Songs of fire and light

Chapter 6: shadows down the alley

 Licht strode down the streets, greeted every passer-by and received a swift now in reply. Their curious eye fell on the black hooded appearance. Before a frightened glance behind their backs brought about a hasty retreat. If Nenya’s presence did not occur strange, those that follow sure made things worse. The prince his two loyal shadows hid in our trail. Ordered threatened with death if they did not.

“Would you two mutts quit doing that! It’s annoying and intrusive. Get lost!” The young boy scolded, dismissing the two well-armed men. To whom a smile felt foreign when on the clock. 

“Forgive our intrusion, young lord, but your father’s decree stands clear. And reach far beyond yours. We will not permit you nor her ladyship to wander the streets unsupervised.” Reiner replied with an arrogant smile Aerillysei did not think graciously of. She knew of the nickname the prince dubbed him with; monkey, alas she found herself get a different name. Viper. A snake trailing the high grass, awaiting his moment to strike and make his mark. I’ve met men as him before, and these men seldom thrive well. Neither for themselves nor closest. 

“Don’t be such a pain in my bum and begone!” The small boy chirped, wagging a finger at the far substantially built man. A trait he must have inherited from his father. “How can lady Nenya and I have a nice time with you numbskulls breathing down our necks? I can protect her myself.” The small boy claimed proud. 

She bit back a small smile, if he’s able that’s up for debate. I have protected myself for ages. A trip down Leontes streets will be easy for me. Still, she kept silent. No reason for dragging the boy down without cause. He meant well, after all. 

“We will go and find a more suited place to lurk from.” Reiner sighed, walking away. Yagher grumbled incoherent in his ear. Evident upset by their retreat. 

Fueled by his own enthusiasm, Licht strode on. Telling me of his father’s accomplishments. Proud. For one no older than six, the boy could talk descent and fluent for his age. Never before had she met one as talkative as him. Elves are silent and noble most of the time. Humans are cautious. This boy reminded her of the carelessness of a hobbit, not past his tweens. Small build, yet sturdy beings made of curiosity and kindness. 

~

Licht held Nenya’s hand, guiding her through the bustling streets of Leontes. its people seemed nice, if not a bit tight boned. The farmlands seemed barren, which did not view abnormal during this time of year. Farmers work hard for neigh.  

The notice of a crowd of men hanging about in an abandoned alley. A none too bright move made by the youngling. The by age wise lady owed partial blame, I shouldn’t have let myself become distracted. These men were not from this kingdom, neither are their intentions good. The intoxicating odor of booze pestered my senses. Drunken men caught in broad daylight means nothing good. No matter which realm one finds themselves in. Cautious she edged forward and Licht near. Hopeful their presence would go overlooked. 

Marching forward, the little rebel unaware of any close dangers this path held. Until a sudden sound of a male’s hollers chilled their hearts. “Look what we got here!” The drunk hollered towards his friends. Eyes glazed with booze narrowed on Licht. “It’s the demon king of hell’s only son! Get lost or are you showing your b***h around to show what happens to those who violate the demons rule.” 

Licht glared at the man. Nervous, few of the men took a step back. Certain provoking their rulers son would be proven a bad idea. The back door of a busy bar opened in the alley way behind them. Gangs of men carrying half-empty bottles of beer, wobbled out to watch the scene. Closed them in. 

“Get lost.” The far smaller boy snarled at them, not giving the fulfillment of revealing his fear. Frighted he was, Nenya could hear his raving heart, feel it pounding through his grasping hand. 

She gave him a reassuring squeeze. “Wise men should accept advice given when favorable. The demon king of hell will not act merciful to those ludicrous enough to harm his only son.”

The loudmouth, drunk, staggered forward. “Now, baby, if you care for the brat well be happy to forget his ugly mug.” Another step closer. “With a silken voice as yours, I bet you’re hot under that dumb robe.” Another. His hand reached out towards her. She grimaced at the filth it held. The odor of manure found. “Why not take it off?” The smell of booze and other vileness plagued her as he revealed rows of rotten teeth. 

“Get away!” Licht pushed his bravery forwards and the drunk backward. Who, stumbled to the sidewalk beside his shattered beer. His drunken buddies laughed at his expense. 

“What’s up Warren? Can’t handle a b***h and a kid?” 

 “Shut it!” Cursing the drunken man spat, “look what you did, you worthless rat! Screw your daddy! You’ll pay for that!”

The man grabbed another mans bottle and threw it towards Licht. Nenya felt the air, a sudden surge tossed it right back. Shatter the bottle on the wall beside his head. A smile slipped on Licht’s lips. The drunken men looked at the shards in awe. 

I loathe men with big mouths and no game. 

The man regained his senses. “You’ll pay for that!” He threatened, getting up. 

The crowd goaded their friend on. Fuel his drunken mind with obscene suggestions.Amused by their own resourcefulness. Knifes and swords drawn. What a bunch of idiots. Worse than their ruler. 

Without fear, Nenya held her ground. Licht pulled her hand in dread. Closing her eyes, she soothed her fiery vigors. Prepared for the fight these fools were so keen on inflicting. When a cool voice spoke beyond their sights, “Gentlemen, to attack a goddess and a child of royal blood. As cowardly dogs in a back alley. Is no livelihood for any adequate man.” 

Looking up on the roofs stood a man. Speechless, they stared at him. A tall, dark-haired, sharp dressed, looking swordsman of the East. Katana in hand, sheeted, ready for a swift draw. With ease, he leaped from the roof, landing on his feet with a thud. A barrier between two parties.  

Back turned towards the drunks. He raised an eyebrow at Licht. “Am i not even granted a proper greeting or something?” Leveling his sights with the boy, he lowered his tone, “How did i look? Looked cool, right?” 

Blinking, Nenya thought herself dreaming a weird dream. He must belong with the prince of fools. Another one to darken my mood. 

The man straighten his posture and bowed. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, goddess of the forest. I am Kinryuu Ryujin, the fallen prince of Asahi. Men call me the one-eyed-dragon from the east.”

Nenya’s mind flashed back at the woman she saw earlier. She took a closer glance of the man before her. Black hairs that frame his face, longer on the right where a patch covers his eyes. A white shirt, black trousers, ankle boots with a dark blue stash. Black gloves and a midnight blue jacket with a straight color and golden edges. A piece of bare skin caught my gaze, the dark marking of a body ink slithers up his left arm. 

His dark, near black eye met hers. A broad smile spread, flashing of his dashing smile. “May i say, the tales spoken of your beauty were not exaggerated.” The reckless intervener dares a glance beyond her hood. Catching a glimpse of her beauty. “Rather the opposed, even the beauty of stars fade in the shadows of your dazzling light.”

“Hey asshole, piss off. Who the hell do you think you are!” The drunk pipes up again. “What were you even doing on that roof?” He asked, looking up, unsteady on his legs. 

“My dear gent, I Am the one eyed dragon and i was on that roof watching the beauty of the heavens.” Ryujin replied with a broad smile. “And you better be gone before the demon king vents his rage on your soul and bones. I’ll pray your soul will be blessed and send to the glorious heavens. As accustomed to your local beliefs.”

“I do not believe in no dumb demons or heavens and whatnot.” The man raised his voice, swinging even more. 

Ryujin’s smile never wavers. “First. You do realise you’ve gone and contradicted yourself by using a double negative. Right?” His voice and features remained calm as he spoke. “Second, it would be wise believing in them. Since in a matter of seconds, depending on your actions, you’re going to meet one of them.” 

The drunk smiled. Playing it off as a joke, as did his friends. “Buddy, back off. Theres only you, a girl and a boy against all of us.”

Ryujin’s smile vanished. A cold glint cut the tension. The drunk eye widened, mouth agape as he fell to the ground. A bloodied Katana, raised high in the air, glistering in malice. Hungry for more blood. He lowered his weapon, straightened his posture and let his eye fall on the other men. Their drunken haze gone. panic filled their minds, realizing they had messed with the wrong stranger. 

“Now, who will follow their friend in death?” 

“you bastard!” One of the men, found his courage and made a run for him, sword in hand. From behind, pushing past me and Licht. Nenya grabbed the boy in a safe embrace. 

“After all that talk, only one?” Ryujin jests. “If you attack, go about it in an intelligent matter instead of a dead man.” He raised his sword, turned and before the drunk took notice found the bloodied blade reach for the kill. 

“Stop.” Nenya’s command a bare whisper, it’s answer too fast for any regular human sight. Well received by the intended. 

“W-what…” Ryujin muttered quiet, in disbelieve. “Why?” His eyes left his blade, drifting on me. All movement frozen, no one dared the smallest breath. 

Licht took a peak from his hiding place, her cloak. “N-Nenya?” The youngling uttered confused, frightened, in disbelief by what he witnessed. 

Ryujin’s blade hung in the air, gripped tight by its wielder. My hand held the bloodied Katana, stain my light skin with its bright red blemish. Unmoving, I held the sword in place. From its clash against a rivaling sword. Moved faster than light, soundless, an elven short sword. The cold steel threat burned the fearful drunk. His artery pumped against it, clenching his breath. 

“Who the hell are you and why did you interfere?” Ryujin’s eyes searched for answers from both me and the figure of darkness beside me. “Are you with the goddess?”

“That is accurate.” Nenya replied without moving an inch. “I am light and this is my shadow. Akashi. One born from the Eastern seas must know what that entails. Do you not?” An ever feeble smile emerged. “Now, if you would forgive, sheet your Katana and allow the laws of the fool place judgement upon its kin.” 

“Very well.” Ryujin surrendered, slacking his grip. Nenya and her shadow retrieved theirs. The drunken bunch stayed frozen, frightened they might fuel the fires of demise once more. 

With a sweet innocent smile, she sends Licht to retrieve some soldiers nearby. 

Ryujin took liberties and observed the man she called her shadow. 

A man, clear in his early twenties, with neck-length dark hair which carries a purple glint. Left longer on his right, a few large bangs left unkept before his eyes. Strange bright green eyes with a shadow about them. Skin white as snow, even colder  than ice.

Clothing that consist most out of black and white with dark purple edging. Boots below the knee. Neat fitted pants, fingerless gloves and a short commander jacket. With upper armored sleeves with purple decorations and edgings. Silver buttons, a stand collar and a silver pin of a colorful stone phoenix. Decorative shoulder straps and a white blouse he leaves only halfway buttoned-up. A white belt accompanied by a double deep purple cord. On a deep purple belt hung his sword. A long sword, somewhat similar to Ryujin’s Katana. With radiant carvings, often seen in Elven weaponry. 

Pierced ears, the right studded and a hanger in the left. A leather cord wrapped a few circles around his neck. 

His ears and body shape as… An elf? Ryujin thought. Or could he be…?

The stranger bowed in respect, tossing the fortunate drunk on the ground. “Vilya mín, in annur tógh caég mín stru. Adti threise andú. (My lady, I will take my leave now. Until further orders.)” Spoken in a language foreign in these lands. 

“Nartha, nua té fest. (Stay, if you wish.)” She answered without doubt. A swift glance at the curious samurai. “We hold no secrets, nor forced replies. Akashi. You are my shadow, my personal guard… na senga. (by choice.)” A whisper of bitterness graced her lips, fleeting, unnoticed by any other than him.  

Akashi replied equal. Bowing his head. “Suratha. (Understood.) I shall remain by your side.” 

~

Two men observed the thrid move in an almost feline grace across the roofs. Akashi tredged over a dangerous thin ridge, that reached high in the air. Grants him the exelant advantage point on any assailants. Every step he took was precise and in predatory nature. 

The three remaining on the ground walked through a market. Licht held Nenya’s hand, more for his sake than hers. Ryujin tredged along behind, close, his attention high. The mainstreet was bustling with sound and different smells. 

“Do elves have markets?” Licht broke through, scouring for answers. An try to chase away the awkwardness that lingered. He knew his father would be cross for endangering his intended claim. 

“Alas, they do not, finding such quirks too messy and unnecessary.” The boy looked down, the bitterness he met urged him in silence. “But i have attended few before, long ago.”

“So, you’ve been in more human cities beside Leones?” Ryujin pipped up, seazing an opening for hints. “As in the Eastern seas?” His question hung heavy in the air. 

“Ryujin, don’t be silly. How can she been there if her woods are here?” Licht stepped infornt of him. Scolding another adult. “There are even hymns of her forest in pubs.”

Ryujin raised a brow, smirk in place. Amused by the prince slip of the tongue. “How would you know?” He inquired. “Does the young prince visit pubs in father’s absence? What were you doing? Bestowing lustful glances at young maidens?” 

Licht turned beed red. His eyes dashed up to see a smile linger on Nenya’s face. “N-no i did not. Riener spoke of it with Yaghen. That’s how.” The boy was quick to clarify. 

“Well, when i was a young boy, my wetnurse would also tell me tales of a forest more gracious than any other guarded by a female ghost.” Ryujin put the matter to rest and focused back on his female companion. A silent request for a reply. 

“Alas, I slipped when I named your sword by it’s true name.” She smiled bitter at her own mistake. How foolish of me. she had isolated herself from other beings far too long. ”As you concluded, one-eyed-dragon, I once dwelled within a forest found in Asahi, long ago.”

Now he had her answering, he could not hold himself back. ”Is that how you obtained your shadow? In Asahi?” 

Her eyes met his, cold as ice, telling him off. ”That is none of your affairs.” 

The samurai felt a coldness near, a noiseless threat from the darkness. Up on the roof, a silhouette kept his eyes trained on him. Ready for anything at a blink of an eye. As demonstrated before in the alley. Nenya had hardly spoken her command when a gush of wind past by and his blade undesired halt. 

 ”Lord Ryujin, hold your tongue and leave my friend alone.” Licht’s voice resembled his fathers. Cold and strong, such as any man should. “My father will not act kindly if you were to upset her any further.” on the roof he saw Akashi, looking back at him.

Ryujin stepped away, showing his back. He spoke over his shoulder. “Fine, I’ll withhold myself.” Close, he kept his distance. For now, at least. 

Devoid of any dispute, the threesome proceeded forth. 

Licht felt grateful for their rescue, even when never admitting it. But he couldn’t help be cautious of this man lady Nenya called her shadow. A matter that he’d certain discuss when reunited with his father when informing him of the days events. Not that in keeping it hushed. Such a large group of over a dozen drunken arrestees could never pass him unnoticed. 

Bright green eyes scanned the grounds and its crowd that flowed through the market with a dispassionate interest. None took notice of the predator, other than his lady and her entourage. Men often care only for themselves, unless it might benefit them. His mistress could tell he felt bored, bored with this town and its people and bored with this world. Yet he longed for it, tired of residing in the shadows. Something she often scolds him about. 

From his advantage point, Akashi stared down below at the people. Going on with their daily life, his vigilance caught a young child crying in the corner. A young girl, hidden between two stalls selling greens, fell on the ground. Her tear shredding orbs unseen behind her small damp hands. “Mommy, mommy…” The girl wailed. 

Akashi’s leap off the roof caught the others attention. Caught any movement from a short distance. He kneeled down before the girl, a gentle smile in place. “Did you lose your mother, little girl?” His tone was soft and gentle, void from any coldness it held when used before. “What does she look like? Perhaps you would allow my assistance, poor fair maiden.” He spoke, bowing and waving his hand dramatic. An act of chivalry put up for the girl’s amusement. Which seemed to work. The girl peeked up between her fingers, eyes reddened by the tears she shreds. She gazed at him in wonder rather than fright. 

Ryujin’s eyes left the goddess beside him, finding her shadow hidden amidst the stalls. Catching only the blonde hairs of a young girl peek above the advertisements. “You there,” a swift figure had him call in a start. “Stop!”

A young boy, some years past Licht, rushed from the crowd. She pushed Akashi off his feet to the ground. Grabbed the girl and ran off in a rush. Disappearing into the crowd. 

When Akashi looked up, a hand waited for him, willing to help. “Welcome to Leones, you got mugged.” The eastern dragon announced, amused. Taking pleasure in the show off’s fail. 

Straightening himself, features still colder than stone, unreadable for even Ryujin. “I possess no wealth.” He simply stated, straightening himself out, whipping the dust from his nice clothes. 

“Then What did they take?” Licht questioned, giving him a once over. 

Ryujin bit back a chuckle in fail. “Except your pride.” 

Nenya stood midst, her eyes steady set on a particular empty space. Akashi felt it, his hands shot op in search. His pin of a phoenix, a gift from his mistress, was gone. Stolen by two juvenile thieves. Shame filled his mind, twisted and turned his guts. The world shaded red. One blink he was there, another left an empty place. 

Licht blinked his eyes, surprised. “Where did he go?” His voice shot high. How did he do that? I didn’t even see him move. 

Ryujin bit back his annoyance. There’s more to this guy and the goddess he serves…. 

A smooth silky voice drew the men back a life. “We should not linger. I am certain Akashi has found them by now.” She stepped away, moving through the crowd with ease. Her steps light as if she walks on air. A ghost amongst the living. Two curious men nearby, unwilling to leave her out of their sights. 

“There's not a chance he caught up with them.” Ryujin called after her. “Leonis and his men have tried and failed more than once a day.”

If she heard, she did not show. She watched into the distance. Where a scene was about to unfold. Fool, he already has.