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Pre-Tear
Chapter One:
My name is Kayruoro Yuiki and I am a sorcerer. I come from a long line of sorcerers and witches. No one outside my family, except for one, knows any of this. And I pray no one, no one at all, finds this out. I live in a place where those kinds of people are killed if found out.
But now it’s time to tell my tale.
My world is small and hardly unmoving in a way. Each day I practice my arts and magic without a soul knowing. I was born into a family without a father or mother. As strange as this may seem, it’s quite true. But each summer I would slip away, away from my world I knew all of and slipped into a place where I wasn’t different. And that was where I met Darragh, a young lad with powers far more complex than mine.
He was older than me by nearly a thousand winters while I only had five hundred winters upon my small frame. While he practiced the arts of healing and light arts, I practiced the dark arts. In a way, my power surpassed his in great numbers. While I dealt with death, he dealt with life. Our powers mixed and became as one but in our convents, this was not allowed.
So, to keep ourselves hidden from prying eyes, we met in secret. He taught me how to do his arts and I taught him mine.
“Good morrow, Darragh!” I said happily one brisk winter morn. I could see his mop of dark brown hair move slightly before I saw his curious green eyes. He gave a small laugh and waved to me. I hopped up and down for an instant and ran over to his side. He showed me a small book that he was holding in his hands. The book was a black one, with gold edgings and golden edged pages. A tiny silver lock was holding the book closed and he was trying to unlock the book.
“Is that such a good idea?” I whispered, touching the lock. It sent sparks off at my touch and I jumped back. He shrugged his shoulders and glanced back at me.
“I wouldn’t open it, Darragh.” I whispered, gripping his right shoulder. He shrugs his shoulders and glares down at the lock.
“Lend me some of your dark magic so I can open it,” he whispered, reaching up with his free hand and gripping mine tightly. I shook my head, struggling against his older grasp.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea at all.” I said again, leaning down and biting him on the shoulder. He let go of me and jumped up. He plastered on a hurt expression and glanced into my dark eyes. I challenged his gaze as I let go of my curb and allowed my emotions to take control. He took a step back as he saw my eyes flash darkly and my fingers stretched like I was about to fight.
“Kayruoro, I didn’t mean it!” he nearly shrieked, waving his hands around. I allowed myself to calm down just a bit but I still challenged his gaze.
“Then back down,” I hissed at his cowering form. He nodded and sat back down on the ground. The book fell next to him and it stared up at me. I reached down and touched the black surface. It let off silver sparks and the pages seemed to gleam at me.
“Why are you picking up the book when you didn’t wan to use your magic to open it?” he hissed at me, glaring now. I glared back and he quieted down quickly, just staring up at me. I touched the lock once more and concentrated my power upon the tiny object. My mouth moved slowly as I whispered an incantation.
Slowly the book opened and we both stared at it wide eyed. I dropped the opening book and kicked it towards Darragh. He shrieked and kicked it back to me. A white or silver mist slowly began coming out, swirling around us. We backed up slowly, hoping to run away quickly. But we didn’t get that chance.
A dark red mist swirled around us, holding us tight. I struggled against the powerful mist and gasped as I felt it probing my soul. I glanced over at Darragh to find him sprawled out on the ground, him holding his head tightly. Again I struggled against this creature’s darkness that was holding me tight.
“Ah, so you are the seventh daughter of the great Mage.” it cackled and I looked to its now forming face. A woman with gray, wrinkled skin and hidden dark eyes stared at me intently.
“Who wants to know?” I hissed back, leaning forward to take a bite at her. She cackled again and lifted me off the ground.
“You’re quite the little fighter, eh,” she said, bringing me close to her face. I held my nose as best as I could; her breath smelled of rotting flesh. She leaned in closer and sniffed me. I shook my head, willing her to go away.
“Ah, it’s true! The great Mage did have a powerful dark daughter. Tell me little one, can you conjure up a little spell to get you out of this mess?” she laughed, tossing me back to the ground. Pain shot through my shoulder and I sat up a bit, gripping the wound tightly. She stared down at me and several of her mists shaped themselves into arms and gripped both of my legs tightly.
“Littling, you have so much to learn. Have you ever though why you harbor dark magic?” she asked, shifting one of her little arms and causing me to fall down into the dirt. I sat up, spitting out dirt and only glared at her. She sighed and shifted again.
“I’m only going to ask again! Do you know why you practice the dark arts?” she hissed, pulling me across the ground. I bit back the tears and still refused to answer her persistent question.
“Fine then! I will tell you myself! The reason why you have the power of dark magic is to protect your world from me!” she hissed and suddenly disappeared back into the open book, its pages fluttering close. I stared at the book and watched as a purple mist swirled around it and it suddenly disappeared. I leaped forward to grab the book but it vanished into thin air.
“Kayruoro, are you OK?” Darragh asked, sitting up on his elbows. I nodded slowly, gripping my arms tightly to get the image of that witch out of my mind.
“What happened?” he asked, standing up and slowly moving to my side. I shook my head, feeling tears sliding down my cheeks. He squatted down and noticed the tears and he reached and brushed them away. In the distance, we could hear the battle canons suddenly firing. I glanced up at his sad face and slowly spoke,
“She’s declared war upon us.”
“We were attacked while in the field!” Darragh shouted, stamping his foot from impatience. I shook with fear as my Father’s fearful form stared down. An eyebrow arched, a good sign for our favor. It meant Father was thinking over some things.
“Who attacked you?” he said, staring at me. Darragh opened his mouth but Father yelled a silence to him. He waved his hand to me and I slowly walked forward, twisting a strand of hair around my index finger.
“I do not know this creature’s name. Only that she declared war upon our kingdom. But she knows why I practice the dark arts!” I shivered, thinking and remembering her sly voice. Father leaned forward, watching me.
“What was her name?” he asked, gently, prodding me to speak more of the woman. He sighed and sat back, knowing I didn’t know her name. He stroked his long gray beard and his gaze bounced between Darragh, and me to his guards.
“Go rest you two. And as for you Darragh, I’ll send you home in the morning.” Father said, waving us away. I nodded and before the guards could come pull away, I grabbed Darragh’s sleeve and dragged him after me.
Once the wooden doors were shut behind us, I hurried down the rather dark hallway. I ran rather quickly and Darragh had a hard time keeping up with me. I turned a few times and finally we stood in front of another door. He raised an eyebrow as I opened the door and motioned him inside. I shut the door behind me and thought for only a moment before several torches were lit.
“This is your room?” he asked, sounding like he couldn’t believe he was in my room. I nodded and brushed past him. He mumbled something but I wasn’t paying attention. I rushed to my books, all that which contained the history of dark arts and incantations for many dark spells. I reached above my head and my fingers brushed against a worn spine and gripped the book. With a single thought, it fell into my hands and pages fluttered open.
“What are you…”
“Quiet!” I hissed, eyes closed as I thought of the story I was told my old nurse when I was young. But I was drawing a blank. It was almost as if the story was erased from my memory. I heard his soft footsteps and felt his warm hand on my cool shoulder. The touch was warming but also for a moment it was foreign to me. But I didn’t shrug his hand off of my shoulder; I let him rest it there.
“Don’t worry about it. If we don’t rest, we won’t get anywhere.” he whispered, leaning forward. I sighed and nodded in agreement, willing the book back in place. He smiled at me and I glanced over to find his curious eyes close, so close.
“Come; let us rest.” I said, moving from under his touch. He nodded his agreement and followed me closely. I raised my nose and gave a quiet sniff and noticed an awful stench coming from him.
“Maybe before you bed down for the night, you’d grace me with a bath?” I said shyly, suddenly feeling awkward. He laughed and nodded, sniffing himself.
“I’d do that.”
“I’ll send a maid to show you where our bathes are.” I said, ringing a tiny silver bell. He pointed to the bell and I willed it away. He nodded and a brisk knock came from the door. I opened the door with my mind and a young maid with honey colored hair stood with her head bowed towards us.
“Please show the young Master here to our bathes.” I commanded, and she nodded, taking him by the arm. He glanced back at me as he was being dragged along and I laughed good heartily at the look upon his face.
Again the door shut and I was alone in my large room. I rubbed my prickling arms and sat down upon the cold floor. I rested my chin on the palm of my head and allowed my thoughts to run free. I could feel myself changing forms and I relished this feeling. This was my greatest skill of all. I had the ability to fool anyone.
I heard the door open but I still kept up my disguise. His light footsteps treaded over towards me.
“Why are you changing again?” he whispered, squatting down in front of me. I glanced up at him and slid into my real form.
“I have too much to think about.”
“Oh.. Care to share?”
“Not really, Darragh. But thanks for asking.” I said in a false voice and he nodded. “We should be resting by now.” I said, standing up and hovering above him. He nodded and stood as well.
“You can stay in here for tonight.” I said in a monotone voice, waving a hand. I moved slowly towards my bed and willed him something warm and nice to sleep on. I watched as he slipped underneath the down cover and bury his head underneath the down pillow. The torches went out one by one and we were surround by darkness.
--
Bright sunlight shone through my high windows that cold winter morning. And there was a different chill in the air. It wasn’t from the winter wind or from the lack of fire in my room. It was a cold warning against danger. I pushed back the covers and found Darragh’s bed empty. I looked around the room and found not a trace of him anywhere.
“Darragh,” I whispered, sitting up and swinging my legs over the side of my bed. As I was stepping upon the floor, a loud knock came from my door and then it flew open. I gasped and quickly gathered up some covers to hide myself. My Father glared towards Darragh’s empty bed and me.
“You brought,” he said softly before raising his voice, “the devil into this household! He’s one of the light people!”
I sat there, near to tears, when they pushed Darragh forward. I jumped towards him and they pulled him back, raising their swords to me. Father came forward, baring his sword at me as well.
“Get out you witch!” he sneered, waving the blade close to my neck. I gasped and quickly ducked the blade and ran into Darragh. The guards dropped Darragh and shouted at us. We ran away from their shouting forms.
We ran out of the palace as fast as we could go. The snow numbed our legs and feet and before we left the royal grounds, I dragged Darragh into the stables. At first he didn’t want to slip into the stables but after a quick mumble of words and he quickly agreed.
The stable smelled sweet to my nose but Darragh was quick to begin sneezing. I covered his nose with my hand and felt warm snot slowly sliding through my fingers. I cringed but led him forward, making sure we made no noise.
Beside me snorted an old gray with a white muzzle. I smiled as he reached out and butted my arm. I let go of Darragh and turned towards the gray, unlocking the door. I heard him jump back as I led the gray out of his warm stall.
“Here, take him.” I hissed to Darragh, handing him Gray’s reins. His hands shook as he gripped the worn leather and led Gray even farther out. I hurried down the rest of the stalls and found my roam mare, which had her head sticking over the stall door. She raised her muzzle to my hair and snorted happily. I laughed and threw my arms around her strong neck.
“Hurry Kayruoro! They’re coming!” Darragh shrieked, climbing up onto Gray’s back. I nodded and unbolted Sugar’s door. I hopped up and kicked her in her side. We burst out of the stable in full gallop, flying past the slow, fat guards. I gave a loud whoop as we ran on, laughing at their fading forms.
Snow was kicked up from the horses’ hooves and some fell into my eyes. I sat back a bit, pulling on Sugar’s reins and she slowed. I saw Darragh slow as well and soon we were walking side by side. Our horses’ sides heaved as they trudged along.
“Did we outrun them?” he asked quietly, trying to stop shaking. I glanced over my shoulder and couldn’t tell at all.
“Watch for anyone coming. I’m going to see if anyone’s coming at all.” I said, closing my eyes. I could feel my magic working slowly, making it grow darker. I heard Darragh’s sharp intake of air and the horses’ uneasiness about this. In my mind I could see my Father shouting orders unknown to my ears and gathering up more guards. Something tugged at his shadow and he went to his knees. I shifted uneasily upon Sugar and continued to watch. I stared down at the floor and saw a darker figure hiding behind his shadow.
My eyes flew open and I kicked Sugar in her side. I heard Darragh shouting behind me but I galloped towards the forest. I heard him flying after me to catch up and I weaved between the dense trees. I shivered as the bitter cold bit at my thin clothes and I slowed down Sugar.
“Wait up Kayruoro!” Darragh shouted from behind me. I reined Sugar for a moment to allow him to catch up before we galloped off. I heard his panting beside me as he gasped to gather his breath.
“We have to keep running! She’s controlling my Father!” I shouted to him, glancing back. He nodded and kicked Gray again. We flew past the dead trees and I could feel something tugging at my soul.
---------
We awoke to biting cold and a dead campfire. I sat up from underneath the blanket I managed to conjure with my mind but I was still so cold. I wrapped the thick blanket around my shoulders and slowly crawled over to the ashes. I reached out with both hands and a tiny spark sparked and flared to life. Soon a warm fire was burning and Darragh slowly awoke.
“Good morning,” I said quietly, giving him a small smile. He nodded and rubbed his hands together. He raised himself onto his elbows and smiled sadly at me. I noticed his pale skin and sunken in eyes. I reached out and ran a gentle finger over his ashen cheeks.
“Are you all right?” I asked quietly, scooting closer to him. He nodded weakly and gave a shallow cough. I shivered mentally hearing his raspy breathing.
“I’m quite all right Kay,” he whispered, his voice scratchy. I gave a small sigh and gathered his hands into mine and held them close to the fire. He shifted to his knees and huddled close to my bulk. I felt his body heave with every unshed cough. Finally I shifted and stood, towering above him. He tried to struggle up after me but I placed two strong hands on his shoulders and pushed him back down.
“You’re ill. I’m going to go to that village we saw a little ways from here and try to get you some medicine.” I gathered up my blanket and wrapped it around his form. “You stay here. I might have to sell Gray but I’m sure I can get a lot of money for him since he’s a special horse.” I told him, waving a finger at him. He gave a small laugh and laid back down, the fire lighting up his face.
“I’ll be back soon,” I said, mounting Sugar and whistling for Gray. I nudged Sugar into a slow walk and together we waded out into the falling snow.
The village came into my sight and I nudged her into a trot. The streets were empty but I could see candles burning in windows. We walked along the snow-covered street and I saw a small store with herbs and other healing items sitting off to the back a bit. I smiled to myself and steered Sugar towards the small store.
I jumped down from her back and let her standing where she was. I pushed open the door and a small bell chimed. A moment later an ancient looking woman came forward slowly, glaring at me.
“I’m closed.” she said, sneering at me. I sighed and walked towards her.
“Please, I need some medicine for my ill friend.” I said, holding my hands in front of me. She raised an eyebrow and came closer, raising a finger to hitch her glasses on the bridge of her narrow nose.
“How ill?” she asked, folding her arms behind her hunched over back. I took a deep breath.
“He’s ill with a very bad cough.” I said and she snorted at me. I rose to my full height and challenged her questioning gaze. She shuffled back toward the back room and left me standing alone. Finally she came back, holding a small pouch of stuff. She tossed it to me and I caught it. I dug deeply into my worn coat and she raised a hand.
“No money.” I nodded and hurried out of the small building. I stopped outside and opened the tiny deerskin pouch. I found a tiny bottle of Bach and a smaller pouch full with Larch. Several other remedies followed. Elm, Sweet Chestnut, and a small amount of Willow; herbs that would help with his healing. I smiled and stuffed the pouch into my coat and mounted Sugar. I nudged her and we trudged along in the cold.
--
I hurried up into the tiny cave we found shelter in last night. The snow was slowing down but it wouldn’t be wise to move for at least another day. I slipped into the cave with Sugar and minus Gray. I smiled as I saw Darragh’s sleeping form. The fire was still burning pretty hot and it lit up the rather dark and dank cave. I walked slowly to his sleeping form and sat down next to him. I pulled out the small pouch and emptied everything out. He stirred and opened his eyes.
“Hey,” he whispered, staring up at me. I nodded and conjured up a wooden bowl with my mind. It dropped into my lap and I put several of the herbs into it. He watched as water slowly filled the bowl and I set it near the fire to boil a bit. He leaned closer and took a whiff of the intoxicating smell.
“Was the creature following?” he asked as he sat up on his elbows. I shook my head, tensing up for some reason. He placed a hand on my shoulder but I shook it off.
“What is it?” he whispered.
“I sense her.” I spoke low. He struggled up on his feet and I followed suit. Her dark powers were overwhelming. I scrambled up and he followed quickly. I whistled for Sugar and she came running to me quickly. We flew out of the cave, her following us.
I leaned over Sugar’s neck and urged her forward with my mind. I could feel her stride lengthening as the cave faded from our view. The cold slowly spread around us and I became openly aware of his warm fingers pushed into my sides. I shifted from his warm fingers and reached back with a free hand to shift his hand to my shoulder. I could feel him resisting that but with a swift glance backwards he allowed me to move his hand.
The snow blew into our eyes as night fell and we were forced to find shelter. I could feel him shaking with coughing fits and I suddenly felt bad for staying in the cold for so long. I glanced back and thought of a thick, warm blanket around his shoulders. A gentle smile from his suffering form and his fingers were quickly intertwined with the rich fabric. I smiled gratefully towards my power and urged Sugar forward with a nudge from my heels.
Something moved to my right and my headshot up, eyes darting back and forth. I reined Sugar in and we stood there blindly in the snow, me waiting for whatever I had seen. I heard him mumble something but even my sharp hearing couldn’t pick up his words. I turned slightly when the thing shot out of the dense forward to our right. I screamed but the sound was lost to the wind.
Above me flew or rather stood, a creature of darkness, a nightmare conjured from magic. My heart beat quickly in my chest and I sat there frozen, locked eye to eye with the creature. It swooped forward and I ducked, grabbing a hold of Darragh and pulling him into the snow. He stared fearfully at the creature as it dived at me again. I managed to get Sugar to spin around but I was too slow. The creature grabbed me with its clawed feet and hoisted me high into the sky with it.
“Darragh! Darragh!” I screamed, feeling tears slide down my frozen cheeks. He jumped up from the snow and jumped on Sugar and tried to follow. I screamed again but it was lost once again the relentless wind. I shifted as much as I could and beat upon the clawed feet but it only got me to be held even tighter, sharp claws digging into tender flesh.
----
I was awakened by being thrown against a rock wall, the back of my head slamming into it hard and stars spinning before my eyes. I stared blankly up at my capture before darkness swarmed before my eyes.
‘Darragh.’ I thought as my eyes closed without a second thought. I reached out and clung to nothing but thin air.
