The Order of Events: The Red Wolf (5 page)

Down quite a good length of stairs from the high chamber, there was a small chamber lit with burning lamps. The window was open, allowing a fine breeze to come in, causing the curtains to bustle about, swaying to the winds touch.
              Hoosun and the twins sat at an aged wooden table. Set before them was fruit that was harvested just earlier that day, and a few loaves of soft bread. The appetite of the twins was not very great. They sat nibbling on some chopped fruit, staring out through the window from their seating.
              Hoosun watched them pensively, wishing he could raise their spirits. Pretending to clear his throat as to grip their attention, the owl reached out with a feathery limb and purposely knocked an apple from a platter on the table, causing it to roll across the table’s surface, until falling, and landing, on Samana’s lap.
              The girl’s attention was stirred, and she took the apple in hand, and set it on the platter. Looking at the peaceful figure of an owl, she spoke. “Sorry, we’re not in such high spirits, right now…”
              Hoosun nodded severely. “Nonsense, it’s quite understandable, young one. I cannot expect you to take your father’s absence so lightly. After all, you have a soul, and a right one at that. I wouldn’t think of you not to be gloomy at a time as sad as this. It just wouldn’t seem the normal type.”
              Samana noted his statement, and agreed. Turning to her sister, she patted Daimana on the back, while trying a smile on her, conversing with the owl as she did so. “I think we should try to rest. Is there somewhere we can sleep?”
              “Indeed there is.” The owl said assuredly. “Let’s not bother walking down all those steps tonight, there is a free bed in my room, it’s only a short way down the stairs from here.”
              Samana smiled thankfully, playing with her braids with her fingers. “Thank you very much…it’s been such a long day.”
              The owl took his spectacles to clean them, and dusted them upon his sleeve. “Indeed it has, my young friend, indeed it has.”
              Daimana was near falling asleep as Samana helped her up from the table, which she was drooping over, tiredly. Hoosun arose, and breathed in, as a fresh gust of air crept in through the window.  “Follow me then, I’ll lead the way.”
              As they headed for the door, footsteps were heard coming from the stairwell. The Mother Dhahn produced herself in the archway as she stood veiled, looking upon the three individuals before her. “I’m sorry it has taken me so long. You children look tired, a good night’s rest would do you well.”
              “Actually, I was just about to take them there myself. I’d rather not have them walk all that way down those stairs tonight. I’ve offered them the bed in my room.” The owl said, pushing his slipping spectacles back onto his beak tip.
              The Mother nodded in agreement, ushering the children through the door. “I shall walk with you.”
 

After a rather short walk down the stairs, the Mother, Hoosun, and the children had come to a wooden door with a tall, iron handle on it. The owl gripped the handle, firmly, and pushed. The door opened to a very nice and comforting room. Parallel to the doorway were windows, all were glassed in but the center one, which allowed the tree limb that formed Hoosun’s perch to curl and anchor outside of the window in stretch.
              The room was square, and though not grand in size, was good enough to serve the owl’s needs. There was tall shelving against the wall, some books, scrolls, and papers swallowed by each individual pocket of the crafted wood. There was a bed next to the windows, it was big enough for Hoosun, and since he was more than twice the size of the twins, it offered more than enough room for them both.
              Samana and Daimana went over to the bed, and sat on it, testing the firmness of the padded, wooden-framed bed. Daimana yawned, silently, and laid down, soon followed by Samana, who snuggled up to her sister as both were soon asleep.
              Hoosun looked upon the twins. They were asleep in but a moment, there tired bodies and minds well-deserving of a good night’s rest. Hoosun turned to leave, and noticed the Mother standing in the doorway. Watching the twins was a serene sight at that, and warming to the heart.
              The owl smiled at her, and patted her shoulder, speaking quietly, as not to wake the children. “They’ve grown quite strong, haven’t they…?”
              The Mother replied calmly, smiling behind her veil. “Yes, they have, old friend…it is a wonder to see children who have gone through so much, at such an age, and manage to be so strong…yet, at a moment like this…you may look upon their sleeping faces, and see that they are still but children. It is truly a wonderous thing, my friend.”
              The owl put his arm around his good friend, leading her beside him, out the chamber door. “Yes it is, my friend…yes it is.”

The night was still and calm. Clouds blew peacefully, coming to a silent stop in view of the moon. White shafts of light shot down from the moon, piercing the clouds like sharpened steel against a fleshy body. A white light poured from the inflicted wounds, raining down upon the glorious tree below.
              Samana awoke from her sleep. Rubbing her eyes tiredly, she looked ahead and saw Daimana standing at the window, looking up at the moon.
              Samana spoke quietly, as not to startle her sister, and climbed across the end of bed.               “Daimana, are you okay?”
              Her twin sighed heavily and slumped on the sill, looking down at the walls below. “I feel wrong and messed up inside, Samana. I feel like…I feel like I’m doing something wrong, sitting here as father charges ahead to do battle without us…are we not warriors as father made us as?” Daimana ran her hand over her left ear, the one which was pierced with double-notches, the piercing given to those who had earned the rank of warriors amongst her people.
              Samana went to her sister’s back, and hugged her from behind, looking out into the distance from the window as her sister did. “I know it may seem wrong, but this is what father wanted for us. He wants us to live and be children, as we are children. Do not feel bad for not following him into battle, for he doesn’t wish us to feel the dust of war beneath our feet, he does not wish us to taste the blood of a foe, for we are young, and should not experience such things at our age.”
              Daimana gripped her sister’s hands, feeling cold through to her bones. “Your words are wise, Samana. I wish I was as wise as you are, now.”
              Samana smiled and gave her sister a caring kiss on the cheek. “You are very wise, Daimana. Our time will come to prove ourselves in battle, but it is not now, for we are but children. My sister, father is proud of both of us, we need not carry a sword into battle to prove our worth to him, nor would he leave us behind without knowing it was best for us. So be at peace, my sister. Remember what he said to us, before he left?”
              Daimana let out a slight smile from her saddened lips. “He said that we would see him again.”
              Samana brushed her sister’s braid and hugged her tightly. “Yes, and indeed we will.” Samana then returned to the bed, lying upon it as she stretched herself out.
              “We should rest now, Daimana, come on.” She gestured her sister over to the bed to rest.
              Daimana looked out the window, brushing her hand over the sill. A star had caught her eye. She wished upon it that her father be safe, and not die in battle, so that they would meet again in this world.
              Daimana went over to her sister, and nestled herself next to her. Her head rested upon Samana’s shoulder. Daimana knew she had a great sister. Samana had brought some ease to her mind, but still, as she dreamt in the night, something still felt unsettled within her heart.
              She could not shake the feeling of what she felt she must do. It soon overwhelmed her mind and soul, and she had no choice but to fulfill her thought.

-Chapter 5-
Present

Samana tossed and turned in her sleep. She felt uneasy. Something was screaming inside of her, something was wrong.
              Awakening from sleep in a sudden burst, Samana surveyed the room. Light streamed forth through the windows. It must have been dawn. Samana felt next to herself. Her sister was gone. She wouldn’t have thought much of it at first, maybe she had just decided to wander the grounds, but there was a feeling of alarm within Samana. Jumping from her bed, she went to the window and found that Hoosun was circling the outer walls, curiously, as if searching for her sister, too.
              Samana grabbed her jacket from the end of the bed, and threw it on. In a rush, she ran for the door, and flung it open wildly, and began charging down the stairs at a maddening speed.

              Hoosun was heading in over the innermost walls when Samana came from the tower entrance, waving him down, calling loudly and worriedly. “Hoosun, have you seen Daimana? I woke up, and she was gone. Have you found her?”
              Hoosun landed next to her, his wings spread wide before her. The feathers on his arms expanded into full-fledged wings when he took flight, and the process so reversed when he did not have the need for flight.
              Spying around, turning his head, surveying in all directions in a very worried manner, the owl spoke speedily, and precisely, to the worried child. “I have not seen your sister since I returned from my nightly watch, early this morning. At first I thought she might have gone somewhere else in the tower, but I did not find her. I even searched all the inner walls, the library, everywhere. I fear she has left the Order. I just found that both your horse is also gone.”
              What Samana had feared had become reality. Her sister had gone to follow their father into battle. Last night she seemed to have gotten through to her. Apparently she had not tried hard enough.
              Feeling an overwhelming feeling of depression, sorrow, and regret, Samana pleaded with the great owl. “We have to find her! I think I know where she went…she must have gone to join our father in battle, at the Sands of Arndu…”
              Hoosun’s eyes shot open, and he put an assuring wing on Samana as he prepared for  flight. “I’ll bring her back, child, I’ll bring her back.”
              Samana grabbed Hoosun by his cloak as worried tears rolled down her face. “Let me go with you…please.”
              The kindly owl looked upon the tear stained face of the broken child. “I…”
              The Mother put hands on Samana’s shoulders, standing behind her. “Hoosun must go alone. He needs as much speed as possible. Even the slightest extra weight could cause him to drop further behind than he already is. Knowing that your sister is riding a great steed, I believe this would be the best course of action.”
              Hoosun nodded in agreement, and brushed tears from Samana’s face with his wing.
              “I’ll hurry like my life depends on it, young one.”
              Leaping high off the ground, the great owl sped like lightning across the sky, heading southward. The Mother held onto Samana, firmly, and spoke to her, calmly and assuredly. “Do not worry, young one, Hoosun is the greatest flyer I know, and the kindest living being I know. He will try harder than anyone ever could to bring your sister back. Now let’s clean that face of yours.”
              Samana dropped her head down worriedly, as the Mother brushed the tears on her face aside with the back of her hand, the elder figure smiling at the child, secretly hiding a look of worry within.

It was about a six day flight to reach the Sands of Arndu, uninterrupted. Hoosun had been flying nonstop, keeping a constant effort going. Daimana was pushing her horse to do the same, and was getting rather impressive results. She would grab sleep at night, while her horse still carried her ahead, impressively. Loyal and obedient to her will.
              Daimana had dozed off for about an hour or two, when all of the sudden she was awoken by the sound of battle. The sound of steel against steel, roaring voices, war cries, and the last uttered words before death, filled the air. Daimana had stumbled upon a battlefield. But this was not just any battlefield, for upon it took place the battle between the Dawn Bringers and the Elushu. The place which the battle had taken presence upon was an open plain of golden sand, blood soaked, and caressed wildly with a strong blowing wind.
              Daimana patted her horse thankfully. She had found where she wanted to be. Now she just had to find her father. A task easier said than done. It was like an ocean of mixed armor and sharp weapons before her. It swayed, back and forth, like deadly waves, as warriors cut, slashed, stabbed, and mutilated each other.
              The Dawn Bringers stood as an outer ring of the conflict, surrounding the opposing Elushu between their ranks, strangling their numbers, slowly but surely. The Elushu, unlike the rustic, golden armored warriors of the Dawn Bringers, were dressed darkly, and had a great amount of chains, torn black cloth, and spikes situated on their armor, which were all colored with that of dried blood.
              Daimana rushed into the mix, atop her horse, charging forward madly as she drew a blade from her horse’s saddle, raising its tip forward into the fray. She and Samana each had a short sword that their father had trained them with, and she planned to use hers. As the charge carried, the horse crashed into a mess of Elushu, sending them sprawling across the sandy dunes before its massive form. Daimana soon swung her sword in defense, as she was confronted by a trio of warriors, all brandishing spears.
              Attempting to deflect the spear points, Daimana swung her sword towards them in swift fashion, but missed two of the shafts, and chopped the end of one off. The steed being unable to stop its gallant charge, had found itself running right into two of the sharp tips that were lowered and ready to catch it, causing the horse to capsize. Just as this had happened, Daimana had not a moment to feel the shock of the steed’s injuries, as the third spear’s broken point planted itself in her shoulder, flinging her from the back of the horse, the long shaft breaking as her body met the sandy ground.
              Daimana watched as her horse fought valiantly to rise, but it was hopeless as the steed was sharply wounded. Two of the three warriors stood in front of her with their backs turned, holding their spears as they stared upon the desperate beast. The third warrior stood licking his lips at the sight of the wounded child, blood trickling from her wound as she applied pressure, her free hand reaching out for her sword as it had left her grasp upon her crash. “Come on, little girl. Let’s see what your blood tastes like.” The Elushu warrior licked his lips, drawing a blade from a belt on his leg. He spoke, having seen his broken spear shaft on the ground.                   “You broke my weapon, you little rip. Don’t matter though. I’ll give you a good cut with this good thing, right here.”
              The sickly figure drew his blade back for the kill, when out of nowhere his arm was chopped off with a single swing from a sharp blade, his head soon to join his arm as the blade cut once more, cleanly through his neck, whishing loudly as it came swift. The headless form fell dead to the ground, a tall, armored warrior stood above Daimana, with their back to her in a protective stance.
              The two spear wielders stood at the ready. Having had their attention stolen by the warrior’s interruption, they leapt though the air, thrusting their weapons in deadly fashion.
              The warrior dodged each thrust, as he chopped down through the wooden shafts, and then spun in a blur, decapitating the two chargers with one swing of his sharp blade. As the bodies fell, the warrior stood, standing his ground as he held out a hand to the young child. Daimana gripped it, and found herself pulled into a standing position.
              The warrior looked about, as the battle raged around him. He cut down an enemy here, and an enemy there, holding strong to the child’s hand, leading her through the mess of battle.
              Upon reaching the outer layer, which was of Dawn Bringers, the warrior knelt before the girl and removed his helmet, which had one long horn on the front, and a visor which covered the left half of his face.
              Beneath the helmet had been concealed a peaceful face, one that Daimana recognized.               “Dormand, it’s you.” Daimana grabbed his arm thankfully. “Thank you for saving me.”
              Dormand smiled, but kept a serious face as he spoke urgently. “Daimana, what’re you doing here? Your father left you at the Order, why have you come here? This is not the place for a child. It’s dangerous here.”
              The young girl’s head began to slump. “I came here for my father. I couldn’t just stay back and be helpless as he went into battle, risking his life. I’m a warrior now, I can fight.”
              Dormand shook his head disappointingly. “You’re a child, Daimana, you’re a child. You need to leave here now, quickly, before it happens.”
              Daimana was as headstrong as she was brave, and shouted her answer to Dormand.               “No.”