by Lance Wilson
“Did you know that long ago there used to be a large cherry tree right here. When Mecmed took over Ronin he had it cut down, burned everything to the ground, I heard he even had the stump of the tree removed. I wish I could have shown you the flowers as they danced down to the ground.” Mellyruna says and turns to Attonnan, there is a sweet smile on his face. But no recognition in his eyes. He then bows a little and walks away.
Looking at the spot Attonnan’s mind flashes back to as simpler time, of course he remembers that tree, he and his brother used to play by it all the time, climb it, even Byrdi, Maeraer and Rin would sometimes read under it. He also remembers how in the spring the cherry blossoms would fall from the tree and dance down to the ground just as Mellyruna said, it was perhaps one of the most peaceful places he had. Now the tree is gone, the peace of this place gone as well. Attonnan stands at the vacant spot where the cherry tree once bloomed for a long restless moment as he allows his mind to battle with the dissensions it must make. Should he go to his brother Byrdi, comfort him and help him build the clan? Go back to Maeraer and ask to stay with her, perhaps stay on there farm and hope that the war that is coming passes them by and try to build something out of the ashes that is left of his soul. Or Go with Mellyruna, find his grand plan and help him. The sound of the water moving over the rocks is the only sound that gives him company as his loyalty to each of his family members battles it out. In the end he knows he must go with Mellyruna, there is something much larger then him playing in this field. And he has to find out what it is that will inevitable decide the fate of Ronin.
With that decided Attonnan goes to his old home where the Kainith elves now stay. Once there the guards let him through without problems. They saw him fight and earn his right to be one of their ranks. Attonnan moves through the castle astounded at how much has changed and soon comes to his old room. Testing the door he sees that it is unlocked. When he opens the door he finds that it has been cleaned out and nothing remains of his old life. His mind flashes back to what it once was, a clutter of things, some weapons, but mostly books. Books of the old elves of stories and legends, always hoping he could one day is as great and grand as them. His hand drift to the side table by the bed, he remember the silver dagger he kept there, the dagger he almost killed himself with. Was it so long ago? It seems like only yesterday that he was faced with the words his father used against him. Attonnan sits on the edge of the bed and his mind flashes back to his father. Such a cruel and hateful man, at least to him. And yet in the end he gave him peace, he let his father believe that it was Mellyruna holding him, that Mellyruna had defeated Mecmed and won back Ronin. Why did he care so much for his father, his father never gave him a second though. He lays his head on the pillow as these thoughts rush though his mind, and before he knows it he is fast asleep.
Attonnan wakes sometime in the early mourning to the sound of footsteps outside his old room. Carefully he opens his door and finds himself staring at the back of Mellyruna. But he stops someone has stopped him. Mellyruna is snapped out of his thoughts as he finds himself face to face with Millardo, he has never liked Millardo, nor did either of them ever see eye to eye on many things. Millardo glares at him and then spies the box in his hand, it looks like a smaller box that is used for holding things, and the box itself is not that impressive but on the top is the crest of the Unagi clan. Millardo’s eyes widen and he smiles at Mellyruna, finally he has proof of Mellyruna’s betrayal to Griffin.
“Hay what’s with the box what is that?” Millardo asks pointing at the box.
“What is it, it just contains some medicine” Mellyruna says confused by the sudden accusation.
“I’m not talking about the contents, I’m talking about the markings on the lid. Isn’t that the family crest of the Unagi clan I know about you, you used to be one of the four brothers of the Unagi clan if I remember correctly? I always thought it strange that a Unagi son would serve the Kainith elf kingdom” Millardo continues laying out the betrayal in front of him awaiting his confession.
“That is enough talk of the past, my allegiance is with Griffin. This box has no real meaning, quite it with your petty suspicions” Mellyruna says not missing a beat and smiling politely.
His mind reels at his own forgetfulness. He never should have brought out the box, of course a thief like Millardo would remember the crest and remember his past. It’s all to simple, such a small mistake but it could ruin everything.
“Petty suspicions, we’ll see about that, I’m on to you and your ulterior motives” Millardo says snarling at Mellyruna now, he has hated him ever since there last conversation before he left the Wolfpride.
“And what do you base your accusations, do you have any proof. And unless you have proof do not bother me with your accusations” Mellyruna says in a board voice.
“Every rat eventually gets trapped” Millardo says spitting on the ground and turning to walk away.
As he turns he steppes right into Attonnan who has used the argument of the two to slip out of his room and step into the hall unnoticed.
“What do you want, you look like you got something on your mind” Millardo says snarling at Attonnan now.
Rage builds in Attonnan and he knows that he could cut this man down without a second thought or even a problem. But not yet, not here. This mans time will come.
“Nothing” Attonnan says his voice soft and weak that is what the man wants to here so that is the voice he will give him.
“Useless” Millardo says and pushes his way past Attonnan slamming hard into his shoulder, Attonnan only ignores this and takes a deep breath.
“I know you, no, I must be mistaken” Mellyruna says his eyes piercing into Attonnan’s, that fire, that passion, it so much like his younger brother, but no. His brother is dead; he has been for these long years since the fall of Ronin.
Attonnan’s heart leaps, his brother almost saw him. Almost saw past what has been done to him and saw the man he was so long ago. He knows that nothing will happened for a good while, no one starts a revolution in the middle of the day, no they always wait tell night. Knowing he has time he goes into town.
Once in town he finds himself a small building where outside Neckity is standing almost as if she is waiting for him.
“I knew you would come down here,” She says smiling at him and gestures for him to come inside with her.
Without a word he walks into the building, it is a small one-room place with no windows and only the one door. There is no furniture or anything else in the room. A couple of lanterns in each corner light the room.
“You will want to practice. I shall leave you to it” She says with a polite smile and goes to leave.
“I am right then, the storm is coming” Attonnan says turning to her as her hand reaches the door
“Only Mellyruna can tell you that. You know when and where to find him, enjoy your practice” She says and with that leaves the room.
Attonnan shakes his head and then walks over to each lantern and blows them out. Once the room is in complete darkness he begins to train. His sight is a weakness that he cannot rely on. His moves are like flashes of lightening. He moves from one side to the other side, to the middle of the room, even if others could see, they would never see him move, it is like he just appears in each place.
Soon night falls once again and Attonnan makes his way back to the battlefield where he is sure that he will find Mellyruna. Carefully he makes his way up the small hill and sure enough he finds him at the small shrine. He is knelt just like he was the last time, hearing Attonnan approach Mellyruna chuckles but doesn’t turn around.
“I can’t even hold a proper burial. I must hide in a place like this. It breaks my heart; I’m ashamed of my helplessness. You must already know. This is where I have devoted a grave to my brother, Attonnan. He would have been the guardian to the Unagi clan. When Unagi clan fell, he fought
, and was taken by the Hojo clan. He died there. Even should it mean my own life I shall avenge my brother. Brother I feel the time is near. I told you this cause there is something in you that reminds me of him, I believe you to be a warrior I can trust, to have my back. There is nothing more that I alone can do to defeat Griffin but I feel that with you fighting at my side we may have a chance. There is no more time to waist, will you lend me your strength” Mellyruna says never once turning to look at Attonnan.
Attonnan is shocked at what he hears; Mellyruna blames himself for his death. Feels that this game he is playing to work for the Kainith elves is all for his vengeance. He had not forgotten him.
“Of course” Attonnan says his voice calm and cool
“I thank you. I knew it; I knew you would agree to help me. Fighting against Griffin may seem impossible at this point but even so I shall show him a true warrior, to honor my brother. If you are lending me your strength then I believe that we may just prevail” Mellyruna says and finally turns to look at Attonnan, there are tears in his eyes but he wears a smile. He nods to Attonnan and then walks off into the night.
Attonnan watches as he walks into the night. So much does he want to shout for him to stop, to tell him that Attonnan didn’t die in the Hojo fortress but is standing right here in front of him? But what would that accomplish, the memory of him is far more powerful then he could be right now. It is the memory of him that is driving Mellyruna to bring down the Wolfpride and Griffin; he cannot bring himself to end that. Let him think that he is dead just a little longer, what does a few more days matter anyway. With that thought he makes his way back into town, he will not stay at the former castle, no tonight he shall stay with Maeraer and Vulge at there farm. Perhaps there he can get some decent rest. He will need it, the night air is all a tingle, and the storm is almost upon him. He hasn’t felt this kind of focus and intense energy since the day he rode against Kenshi.
It is early in the next mourning when Attonnan is awakened by Maeraer shouting at the top of her lungs to get Vulge. Soon she slams open the door and finds Vulge sitting cross legged in the main room of the house. Attonnan places himself against the wall to listen carefully.
“Oh no it’s Griffins army” Maeraer shouts dropping to her knees in front of Vulge
Vulge only nods but takes a long deep breathe.
“Why, why would this happen now.” She asks her eyes filled with tears.
“Lord Mecmed is coming to conquer Ronin once more. Griffin has shown his true colors and has challenged him. Griffin knows that this will be the fight to decide who has the right to rule the Denerith elves. He can have no reservations, everything is at play now, even the smallest pebble at the bottom of the river.” Vulge says and Maeraer watches as Attonnan walks out of the room to join them.
For the longest time the three of them just look at one another, there is an awkward silence as they decide who should speak first.
“Castle Unagi, the fortress that my brother and my husband Nagamasa built is besieged by Griffins forces. They’ll all be killed if we don’t do something” Maeraer says her eyes filled with tears.
“It is retribution, this clan has always done what it wanted with no regard to the others. Getting involved would be absurd leave it alone” Vulge says stating a cold hard truth. She may not want to hear it but it has to be said.
“What about Byrdi, what about my husband” She says her face now in her hands.
“We cannot have concern for them.” Vulge says knowing that right now all that is important is staying low and keeping calm, if they are lucky, the forces of Griffin and Mecmed will battle far from here and they will not be witness to it, or caught up in it.
“Don’t you remember what you always used to say, Kainith elves only take lives, and they have no respect for life and kill for money and pride. Kainith elves are good for nothing and look at us now. We are no better then them if we turn our backs on Byrdi and my husband, and the others.” Maeraer says and runs out of the room sobbing.
Vulge only sits and stares into the ground, She wasn’t here the last time, during the rebuilding, she didn’t have to deal with the Kainith elves that were left behind. She will move past it, death comes to everyone and warriors like Nagamasa and Byrdi welcome it, usually at an early age. Slowly Attonnan rises, he will not allow Byrdi to die in battle, not if he can save him. He was not there for his brother in his youth, but he will be there for him now. And as for Nagamasa, he will save him too, he is his sister’s husband and father to their child, he will bring him home. No child should know the loose of a father. Seeing Attonnan raise Vulge stares at him for a moment.
“Your going aren’t you,” He asks already knowing the answer.
“Yes” Attonnan answers turning his back and moving to the door.
“You’ll just die” Vulge says lowering his head once more.
“I died a long time ago” Attonnan says and then makes his way out and to the fortress.
It takes Attonnan only moments to get to the fortress. Looking at the battle that unfolds in front of him he can see that both sides are skilled fighters but none of them are masters, they are not ready for him and never would be. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath then begins. Like the ghost he is a he move through the battlefield, his blade cutting death where ever it lands. Each blow kills and none can keep up with his movements. One second he is in front of a group of rebels, then before they hit the ground he is across the main courtyard facing the military, to him all are the same, rebel or military, as long as they are stand in the way they are all the same, dead. As he makes his way to the main stairs leading to the fortress he finds Nagamasa fighting off a few military. Nagamasa himself is a sight with his short blade and axe. The military fall to him easily and he smiles as he sees Attonnan.
“Made it all this way, you must be something special on the battlefield” He says as he sinks his axe into another soldier
“I’m not here to talk about that, Go home, Maeraer is worried about you. The fortress is lost even you can see that. Go to your wife and child, that is where your future lies, not some pile of burning cinders.” Attonnan says looking around as some of the fort catches fire, as if to prove his point.
Nagamasa takes a moment to look around him and finds that what Attonnan is saying is true, the fortress has fallen. He came here with Maeraer hoping to rebuild the Unagi clan, give her the clan as a gift, for saving his life, bringing him back from just giving up on himself. But when they got to Ronin it all erupted in a huge argument, she saw what it had become and gave up on it. He didn’t want to give up that easily. This fighting, this stranger is right, he doesn’t belong here; he belongs at home with his wife. What good is protecting a fort if you have no family inside?
“Byrdi is inside with the rest of the men, he’ll fight to the bitter end. I got this from Mellyruna, pass it on to him if you can” Nagamasa says and hands Attonnan a small box with the family crest painted on the top.
With a nod Attonnan takes the box and tucks it into his sash, he then watches as Nagamasa takes off in a sprint for the back doors of the fortress, cutting down those in his way. Attonnan turns and busts in the door to the fortress then makes his way up the stairs and into the main chamber where he is sure that he will see Byrdi. Sure enough in the middle of the room is Byrdi trying to rally the men for one last charge. One last chance to go out in a blaze of glory.
“Griffins forces have broken through, it’s only a matter of time before the reach us, we must show them that we are true warriors.” Byrdi says his voice full of passion as he speaks.
“Sir we can still escape through the back gate” One of the random soldiers says looking out the window
“What, are you saying we run? No, I fought to hard to rebuild Unagi clan. If we’re wiped out then our dream dies as well and I’ll have no reason to live,” Byrdi says staring at the man, his eyes b
lazing.
“Your okay with dying for no reason” Attonnan says getting everyone’s attention.
“What does someone like you know, we have risked our lives. If we die cherry blossoms shall never bloom again for countless days we have dreamt of rebuilding Unagi clan how could you possible understand that” Byrdi says snarling at him, how could he know what it is like to fight for a dream, he is just a wanderer, a mercenary who fights for money.
For what seems like an eternity the two only stand staring at each other. Both know that the other will not back down will not stop; there is only one way to settle this. Then like a flash of lightening it starts. Byrdi charges at Attonnan then when he is close enough he goes for the draw. But Attonnan is far too skilled and too fast for the young swordsman. As Byrdi draws Attonnan steps into him, placing one foot to cross his path and trip him, then in the same split second he lays his hands on Byrdi’s sword handle, just below where Byrdi himself holds it. As Byrdi stumbles over the foot Attonnan uses the force of the draw to yank the sword from Byrdi, spins it in his hand and slams the dull side right to Byrdi’s temple as he falls to the ground, knocking him unconscious. As Byrdi begins to come to he sees the stranger in white standing over him. How could this have happened, the Vulkoori trained him and yet this man just defeated him like he was some child with a toy. Snarling he only turns his head away and props himself on one arm.
“Damn, damn you, kill me, the disgrace is unbearable” Byrdi says through gritted teeth not able to look at the stranger.
Attonnan only shakes his head, so this is how his brother was taught, if you can’t win, then die. There are so many other options, just cause you live in defeat and disgrace now doesn’t mean that you cannot rise up and take back your honor another day. Slowly he kneels before his young brother and gently takes his face in one hand and turns him slowly so that they face each other. Attonnan then takes out the box that was given to him by Nagamasa, he’s not sure what significance it will have for him, but if it was given to him, then perhaps it will snap Byrdi out of this self pity.