by Lance Wilson
“That’s some skill you have, the Wolfpride could use someone like you. When our lord Griffin takes over Ronin you shall be successful in whatever you desire. Work hard” Mellyruna says and places a hand on Attonnan’s shoulder.
Attonnan stand there his brothers hand on his shoulder. He doesn’t know him, doesn’t see him. The old woman was right; in his own home he has become nothing but a ghost. These speeches however they lack the emotion that Mellyruna used to have, he wonders if this is all just a show, that Mellyruna is doing something more. He can’t say, too much time has passed and he doesn’t even know his brother anymore. With a polite bow Attonnan turns and walks out of the gates saying nothing.
So much has changed in all these years. His family has changed. Vulge a once dedicated and fierce guard has turned into an old farmer. His sister has a son and lives a simple life of a commoner, His brother once a strong and powerful leader now only follows like a lap dog. He wonders what other surprises this place will have for him. Taking his time Attonnan makes his way across the farmland to the other side of the city where he finds a rigged fort. It is a simple outpost made from logs sitting on a hill. It is a simple set up but easily fortified and defended, it seems someone has learned that simplicity is usually the best way to go. He walks the trail up to the main gate and soon finds himself face to face with three guards. At first they do nothing they just watch him, After all he himself is doing nothing, he just stands there for a moment looking at the banners of the Unagi clan that hang on the sides of the fort, banners he has not seen in far too long. As he continues his approach though a guard approaches him
“Move on your way boy, this is a big boy fort” The guard says and lets his fingers drift to his blade.
Attonnan at first is stunned by this remark, but then remembers that he does look young, the magic used to turn him the white color he is, has also given him a Permanente youthful look. Attonnan only smiles and give the guard a bow but still keeps moving to the fort. The guard snarls and without warning attacks. The attack is fast, but Attonnan is faster. Attonnan steps into the draw and swiftly places his hands beside the guards hands on the handle of the blade, when the draw happens Attonnan uses the momentum of the draw to rip the blade from the mans hands then keeps the momentum going and spins in a circle slamming the back of the blade into the mans neck making him drop to the ground unconscious. Attonnan studies the blade for a moment before tossing it to one side like a dissuaded toy. The other two soldiers stand there shocked not sure what to do now. Soon Attonnan watches as the gate door opens and sees a woman walk out. The woman is dressed in clothing from the east, her hair is raven black and done in a eastern style bun with some strands hanging loose in her face, her skin pale but color is painted on it like a courtesan. Over her eyes she has a black silk cloth tied behind, her hair covering the tie. Her shirt is a fold over black silk shirt with a wide silver boarder, the sleeves are bell sleeves like his own but they fall just past her elbow showing her smooth skin and elegant hands. Her black silk skirt is also fold over with wide silver boarders to make it look like this is all one piece. The skirt a slit up the side all the way to the tight. Around her waist is a wide silver silk belt that holds a Vulkoori long and short sword.
As soon as she steps out Neckity is stunned by what she feels and sees around her. This is the one that Mecmed was looking for all those years ago. His power and spirit are overwhelming. She can see the energies flowing around him like air and water, constantly flowing and moving, The presence of the warrior himself is like that of the ancient dragons that helped form this land. Instantly she knows whom this is, this is the warrior Attonnan, the ghost of the battlefield, the brother to her husband, and brother to the lap dog Mellyruna, but what is he doing her. Slowly she smiles as she walks to him and gives him a polite bow.
“Why are you making fools of yourself, you are not going to beat him” Neckity says her voice stern, her covered eyes never leaving Attonnan.
“Neckity, how dare you” The guard snarls at her.
“That sword he wares has seen many battles, you guys are all bark and no bite” She continues, the guards have spirit she will give them that, but they are nothing like the Vulkoori she lived with, or her love Byrdi, and certainly nothing like this man.
“Watch your mouth,” The guard says and steps to her but stops dead in his tracks as he watches her hand move to the Vulkoori long sword.
“I’m just telling the truth, you idiots better keep your mouth shut, and what about you. You don’t seem like the type to fight without purpose. That said, I still don’t trust you anyway it’s clear you like to fight, you’ll feel right at home here. If you want to join us you’d best introduce yourself to Nagamasa” Neckity says and turns her back to him, she takes a few steps but stops, her ears pick up that he has taken the offer and is following.
As they walk though the fort Attonnan can see that the people here are not real fighters, not like he is used to. Oh they are spirited and getting well trained, and they do have one of the best motives, pride in ones clan and the protection of ones family, but against a trained army they will fall regardless.
“I know what you are thinking, do not underestimate those that lead them” Neckity says seeming to read Attonnan’s mind.
They continue to walk and move into the main house of the fort, then up a flight of stairs where she slides open a door revealing the main quarters of Nagamasa, this is where he plans his battles and meets with his generals.
Sitting against the wall in the center is Nagamasa, He is dressed much like the old Lord Oda, a purple billowing shirt and black tight pants, over the shirt is a black breast plate with the symbol of the Hitori clan on it. Over his shoulders is a cape with black feathers along the shoulders. His face makes Attonnan think of a young elf just past his Adougi, his light brown hair is short and unkempt and his soft green eyes show that Attonnan is wrong, there is a sadness there, the sadness that comes with battle and a hard life. Neckity takes her place at his left standing with her back to the wall. Attonnan’s eyes then find the man on Nagamasa’s right; it is his youngest brother Byrdi. He has aged well and turned into a fine warrior. He is dressed in red armor that looks like it came from the east. At his side is a Vulkoori long sword, this shocks Attonnan since when he left Byrdi’s weapon of choice was always the spear. His face is hard but his eyes show a kind of peace to them.
“I’m glad you came here, we have some strange fellows here but for the most part we are good men. From this point on you are a member of Unagi clan. We believe in enjoying life freely here. So feel free to enjoy yourself.” Nagamasa says smiling at him.
The sound of his voice makes Attonnan think of the generals he has met it battle. He is reassuring his troops. Telling them to live life now, for you may die in battle tomorrow. It is the same kind of carefree attitude that Kenshi had, the memory of his old friend and master bringing a lump to his throat.
“I am Byrdi. It looks like we’ve got another true warrior amongst us glad to have you, welcome, help us defeat Griffin and restore the cherry blossoms to the land” Byrdi says the voice and attitude of a child returning to him.
Attonnan hears that his childish spirit has not left him and it brings a smile to his face, if anyone deserves that privilege it is Byrdi.
“I am Neckity, if you don’t mind I shall determine the extent of your abilities” Neckity says her voice cold but soft, like the shadows that seem to surround her.
“In any case were here to fight, we are here to overthrow Griffin, let us combine our strength and fight together” Nagamasa says standing then extends his hand to Attonnan.
Attonnan however only nods but doesn’t take the hand. He cannot say which side he will fight, if either of them. “Might I borrow him for a bit” Neckity says smiling and gently taking Attonnan’s hand.
Without word the two of them walk down the stairs and out of the fort to the si
de there is a pond. Once on the edge of the pond she slowly smiles and then turns to Attonnan.
“You are the second born I take it, the one Mecmed was really looking for” She says looking up at him, and yet all Attonnan can see was the black silk cloth that covered her eyes.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about” Attonnan says lowering his head.
“Perhaps, perhaps not. Tell me this, are you or are you not the twin to Mellyruna, and the half brother of Byrdi, and Maeraer,” She asks putting his hand on his shoulder and then walks behind him.
Gently she walks to the edge of the pond, with a motherly kind of affection she turns him to the pond and the two kind of stare down in the reflection.
“I am” Attonnan says looking at his own reflection.
“I shall assume that none of them noticed you, or have you met anyone but Byrdi” She says smiles her hand never leaving his shoulder.
“No, they don’t” Attonnan says his voice with the hint of pain from being forgotten.
“I think it is best that way” She says and looks at him.
Attonnan says and takes a long breath, and then only nods, the feeling in him more hollow then usual. So it all comes down to that, he is so easily forgotten and they have moved on so completely that it is best if they forget him completely.
Neckity can see the despair in him smiles and turns him back to the pond, then gently takes up a small pebble and drops it right where Attonnan’s face is reflected.
“Ripples in a pond.” She says and smiles at him letting him go.
Attonnan looks long and hard at the now rippling pond, he’s not sure what she sees or why, he only knows what he sees and that is the Unagi clan torn asunder by war. Brother is fighting brother and from the look of it his sister is only trying to move on and will be caught in the upheaval of war. Taking a long deep breath he turns and walks away. Moving calmly he finds his brother staring up at the sky, as if searching for something.
“You want something,” Byrdi says without turning to face Attonnan.
“You look deep in thought,” Attonnan says keeping his distance not really wanting to approach him.
“Yes, the day we will strike and claim back our land is drawing near. There is so much at stake,” Byrdi says now knowing what Bai Shi-zi must have felt like before his final battle, the one where he took his life at the end.
Attonnan can only nod at this. So much is going on, so many dreams; he can feel the static in the air like before a great storm.
Not sure what else to do Attonnan makes his way back to the battlefield where the two villagers found him. The ground is still littered with bodies and broken blades. He’s not sure why this is so peaceful to him, is this all he is meant for, death and destruction. Why can’t he move on and find that life of peace that he so longs for. Calmly he climbs a small hill and tucks himself into a patch of woods. There he sits his legs folded, his blade lay out on his lap and rests his hands on his knees. His breathing becomes calm and deep as he closes his eyes. Here, here in the field of death and destruction he shall find his calm and peace, then maybe he can find the path he is searching for. Attonnan isn’t sure how long he is sitting in that position, only that when he opens his eyes at the sound of footsteps it is the dead of night. Without a sound he stands and places his blade back at his side. Calmly he watches as Mellyruna tromps up the hill at first he thinks that Mellyruna has seen him but instead he watches as he tromps right past him to a small place cut away on the other side of the trail. Attonnan focuses as he watches Mellyruna slowly kneel before something in the middle of the clearing. It is a shrine of some kind. Attonnan watches closely sure that his brother did not see him.
“I am sorry for your death but there is nothing I can do right now, please be patient for a while. It will happen even if it means my death” Mellyruna says his voice soft and calm, but filled with sadness at the same time.
With that spoken Mellyruna moves further up the hill. Attonnan a slave now to his curiosity follows as silent as the shadows that hide him. The both of them move further up the hill tell it comes to a halt at the top where part of it has been carved away and several small shrines stand. Mellyruna stops and stands facing the small shrines. Attonnan still hidden waits for something. Surly there is a reason he is here. They stand there for a bit, maybe ten minutes before the pair of there hears another set footsteps. Attonnan turns to watch Byrdi slowly approaching wearing his red armor and caring his eastern blade. Mellyruna however still stands his back to his brother. Byrdi moves in closer tell he is just six feet away.
“Damn you” He snarls at Mellyruna and without warning attacks.
It is a straight on charge but as he gets in close he draws his blade. Attonnan knows the maneuver well he has become a master at it himself, and seeing Byrdi use it he can see his younger brother has been training but is still an armature at the long sword. Mellyruna who heard the clumsy attack coming quickly side steps and spins to face his brother, his hands still at his side.
“Brother, traitor, aligning with Griffin, I don’t feel anything for you brother, and I’ll never forgive you, prepare yourself” Byrdi snarls again and continues the attack.
Byrdi takes a step forward and takes a swipe at Mellyruna, but Mellyruna is still calm and only sways out of the way of the blade. Byrdi follows with a thrust; Mellyruna however is too fast, and too experienced. Without warning he grabs the handle of the blade spins and uses the momentum to take the blade from Byrdi, he then flings it to the ground and draws his own blade, a huge great swords. At first sight of it Attonnan thinks the thing far too big and unwieldy. But Mellyruna seems to have built up for this blade and draws it one handed, then holds it in front of him, this time with both hands.
“This is over, don’t waist your life Byrdi” Mellyruna says his voice that of an older brother trying to calm his younger.
“Just kill me, I would rather die here the receive any pity from you, traitor” Byrdi says his eyes blazing in fury
“Fool, I am not going to kill you here. You poor lost child” Mellyruna says and sheaths his blade again.
“I promise I shall kill Griffin, and you, the traitor that double crossed Unagi clan, remember this brother” Byrdi says getting up and dusting himself off. How dare he spare him. No matter it just means that he can strike at his leisure.
Mellyruna only turns his back on his brother; he knows that he doesn’t understand what is going on or why he must do what he is doing. But he will not kill his brother Byrdi snarls and picks up his blade, then walks away. Mellyruna is too skilled for him to take on by himself, but in time he will have the full might of the Unagi clan to back him, then both Mellyruna and Griffin will pay for their crimes. With that last thought he makes his way back down the hill. Mellyruna stand staring at the smaller shrines for a period of time then slowly moves back down to the shrine overlooking the battlefield. Like the last time Attonnan follows, this is better then he ever could have imagined, his whole family now reveling their secrets to him without him having to do a thing. He couldn’t have planned it better and if he is lucky he will find the source of this pain and perhaps be able to mend the rifts.
Once at the shrine overlooking the battlefield Mellyruna gets down on his knees and sits on his feet, his hands calmly on his waist. Attonnan waits wondering if this is it, if he has seen everything he can. But soon he is drawn to the sight of another approaching, at first he thinks it is Byrdi back with more men to fight, but as the figure turns the corner he can see it is Maeraer. She is walking up wearing the same Roman like gown She approaches the small shrine and gets close enough to Mellyruna so that if she wanted she could easily lay her hand on his shoulder.
“How long do you plan on doing things like that, you don’t really think that what you are doing is right do you?” She asks her voice soft like that of the little girl that Attonnan remembers.
&nb
sp; “Weather right or wrong it doesn’t matter, I’m just serving my purpose” Mellyruna says taking a long deep breath.
“Your porpoise is to cause suffering to the people who have committed no crime” She continues trying to get him to see the error of his ways.
“Some things have to be taken with a broader perspective. That’s all I can say” Mellyruna says hinting that he has a plan that will end in the greater good, but does he.
“Why. You weren’t anything like this before” Mellyruna says her voice pleading as if she is on the verge of tears.
“No but people do change, you have changed too. I am asking you not to speak to me anymore, it will only attract attention” Mellyruna says and gets up from his squatting position, and turns.
Gently he lays his hand on her shoulder, and then walks off into the night.
“Mellyruna” Maeraer whispers to herself calling to her lost brother
Attonnan is torn in two, he wants to stay with his sister and help her but he must follow Mellyruna, he is the key to all this. Slowly and silently he follows his older brother down the hill. He watches as Mellyruna makes his way through the battlefield all the way to a small river that is still running with streaks of blood. He watches as his brother stops and looks up at the night sky. He cannot stay hidden anymore, if he wants information he will have to approach and let them know he is here, of course that doesn’t mean that they have to know he has been there for some time now. Calmly he walks out of the shadows making sure to make enough noise that Mellyruna can hear him approach.