put a hand on each of the girl’s shoulders. “It is quite okay, young one. This place is quite a grand sight to see, and believe me…my head turned many a time when I first saw it, too!!!”
The twins laughed together with Hoosun as he began to lead them into one of the wall housings, for shelter, as he looked up upon the sky. “It looks like it is going to storm, young ones. Let us head inside for shelter, and be warm. It looks to be a great, nasty storm coming at that.”
As they went inside, the harvesters scattered the grounds too, all heading inside to avoid the coming moisture from above. The horses had found a wall bridge, which provided cover from the rain, and knelt on the smooth, grassy ground. It was time for them to get their well-deserved rest.
The sky above began to face cruelly upon those below, sending a mass of water flooding upon the walls, each droplet cutting down through the sky, like pins for the cushion.
-Chapter 2-
Present
The storm outside whistled, riddling the stone walls with water. Hoosun and the twins were inside, warm and comfortable. Hoosun was taking them for a walk through the inner corridors of the innermost wall. They were curved and well-crafted. There were dark patches here and there, in the hall, but most was visible due to torches that sat perched upon the walls.
As the trio walked through the corridor, Hoosun held his arms at his back while the twins ran their fingers across the walls they had passed. They were cool and smooth to the touch, it was a nice feeling. Samana unbuckled her jacket, the buckle of which was silver, and finely polished, for she had taken good care of her cloak. Removing the cloak from her body, she hung it over her shoulder and poked her sister. “I can’t help but feel we’re going in circles.”
Daimana curled her lip and looked ahead into the illuminated stone, noticing the curvaceous manner of the hall, which was quite fashionable as the light of flames reflected off of it. “You’re right!!!...I almost think we’ve been here before.”
Hoosun grinned as much as he could through his beaked mouth. He found the playfulness of the children quite humorous. “We haven’t been here before. There is a place I’m taking you specifically, and we haven’t passed it, yet.”
The twins grinned as one, feeling anticipation as they spoke in voice together. “Where…?”
Hoosun removed his spectacles and cleaned them on his cloak. “You’ll see in good time, my young friends, we are near our destination.”
After walking for what seemed forever, for the twins at their young age, they had finally reached what Hoosun had called their destination.
As they walked, a room in the side of the hall revealed itself. Warm light peaked from the boundaries of a shut, wooden door, leaving mystery to what lay beyond its confines. Hoosun walked ahead and opened the door, calling in. “I have two young people I would like you to meet, my friends.”
Hoosun stepped aside, allowing the twins to get a view of the room, and enter. It was a nice looking room. The walls had the shine of gold. Iron lanterns slumped from chains above, candle light flickering to give life to the scene before the twins’ eyes. The room was filled with rustic furniture in the corners, small benches, and a table here and there, between them. Two children, about the age of the twins, sat at a bench and had a book spread before them. One, a boy, sat on the table, watching the girl read, while she sat on what would be the proper place of seating, the bench.
Hoosun pushed the children forward into the room, and closed the door behind them. “This is what Henk and I call the Den.” Samana and Daimana looked about curiously, Samana asking questioningly. “The Den…? Why do you call it that?”
The girl, who sat seated at the table, looked up from her book. Her hair was long and brown, and was done up in a ponytail at the back, with a small band wrapped around her hair to keep it fashioned so. She spoke, answering Samana’s question in a knowledgeable tone. “It’s the one place where we can have peace and quiet. We’re not like most kids around here, since we’re different, so…Hoosun watches over us, just a little more than he does the others. He allows us to use this space for ourselves, to be away from the others. So, it’s our Den.”
Samana nodded at the informative speech, and took her sister, hand in hand. Walking over to the bench, the twins seated themselves. The boy sitting on the table looked at them, silently. He was blank in expression, staring quite vacantly at the two of them. The girl closed her book, and introduced the silent boy to the girls. “This is Amen. He can’t talk, not for as long as anyone here has known him. When he was found, and brought here, a few months ago, he was covered in blood, head to toe. We don’t know what happened, but whatever it was, it must have given him too great a shock and made him…unable to speak…oh…um…yeah, my name’s Henk.”
Samana reached her hand out to shake Amen’s. Henk was about to object to her doing so, when Amen examined Samana up and down. Her face was friendly, and her eyes were green and bright. He could feel the good intentions in her heart, with just a look. Feeling her trust worthy, Amen gripped her hand, and nodded his head in approval. Henk smiled and took her spectacles off, and cleaned them on her sleeve. She was wearing a green cloak, as was Amen. It was the standard wear of the Order.
Henk put her spectacles back on, and had a look of surprise on her features. “I was going to tell you not to bother shaking Amen’s hand, but it seems that he trusts you. He’s a good judge of character. It’s very rare that he lets anyone touch him though, even for something as trivial as a greeting.”
Samana felt honored after this was brought to her knowledge, and let out a smile of joy. She seemed to be fitting in already. Her sister too had reached out and grabbed Amen’s hand in greeting. Hoosun was happy to see the youngsters getting along, and sat in a comfortable chair. It was padded with soft bark, taken from one of the harvest trees outside. He sat back and watched as the three girls conversed, the silent one watching from his meditative position, between them.
-Chapter 3-
Present
The storm outside had begun to settle. The rain was held back, leaving only but drops falling from the great tree, to moisten the ground below, as they met the end of their plunge.
Hoosun had decided to take the children out for fresh air. It was cool, and there was a slight breeze on the air. It smelled of sweet dew, falling from the tree above. But soon, Hoosun’s attention was taken from the weather, and rather quickly, as he saw Kaimana running from the lower entrance of the great tower.
The armored warrior pattered across the open ground, only swaying left and right to avoid any fruit trees that stood in his way, stopping upon reaching his children. His face was strong as he spoke words that would have struggled from the throats of any other that had to speak them, for what he had to say was surely grim. “My daughters…I have to go, now. I know, I told you before we came here, that I was going to leave you here, but…that doesn’t make it any easier for me to do.”
The twins hugged their father, cherishingly, as he had spoken. They did not want to leave him either. Samana nestled her head up to his waist, which was where her height reached its limit. “I know, father…we do not wish you to go either…but if it is the only way, then I guess you mus
t go. I’m sure we’ll be safe here…”
Tears streamed down the faces of the twins, as they gripped strongly onto their father. Daimana rubbed her head on Kaimana’s hand, a gesture which he returned warmly, running his fingers through her hair, softly, as he spoke. “Take care of each other, daughters. We’ll all see each other again, don’t you worry about me. No one ever goes away forever.”
Daimana let go of her father, and looked upon the ground as her tears met the same end as the dew drops from above. “…Father…couldn’t we go with you...after all…you made us warriors, back home. Why can we not join you?”
Kaimana knelt between his children, his hands firmly gripped on their shoulders. “You are brave, my daughters, but this battle is not for you. You are still young, and have much life to live. I would not risk your lives for a cause I swore I would fight for.”
Daimana gripped her father’s arm tightly. “But father…we can fight with you…I know we can…it’s worth the risk not to be separated…isn’t it?”
Kaimana smiled upon her, and ruffled her hair. “Daimana, even though when we die, here, we simply go somewhere else to exist, there are things in this part of our world, many steps you should take joy in walking, before you take such a great leap as death. The next plain of existence is different, as it is similar to this one, and you will go there when ready. For now, you and your sister must watch over each other…and right here. Please…do not follow me into battle, only do as I have asked.”
Daimana’s head drooped regretfully, as her tears grew into streams upon her face. The armored hand of Kaimana came beneath her chin, and lifted her head up, her father’s voice carrying calmly upon her. “Do not fear my going…we will meet again, I promise.”