A Lull In The Storm

 

     The fight had been over a while ago.

     Her magic was not particularly strong, though her physical agility made up for it. Vladimier, on the other hand, had a magic arguably more useful in battle than Kucabara's: complete control over silver when he was touching it. With a large enough piece of the metal, his creaking joints and stiff back wouldn't matter at all.

     But he only had a small sliver with him, usually pinned to his shirt collar. Whether across the width of the entire Tent or within an inch from each other, he and the Navi guard were fighting at the same level.

     She would act first, springing into the air while firing an arrow. Vladimier would render it to pieces with his silver blade. Then he would try closing the distance or shooting a small shard of silver at her. [aw man i couldn't find room for the awesome scene where she slices a rope and jay's climbing that one, and has to swing around like a monkey to get to the crow's nest...] She would twist and turn, grabbing at the ropes running up from the Tent rim, dangling off of the sodden wood they stood upon, anything to dodge his makeshift bullets. Then it would be hand-to-hand, dagger-to-arrowhead combat. She would strike so fast her flashing eyes were a brown blur, but Vladimier's silver flowed like a snake between them and could block and strike back at the same time. They would come together at a deadlock, the Navi would jump back, and they would start the cycle over again.

     All the while Jay climbed, and Vladimier was huffing and puffing and trying to hold back the Navi for just one second longer. Then Jay reached the top, and Vladimier held back the Navi as Jay watched and waited for the Ending Arrow's target, the small white lantern that would come floating up from Angel City's walls.

     A hoarse whisper made the Navi pause in aiming another arrow. Her twin sister raised her head over the Tent rim, gasping for breath.

     "Fenrika, bucheta sue!?" his opponent hissed in Southern, eyes still fixed on him. Fenrika, what're you doing!?

     "Benre!" Fenrika hissed back. Come!

     Have you completed your mission? Good, come help me--

     The red-haired South defeated me.

     Wha-...!?

     It was his voice. And his goldenrod eyes. I just...can't disobey him. Please. He told me that if we stopped fighting he would help save our  master--

     My sister, what is this!? You've fallen under some form of sorcery! I know it! He wouldn't have let you go if he could still breathe. If he truly is alive, show me where he is and I'll--

     Will you "yamite se nucrela!!??"

     Vladimier didn't know what that meant.

     They had turned to each other then, disregarding Vladimier, arguing in Southern mingled with ejaculations and curses that he had never known to exist before. A strange pair of twins.

     And then his opponent had given him a farewell glower and leaped onto the smooth slope of the Tent. Fenrika hastily apologized to him in Northern, then followed her sister.

     Back in the present, he watched the snow fall and considered what Fenrika had said. She was obviously referring to Rukamina Runo, the boy with 20,000 pintas on his head. Apparently this South could at least be trusted to turn enemies into friends.

     "Sir!"

     Jay scrambled down the ropes, his fluttering hands clumsy. He landed onto the solid wooden beams, panting hard and flushed despite his shivering.

     "Are you alright? Is she still here?"

     "Yes, I'm fine. Her sister came and convinced her to leave." His face crinkled into a smile. "I believe it was because of your red-haired friend."

     "Oh, Runo?" Jay giggled. "That sounds about right."

     Vladimier looked at Jay, tried to peel away that very first impression of the boy who could not speak and badly needed help. It was difficult.

     "How do you feel?"
     "Fine, sir, thank you."

     "You did wonderful, Jay."

     "I-...Really?" The silky blue hair fell over his red eyes as he ducked his head. Still easily embarrassed, still shy.

     "What did it feel like, standing up above the city? Was it frightening?"

     "...A little...well, yes, it was frightening. But there was something else...I couldn't breathe, it was cold, just like when I'm scared--but it was also...exhilerating. There was this unfamiliar feeling of danger, but at the same time is was so...beautiful...I don't know. Do you understand?" But not a child anymore.

     'Yes, more than you would expect. When I was a bounty hunter I often felt it for days on end. That thrill is what drives many people to their deaths, but also led them to their purpose in life. We all seek victory. Some people simply feel that victory is not complete without a chance of defeat. When you stood up there, you faced horrible consequences if you missed, yet you struck true nonetheless. Now let me ask you, Jay. Did you feel glory when the fireworks were completed?"

     "...I think I...did." It was time for the blue jay to leave his nest.

     "Understand that this thrill is not something to be afraid of. Only be wary of how you achieve it."

     "I...will." Jay absorbed this.

     There was a moment of awkward silence as Jay struggled to phrase something. Vladimier waited patiently.

     At last Jay gave up, and had it out in plain words. "I have to leave."

     Vladimier had been expecting this. But Jay went on, casting wildly about for an explanation.

     "You see, because Kake told everyone-everyone knows I'm a Blue Rider now, and you will--you know--then what will happen--I can't show my face to them now without shaming you and Kucabara--"

     "Do not say that!!!" Vladimier winced at his own roar. He cleared his throat and continued, softer. "Do not say we could be ashamed of who you are. Never be ashamed of your own face, the color of your eyes, your hair, the parents you were born to. Be proud. The townspeople love you, whether you know it or not, and they would never look down on you because you are a Blue Rider. Indeed, they may be curious to see what your face truly looked like. Then you would no longer have to hide."

     Jay looked at him with his eyes wide as saucers. "I can stay?"

     "Of course. What made you think otherwise?" Vladimier's mouth twitched into a smile again. "Or perhaps you were simply looking for an excuse?"

     "What?"

     "The group of travellers took to you very well. You like them, do you not?"

     "Well...yes. And they are very reliable."

     "I suppose I must agree with that." He looked inquisitively at Jay. "Do you feel you will be safe with them?"

     "Yes." Jay blinked. "Not to imply anything--I mean, I don't even know what you mean by safe with them..."

     "Tell me right now, Jay, what do you want? Kucabara and I saved your life, I know, but that life is still your own. This soul that stands before me is held in your hands alone. You can do whatever you want, and you know this--so what do you want to do? What is your Thrill?

     "I love you, Jay. I wish you were my son and I had a right to keep you here, but you are not; you are a bird whom I have wrongfully caged because I loved its song. You are the last Blue Rider, and I believe you will accomplish something great in the world."

     The last Blue Rider stared at his guardian, tearing up again.

     "Come, Jay. I understand. And I'm sure Kucabara has foreseen this and already accepted it. There is no need for tears. Be strong."

     Jay gulped. His eyes were shining, but they weren't spilling over.

     "Will you go?"

     He nodded.

     "Yes...I always knew this day would come, but it pains me nonetheless."

     Vladimier sighed. "There is a lull in the storm for now. I don't know how long it will last, so you had best be on your way. Shall I fetch you some supplies?"

     Jay slowly shook his head. "...I have my bow and quiver. I don't need anything else. I have to hurry, or they'll leave without me and I'll never find them again."

     "Very well." Vladimier waited.

     "...You were wrong about one thing though, sir."

     "Really?" He was pleasantly surprised by Jay's boldness, but what followed completely overwhelmed him.

     "I am your son. And Angel City will always be my home. I will not leave my home forever; I just want to search for something, and I'm not sure what it is, but I swear to you, Father, that I will find it and return.

     "See you soon."

     Jay turned and left, smiling. [in reality it wouldn't be this graceful, Vlad'd be able to see him for a long time afterwards as he climbs down the stairs...ah well...]

     The Vice Minister of Angel City stood watching the warm snow fall and the soft city lights glow in the distance. After a while he stirred, and whispered into the moist still air.

     "I'll be waiting."

 

     Little puffs of light stepped twos and fours around them, twirling like gentle fairies as they drifted through the opening in the tunnel. Kuchiha brushed them and what mud was dry enough off of her shoulders, frowning as she realized the snow was warm.

     "Kuchiha." The Minister seated himself carefully next to the Navi, gingerly touching the wound in his leg. That mad dash without using any magic was biting back at him. "How much longer will you stay?"

     She looked at him incredulously. "Whadda you mean?"

     The Navi was crouched on the ground, his face down, but Kucabara could tell that he was listening intently.

     "Well, I know that you're entering the Path." She jumped and shifted her feet uneasily. He smiled. "Don't be so surprised. There's only three reasons anyone would ever come to Angel City: sightseeing, visiting relations, or entering the Path. Obviously you're not sightseeing, and visiting relations..." It hit him then that she and the rest of the group probably had no relations to visit anywhere. And they were so young...He couldn't imagine what it would feel like to be lost before even being old enough to earn a living. [the North's age requirement is 16. the South's is 13. child labor laws. and what the, all of my LP main characters were orphaned/abandoned before the age of 16? oh what have i done.] "...I'm sorry."

     "Huh?"

     "...No...Well, I suppose you're not lost now."

     "Gah--that--I do not get lost! It took me a long time to get here just cuz...I was...stocking up on supplies!" [in case you've forgotten, yeah, kuch gets lost really easily. physically, i mean.]

     He laughed at her flustered face. What supplies? he almost asked, but stopped himself.

     "So...how much longer will you stay?"

     She scoffed. "Why should I stay? I said I would leave as soon as possible, and now's the perfect time. I can finally throw off that bratty kid and that foxy tamer! Hah! Angels and Demons, here I come!"

     "You're plunging into possible death after a whole day and night of fighting?" He shook his head, still chuckling. "At least eat and drink something [and go to the bathroom...] beforehand. Change clothes. Wash up. Rest a little."

     "No! I already put it off too long. I'm itching all over now. All that was just a little favor for Jay--and since it looks like I'm done, nothing's stopping me anymore." She peered closely at Yera. "I am done, right?"

     Kucabara glanced at him. "Don't worry, Ku--"

     "Kuchiha." Yera raised his head and met her eyes. "Yes."

     "Well then."

     "But--Kuchiha, please! You've got to at least sleep until dawn. It's dangerous in the dark, and you must be tired out of your mind--"

     "I was last night. But right now I could kill an army."

     "You're insane. That was a lie, I know--"

     "Stop it." She looked up at the sky, like a drowning girl looking at air, yearning for it, hungering for it. "Let me ask you. Have you ever wanted something so bad you would kill yourself in a thousand ways to get it? Have you ever seen freedom at your fingertips after being stuck at the bottom of a river of blood for as long as you can remember? If you have then maybe you can tie me down and knock me out and tell me to deny myself, to go to sleep. But no. You would never understand. I'm leaving now, and I'll cut to the chase. See you guys after I make it around the world."

     She crouched down for the spring.

     "Wait!" Kucabara was on his feet. His wound stabbed afresh, but he ignored the pain and faced Kuchiha steadily. "Are you going alone?"

     "Heck yeah."

     "What if someone gentle, and quiet, but just as passionate as you went with you?"

     "Uh..." She made a face. "She'd have to pay for dinner."

     He stared at her, then burst out laughing uncontrollably.

     "What!? I'm sick of paying for other people's meals, y'know!? Nothing wrong with being a little conservative!"

     He collapsed beside Yera, overcome by an ensuing fit of giggles. "Of course!" He looked her over one last time from watery eyes. "Thank you. Really."

     "For what?"

     He gasped for breath between laughs. "For letting me entrust him to you. Alright, I'll let you go now. Take care."

     She gave him a weird look before splashing off through the broad window to the sky.

     "And tell me everything when you get back!"

     He heard her yell an agreement and patter away.

     Yera stared at him. "Still laughing?"

     "Oh, please, don't tell me you didn't think that was funny."

     "...Er."

     They watched the snowflakes meander towards them. They seemed to warm both the body and the soul.

     "How long do you think a lull in the storm can last, friend?"

     "Indefinitely. I believe this storm has passed."

     "Hah...Funny, if I hadn't seen that girl fly I wouldn't have believed it."

     "Do you think she will take kindly to Jay?"

     "Oh, she already has." A fresh bout of laughter. "She didn't even realize I was asking about him! 'She'd have to pay for dinner'--and of all things I never would have guessed she was so stingy. God! At least Jay can hunt and cook. She can't complain about food with him around!"

     "But even so." The wrinkles on his old face folded over cracked paint as he frowned. "We have known her for a few hours at most. How can you still trust Jay's life to that wandering swordsgirl?"

     "Think about it. She's been wanting to go on the Path all this time. Did you hear what she said? Can't you imagine how painful it must have been to be right in front of that tantalizing goal? Yet she dropped everything just to perform 'a little favor for Jay.' That more than convinced me."

     "She could change. Today she may have been acting differently than usual."

     Kucabara shook his head. "No, she's the one. You can feel her young life burning, so much potential and drive. I think that's what Jay needs. Some real physical passion."

     "Sukalam. Let us hope not too passionate. Just not like Imaelka and Merlaindalil!" Yera curled his lip, but his eyes said something different. "How old is she--what was it--Kuchiha?"

     "Can't say. Late teens. Quite a beauty, minus the mud and wild disposition."

     "Hah! And Jay? How old is he?"

     "The same as Imaelka--he's 18."

     He nodded. "...So you are letting him go."

     "Yes. I always knew I would have to. It was killing him to stay here, even if he never said so."

     "...I see..."

     The laughs were finally subsiding. "Understand, those children have different needs than us. I couldn't give Jay what he needed, so he had to leave. But Imaelka is different."

     "Yes, she is different." He sighed. "Jay loves you."

     "And Imaelka loves you, too. That's why it would probably kill her to leave."

     They stared at each other.

     "Speak with her. Go talk to her. Be her father. Oh, but don't forget--afterwards you have to come with me to Angel City. I have some work left for you." He grinned. 

 

     It took Kuchiha about five seconds to realize she had no idea where the Entrance was. Sure, Angel City was said to be squating straight in front of it, but there was a whole forest completely surrounding the City and no rainbow gates or stone gargoyles to give some helpful clues. What did it look like, anyways?

     The tunnel connected the Navi's village to the City, that much she knew. Its glimmering lights were surprisingly close--the chase was longer than she had thought. She circled around it, soft twinkling stars below the high blanket of warm snow. It almost felt like the world was flipped, and she was walking on the black night sky, a pocket of heaven right beside her, looking down at creamy wintry ground. Strange...no, there was a better word for it.

     It felt magical. She should have hated that, but somehow it seemed right.

     She tore out the ribbon from her hair to make sure it wasn't scorched. What had those lanterns and fireworks done to her head? Magic was evil, no matter how pretty and innocent it seemed on the outside. Angrily she wound the ribbon around her hair again to remind her of this truth.

     She was behind the City. The Entrance had to be deeper in the forest. She plunged in, hands outstretched and feet cautiously feeling the way. Since the fireworks had ended everything was pitch black. Snow, no matter how warm, couldn't glow in the dark.

     Eventually her knee struck against something other than a plant. "Hu-!?"

     Some sign? She jabbed at it in the hopes of eliciting a response. It shivered with each prod, but remained generally unchanged.

     "Hrm."

     She decided to go around it and see what happened. As she reached her hand to the side, it struck against a similar object. 
     A glimmer of gold swiveled in her direction. She stared at it blankly until she saw the black slit inside trained on her.

     "...Oh. Agh. Eck--hurgle--ei-AAHHHHH!!!???"

     Kake collapsed onto the ground, giggling hysterically. Runo just covered his ears. "...Thanks for the brilliantly courteous greeting..."

     "You!!! You, don't say a word, you--!" Kuchiha wiped her hands rapidly on her pants. [um...as a clarifier, she was poking kake's stomach and then smacked ruru's forearm. if he hadn't blocked she would have hit his face.] "And Kake!!! Why didn't you say anything, you li'l-...!!"

     Kake was a little tumbling roll of laughter.

     "Gross--you guys--I'm gonna get you for this!!!"

     A dull orange glow arose from one side of the forest. Kuchiha scrambled to divert the topic of conversation in its direction.

     "Fireworks're coming up again?"

     "No, it's him. He's got a light this time. Not like we'd need one."

     "'Him?'"

     Kake sat up.

     Jay's tenuous voice curled around the dense greenery and reached Kuchiha's ears. "I heard someone scream! What-what happened!?"

     "You call that a scream? More like a demented she-wolf howl..."

     "Kake happened, that little devilish miscreant--!!"

     "Oh!" The devilish miscreant grinned as Jay staggered close enough for his face to be seen. "Hey Jay! Eh, that rhymes. Hey~ Jay~!"

     Jay was panting, face livid. He had pinned to his shirt something like a miniature Angel City lantern, a green fireball humming at its core. The whole thing was smaller than his palm, but the brightness leaked into every corner of the leaves and branches. "...Huh? Oh...Oh, I see."

     "Yeah? That was fast."

     The way Runo looked at Jay had changed slightly since they had first met. His gaze wasn't so condescending, the way he spoke wasn't so careless. There almost seemed to be an air of companionship around them. It irked Kuchiha strangely.

     "Come here so we can see each other properly."

     Jay jerkily made his way to the trio, evidently difficult for him. He kept tripping over tree roots and stumbling into bushes. His naturally droopy eyes were half-closed of their own accord, underlined by dark bags. Runo took his arm and helped him forward.

     "There we go." Runo examined Kuchiha and Kake with a mud-splattered face. "None of us are hurt?"

     "Psshhht. As if."

     Kake grinned.

     "Mmn. And here come the animals."

     Kuchiha strained her ears. It took several seconds for the presence to become apparent to her. "Shucks, it sounds like an army!"

     Crashing branches and rattling damp leaves were followed by a horse's sharp whinny. 

     "Violet!" Jay turned eagerly as the gentle beast pushed its way through the forest. "--And look!" He laughed. "The rabbit's riding her!"

     Kake's purple-eyed rabbit wrinkled its nose, perched royally in between Violet's ears.

     "Stevie! Wow, he's even better at riding horses than you, Kuchiha!"

     "Gk--I can do better than that!! I mean, he's not even doing anything!!"

     Once Violet was close enough, the rabbit bounded off his seat and burrowed into Kake's puffy hair. He hung on with jubilance as Kake jumped up and down hysterically. "Stevie~! You've no idea how much I missed you!"

     "And you're still going on with the Stevie thing!?"

     Jay felt his steed's cheak and pressed his forehead against her muzzle. "Thanks, Vi. You even brought back the rabbit after it ran away from the Navi." He combed his fingers through her silky blue mane and met her shining red eyes with his own. With his touch he seemed to speak a thousand silent words.

     Violet closed her eyes and prodded him gently.

     "...Yeah. You made it too."

     As Kuchiha watched the two pairs, the irksome feeling came again. She turned away, but a bitter taste still lingered in her mouth. What, was she jealous?

     She mentally slapped herself.

     Runo interrupted the reunions with an edge of impatience. "Looks like we're all here. Let's go then."

     Kuchiha blinked. "Wait, what? To where? And Ruru you will not drag me off to use me as a kite again cuz there's a lull in the storm right now and I am going on--"

     "The Path of Angels and Demons."

     "--the Path tonight before it ends and...huh?"

     A genuine smile warmed Runo's face. "We're going on the Path with you. Don't tell me you were planning on going alone."

     Time ticked to a stop.

     She mouthed the words and stared at each of the boys in turn. "...Oh, no. No way, no, no, no, NO!!!" She failed her arms in a panicked gesture of complete, utter, and abysmal dissaproval.

     "Well what did you think we were heading to Angel City for? Tofu?" [this is, believe it or not, foreshadowing. XD]

     "I dunno--but--can't you at least go on the Path later!!?"

     "I'm sorry to say, My Lady Most Gracious Howler, that you've been consigned for life after you failed the test. I won't let you out of my sight until you prove that I can trust you."

     She huffed angrily, being too numb to respond with proper words.

     Jay steadied himself againt Violet and looked at Kuchiha, embarassed but firm. "I...I can't thank you enough for what you've done. But if you don't mind, can I ask another favor of you?"

     "Uh, I guess?"
     "Please...please take me with you on the Path."

     Another foreign taste bubbled into her throat. Jay too? This was getting more annoying by the second.

     Runo's smile widened. "I'm all for it, Jay, if she lets us."

     Jay's face regained some color.

     "Kuchiha~! I want to go with you!"

     She stared at Kake. He was grinning broadly, but there was an earnestness in his words that she hadn't known he was capable of.

     "I'm going on the Path because you're going on it. I want to go with you. Please? Can I come?"

     It was ridiculous. An impossibility. To have them as company again? Arguing while walking, fighting while cooking, sharing meals, depending on each other...

     Kake gave her his puppy dog look. "I'll miss you if you go. Please? I really, really like you." [oh dear now you can ship kuch with everyone...what have i done...AND I WANNA PINCH HIS CHEEKS  > A <]

     The bubbly feeling erupted. She just gave up, threw her head back and laughed.

     Kake puffed out his cheeks. "I wasn't trying to be funny!"

     She wanted to pinch at his cheeks and swing him around in crazy circles straight through the forest. But she kept laughing and laughing, keeling over, on her knees, laughing until tears were on the verge of spilling over. The taste of nostalgia filled her mouth, and for the first time it tasted sweet. She could hardly remember the last time laughter had come and lightened her soul like this.

     She realized that Runo and Jay were staring at her, stunned. Suddenly feeling very self-conscious, she took a few shaky breaths and managed to regain control of herself.

     Kake grinned at her with a smug expression on his face. She hastily rose.

     "...Uh...Is that a yes?"

     She cleared her throat. "Well...I-I guess you could look at it that way. Um."

     "Great. Jay's in too?"

     "Huh? Oh, oh yeah. Wait, what!? When did that happen!?"

     Runo rolled his eyes. "Go ahead, Jay."

     "O-okay..." He kept his hand on Violet for moral support. "Well...you know that I lived in Angel City. But my old home was destroyed a long time ago, and all the Blue Riders but me were killed, because the people didn't understand each other. All they could think of were what they had done a long time ago. And then the Navi came after my new home to avenge the Blue Riders. See, there was an unbreakable cycle of hatred and bloodshed, because nobody ever came together and tried to make peace. But then you came. You broke the cycle so easily. I...really admired that.

     "But it hurts to think that there are so many people like me, so much anger and violence for really no good reason. I can't help them, though, if I stay in Angel City. And I get this feeling...I don't know, I can't explain it. I just...know that you will come across so many more situations like tonight's. Of course you'll be fine without me, but I...I want to help you help, and...I'm sorry, I'm not making any sense."

     She hadn't really been listening. She was just looking into his eyes, trying to fend him off with her gaze. It didn't work.

     "Well. If you really want to, I can't do anything about it." She looked away sheepishly. "Everyone can come. Free of charge."

     Runo thumped him on the back, wearing a congradulatory [sp?] smile.

     Kake bounded towards Jay. "So how do we get into the Entrance? There's a spell, right, that keeps people away?"

     "Yes. But it won't work for us." Jay unpinned the miniature lantern and flipped a switch on it. The fireball changed colors from green to soft white.

     "Why?"

     "Because we actually want to go in."

     He tossed it into the air. At the height of its arc, it ballooned to twice its size and held position, suspended in midair by some unseen force. Kuchiha looked around perplexedly. Nothing in the forest had changed, except the lighting.

     And then she saw it.

     The Entrance. It was beautiful. Two rows of trees, running directly away from Angel City, the high branches arching gracefully towards each other to form a subtle path. And what was most remarkable was that the leaves were white.

     Without the deceptive green lighting, it became apparent to Kuchiha that these trees were the same kind as the ones that flourished throughout Angel City. They seemed to bloom, capturing the lamp's luminescence and radiating its own pale glow. She cautiously approached one and rubbed a waving leaf between her fingers. If felt like a feather.

     "Some people in these parts call them Angel Wings. See? If you look at the Entrance from a certain angle it looks like a pair of white wings."

     "Guess this is the Angel part of the Path of Angels and Demons."

     "...This is magic." She grinned uncontrollably, thoughts of the ribbon in her hair pushed away by the warmth that tickled her inside. It was a good time for her life to be flashing before her eyes--but it didn't. She just felt gutted out and then stuffed and packed to the brim with excitement.

     "Alright, let's get rolling, everyone!!!"

     They moved about a mural in. The trees were coming closer together, the short shrubs and grasses falling away to leave behind the bare living pillars. Kuchiha's heart was fluttering so fast she felt like she might accidentally start flying.

     An explosion in the sky cause them to halt.

     "What!?"

     Jay turned around. "...It's a firework."

     A single hastily constructed firework was buzzing through the sky, leaving a trail of red smoke.

     "It's writing something?"

     "Cool~! What's it say?"

     "Hush. It's a message for Jay."

     Jay covered his mouth with his hand. He was holding back tears. "They...they don't hate me after all."

     Kuchiha nudged him gently with her fist. "Of course not, you big baby. Now get ready for the biggest adventure you'll ever have. Blood, tears, mud, we're leaving them behind. Go ahead and cry, because tomorrow you won't be able to."

     "...Okay..."

     They bid farewell to the world they had lived in. And then they travelled deeper into the Path, and the trees closed behind them. 

 

 

     Between the four pairs of footsteps and one set of hoof marks stood two dark figures. Though they stood silently in the black night, falling snowflakes dissapeared around them with muffled crackles, as if there was an invisible dome encasing them. One of the figures was stooped down, inspecting the subtle irregularities in the mud and rotted leaves.

     "...Fresh, aren't they?" It was a thin, rhaspy voice.

     The other figure nodded, or moved his head a little. It was difficult to tell with his gray hood on.

     "Shall we follow?" It sounded disturbingly eager.

     "Wait at least three days." His voice was a gentle tenor, pleasing to the ear, but the command was cold with authority. "The Shadow will capture us otherwise. For now, be patient."

     The crouched figure whined softly, but retreated.

     He watched the sky until the last dull remnants of the red smoke message faded away. "...This snow dies."

     The crouched figure hesitated. "Don't they all?"

     "Yes, snow melts. You may call this its death. But once it melts it flows as water through a stream, then evaporates and flies as a cloud through the sky. Then it may fall down as snow again. Angel snow, however, does not melt. It is magic."

     "...And?" The crouched figure was still confused.

     "Angel snow disappears forever the moment it touches a solid surface. Like snow, magic is born, falls, and disappears without a trace. Magic truly dies."

     "Ahah!" Something chillingly similar to pointy teeth flashed in the darkness. "I see. Just like people, is it?"

     "...Yes. Used and scattered, doomed to die. Yes, exactly like people." He watched the small puddle of light that hovered in the sky, brooding clouds seething just behind. Then suddenly, he swept his arm to the Path's entrance and cried out angrily.

     "This is no lull in the storm, you foolish Norths! It's only waiting to begin."

 

Table of Contents

Chapter 31

Chapter 33