by Lance Wilson
“I, I can’t accept, guardian is a sacred position, there hasn’t been a guardian since the times of grandfather” he says and turns away from her.
“Attonnan, I know what the position of guardian means, I also noticed that of all my children you were the one with a clear head, you knew the problem you knew how to handle it and even now your not thinking about the feast, your not thinking of your vows, your thinking of the other clans and how to handle it. How to keep the Unagi alive and still thriving” she says calmly she smiles as Attonnan only looks at the ground and then back at the feast.
“I’m not missed” Attonnan says calmly
“That’s not what I said, and that is foolish to think that your not missed, you being gone would break your siblings hearts” she says and puts a hand on his shoulder.
“I, yes I think of the Unagi clan, my father has trained me to do such” Attonnan says calmly and takes a deep breath
“No, your father didn’t train you for anything, you do this cause it’s you, deep inside you are a guardian” she says and with that she guides him into the feast where he is offered a seat of power, the right seat next to the head of the table, tonight he sits on his brothers right, the seat normally reserved to Vulge or Mellyruna when his father is at the head.
The rest of the night everyone talks and laughs about everything, no one talks about the missing king although many of them are sure that it is on everyone’s mind. Ishtar next to Attonnan leans in whispers things to him here and there that makes him blush. Rin and Mellyruna notice but say nothing; Attonnan also notices that Maeraer has caught the eyes of a few different elven males. The feast lasts hours and long into the night. Near the end of the feast Attonnan slowly gets up and smiles at Ishtar letting her know that he would like her to follow. Ishtar smiles back and with a bow to everyone else she joins him. Ishtar’s mind reels, she is almost sure that he will talk to her about them, and where they are going. Her whole body trembles as she follows him out to the garden. She can tell by the way he is walking and that he keeps looking either at the ground or the sky that he has a lot on his mind. Finally he arrives at his final destination; it is in the rose garden, one of his favorite places.
“Ishtar, I wanted to talk to you” Attonnan says and slowly turns to her.
She can’t help but blush; he has always caught her eye. Sure he is a smaller of the two brothers, more gaunt looking, but it is his eyes. Those passionate royal blue eyes, there is a sharpness, a spark to them. Even now as nervous as she is she can’t help but get lost in those eyes. She gently walks over to him and looks down as he takes her hands in his and pulls her closer.
“What, what about” she asks calmly but she can feel her skin shiver at his touch.
“Tomorrow, tomorrow I will take my vows, I will be a man in all elvish society. Ishtar, I want you to join me in my bed tomorrow night. Tomorrow night and all other nights” Attonnan says calmly his hands are trembling; he can’t even look her in the eyes.
“Attonnan, I don’t know what to say, I, I have to admit I had a few fantasies about being in your bed. But I make no promises, I want to think about it” she says and lays her head on his chest.
For the single moment all of Attonnan’s world fades away and all there is, is her holding him, her, laying her head on his chest. Ishtar can swear that she can even hear his heart skip a beat. He gently wraps his hands around her also his cloak, and then, then something hits. Nothing that should spark anything in him, it’s just a sound. A rustling. Slowly Attonnan pushes her away and holds his hand to his lips to signal her to keep quite. There it is again, a rustling, but there is no wind. Quickly he draws his blade; it is close to the middle of the night.
“Get inside, get the guards ready, I fear the Hojo clan are here… . get everyone ready” he says, why, why is he so sure it is the Hojo clan. It was just a noise, he didn’t even see anything.
Carefully he makes his way though the garden and then near the gates he sees it, a rope. Without hesitation he makes his way up the stairs to cut the rope at the source. As he is on the battlements he sees it, a small group of Hojo clansmen. His sword drawn he charges them. Attonnan yells out his fury making then clearly aware that he is coming, each of the Hojo is dressed in black cloth head to toe, a black turban covering there head and a vial covering there face, they are like moving shadows. They all draw their swords, long curved swords that widen near the tip, scimitars. Seeing that it is only a young elf they do not think much of it. The first of the Hojo clan goes to stop him, Attonnan comes down with a wild swing but the Hojo clansmen easily blocks but Attonnan is fast, faster then they though and with a quick spin he slashes the Hojo clansmen across the belly gutting him. Quickly another replaces him. The Hojo goes for a diagonal swing but Attonnan blocks and spins behind him. A quick slash cuts him deep to the bone, all the way to his spine the Hojo drops but like the last he is replaced. A quick slash makes Attonnan jump back; his shirt is cut, as is his skin, but not deep. No time to worry, no time to think. He growls and goes for a diagonal slash of his own, the Hojo blocks and spins behind him. Attonnan knows the next move and waits. A slash to his back, but Attonnan spins just in time and grabs the handle of the blade, then with his own blade comes down on the shoulder cutting the man in two. Four Hojo begin to form a crescent around him. Attonnan only snarls at them. But before any can attack a horn is sounded and Attonnan knows that the guards are now in play. Before he knows it someone else is now standing before him. A man he has never seen before but just the vary sight of him scares Attonnan, sends a chill right to the bone. The figures skin as blue as a corpse, red markings laid in on his arms chest and face, he wore black leather pants and scale mail over his left shoulder and upper arm, black gauntlets that are a mix of leather and steel. His hair is bright red braid each tied at the end with black cloth and his eyes; his eyes were the color of fresh blood. Attonnan quickly gets a hold of his fear and spins his sword once, a show that he is not afraid of this man.
“Your name young elf, few your age would dare stand against the Hojo” this figure says, his voice like whispers from the shadows, deep low growling whispers.
“I am Attonnan, guardian of Ronin” he says and waits.
“I am Fuma Hojo.” He says and with a bow. Vanishes into thin air.
Attonnan stops in shock, the man just vanished. But then a quick blow to the back drops him back into reality. Okay, he didn’t run, this was a ploy and he has every intention of destroying Attonnan. He is dropped to his side and rolls. Shooting pain shoots though him as he stands again. He growls but gets to his feet holding his side with his left hand and his sword with his right. Attonnan only growls and then puts both hands on his blade. Fuma only laughs at the attempt. Attonnan then growls and charges again. The blade comes down at Fuma swiftly but Fuma smiles and blocks the blade with his bracers then turns it just right so that he now has a grip on the handle. With an unearthly strength he rips the blade from Attonnan’s grip and throws it over the wall. Then with the same strength he hits Attonnan hard right in the gut dropping him to his side.
“You are a daring young one, I will enjoy killing you” Fuma says as he steps over Attonnan.
Attonnan hears a crowd begin to gather, he isn’t sure if they are more Hojo or guards, all he knows that he has to make a move and makes a move now. Quickly he reaches down to his boot and pulls his silver dagger, the one that he almost did himself in with, then digs it hard into the upper thigh of Fuma. Fuma howls in pain as he takes several steps back and watches as the young elf stands again.
“Fuma, enough. You will bring this one to the courtyard with the others.” A soft silky voice says.
The crowd parts and Attonnan can see another has come to join the fight. The elf is a tall elf with skinny build, he looked skinny, almost on the edge of death, his skin is pale, so pale it almost glowed in the moonlight. His eyes were sunken into his sockets and have a mil
ky look to them. He is wearing long loose fitting cloth, almost what he would see as bed sheets. One wrapped gently around his waist and then over his right shoulder the primary cloth is a light gray almost white that shows over the chest and part of the waist, the other cloth over that, draped over the right shoulder all the way to the elbow is a light blue color with gold trim that falls past the waist all the way to the knees. Around his waist was a belt of brown leather and gold chain, his hair is long and slick, a dark brown color, his mustache is long as well and on his chin is a thin but long goatee.
“As you see fit. But this one will be mine in the end” Fuma says growling at Attonnan as he pulls the dagger out of his thigh.
“He wounded you… . impressive. Attonnan is it, come with me, your mother is waiting” the elf says calmly his voice soft and inviting.
“I will not follow you, tell me, where is my mother and what have you done to her. I swear by all that is in me that if she is harmed in any way you shall answers to me.” Attonnan says growling at the man.
“I assure you your mother is unharmed, please come with me and we can talk” he says calmly then licks his two index fingers on his right hand and straightens his mustache.
“And if I refuse” Attonnan says growling still holding his dagger firmly in his hand.
“Then I’m afraid I have no choice but to bid you goodbye and leave you to Fuma” he says and smiles at Attonnan.
Carefully Attonnan thinks about his options, he is beat and he knows it. He only takes a deep breath, which only reminds him that he now has some broken ribs and nods sheathing his dagger in his belt.
With the rest of the Hojo behind him he takes a walk with the man in the white and blue cloth. Right behind him limping is Fuma Hojo, a scowl on his face. Like the man promised he takes Attonnan right to his family. They are huddled together holding one another, around them are men dressed in white and golden cloth and bright shimmering armor.
“Attonnan, come here please” Rin says her eyes brimming with tears.
Attonnan walks over to her calmly and is quickly pulled into a hug.
“Oh god Attonnan, they were here during the feast, we never saw them, are you hurt did they hurt you” Rin says looking him over and her eyes flash as Attonnan winces a bit as she brushes his ribs.
“As you can see Rin, I am in full charge of this kingdom now. The Unagi clan has fallen. I even have your husband and lord at my whim” the man says smiling to see the family all huddled together in fear and panic
“What do you want” Rin says almost afraid of the answer.
“I am a good man, a generous man. But you see, I am also a man who covets things. And the thing I covet the most, is you” he says and gently reaches out for her.
Like a flash Attonnan has his dagger out and is growling at the man. Quickly the man withdrawals his hand and smiles
“If I agree, I have things I need done, as a show of good faith” Rin says her mind no longer on herself.
She knows what must be done; she will give herself to this man, this Mecmed. In turn she will see to it that all of her children are taken care of. She watches as the children all glare at her, she can understand. It may seem like surrender and she is sure that it is but she has to think of them.
“Understandable, what is it you think you need” the man says and smiles at her.
“My children must be taken care of, no harm must come to them.” She says her eyes now blazing with a mother’s fury
“Yes, I can see that. But I cannot have them together either. Perhaps we can make an agreement, one child for each of the elven clans, of course none of them will stay here” the man says and watches as Attonnan closes in closer to his family, his dagger still out.
“I… . yes I guess that will have to work” she says and looks now at the other elven leaders gathered around. Musashi Hitori, lord Oda, Fuma Hojo
The other lords smile looking at the children, each making some comments to themselves.
“I shall divide the children. Mellyruna shall of course stay with myself. Byrdi I think you would do well with the Hitori clan. Maeraer you shall be with the Oda clan and Attonnan, of course I believe Fuma would like some more time with you” Mecmed says calmly and watches as each has there own expressions.
Each child gets a kind of hopelessness in there eyes, not only have they just lost there home in one fail swoop, they are now being separated from there mother and siblings.
“May I have a moment with my children. Before you tear them from me” Rin says calmly taking several deep breaths trying to keep her composure.
“Of course, but please make it quick, my friends would like to get back to there own lands.” Mecmed says with a soft and polite bow.
“Listen, I know this seems like the end, but it’s not, it’s really only the beginning. Ronin has fallen, now it’s time to find your own paths in this world, just, just don’t look back please” Rin says tears now rimming her eyes.
With that all the kids bow one last time to there mother and then stand by the leaders that are now there new masters. Attonnan watches as Mellyruna keeps his head high and focuses on keeping a strong face, Byrdi tries the same, but tears are running down his face, Maeraer breaks down and sobs, but she is taken by lady Noe Attonnan however only glares at Mecmed he will not allow this to go unpunished.
“Come Attonnan, I have many things to show you” Fuma says a sick smile on his face.
Attonnan only lets out a sigh and turns to his new master, Fuma of the Hojo clan, he’s not sure how this will work, he only knows that it will be pain, pain and shadow, that is what the Hojo clan is about.
Chapter 2
The Ebony Hand
To Attonnan it seems like years since he last saw his mother and his sibling, left with the Hojo clan leader Fuma Hojo. He has since been tied to horse right behind Fuma himself. He has only been allowed off the horse during the times that they camp, in which case he is tied to a tree. No one speaks to him; he is like a ghost here a ghost surrounded by shadows. Every member of the Hojo clan is covered in black clothing with a black veil hiding the true face and figure. The only member that is not a shadow is Fuma, the demon king of the Hojo clan. No matter day or night, no one speaks, no one says anything, only the demon king speaks and no one dares to speak back to him. For responses to his question there is only a bow. His word is law. The silence give him time to think, time to wonder what is going on with his mother, his two brothers and his sister. Mellyruna left in the hands of Mecmed. A cruel fate, but at least he has their mother to look over them. His brother Byrdi now left to the Hitori clan, they are strong warriors, he will most likely be turned to a slave but he has heard rumors that sometimes a slave can work themselves up to be one of there guards, even elite guard. Maeraer; taken to the Oda clan. Nothing is known about them, no one can be certain that they will be good or bad to her. And of course his fate. The Hojo clan, known as walking death. Lord Fuma himself still having a grudge against him for stabbing him in the knee. Every time they make camp for the sleep, Attonnan is left unfed away from the fire, cold and hungry. But no one says anything. The Hojo do not speak. Forty men dressed in black, not a spot of them seen through the black. They all huddle near the fire, none have an actual tent, they just fade into the darkness. Thinking to himself he is sure that it must have been almost three days, he has been in a slight daze for the most of the time. Near the last of the three days they start to come over the hills, a ridge of rocky mountains, like huge spires of obsidian spires. The trail almost unseen and a person without knowing what your doing would rip themselves to shreds before getting even close. As they make there way around the last turn of the trail Attonnan can now see the heart of the Hojo clan. The heart of it is a castle; it looks much like a cathedral. The rock the cathedral is as black and shimmering as the spires round them. There are towers all over the place; Attonnan can c
ount about ten towers, several extended balconies around windows, walls and bridges here and there making it a magnificent piece of architecture. Gargoyles and demons hold the gothic look to the place, and where most castles and lands would have high bright banners welcoming their Lord, there are only black banners flapping in the breeze.
The gates open on the party with an eerie silence. Normally you would expect a creek or grinding sound, but there was nothing, no sound at all come from the gates and the doors as they open. Once inside the gates Attonnan can see that this group must be only an elite group of fighters. Everything is shrouded in dark or gray or black. Everyone is dressed in more roman like gowns, women were black with gray off the shoulder gowns, the men were tunics and togas also mostly black with gray or red trim. The men and women have a kind of grayish skin with bright jewel like eyes, everything from bright blues and greens to ambers and an orange like color. Their hair is dark colors; blacks, dark browns and the elders have a gray, almost salt and pepper hair. They are greeted with a small group of warriors all dressed in armor much like Fuma all with shields and spears, swords at their sides. All of them wear helms each gothic and sadistic in nature all of which has a black veil on the inside so that the face cannot be seen.
“Lord Fuma, it is wonderful to have you back, the guard is ready for your inspection.” The lead guard says placing his fist over his heart.
“Indeed. I shall tend to that in a moment. I have a task; this young man has ensured the wrath of Hojo… . I ask the lead of the ebony hand meet in the thrown room so that we can make arrangements” Fuma Hojo says calmly and nods the lead guardsmen.
The guardsman only nods then looking to his men he claps his hands twice and they all scatter to their posts. Attonnan is then helped off of the horse and dragged though the castle, his cloths now shambles and dirty, he smells like the horse he rode on. Fuma drags him through the halls, which are draped in black cloth; the stone on the halls is a dark charcoal gray, with bright shimmering black pillars with gold trim and red inlay. Near the thrown is two banners, both black, and in the middle of both is a handprint in red. At the side of the thrown is two huge black wolves lying, when their Lord walks into the room their ears perk up and their tails wag. Fuma walks over to the wolves and then scratches each of them behind the ears.
