IT BEGINS

I watched as Illisicanth opened the door and everyone bowed before him. I watched him leave the room. I waited then watched as he and Thraindie came back into the room, Thraindie keeping everyone from kneeling again. The two of them walked around gathering together Illisicanth’s friends and those who were the main leaders of the Cavalry. Just before they left I dropped from the ceiling to land perfectly still and silently yet right in the midst of them. Weapons were drawn and several of the group gasped at the sight of me. I turned to face Illisicanth and with a smile spoke to him. “Hello old friend. I am glad to see you here again. I apologize for the fray that happened the last time we met. It was a thing we should not have fought over so unimportant was that point. I hope that things between us can be resolved and that again we will trust each other as we used. Also I have news for you which you may wish to hear.” * * I looked shocked at the sight of my old friend and how much he had changed. Once one of the most handsome strong straightforward people ever to have lived; now he was much changed. His left eye covered by a jade green patch with fiery orange runes written upon it, held in place by a black and silver striped band, coming out over and under the patch could be seen horrible scars. His right eye no longer clear silver and jade but now solid jade with an orange pupil. His left ear had been torn and was missing chunks from near the top. His nose broken and scarred. Long raven black hair hung shoulder length and unkempt. Only his smile remained still, perfect teeth flashing against ruby red lips. “Hello, what brings you here?” Was all I managed to say. * * * “Why, of course, I come to see you and to renew our friendship. Also I am here to warn you of that which I have learned,” I replied. “Blast, I think that he is not going to trust me. Ehh but who knows. He was ever the one who could forgive. I think he may be caught off guard by me apologizing though.” I looked him straight in the eye with my one good eye trying to pierce the illusion that clouded around him. I knew who was underneath that guise, underneath that façade there was a true warrior. One for whom I would gladly lay down my life though I was immortal just as was he. One of the last of my kind just as he was one of the last of his kind, a Kierthan. Indeed I was the last pure blooded Kierthan alive. Six foot and three inches I stood, no longer with a perfect face. No jewelry adorned my body, nor did any armour shield my body from harm. Sheathed diagonally across my back was a great sword, a claymore, the blade itself five and a half feet in length. Tucked in my belt were six throwing knives. Strapped to my right thigh was a dirk and a hatchet, to my left hung a pair of longswords. Tied to each calf twin shirukens hung the deadly throwing missiles ready should I need them. I wore dark grey leathers which had providing me with a supple yet reasonably strong protection. The rest stood there gazing at me and then looking towards Illisicanth wondering how we could ever have known each other, let alone have been boon comrades in times gone by. For he seemingly to be not but a traveling wanderer, covered in the soils of travel. Whereas I, stood tall and proud, sure of myself, a known warrior and aware of my abilities. He hiding behind an illusion, unsure and afraid of more pain. Me open and aware, willing to take risks. What they did not know was just how much the two of us were alike. But, he showed just what he felt like, whereas I hid what I truly felt. In one way I was hiding behind a façade just as much as was he. It was just that his façade more showed how I was truly feeling inside while I strove to fight against it, and my façade showed part of how he felt but he fought against in fear. * * “Well, I also apologize. For, we should not have fought over what we did when last we met. So, let us put it behind us. Let us forget our fight and rejoin hands in friendship,” I said as I stretched out my hand to the one before me.