by Lance Wilson
“Life is in all its complexities is the ultimate test for you, take life one day at a time, hold your head up high I know not what troubles lie ahead but before you fight you must use your heart and your head, the masters will be watching from on high. It is time to leave the next and comforts from which you were born, the journey you take you must take alone. Do not fret, there is a power deep inside, an inner strength, it will be yours in times of need. The walls of all the mysteries are only in your head but once you become one with the self, the walls will fall, trials, tribulations, peace, war, even love, all these things like the seasons will come and go.” the whisper said, the voice soft and sweet
Though the message was mixed with hard sorrowful things, the voice still seems to fill Attonnan with simplicity that he has not felt since the days when he was only a child. The voice brings back the security he felt when he was in the arms of Rin, when he was hurt by something his father said, or did, and she would hold him. She would hold him and remind him that he is special, that he mattered. That same security is also mixed with a feeling of duty and pride. Again the feeling makes him remember back to his childhood. How Byrdi and Maeraer used to look up to him, he was there older brother, when they were younger they would always look at him with a sense of awe, and by doing that he felt a kind of duty to never let them down. This voice, this message it brings him, it fills him with those same feelings. He feels the security of the voice like something watching over him reminding him that he is someone special to it, and that he matters, and in that not only does he feel the pride of being noticed, but also the duty that comes hand and hand with that, he must not let this voice down.
“Attonnan, Attonnan, can you hear me” Takada’s voice rips though his serenity making Attonnan open his eyes. With a bit of a growl, the sensations gone.
“General Takada, what is it you want” Attonnan says his voice almost a snarl
“It is not I that wishes to speak with you, it is the lord and emperor of Omashu. He is in the main chamber awaiting you. If what I hear is correct you have much to explain.” Takada says his voice stern like a displeased father.
Attonnan only nods his head and taking a deep breath to calm himself he sheaths the twin blades and looks over at the blade master.
“I take it you have learned something” The blade master says and smiles at him.
“I’m, I’m not sure.” Attonnan says looking down in confusion
“You will. I leave you in the grace of the masters” the blade master says and turns his back
At those words Attonnan snaps his head back and stares at the blade master… . I leave you in the grace of the masters… that is what he said. “I know not the troubles lie ahead, but before you fight use your heart and head, the masters will be watching from above… the masters will be watching” that is what it said, the voice, he wonders if the blade master might know more then he is letting on. He will talk to him soon enough. He only shakes his head and nods to Takada.
The both of them walk though the halls tell they are both in the main chamber of the palace. Standing at the far side of them are seven men. Six of them are dressed in black from head to toe with an emerald green tabard with gold trim and in gold embroidery the symbol of the kingdom, a circle, with a small square in the middle. On there heads is a bamboo hat that comes down in a slight cone covering their eyes. All of them have their arms folded in front of them, the hands tucked in the opposing sleeve. In the middle of the semi-circle of men is another, this man is dressed in golden cloth from head to toe, like the others he two has the same tabard of emerald green and embroidery of the Omashu standard. On his head is a slight crown, a ringlet of a metal that has been dyed emerald green. His hair is black and in a long braid flung over his shoulder. His hands are folded just the same as the other six. The man in the middle seems young to Attonnan, but he knows that when dealing with other elves it is best never to guess age by appearance. Standing near the first of the six on the right is also Kenshi. Kenshi hears the two enter the chamber and turns glaring at Attonnan.
“Is this the man that fits the description you have been told of your majesty” Takada asks gesturing to Attonnan.
“Yes, I’m sure there are almost no others with skin like his. Nor markings of the Dagoth clan. I shall take him for immediate execution” The one in gold says as the six in black begin to walk toward Attonnan.
Attonnan instantly jumps into a stance drawing the twin blades, a fire in his eyes. If they dare think they can just take him and execute him, well, they shall all fall to his blade learning the lesson that he is not so easily dealt with.
“Easy Attonnan, and I think your majesty is forgetting to at least question the young man.” Takada says raising his hand
“Vary well, I shall humor you. You young man, what is your name?” The emperor asks calmly
“Attonnan” Attonnan says, not relaxing his stance in the slightest.
“I was told by a blacksmith that you killed a man today, is that true” the emperors ask smiling
“Yes” Attonnan says not even delaying the answer
“He was the captain of my guard, did you know this.” The emperor says now in a growl.
“He said as much” Attonnan says almost cocky
“You knew he was an authority, yet you killed him. Well Takada this simplifies things quickly, I hope you are satisfied, he shall be taken to be executed now” The lord says and his men again begin to advance.
With a flash of his blade Attonnan is on the attack. He jumps in front of the first of the men in black and makes a quick slash. The man is lucky enough to jump back making the cut on his chest only shallow. The others jump back in shock.
“WAIT” Takada says and everyone stops. All eyes focus on Takada, all eyes but Attonnan’s that is, he still remains focused on his new enemies.
“This young man is a prisoner of war, you cannot execute him. You may indeed punish him, but not execution. I believe under your code of ethics that a prisoner of war is limited to 30 lashes.” Takada says smiling.
“Vary well, though I think he deserves death the rules shall be upheld. I shall expect him stripped and ready for his lashing in 10 minutes, which shall give me time to make a public announcement so that they can see what happens when you break the law. And next time you attack one of my Dai-Li you had better prepare for death at their hands” The emperor says glaring at Attonnan
“You might be emperor of Omashu, and those might be your elite guard, but I am Attonnan, personal apprentice to the demon king Fuma. I am the wind of death itself.” Attonnan says lowering his blades and sheathing them.
The emperor only glares at him again and with that walks out of the main chamber. Once he is gone both Kenshi and Takada look over at Attonnan, the looks however are completely different. Kenshi looks as if he wants to strangle Attonnan where he stands. On the other hand Takada only a curious look. Like there is more going on and he must find out.
“Tell me Attonnan, you killed the captain of the guard, why” Takada asks and watches as Kenshi walks up and takes Attonnan by the shoulder.
“I had went to the blacksmith to buy this blade. When I gave him the money the captain decided that he was going to keep the money and give the smith nothing. The smith had earned that money, the guard was corrupt. He earned his death” Attonnan says and begins goes to walk away, but Kenshi tightens his grip, in response Attonnan glares at him, but stops.
“Kenshi, take him to his room and see to it that he is ready for his punishment, when you are done there, I wish to speak to you” Takada says, his voice serious but not angered.
“I can take myself, if you wish to talk about me behind my back go ahead” Attonnan says with a growl and with that walks up to his room.
Kenshi and Takada both wait tell Attonnan is gone. Kenshi only looks at Takada confused
“Did you hear
that?” Takada says smiling now.
“I heard the same as you, but I’m sure we both have a difference of opinion about all of this.” Kenshi says cocking his head at Takada.
“Tell me what you think of all this and I’ll tell you what I think” Takada says calmly and smiles at him.
“It tells me that he is wild, uncontrolled and bloodthirsty, and where did he get those blades. He was not allowed blades.” Kenshi says calmly taking a breath now.
“Really, that is not what I thought at all. He is a killer there is no doubt of that. He killed a man who did the wrong to an innocent. I do not see the bloodthirsty beast that you do, no, I see a defender” Takada says with a smile.
Hearing that Kenshi looks back in the direction that Attonnan had walked away. Perhaps Takada was right, he was skilled, and the guard was a corrupt one. Maybe he was the defender that Takada saw. Really when Takada found him he was not much more tame then Attonnan is now.
It is almost exactly ten minutes later when Attonnan walks down. This time he is wearing only his white baggy pants, and yellow and blue sash. Kenshi is shocked as he looks at Attonnan’s porcelain white skin; there are so many scars. Looking at the body of Attonnan brings back his own mental scars, all the pain he endured under the rule of Fuma, but seeing Attonnan, he knows now that it could have been so much worse.
The three of them walk out to the main courtyard where a crowd is gathered. Everyone is around him. As Attonnan walks out through the doors the crowd begins shout and hiss at him, they then proceed to throw things at him. Mostly rotten vegetables, but some throw rocks. Halfway to the whipping post a rock hits Attonnan square in the temple dropping him to the ground. Blood trickles down the side of his head and tears well up in his eyes. But his face is the same stone cold expression. Before he knows it Attonnan feels a hand come down to help him up, Attonnan looks up expecting for it to be Takada’s hand, but it is not, to his surprise it is Kenshi. Attonnan looks hard at Kenshi, hard at the expression on his face. It is not the look of anger or distaste that he normally has; it is one almost of pride, and duty. Attonnan takes the hand and looks at Kenshi in shock.
“Hold true, hold strong” kanji says, his voice almost a whisper, like he himself is trying to keep calm, there is only a slight quiver in his voice.
Attonnan takes a deep breath and wipes the blood from the side of his head. Hold true, hold strong, that is what Kenshi asked, but why. Taking a deep breath the three then continue to the whipping post. Once he’s at the post three of the Dai-Li walk up and smile. Attonnan goes with them without a fight. Calmly they take him to the post and have him stand facing it. Once there they hold his hands up and tie him to the post. Attonnan cannot see anything, but he hears as someone unravels a whip. It is a familiar sound to him and no longer frightens him. It will hurt, and he will bleed, but is that really anything in the grand scheme of things.
“Count aloud, until you pass out that is” a gruff and dark voice says.
And just like that, the punishment begins. Each slap of the whip against his flesh is like a hot iron, Attonnan is sure that they are slicing through his flesh with each of the lashes. Takada watches as Kenshi shivers with each lash, there is only a hint of a tear in his eyes. Takada only smiles, this is what he wanted, Kenshi sees Attonnan for what he really is. A boy, a boy lost in a world of men trying to be strong. Takada smiles and lays a hand on Kenshi. This must be hard for him to watch. It is about the 20th lash where Attonnan passes out. Once that happens the dai-li looks to the emperor. The emperor smiles seeing that the job is done and nods. The dai-li growls but walks over and unties him from the post. Attonnan would almost falls but a dai-li quickly catches him.
“Get your hands off of him, I shall take him from here” Kenshi says with a snarl at the dai-li agent. Gently he takes Attonnan into his arms and lays his head onto his shoulder. Kenshi then walks though the halls of the palace looking down at the young Attonnan. The blood of the whippings soaks the front of Kenshi as he carries Attonnan through the halls and into his bedroom. Calmly he lays him down on his stomach. He then pulls over a bowl of warm water and a sponge, something he had set up before. Slowly and tenderly he washes out each one of the lashes, taking great care not to cause any further harm to him. As the water washes over his skin Kenshi starts to feel a sudden pang deep in his chest. Seeing Attonnan like this only brings back further memories of how he was, what he went through. Once the each of the lashes are washed he takes out a soft piece of cotton cloth and begins to gently dab them dry, his hands trembling now. Sure that they are dry Kenshi pulls out a small jar with a white cream inside. Dipping his forefinger in it he gently rubs the cream inside the wounds, this will help keep them clean and heal faster it will also make scars fade to almost nothing. Halfway through treating the wounds he has to close his eyes the pang in his chest now moving to a choke in his throat, as he closes his eyes he feels a tear slide down his cheek. He can’t help but feel something for this one, this boy. Once the wounds are covered with the salve he wipes off all the extras and then proceeds to wrap them gently but tightly. It won’t take him long to heal, at least not for these. The others, the scars that Fuma himself has caused, well he cannot say how long those will take to heal from, he himself is still healing from them. Slowly Kenshi gets up from the side of the bed lets his hand drift to Attonnan’s head gently running his fingers though his silky hair, and with a sad smile he walks off.
Chapter 9
Kenshi
It is early evening in the elflands; Fuma paces the thrown room of the Hojo clan. He is furious with his commanders. For months now they have been trying to bring the Takunen warriors to a halt but with no luck. They are cunning and skilled warriors but they do not force themselves into his territory, instead the general, Takada, he finds more pleasure in simply crushing his forces when they try to advance. Oh yes, Fuma knows him well. Takada and he used to be partners in war; that is until Fuma became the apprentice to Dagoth Ur. He could have easily destroyed them by now, that is if he hadn’t have been so foolish all those months ago. He had to teach his apprentice a lesson, sent him to fight the Takunen with a squad of fresh warriors. The whole squad was eliminated. He told the other general to watch and if Attonnan looked like he was in danger to ride in with his squad and make sure that Attonnan if no one else, made it out alive. But the general only watched from the hilltop. He wanted Attonnan to perish. When the general reported back to him what had happened, well the things he did to that general would even make the most resolved soldier squirm. No matter he can’t let himself dwell on it, his apprentice is dead now, lying on the battlefield just outside the city of Omashu. Growling he thinks of Takada, this is the second apprentice he has taken from him. First he had the nerve to turn Kenshi away from him, now he has killed Attonnan, no matter Takada will get his.
On the one of the balconies in the city of Omashu Attonnan stands looking out at the harvest moon. His arms folded over the banister. Looking out on the city he sees people scurrying about preparing the call it a day, the street is lit by lanterns and guards are patrolling the streets. Attonnan however is looking further, not to the streets, not even at the field past the great walls of Omashu. No he is looking to his home, to the Hojo. It has been months now since he was captured and claimed as a prisoner of war but Fuma has done nothing. He wonders even if he wants to go back to the Hojo. Here people are starting to treat him like a regular elf. He has been given duties and training. Kenshi has even started treating him with respect. Kenshi was a puzzle to him. For the first days that he was here Kenshi hated him, then he killed a general and got some lashes for the crime. After that something happened and Kenshi started to treat him the same way Mellyruna did. Mellyruna, he wonders how his life has turned out, is he even still alive. Or Byrdi, Maeraer, are any of them still around. Do they think of him as often as he thinks of them? Perhaps they are staring at the same moon, wondering the same thing about him. Fuma said he
was going to look into there treatment, but he now knows that was just a lie, a lot of what Fuma told him was a lie. Kenshi used to be the apprentice to Fuma before him; he has helped him see the truth of Fuma and how he uses people. As he stares out at the darkness of the night he hears a set of footsteps come up from behind. Attonnan slowly looks over his shoulder and smiles to see that it is lord Kenshi.
“It is late, you should be getting some sleep for tomorrow” Kenshi says and lays a hand gently on Attonnan’s shoulder.
Kenshi smiles as all Attonnan does is shrug. He admits that at first he felt a kind of kinship to this young elf, but as he grew closer to him he wonders is there might be something deeper. It wouldn’t be the first time he fell in love with someone a bit younger then himself. And he has always preferred those of his own gender. For the most part he has forced himself never to act on it, fearing that he will become too much like his master, Fuma. But there is something about Attonnan, something that makes him think that Attonnan himself is crying out for some kind of attention. He has never spoke to Attonnan about his past before Fuma, he has always respected the idea that if someone wants to talk to you about something they will bring it up. Instead he only lets it slide.
