Second Born

by Lance Wilson

  Attonnan only stay on his knees shocked watching the family walk away lowering his head he only picks up the knife and walks out of the town, he should have known this would happen, he is a killer and that is all that people will see him as now. Walking out of town he watches as the people line up on either side of the road. All of them are scowling at him. All of them looking at him as if he were the one that ruined there homes, killed there loved ones in the war.

  Attonnan gets as far as the same meadow before he hears it. The crack of thunder. The sky is dark now and he can feel a few droplets of rain. It shall be a huge storm. He only takes a deep breath and takes a bit of shelter under a tree. Lying there wondering what he should do now. He should go west. As he lies there and the rain begins to come down hard he hears someone approach. Attonnan slowly gets up and looks at the direction. He is shocked at what he sees. It cannot be. There is a man sitting on a horse his skin tanned from being in the sun, his hair as white as a ghost and sticks up from his head almost like a fire would. His features are sharp but still inviting. His eyes are a golden color. He wears a pair of slightly baggy light tan pants with black boots. A short sleeved red shirt, black bands over his upper arms and white wrappings over his hands like a fist fighter would, over the red shirt is a tiger skin vest with white fur over the edges to give it an even fiercer appearance. Staring at him in shock Attonnan would swear that this man is Kenshi, but, the hair is shorter, and the face, the face is only a bit younger. Across his back is a spear, duel tipped. It is a single edged spear tip on each side both tips are shaped like a half circle. The man approaches but when he gets close enough he puts his hands on his hips seeing Attonnan standing staring at him, but not in any kind of defensive pose. He is shocked at what he sees as well. The man is just as his brother had told him. Young with porcelain white skin and raven black hair, the markings of the dagoth clan on his face. He watches the fight in the town from a hidden ally, he fights just like his brother said, faster then even he can see, fluid. Moving like a ghost on the battlefield.

  “So you’re him, the great ghost,” the white haired man says slowly approaching him.

  “Who are you” Attonnan says his body loose, like a snake before the strike.

  “Sun Wukong, you know my brother Kenshi,” He says with a smile and a polite bow.

  “Kenshi, I have not heard that name in years, not since” but Attonnan stops, he can’t bare to think about it.

  “Come on. I want to show you something.” Sun says and starts to walk away.

  Attonnan thinks to himself, should he trust this man. He does look like his old friend Kenshi, but, this could still vary well be a trap. What does it matter, this is only one man and he knows that his blade has never failed him. Even if he does lead him into an ambush, would that be so bad. It could only have two outcomes, either he is killed or they are. Lowering his head in the rain he follows the young Sun. the two walk down the road toward the east. He knows the road well and knows that it goes to a town called Kanegasakai. Like thunder he hears a herd of horses charging behind him. He looks quickly to Sun who only keeps his eyes ahead of him not paying it any attention. Attonnan’s hand drifts to his sword but before he knows it the mounted army rides right past him, moving to his left or right around him. It is only a split second that Attonnan can see the leader but he swears that it is Kenshi; his wild mane of white hair is unmistakable. Like Attonnan Kenshi only gets a split second to see the traveler. That white skin against the black sky is unmistakable though, it has to be Attonnan. Sun and Attonnan walk for a bit longer and soon hear the sounds of battle. The two of them walk to the edge of a ridge where they can see two armies fighting one another. The first is what looks like a large force of Hitori clan; the second Attonnan knows to be Takunen. In the middle of the fray is Kenshi, his spear moving all around him cutting anyone down that come within reach. Attonnan can see that the battle is a blood bath. The Takunen have gone through a huge change, they are more focused and fiercer then they ever have been. He watches with great shock and delight to see his old friend leading such an army. It only shows to Attonnan what kind of man Kenshi really is and in lead what he can accomplish.

  “My brother is using this battle as a staging point to demonstrate just how powerful he is. He has set out to rule the Denerith elf kingdom and unite all the clans. Once he has done this he shall then strike at the invaders and force them out of our lands” Sun says smiling proudly at his brother.

  Attonnan watches as the fight lasts only a few moments, the Hitori are put to waist early and soon there is an uproar of cheers as Kenshi strikes down there general. This of course is not the full force of the Hitori but a piece of it. Unite the elflands that was Takada’s dream. After his death Kenshi must have decided to take it upon himself to see it done. Attonnan smiles as well. Unite the elflands, can such a thing be done. Seeing these men rally to Kenshi, he begins to think that perhaps it is possible. Quietly the two of them walk down the ridge feeling the rain finally letting up. As the two walk down to the battle they can see the Takunen army is already hard at work dealing with the bodies of dead, helping the wounded and now setting up the camp for the night. The army moves like a well-oiled machine. As they approach the main tent that Attonnan is sure will hold Kenshi he can’t help bet begin to shake. It has been so long, will Kenshi think he was a coward for running after, will he hate him for not returning to Omashu. Taking a deep breath he stands himself up straight as he hears Sun pound on one of the tent posts to get Kenshi’s attention. Without a word Sun then walks into the tent and looks over his shoulder signaling Attonnan to follow. Attonnan gulps and follows sun in. the tent is simple, there is only a bedroll on the ground and the spear that Kenshi has always used in the corner. Facing both of them in Kenshi, when he first met Kenshi he looked as wild and free as any man, now, now looking at him he has the air of nobility about him. His hair is still a wild mane a white hair, his eyes the same blazing gold they always were. His skin tanned for working outside. His clothing is what makes the change. Long baggy pants and baggy shirt of sky blue, black boots, black leather bracers over his wrists and wrappings over his hands like a fist fighter. Over his left shoulder is a silver pauldron and draped over his body like a toga is the pelt of a white tiger pulled tight in the middle with a black studded leather belt. Kenshi’s eyes go wide with shock seeing Attonnan then without warning he pulls him into a brotherly embrace.

  “I though we had lost you after the retreat form Shimazu” Kenshi says then pushes him back to arms length.

  “I ran after that. I went north first, I was on my way west” Attonnan says not sure what to say

  “I see. I want you to join me.” Kenshi says gesturing all around him.

  “What” Attonnan says shocked and confused.

  “Your right, I’m getting ahead of myself. Sit, sit. I can talk and explain everything. I’m sure you’ll join me by the end of all this” He says and laughs out loud.

  “Shall I retrieve some elven wine for us” Sun says smiling

  “Yes wine, and food” Kenshi says smiling back at his brother.

  “Attonnan it goes like this. After Takada died I was lost just like you. But I went home to Omashu. I knew that if we were going to get even with the Hitori I needed stronger warriors, better tacticians, a whole new Takunen. When they finally came we all had a meeting and they talked to me. Told me that just going after the Hitori was selfish. They were right. I began to remember what Takada always said about uniting the elflands, getting all the Denerith elf lands under one ruler. I shall strike at the Hitori first, then move on to the other clans, if we can defeat them we can bend them to our rule and then finally start running this place for the better of the people” Kenshi says and watches as Sun comes back with wine and some roasted meat.

  “It makes sense I guess” Attonnan says taking a drink of wine.

  “Think of it, the Denerith elf kingdom rising from the
dead only to thrive and be greater and more prosperous then ever. With you at my side I could do it” Kenshi says now clasping Attonnan by the shoulder.

  “Why do you need me?” Attonnan says knowing that he must have greater fighters then him around.

  “Are you kidding, the ghost. I still hear about you in small towns, your a legend and your name strikes fear in others. With you we might even be able to win a few battles without drawing a blade.” Kenshi says smiling.

  “I’m not sure, I’ve really left that life behind me,” Attonnan says looking up.

  “Tell you what, sleep here tonight, talk to the others, talk to Sun, talk to anyone you like, just stick around and think about it. I won’t force you to do anything, but even you have to see the great things we could do together” Kenshi says and finishes his glass in one gulp.

  “I’ll stick around then. Kenshi, I have to ask, about Shimazu, there was an assassin” Attonnan says but is stopped as Kenshi raises his hand.

  “Tanar’ri Jalas, ya I learned all I could about him. Apprentice to Dagoth Ur, although some say he killed dagoth Ur and took his place. No one knows where he went after Shimazu, some say he’s in the temple of the six arches. Good luck getting there, even if you are lucky enough to find it” Kenshi says lowering his head.

  “So it was all a set up, the Hitori didn’t start it” Attonnan says shaking his head.

  “No, Tanar’ri killed Takada to start a war, but looking at it all now, I’m glad he did. If he didn’t do that then I wouldn’t be here, and I certainly wouldn’t be trying to make the lands unite. Maybe he did us a favor,” Kenshi says smiling.

  ‘You think by killing your and my master he did us a favor” Attonnan says shocked.

  “I didn’t mean it like that, I would have loved Takada to live. But without that death we wouldn’t be doing what we are now. He got the ball rolling even if that wasn’t what he wanted to happen” Kenshi says and lays his hand gently back on Attonnan’s shoulder.

  “I should sleep, I’ve had a rough few days. We can talk in the mourning” Attonnan says and gets up.

  “Attonnan, it is great to see you made it. I wondered for a while. I never should have doubted you’d make it” Kenshi says and raises a glass in his honor.

  Attonnan only nods and walks out of the tent, a soldier seeing him smiles and quickly leads him to a tent where he can lay down and gets some sleep. Attonnan once inside the tent thinks about all he has heard, Kenshi is right, by killing their master that assassin started a war. Kenshi may not see it, but what if that is exactly what he wanted, and why. He only shakes his head, it is all just too much right now and taking a long deep breath he lays his head down and is fast asleep.

  It is early in the mourning when he is awakened by Sun. At first he is only laying there an odd sensation coming over him, however when he opens his eyes he finds that it is the sensation of being watched. Sun is standing over him, his eyes wide with amazement. Attonnan growls at the sight of this and Sun takes a step back.

  “What do you want?” Attonnan says rolling on his side. He has never been a mourning person and probably never will be.

  “I just came to tell you that the army is moving out, we march back to Omashu” Sun says looking down and turns away slightly embarrassed.

  “Sorry about that, I’m always a bit gruff in the mourning. Is there any reason you were watching me sleep” Attonnan says and gets up

  It is only when he sees Sun turn bright red and quickly turn his back that Attonnan realizes that he is naked. He had stripped himself before falling asleep and had forgotten.

  “It was just that, I had heard things about you from my brother, I wondered if they were true.” Sun says keeping his back to Attonnan.

  “Dare I ask what they are?” Attonnan says now reaching for his pants, and the yellow blue sash.

  “He was talking about the marks, and the skin. He said it happened in the Hojo camp, is it true you were once the apprentice to Fuma Hojo, like my brother” Sun says, his voice soft and almost hesitant.

  “Ya, ya I was.” Attonnan says and lowers his own head.

  It is hard to think about now. All those years that he was nothing more then just some obedient dog. It was Kenshi that was sure there was more to him and showed him that he could amount to something else if all he did was try. Thinking about this makes a small smile come across his face, Kenshi, he owed him so much. Kenshi who was also an aprentice to Fuma in his time had taught him that a master is not always a good thing to have, and about love. Attonnan remembers that hot passionate night that Kenshi took him to his bed, and the mourning where he taught him that pleasure in bed shouldn’t just is one sided. He owed him so much, but, but that didn’t mean he had to agree to this war, you don’t go to war just cause your friends with the general.

  “Did I loose you” Sun says now laying his hand on Attonnan’s shoulder.

  “Sorry just remembering some things your brother and I went through. We didn’t know each other that long but well, we shared a lot” Attonnan says and opens the tent flap to see that the army was already gathering up and preparing to take off. There is an army of a couple of hundred but he is sure that there are probably far more already waiting for them in Omashu. Omashu, the home he had left after the assassination of Takada. He wonders in his mind why Kenshi is running from the battle, clearly he has the Hitori clan on the run, wouldn’t it be easier to peruse them and destroy the remainder of the force that was set against them.

  “Your horse is waiting for you at the stables” Sun says and gestures past a group of men gathering the things.

  “I’ll walk thank you” Attonnan says calmly and begins to walk to the tent that he is sure still holds Kenshi.

  “I’m not sure you can get in to talk to him, last time I checked he was in a meeting with his war council.” Sun says stopping him with a hand on Attonnan’s shoulder.

  “He’ll see me.” Attonnan says with a smile. If Kenshi wants him to join then he will have to answer questions.

  “You may think that, but I’m not sure the council will care who you are” Sun says but lets him go.

  Attonnan ignoring sun walks though the camp and to the main tent. Once in front of it he swings open the flap and finds Kenshi sitting with five others.

  “Attonnan, I am please to see you but you shouldn’t be here. If you can wait tell after the council I would be glad to talk to you” Kenshi says with a pleasant smile.

  “You will speak to me now. This concerns the fact that you are not pursuing the Hitori clan.” Attonnan says and takes a deep breath.

  An older man sitting to the right of Kenshi goes to stand, Kenshi can tell that the insulting of the tactics has insulted him and he wants to let Attonnan know just how insulted he does feel.

  “Attonnan, I didn’t think it was a good idea myself, but Huang Zhong, he is master of the Yan Yu archers, and is a master tactician. It was his idea to let the Hitori run. Let me explain as he did with me. If we chase the Hitori and they see us, as would be inevitable they will only lead us around and around and we would eventually kill off this group. However, if we depart for Omashu, but keep three or four archers set on them, they will lead us straight the main encampment. Kenshi says smiling.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t think of that” Attonnan says and turns his head away a bit ashamed that he missed such an obvious thing.

  “Of course you didn’t, you are nothing more then a soldier, not a tactician” Huang says smiling

  “You do not know Attonnan as I do Huang, he is a soldier, but also one of the greatest swordsman I know of. He doesn’t need tactics, just his blade” Kenshi says and with a nod Attonnan knows that it is time for him to leave.

  Attonnan politely bows to everyone and then walks back out of the tent into the main camp. After he leaves Kenshi smiles at the group around the table knowing that
four of them are mystics and have a knack for reading people. For a while they just look at one another but they all just shake their heads. They don’t want to talk about it, not here, not now.

  Attonnan walks back out into the camp and is soon met up with by Sun. Sun sees that he was escorted so quickly out of the tent and shakes his head, he must have been kicked out of the meeting. Once away from the tent Attonnan looks up at the bright mourning sky and takes a deep breath. He knows that they are right; with a good number of spies they would easily be able to find out the headquarters of the Hitori clan. Rushing them now would only put them on their Guard and they may never lead them to the hive.

  “Sorry they didn’t listen to you. Come on, I was told that you ride with 5th unit” Sun says smiling.

  “What are they like” Attonnan says looking over at them.

  “Can’t say, I never really spent much time with them, 5th unit is the rookie squad” sun says and walks him over to a group of what looks like kids on horses.

  “I’ll walk” Attonnan says and takes a deep breath.

  “Suit yourself” Sun says and walks away with a wave of his hand.

  Attonnan for the longest moment only just stares at the kids on horseback. Not one of them looks like they have hit the rite of passage. They all look so young, so innocent, how could they be warriors. Not one of them even looks as if they have seen any kind of battle. Sun says this is the rookie squad, so maybe they haven’t seen battle. The leader is a young woman sitting high and straight on her horse. She, like the rest of her unit, is wearing a grass green baggy shirt, and same color pants. She has on black boots and white wrappings around her hands. Over the basic clothing is a breastplate of armor, black leather with squares of metal all over it, pauldrons of solid steel and bracers of leather, with steel on the outer wrist and back of the hand. Her long black hair is tied back in a warriors knot her dark brown eyes focused on the road ahead. At her side is a sword, it is a wide sword that comes to a cleaver like edge, shorter then a regular sword, but longer then a short sword, a balance of both. The blade is also thick. The handle is made so it can be used single or double handed, a ring at the end with a red tassel tied to it. Around her forehead is a bandana, a green one with something embroidered in sandy gold. As Attonnan walks up to the groups he can see many of the kids lean to one another and begin to whisper things. The young girl however says nothing and with a quick and sharp look over her shoulder the unit quits itself.