Post by Fen on Nov 4, 2009 20:39:14 GMT -7
Remember Me
Part 4
All characters and places (c) Ken Forsse and Alchemy II
Marwynn Cassia Gwenllian the Last (c) C.Pinkney 2009
They set off early the next morning. The mules were good local animals, that seemed to navigate the terrain of Grundo with ease. Taking provisions for the four day journey, and packing winter gear, the ride was easy for the first day. They covered the rolling farmland and made it into the forests. They rode until the sun was low in the sky. Then, Arin found a good campsite and they set up procuring firewood and creating a lean to. Soon, a fire crackled before them as Marwynn hooked a kettle over the blaze. Dinner consisted of salted meat and cheese with bread, meager fare, but it would do. After they ate, a certain awkward silence fell between them.
Marwynn stared into the fire, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She was not silent because of nerves. Rather, somewhere in the recesses of her mind the fire drew back memories of a terrible loss. It captivated her, as she gazed at the glowing embers.
"Marwynn? Marwynn?! Are you ok Marwynn?"
She looked up blinking as Arin addressed her.
"I'm sorry, it has been a long day." She replied wearily.
"I know... I was thinking about taking the first watch. You can sleep over there, in the shelter." He said quietly, rubbing the back of his neck, glancing at the ground.
Marwynn shrugged and pulled out her sleeping bag. She crawled under the lean-to and curled up. The warmth of the fire, and the closeness of the sleeping bag lulled her to sleep. Soon, the world became darkness.
In her dreams she was alone, falling through shadows. The land below was a tiny speck growing larger as she fell towards it. Above the heavens surrounded her. The familiar constellations she knew so well, were strange and foreign to her.
She fell, she floated.
The air was still, humid.
She woke and sat up. The world was innocent. The air rich with the perfume of exotic flowers. She stood up, and walked through a garden, the ground was soft under her feet. She moved, yet remained stationary. She looked up. She was flying at an expeditious pace over forest, meadow, and stream. To her left, she could see shadows moving with her. A pack of canid creatures. They spread the entire expanse of the sky in either direction. Their feet were clouds, their eyes the stars, and from their mouths they breathed rain. The beating of their paws upon the clouds brought about claps of thunder. Swiftly she flew on, swiftly they followed. Then reaching the Treacherous Mountains, she flew upward, skimming the surface, and cresting over the treetops until they reached the summit. Then they crashed down into valleys and once more kept the maddening pace until, they returned once more from the south.
She spun around and the pack dissipated as her feet touched the marble steps of the Lost City. It was new, shining brilliantly, glowing in the afternoon light. She stepped lightly her feet barely touching the floor. She saw them.
The Illiops, and Illipers united in fellowship.
They were as shadows before her. Perhaps, she was the ghost. A visitor observing something important. Within the tower of the Hard to Find City upon a golden throne sat the Oracle. A creature of light, her eyes never closed but glowing softly as she spoke prophecies to the many scribes that surrounded her. She watched as they scratched out upon scrolls the prophecies of the Illiop.
*******************
Marwynn approached the temple. She walked past the guards, and through the narrow corridors where the scholars studied, their bodies bent over large tomes as quills scratched out the history, education, and wisdom of the people and the land. Candles filled the vaults that held statues of the Illiop ancestors the leaders of their civilization. Empty eyes stared into darkness, yet to Marwynn, it felt like they were watching her with expectation.
She carried on through the passageways, following a voice. A whisper that became a song, an enchanting, hypnotic echo calling her forward. She followed until she reached the main chamber. It was made of marble, with a high domed ceiling surrounded by pillars. The room appeared empty. Yet, as she entered it, she saw the source of the voice. A creature of light stood before a gold seal fused within the wall. Around the seal set within it were six small crystals cut like diamonds.. The creature called Marwynn forward and raised its hand to the amulet. Marwynn felt hesitant at first, unsure if what she was doing was right, yet the song controlled her. It called to her, pleading for her to take the amulet. As her fingers drew near, she was thrown back by an explosion of energy, as a crack of thunder ripped through the room. She fell into darkness.
The Oracle cried out in pain, her voice causing the earth to crack, and the ground to shake violently. The Illipers and Illiops gazed at each other in fear and awe.
When Marwynn opened her eyes, the City was in ruins. She was surrounded by fire, and countless casualties. The sky hummed with the familiar buzz of Gutang warplanes as they continued wave after wave of bombardment. The Gutang troops flooded the streets seizing buildings and killing any who resisted and many who didn't. Marwynn tried to run for cover but to no avail. Around her the city fell, as the Illipers and Illiops retreated into the low country. As she watched, the Illiops marched into a mist, their exodus leaving nothing but broken memories of a once illustrious civilization, wiped from all memory in the ages that followed.
The Gutang hordes were driven back from the lowlands by the first King of Grundo. He built the first castle, and swore to protect his people the Illipers and the surrounding lands from the evil that dwelled in the north.
Thus began the age of Kings.
*****************
Marwynn woke again, this time the world was dark and bitterly cold. She sat up rubbing her eyes, blowing into her hands as she turned over. Her eyes focused in the dim light cast by the dying fire. She saw a faint hint of movement as Arin knelt over her gently nudging her awake.
"C'mon, it's your watch now. Wake up." He muttered wearily.
Marwynn scrambled up clutching her cloak around her for warmth, crawling out from under the lean to. She poured herself a cup of tea as she threw some more logs onto the fire to try and revive it. It was the least she could do for the Prince. He managed to smile his thanks, before settling down in his own sleeping bag for the remainder of the night. She simply nodded in return, as she shouldered her sword, and sat on a log facing the darkness beyond the rim of light cast by the fire.
Arin watched her for a long time. There was something familiar about her, yet he could not place it. She was an Illiper, but there were plenty of Illipers in his father's kingdom. What set her apart? She certainly was attractive, but surely that was not it. He had seen many a fair maid in his day, and he knew he could have his pick of them. So why did she strike him so? How did she get the scars on her arms, and on her face? What stories did she have from the North Country? What had she seen in her travels? There were few travelers that came from the North with as kind a heart. How did she destroy the mudblups? What did his sister see in her, that he kept missing? He turned over keeping his back to the fire, closing his eyes tightly against the cold. His curiosity about her was both exhilarating and frustrating. He was never one to sit back and wait for an answer, yet before him was an enigma that he longed to figure out.
The stars filled the sky above her, and Marwynn could pick out a few familiar constellations. Time passed and in the East, the horizon became brighter. Soon, the sky was a brilliant blaze of color as the first rays of sunshine glinted over the tree line. Marwynn got up from her spot and prepared a meager breakfast. She glanced over at Arin as he slept. There was something familiar about him, yet he remained a stranger to her. She wanted to know more about him, to know why she felt this kinship towards him. She wanted to know about her dream. What did it all mean?
She walked over and nudged him. He responded with a snore, as he turned over and pulled the sleeping bag over his head. Frowning, she nudged him again, this time with the heel of her boot, "C'mon Prince, time to get up."
He stirred and rubbed his eyes. He blinked a few times, before scrambling to his feet with a start. He spun around as if trying to gain his bearings before he noticed Marwynn staring at him flatly. With a sheepish smile he joined her by the fire pouring himself a cup of tea.
"We should get moving soon, I am afraid we have lost quite a bit of time." He said after taking a few drinks.
Marwynn arced a brow and nodded. She quickly packed her gear, and put out the fire as Arin broke down the lean to. Their trip into the foothills remained uneventful to Arin's relief and Marwynn's chagrin. They rode on in silence until Marwynn mustered up the courage to ask a question that had been on her mind since she arrived in Grundo. In particular, since she arrived at Nogburt's castle.
"Arin, why did they kidnap your sister?"
Her words hung in the icy air, as she saw him sit up in the saddle. His jaw tensed, his knuckles went white, and the mule snorted tossing its head forward in protest. He halted the animal allowing Marwynn to ride alongside him.
"My sister was young when it happened. I remember it was harvest time and the market was in town. We had a particularly good year, and the village held a carnival to celebrate the occasion. Aruzia and I really wanted to go, but my father had important business to attend to that prevented us from going as a family. I begged my father to let us go alone, I had promised him that I would look after my sister. At first he was reluctant, a trait I did not appreciate until now, but he did relent. My father saw how well I excelled in my training and he allowed us to go alone on the condition that I would not let Aruzia out of my sight." Arin sighed sadly. "It is an ironic thing how the best lessons one learns often have the hardest consequences to bear. I digress, I remember, we were watching a magic show, and I swore she was next to me. Yet, when I looked around, she was gone. I searched everywhere for her. I remember asking everyone if they had seen her, but no one knew where she had gone off to."
He paused, Marwynn glanced over, she saw him swallow as he blinked a few times before continuing. It was not hard to hear the pain in his voice, or the anger.
"I returned home, afraid to face my father and mother with the terrible news. My father would not speak to me, nor my mother. He sent out a garrison of troops to scour the land for any sign or word of my sister, but no one had any idea where she was. So, I set off on my own. I swore that I would find her, to gain my father's favor, and to redeem myself."
He nudged the mule forward to a gentle trot.
"I think it was foolish of you to go alone, but still honorable that you felt duty bound to find your sister. How did you know she was kidnapped though? Could she not have just wandered off or something?" Marwynn asked, nudging her own mule to a trot.
The Prince replied quietly, "I did not know she was kidnapped until later. I found myself trekking the southern desert where I was captured. I remained with my captors locked in their dungeons and working in the mines until, I was rescued by the heros of Grundo. They joined me on my quest, forfeiting their own for my sake. When we met the southern Wizard, we discovered the location of my sister, and who had taken her."
"Yes, I believe I remember her telling me that the Gutangs took her, but why? When did the whole thing start? Sure, she is a princess, but your father is not that wealthy. What is so great about Grundo anyway?" Marwynn sniffed.
Arin gave her a sideways look before replying with a smile, "Well, you are correct in that sentiment. My family is not wealthy in the sense of material possessions. However, what you do not know, is that my family holds a great treasure. We are the guardians of an ancient Illiop secret. Within the castle, lies protected the history, and the knowledge of a long forgotten culture. The Illiops and Illipers were allies during The Great War. It was our ancestors who helped the Illiops drive back the Gutang hordes and bring peace to Grundo. The Illiops showed great kindness to my great great ...great grandfather King Phillip the Wise. When the Illiops needed shelter and protection, the Illipers provided it. The Gutangs swore enmity with our kind, and to this day, assault our land."
They stopped beside a stream and watered the mules. Marwynn walked around stretching her legs for a bit, before rejoining Arin by the animals.
"You have asked me a lot of questions Marwynn, now I think it fair that I ask you some." He remarked as they rode on.
"Fine."
"Ok, who are you really?" He asked, turning his head to look at her fully.
Marwynn's brow furrowed, "Wow, that is a good question... as long as I can remember I was called Marwynn. I grew up north of Grundo, but towards the west. Our village was small, and I was the only Illiper. The rest of the villagers were like your Grunges only hairier and meaner."
"Why do you say you were called Marwynn? Did you have another name?"
She looked down at that, pursing her lips together. Eventually,she replied softly, "Cassia Gwenllian the Last". She could not lie to him, that kinship she felt towards him. That bond seemed stronger now. The more she shared with him, the more she knew she could trust him. He was good, she did not know how she knew it, but she did. He was not safe, but he was good. It scared and delighted her to feel this way, to trust without fear. "I can not believe I told you that... I am not sure if I should have." She stammered as she stared hard at the mane of the mule.
"Why?" He chuckled. "That you have another name besides Marwynn? I suspected all along that Marwynn was not your true name, but I was not certain. I tried to see if Eunice knew anything about you, but she was of no help. So, all I could do was to observe you. You carried yourself differently than the other Illipers." He caught the dark look she shot him before adding, "in a good way." He flashed her a smile as he continued, "You seem to have a knowledge and fighting technique not seen in this land for ages. This made me more curious, so I asked around, and found out that the Illipers had kingdoms to the South. I spent some time looking into the history and archives but found nothing." He paused taking a deep breath, then rode his mule before her blocking her way, "So tell me, Cassia the Last, why are you called The Last?"
Marwynn was startled by the Prince's revelation, and tone. She pulled back on the reigns causing the mule to back up and stop. Her eyes met his, but she broke their gaze quickly as she looked down, "I don't know... I wish I did. I just have had these dreams, and in my dreams I am seeing the destruction of this world. It scares me, because I am an instrument of it."
Her voice broke a little as she spoke. "Arin, I do not want to fulfill a destiny that is so dark... I... I want... I want to be with you." She quickly put a hand over her mouth, startled by her own confession. This was bad. This was not what was supposed to happen. She cursed under her breath. Yet, she could not lie to him, she could not deceive someone she felt so intimately connected to. She looked up and faced him. His expression was serious.
Suddenly, to her, the whole trip felt like one long nightmare. She did not ask him to join her. He wanted to come along. He approached her about it, and he insisted. Was this whole thing just an act to find out her identity? If that was the case, then he could have asked her outright. Her cheeks burned. How dare deceive her like that! What was she thinking? Why did she even hope that he would return such a feeling? Quietly, she fumed, embarrassed and afraid at the same time.
Then he smiled.
She could not believe it.
He smiled, as he reached over taking her hand.
His hand felt warm, it was slightly calloused, but she did not mind. When he touched her hand, instantly she knew what he was thinking before he opened his mouth. She felt his anxiety about being the next in line. The very real fear about his father dying. She knew his concerns about his mother and sister. She also saw how he truly felt about her. She was slightly disappointed.
"I had no idea, I thought I was the only one." he declared.
Marwynn arced a brow at that, "What do you mean?"
"Well, when I first saw you, at the party. When we shook hands, I felt this er... how you say, connection." He laughed, "It sounds horribly cliche doesn't it?"
"Oh um, yes it is a rather weak pick up line if you ask me." She replied flatly, now wishing more than ever, that she did not know the truth behind his feelings towards her.
"The other time I felt it, was after you fought off the mudblups, when you looked at me. I knew what had happened. I don't know how I knew it, but I did." He continued not letting go of her hand instead clasping the other around it shaking it. A broad smile crossed his face as he spoke. Marwynn looked at him with a small smile. Well, this was the Arin she knew, and she liked him when he was happy.
"I know, I was afraid to tell you sooner. I did not want you to think any less of me, I knew I was being watched. It was confirmed when your sister commented on how I watched you as you drilled the remaining squadrons. Yet, when I watched you, I felt like I was seeing everything through your eyes." She paused looking up into his eyes. "Arin, I want to test something." Marwynn said.
He arced a brow at her statement, "What?"
"Right here, right now, I challenge you to a duel." she said, dismounting the mule and drawing her sword.
Arin looked at her in disbelief, yet even he could not deny what had occurred between them. He also wanted to know the truth behind what was going on. What he had read about the bond between Illipers, and what he had experienced were two separate things altogether. He knew his father and mother shared such a thing. In hindsight, he could recall times when one would finish the other's sentence. Or in particular when his mother would speak to them, but the words were his fathers. He had taken so many things for granted. Yet, before him, was an Illiper who read his mind and he saw hers. He saw how she longed for acceptance and love. He saw the demons that haunted her, and he knew why Cassia Gwenllian the Last, was called the Last. It scared him, and he doubted his ability to be what she believed he was. He also saw within her the wisdom of a true Queen, the grace of a Lady, and the courage of a true warrior.
Marwynn drew a circle in the dirt and stepped inside it. She held her blade tightly, but kept her arm loose. Arin approached her, stepping into the ring, his own sword drawn and ready. It began quickly with a shout. The two Illipers were locked in fierce combat, as dust swirled around their feet. The heat from the fight steaming off of their shoulders as they exhaled plumes of vapor into the chilly air. Marwynn read his attacks and countered. Likewise, Arin seemed to adjust his attacks with each parry forcing Marwynn to constantly think of a counter strike while protecting herself. Arin had never fought someone like her before. It was like she knew his every move, even before he made it. Yet, she did not give away any indication that she was reading his mind. Her attacks were very familiar to where he felt, at one point, he was fighting himself.
"This is getting us nowhere." He remarked between strikes.
"I agree, I have learned what I wanted to know." She replied as she continued to counter his attacks.
"Truce?"
Marwynn lowered her sword and extended her hand. "Truce."
With a shake of hands, the fight was over. Arin brought the mules over.
"Well?" He asked.
"I think... we should get going." She replied.
He stared down at the ground putting his sword away. He seemed unusually shy. Suddenly, he placed his hands about her waist as he lifted her up onto the saddle. She was light yet strong. He looked up at her, his eyes searching hers for some sort of acknowledgement. Marwynn tensed when he touched her, yet she let him help her onto the saddle. She glanced at him, unsure about what to say. Her eyes met his once more, and all that she wanted to say, was said with a smile. Arin practically leapt onto his own mule. He beamed brightly kicking the creature into a gallop.
The two Illipers rode off together searching for the infamous Starflower.[/size]
Part 4
All characters and places (c) Ken Forsse and Alchemy II
Marwynn Cassia Gwenllian the Last (c) C.Pinkney 2009
They set off early the next morning. The mules were good local animals, that seemed to navigate the terrain of Grundo with ease. Taking provisions for the four day journey, and packing winter gear, the ride was easy for the first day. They covered the rolling farmland and made it into the forests. They rode until the sun was low in the sky. Then, Arin found a good campsite and they set up procuring firewood and creating a lean to. Soon, a fire crackled before them as Marwynn hooked a kettle over the blaze. Dinner consisted of salted meat and cheese with bread, meager fare, but it would do. After they ate, a certain awkward silence fell between them.
Marwynn stared into the fire, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She was not silent because of nerves. Rather, somewhere in the recesses of her mind the fire drew back memories of a terrible loss. It captivated her, as she gazed at the glowing embers.
"Marwynn? Marwynn?! Are you ok Marwynn?"
She looked up blinking as Arin addressed her.
"I'm sorry, it has been a long day." She replied wearily.
"I know... I was thinking about taking the first watch. You can sleep over there, in the shelter." He said quietly, rubbing the back of his neck, glancing at the ground.
Marwynn shrugged and pulled out her sleeping bag. She crawled under the lean-to and curled up. The warmth of the fire, and the closeness of the sleeping bag lulled her to sleep. Soon, the world became darkness.
In her dreams she was alone, falling through shadows. The land below was a tiny speck growing larger as she fell towards it. Above the heavens surrounded her. The familiar constellations she knew so well, were strange and foreign to her.
She fell, she floated.
The air was still, humid.
She woke and sat up. The world was innocent. The air rich with the perfume of exotic flowers. She stood up, and walked through a garden, the ground was soft under her feet. She moved, yet remained stationary. She looked up. She was flying at an expeditious pace over forest, meadow, and stream. To her left, she could see shadows moving with her. A pack of canid creatures. They spread the entire expanse of the sky in either direction. Their feet were clouds, their eyes the stars, and from their mouths they breathed rain. The beating of their paws upon the clouds brought about claps of thunder. Swiftly she flew on, swiftly they followed. Then reaching the Treacherous Mountains, she flew upward, skimming the surface, and cresting over the treetops until they reached the summit. Then they crashed down into valleys and once more kept the maddening pace until, they returned once more from the south.
She spun around and the pack dissipated as her feet touched the marble steps of the Lost City. It was new, shining brilliantly, glowing in the afternoon light. She stepped lightly her feet barely touching the floor. She saw them.
The Illiops, and Illipers united in fellowship.
They were as shadows before her. Perhaps, she was the ghost. A visitor observing something important. Within the tower of the Hard to Find City upon a golden throne sat the Oracle. A creature of light, her eyes never closed but glowing softly as she spoke prophecies to the many scribes that surrounded her. She watched as they scratched out upon scrolls the prophecies of the Illiop.
*******************
Marwynn approached the temple. She walked past the guards, and through the narrow corridors where the scholars studied, their bodies bent over large tomes as quills scratched out the history, education, and wisdom of the people and the land. Candles filled the vaults that held statues of the Illiop ancestors the leaders of their civilization. Empty eyes stared into darkness, yet to Marwynn, it felt like they were watching her with expectation.
She carried on through the passageways, following a voice. A whisper that became a song, an enchanting, hypnotic echo calling her forward. She followed until she reached the main chamber. It was made of marble, with a high domed ceiling surrounded by pillars. The room appeared empty. Yet, as she entered it, she saw the source of the voice. A creature of light stood before a gold seal fused within the wall. Around the seal set within it were six small crystals cut like diamonds.. The creature called Marwynn forward and raised its hand to the amulet. Marwynn felt hesitant at first, unsure if what she was doing was right, yet the song controlled her. It called to her, pleading for her to take the amulet. As her fingers drew near, she was thrown back by an explosion of energy, as a crack of thunder ripped through the room. She fell into darkness.
The Oracle cried out in pain, her voice causing the earth to crack, and the ground to shake violently. The Illipers and Illiops gazed at each other in fear and awe.
When Marwynn opened her eyes, the City was in ruins. She was surrounded by fire, and countless casualties. The sky hummed with the familiar buzz of Gutang warplanes as they continued wave after wave of bombardment. The Gutang troops flooded the streets seizing buildings and killing any who resisted and many who didn't. Marwynn tried to run for cover but to no avail. Around her the city fell, as the Illipers and Illiops retreated into the low country. As she watched, the Illiops marched into a mist, their exodus leaving nothing but broken memories of a once illustrious civilization, wiped from all memory in the ages that followed.
The Gutang hordes were driven back from the lowlands by the first King of Grundo. He built the first castle, and swore to protect his people the Illipers and the surrounding lands from the evil that dwelled in the north.
Thus began the age of Kings.
*****************
Marwynn woke again, this time the world was dark and bitterly cold. She sat up rubbing her eyes, blowing into her hands as she turned over. Her eyes focused in the dim light cast by the dying fire. She saw a faint hint of movement as Arin knelt over her gently nudging her awake.
"C'mon, it's your watch now. Wake up." He muttered wearily.
Marwynn scrambled up clutching her cloak around her for warmth, crawling out from under the lean to. She poured herself a cup of tea as she threw some more logs onto the fire to try and revive it. It was the least she could do for the Prince. He managed to smile his thanks, before settling down in his own sleeping bag for the remainder of the night. She simply nodded in return, as she shouldered her sword, and sat on a log facing the darkness beyond the rim of light cast by the fire.
Arin watched her for a long time. There was something familiar about her, yet he could not place it. She was an Illiper, but there were plenty of Illipers in his father's kingdom. What set her apart? She certainly was attractive, but surely that was not it. He had seen many a fair maid in his day, and he knew he could have his pick of them. So why did she strike him so? How did she get the scars on her arms, and on her face? What stories did she have from the North Country? What had she seen in her travels? There were few travelers that came from the North with as kind a heart. How did she destroy the mudblups? What did his sister see in her, that he kept missing? He turned over keeping his back to the fire, closing his eyes tightly against the cold. His curiosity about her was both exhilarating and frustrating. He was never one to sit back and wait for an answer, yet before him was an enigma that he longed to figure out.
The stars filled the sky above her, and Marwynn could pick out a few familiar constellations. Time passed and in the East, the horizon became brighter. Soon, the sky was a brilliant blaze of color as the first rays of sunshine glinted over the tree line. Marwynn got up from her spot and prepared a meager breakfast. She glanced over at Arin as he slept. There was something familiar about him, yet he remained a stranger to her. She wanted to know more about him, to know why she felt this kinship towards him. She wanted to know about her dream. What did it all mean?
She walked over and nudged him. He responded with a snore, as he turned over and pulled the sleeping bag over his head. Frowning, she nudged him again, this time with the heel of her boot, "C'mon Prince, time to get up."
He stirred and rubbed his eyes. He blinked a few times, before scrambling to his feet with a start. He spun around as if trying to gain his bearings before he noticed Marwynn staring at him flatly. With a sheepish smile he joined her by the fire pouring himself a cup of tea.
"We should get moving soon, I am afraid we have lost quite a bit of time." He said after taking a few drinks.
Marwynn arced a brow and nodded. She quickly packed her gear, and put out the fire as Arin broke down the lean to. Their trip into the foothills remained uneventful to Arin's relief and Marwynn's chagrin. They rode on in silence until Marwynn mustered up the courage to ask a question that had been on her mind since she arrived in Grundo. In particular, since she arrived at Nogburt's castle.
"Arin, why did they kidnap your sister?"
Her words hung in the icy air, as she saw him sit up in the saddle. His jaw tensed, his knuckles went white, and the mule snorted tossing its head forward in protest. He halted the animal allowing Marwynn to ride alongside him.
"My sister was young when it happened. I remember it was harvest time and the market was in town. We had a particularly good year, and the village held a carnival to celebrate the occasion. Aruzia and I really wanted to go, but my father had important business to attend to that prevented us from going as a family. I begged my father to let us go alone, I had promised him that I would look after my sister. At first he was reluctant, a trait I did not appreciate until now, but he did relent. My father saw how well I excelled in my training and he allowed us to go alone on the condition that I would not let Aruzia out of my sight." Arin sighed sadly. "It is an ironic thing how the best lessons one learns often have the hardest consequences to bear. I digress, I remember, we were watching a magic show, and I swore she was next to me. Yet, when I looked around, she was gone. I searched everywhere for her. I remember asking everyone if they had seen her, but no one knew where she had gone off to."
He paused, Marwynn glanced over, she saw him swallow as he blinked a few times before continuing. It was not hard to hear the pain in his voice, or the anger.
"I returned home, afraid to face my father and mother with the terrible news. My father would not speak to me, nor my mother. He sent out a garrison of troops to scour the land for any sign or word of my sister, but no one had any idea where she was. So, I set off on my own. I swore that I would find her, to gain my father's favor, and to redeem myself."
He nudged the mule forward to a gentle trot.
"I think it was foolish of you to go alone, but still honorable that you felt duty bound to find your sister. How did you know she was kidnapped though? Could she not have just wandered off or something?" Marwynn asked, nudging her own mule to a trot.
The Prince replied quietly, "I did not know she was kidnapped until later. I found myself trekking the southern desert where I was captured. I remained with my captors locked in their dungeons and working in the mines until, I was rescued by the heros of Grundo. They joined me on my quest, forfeiting their own for my sake. When we met the southern Wizard, we discovered the location of my sister, and who had taken her."
"Yes, I believe I remember her telling me that the Gutangs took her, but why? When did the whole thing start? Sure, she is a princess, but your father is not that wealthy. What is so great about Grundo anyway?" Marwynn sniffed.
Arin gave her a sideways look before replying with a smile, "Well, you are correct in that sentiment. My family is not wealthy in the sense of material possessions. However, what you do not know, is that my family holds a great treasure. We are the guardians of an ancient Illiop secret. Within the castle, lies protected the history, and the knowledge of a long forgotten culture. The Illiops and Illipers were allies during The Great War. It was our ancestors who helped the Illiops drive back the Gutang hordes and bring peace to Grundo. The Illiops showed great kindness to my great great ...great grandfather King Phillip the Wise. When the Illiops needed shelter and protection, the Illipers provided it. The Gutangs swore enmity with our kind, and to this day, assault our land."
They stopped beside a stream and watered the mules. Marwynn walked around stretching her legs for a bit, before rejoining Arin by the animals.
"You have asked me a lot of questions Marwynn, now I think it fair that I ask you some." He remarked as they rode on.
"Fine."
"Ok, who are you really?" He asked, turning his head to look at her fully.
Marwynn's brow furrowed, "Wow, that is a good question... as long as I can remember I was called Marwynn. I grew up north of Grundo, but towards the west. Our village was small, and I was the only Illiper. The rest of the villagers were like your Grunges only hairier and meaner."
"Why do you say you were called Marwynn? Did you have another name?"
She looked down at that, pursing her lips together. Eventually,she replied softly, "Cassia Gwenllian the Last". She could not lie to him, that kinship she felt towards him. That bond seemed stronger now. The more she shared with him, the more she knew she could trust him. He was good, she did not know how she knew it, but she did. He was not safe, but he was good. It scared and delighted her to feel this way, to trust without fear. "I can not believe I told you that... I am not sure if I should have." She stammered as she stared hard at the mane of the mule.
"Why?" He chuckled. "That you have another name besides Marwynn? I suspected all along that Marwynn was not your true name, but I was not certain. I tried to see if Eunice knew anything about you, but she was of no help. So, all I could do was to observe you. You carried yourself differently than the other Illipers." He caught the dark look she shot him before adding, "in a good way." He flashed her a smile as he continued, "You seem to have a knowledge and fighting technique not seen in this land for ages. This made me more curious, so I asked around, and found out that the Illipers had kingdoms to the South. I spent some time looking into the history and archives but found nothing." He paused taking a deep breath, then rode his mule before her blocking her way, "So tell me, Cassia the Last, why are you called The Last?"
Marwynn was startled by the Prince's revelation, and tone. She pulled back on the reigns causing the mule to back up and stop. Her eyes met his, but she broke their gaze quickly as she looked down, "I don't know... I wish I did. I just have had these dreams, and in my dreams I am seeing the destruction of this world. It scares me, because I am an instrument of it."
Her voice broke a little as she spoke. "Arin, I do not want to fulfill a destiny that is so dark... I... I want... I want to be with you." She quickly put a hand over her mouth, startled by her own confession. This was bad. This was not what was supposed to happen. She cursed under her breath. Yet, she could not lie to him, she could not deceive someone she felt so intimately connected to. She looked up and faced him. His expression was serious.
Suddenly, to her, the whole trip felt like one long nightmare. She did not ask him to join her. He wanted to come along. He approached her about it, and he insisted. Was this whole thing just an act to find out her identity? If that was the case, then he could have asked her outright. Her cheeks burned. How dare deceive her like that! What was she thinking? Why did she even hope that he would return such a feeling? Quietly, she fumed, embarrassed and afraid at the same time.
Then he smiled.
She could not believe it.
He smiled, as he reached over taking her hand.
His hand felt warm, it was slightly calloused, but she did not mind. When he touched her hand, instantly she knew what he was thinking before he opened his mouth. She felt his anxiety about being the next in line. The very real fear about his father dying. She knew his concerns about his mother and sister. She also saw how he truly felt about her. She was slightly disappointed.
"I had no idea, I thought I was the only one." he declared.
Marwynn arced a brow at that, "What do you mean?"
"Well, when I first saw you, at the party. When we shook hands, I felt this er... how you say, connection." He laughed, "It sounds horribly cliche doesn't it?"
"Oh um, yes it is a rather weak pick up line if you ask me." She replied flatly, now wishing more than ever, that she did not know the truth behind his feelings towards her.
"The other time I felt it, was after you fought off the mudblups, when you looked at me. I knew what had happened. I don't know how I knew it, but I did." He continued not letting go of her hand instead clasping the other around it shaking it. A broad smile crossed his face as he spoke. Marwynn looked at him with a small smile. Well, this was the Arin she knew, and she liked him when he was happy.
"I know, I was afraid to tell you sooner. I did not want you to think any less of me, I knew I was being watched. It was confirmed when your sister commented on how I watched you as you drilled the remaining squadrons. Yet, when I watched you, I felt like I was seeing everything through your eyes." She paused looking up into his eyes. "Arin, I want to test something." Marwynn said.
He arced a brow at her statement, "What?"
"Right here, right now, I challenge you to a duel." she said, dismounting the mule and drawing her sword.
Arin looked at her in disbelief, yet even he could not deny what had occurred between them. He also wanted to know the truth behind what was going on. What he had read about the bond between Illipers, and what he had experienced were two separate things altogether. He knew his father and mother shared such a thing. In hindsight, he could recall times when one would finish the other's sentence. Or in particular when his mother would speak to them, but the words were his fathers. He had taken so many things for granted. Yet, before him, was an Illiper who read his mind and he saw hers. He saw how she longed for acceptance and love. He saw the demons that haunted her, and he knew why Cassia Gwenllian the Last, was called the Last. It scared him, and he doubted his ability to be what she believed he was. He also saw within her the wisdom of a true Queen, the grace of a Lady, and the courage of a true warrior.
Marwynn drew a circle in the dirt and stepped inside it. She held her blade tightly, but kept her arm loose. Arin approached her, stepping into the ring, his own sword drawn and ready. It began quickly with a shout. The two Illipers were locked in fierce combat, as dust swirled around their feet. The heat from the fight steaming off of their shoulders as they exhaled plumes of vapor into the chilly air. Marwynn read his attacks and countered. Likewise, Arin seemed to adjust his attacks with each parry forcing Marwynn to constantly think of a counter strike while protecting herself. Arin had never fought someone like her before. It was like she knew his every move, even before he made it. Yet, she did not give away any indication that she was reading his mind. Her attacks were very familiar to where he felt, at one point, he was fighting himself.
"This is getting us nowhere." He remarked between strikes.
"I agree, I have learned what I wanted to know." She replied as she continued to counter his attacks.
"Truce?"
Marwynn lowered her sword and extended her hand. "Truce."
With a shake of hands, the fight was over. Arin brought the mules over.
"Well?" He asked.
"I think... we should get going." She replied.
He stared down at the ground putting his sword away. He seemed unusually shy. Suddenly, he placed his hands about her waist as he lifted her up onto the saddle. She was light yet strong. He looked up at her, his eyes searching hers for some sort of acknowledgement. Marwynn tensed when he touched her, yet she let him help her onto the saddle. She glanced at him, unsure about what to say. Her eyes met his once more, and all that she wanted to say, was said with a smile. Arin practically leapt onto his own mule. He beamed brightly kicking the creature into a gallop.
The two Illipers rode off together searching for the infamous Starflower.[/size]