The Meaning of Trust

[Valin]

Bern seemed unchanged to Valin even the air smelled the same as the day he left. Lin had proven to be helpful for navigating the woodlands. He could tell that Shugoshi and Yashi still didn't trust his distention of taking the Nomad along. There hadn't be much talking but then again there hadn't been much talking ether. Taking a deep breath in the knight broke the silence. "So how do you like the forest Shugoshi." Both Albues and Lin let out an embearrest sigh and shook their heads,

[Shugo]

“The forest is awesome”, spoke Shugo playing along with Valin’s question. “The only problem I have with the wolves and the bugs.”

“Don’t forget the leaches”, spoke Yashi as she took a slight glance at Lin. A smile covered her face the whole time as she took little shots at the nomad. “If you are not carefully they will jump out and bite you at any moment.”

“Leaches”, spoke Shugo in a confused tone. He did not pick up on Yashi’s attack on Lin. “I am sorry Ms. Yashi”, spoke Shugo. “What is a leach?”

“Well Shugo”, spoke Yashi with the same smile on her face. “A leach is a type of bug that is found mainly in Sacae. They make a habit of suddenly attacking people for no reason whatsoever”.

“Really”, spoke Shugo in a fearful tone.

“oh yes it is true. They also make a habit of latching onto their victim right after they attacked them. Then they begin to drain the life blood right out of them.”

“They drain your blood”, spoke Shugo even more scared tone.

“Drain your blood”, spoke Yashi. Then once they have their fill of your blood they suddenly let go, but they do have a tendency to leave diseases. One must always be careful when dealing with leaches.”

“How do you stop this monster”, spoke Shugo now in a complete panic.

“Don’t worry Shugo”, spoke Yashi. “Leaches are rarely found in Bern, but sometimes they do come down from Sacae. When that happens all you have to do is use fire.”

“So fire is there weakness”, spoke Shugo as he returned to his normal state.

[Valin]

Lin gritted her teeth at the healers verbal assault. When Yashi had finished Lin butted in with. "You can also pry them off with a blade or an arrow head. That said Bern is full of blood suckers of its own." The woman made sure to look at the healer. "There called ticks. Unlike leeches ticks can be hard to find but their just as dangerous." She then looked eyes with the other woman. "If not more so. Ticks sometimes have withering illnesses."

"Come now you two you scare the boy." Valin said looking around. He then realized that he was lost. "So Shogushi Yashi have you been here before?"

[Shugo]

Shugo stopped for a moment and began to look around. He looked at the trees and grass. “I have no idea”, spoke Shugo. “I have not been that far outside of my village. The farthest I have been was Littlerock. Beyond that I was knocked out and carried away by the burly man with orange hair.”


“Burly man with orange hair”, spoke Yashi with surprise. It was the first time she had heard about shugo kidnapping. She had wondered what a young boy was doing so far away from home, but never dared to ask.


“Yes some brigand kidnapped me from home and took me to some fort. The fort then was attacked and I ended up getting lost in the woods”, spoke Shugo.


“That must have been terrible”, spoke Yashi. The maiden stopped for a moment and took a look around the woods. She wanted to hear the rest of Shugo story, but finding their way out of the woods was more important at the moment.


“Well”, spoke Yashi. “I am not completely sure where we are, but I can tell you there is a road up ahead. “You see those birds”, spoke Yashi as she pointed toward a circling crow. “They have a tendency to eat the bodies of dead animals squashed by carriages. I say that is where we want to go. If we find a road we can find a marker and form there we can find our way.

[Valin]

The red haired knights heart stopped for amoment when Shugo mentioned Butorega and the kidnapping. "I need to tell her." He took deep breath in but stopped himself. He took note of what Yashi said and it made sense. "I'll scout ahead. Play nice children." Valin and Albues took to the sky.

"He really is idiot isn't He healer?" Lin said shaking her head. "Little one tell me more of the bandit. Orange hair must be a sign of evil in Bern."

[Shugo]

“Wait that can’t be true”, spoke Shugo. “Ms. Yashi has orange hair, and she is one of the nicest people I know.”

“Thank you Shugo”, spoke Yashi. “From what I can tell sacaeans seem to be very shallow people. They only judge from the outward appearance.”

Finally seeing the argument that was happening before him Shugo rushed to change the subject. “Actully”, spoke Shugo in a very loud tone. “I don’t remember much about him. You see he came up from behind and knocked me out. The only thing I can truly remember was his hair color as I was staring at the back of his head while he carried me away. He did murmur something about being unfortunate, but I soon blacked out. After that I remember being on the back of a horse before we entered into red stone castle. Which by the way was quite a grand structure for a bandit fort.”

[Valin]

Lin glared at the healer with a slight smirk. She loved that she was getting under Yashi riled up. She listen to shugos story with some concern but she didn't brake from glaring her opponent down. "A red Castle you say? What happened there little one?" Lin wanted to hear how the boy escaped and his journey in solitude. She knew that Yashi would never trust her now but Lin did hope to make friends for the boy.

Valin Still couldn't make out where he was. Taking a deep slow breath in he desended to the treeline. Instead of landing he dismounted His black drake and stood on a strong branch close enough to listen to the woman and the boy. "Albues fly." He whispered and the drake flew away.

[Shugo]

“Well”, spoke Shugo as he began to focus on his memories. “I remember the room I was in. It was quite large. There was a bed in the left corner and a window to the right. There was a table in the center. The window was not lock, nor were there bars over it. However it was up pretty high so I figured the brigands would not think me to climb out. I will admit they treated me a lot better than those slavers did.”
“Slavers”, spoke Yashi with surprise. “You never mention you were kidnapped by slavers.”

“Well I was getting to that part”, spoke Shugo while raising his hands in defense. “I need to finish my tale with the bandits first.”
“To make a long story short”, spoke Shugo. “The fort got attacked by another group of people. Some of them were screaming Illia and others raiders. So I can’t be sure who it was exactly. I do know I was stuck in my room as the fort was attacked. One of the brigands unlocked my door and shouted for me to run.”

Shugo stopped for a moment. “Oh I almost forgot. I do remember one of the brigands mention two of their comrades names. The first was a man named Wales. Several of them were wondering if he ratted them out and the second was a man named Bu, or something close to it. The man did not get to finish his speech as he was stabbed by a Pegasus.”

“After escaping the fort I took refuge in a nearby cave. The next morning I was attacked by a giant black wolf which I finished off with Mr. Lance”, spoke Shugo as he held his spear in the air triumphantly. “Then I tried to catch a ride with a caravan which turned out to be slaves.” Shugo’s voice grew lower as he began to speak of his time with the slavers. “They beat me and threw me into a cage. That is how I ended up leaving Bern. Originally I ended up in Lycia, but threw luck and determination I made it to Illia. I was trying to get back to Bern, but no caravan seemed to be heading that way, and I can’t really read a map well. “

[Valin]

Valin nodded as the boy spoke. "Bu might be Butorega." The rider thought as settled in the branches. "If He really did kidnap Shugo we need to avoid mentioning it to Yashi. No No I need to tell her about her brother. But will destroy her. The knight fought a battle of guilt in his mind that drowned out the conversation below.

Lin was amazed at the boy story. All signs said that he should be dead by now. You truly are a strong boy Shugo. One day if the spirits grant it you will do great things. whether or not these things are good are evil is up to you." After she had said her peace she dismounted. "The guardian hasn't returned yet so I think we should continue tell each other how we got to this point. If were lucky we might get Valin to talk. She smiled at the boy and said "What do you think little one?" The smile quickly faded as she looked at the healer and snapped. I don't care what you think."

[Shugo]

“Really”, spoke Yashi as a familiar wolfish grin crossed her face. Shugo cringed at the sight of it. There was something about it that seemed both familiar and frightening. “And here I was going to agree with you”, spoke Yashi. “I so wanted to hear about the tribe of man apes that raised you, but I am sure we can save the zoology report for later.”

Oh no, thought Shugo. He knew an argument was soon to follow. Before Lin could retort Shugo jumped in. “So Yashi”, spoke Shugo very loud. “How about you tell us how you got to this point.” It was the best Shugo could do to stop them from arguing. If he could keep them talking about themselves then maybe he can stop them from talking about each other.

“Well”, spoke Yashi as she focused on her memories. “I guess my whole ordeal started back four years ago. My grandfather, who me and my brother Butorega were living with suddenly left on day without a word. He only left a letter telling us that he was going to join the rebellion and fight as a true soldier of Bern. Of course my grandfather had always been fanatic, but at his age he should simply stay home.

Three weeks latter my brother upped and left. The fool followed our grandfather’s example and left only a letter telling me he was going to try his luck with the world. The first time I was shocked. The second time I was furious. Originally I was going to go off and find the knuckle head, but my logic kicked in and I decided to stay home. I figured he be back within a week or so hungry and exhausted. Boy was I wrong. The lout did not show back up till four years later. When he came back he showed up with a blind old man and some unsociable woman who was covered in wounds. It was quite a day.

“I wanted to ask him what he was doing the past four years, but he would not say. I asked one of his companions, but it seemed that he and Buto had not met each other that long. Now that I think about it that man name was Aurek and the lady was Yunneth. Never the less Buto stayed the night and a day then vanished back onto the road. That was quite some time ago.

“So I sat for a while thinking about it and the state he and his friends were in. Eventfully I decided it would be best to bring him back home. I figured he would head to Illia. The fool always had a taste for violence. He was probably in some mercenary group or serving as some guard to merchants. I pretty much knew he would not be in the army. Grandfather rubbed off on him more than he care to admit to. So I checked every rumor I heard about an orange hair axe users near the Illian boarder. The trail however ran cold near Snowall. So I decided to go home. He would show back up some day.”

[Valin]

"Im sorry to hear you life has been hard becouse of the men in you life. I can relate truly. Lin said crossing her arms. My turn sense our man hasn't returned yet. I hail from the Djute clan, Im eighteen, Im the oldest of three sisters and become the "man" of family at five when my father died in a fight with a wyvern rider. My six uncles trained me in horse riding, bowmanship, and swordplay. I killed my first deer at eight is wasn't easy and my first man at fifteen that was easy. I fought alongside my people against the "Holy" army when it invaded. We lost and my mother, sisters, and wife... She looked away and her voice began to crack. They were deflowered and killed. I was exiled as a man and have been a woman for the last year. Can't say Im impressed thou." She collected her self and said "Any questions?"

Valin was saddened by both womans stories and alittle confused by Lins. "Did she say wife? No must of misheard her. Valin shifted again and tried to find Albues. The branch broke under him suddenly and he fell down with a mixed sound of curses, wood braking, and meatel clacks. He jumped up when he landed. Hello ladies I wasn't spying. was all he could manage before falling on his face again. Lin blink twice and looked at Yashi blushing "Do you thing he heard my story?"

[Shugo]

A queer feeling began to rise up in Yashi stomach as Lin told her story. Yashi knew what it was, but did not want to acknowledge it, guilt. She had just insulted her family and now she just found out most of them were dead. Shugo had a very different expression.

“Hold on a second”, spoke Shugo. “You’re a guy, or are you a girl”, asked Shugo. His question was interrupted by Valin falling from the tree.

“Oh Mr.Valin”, spoke Yashi, but Shugo attention was still on Lin. The young boy was confused. He was sure Lin was a girl, but evidence now pointed toward him being a guy. However he said he was a woman now. The young boy could not make sense of what was going on.

“So are you a guy or a girl”, asked Shugo again bluntly. The young recruit had no tack for this kind of situation as his age did not allow much.

[Valin]

Lin blinked three times and laughed. "Im a woman. my body has always been a womans body but I was raised to be a man. I was vague before but Let me explain. When my father died my uncles changed my name to Kabul and from that point on I was treated like a boy. After five years most forgot about Lin. When my form came in I would wear looser cloths and more layers. The worst part of it was two years ago when I was married to another woman. You see in my clan warriors are given wives as rewards for achievements in battle. Hellia was Etrurian woman taken as a slave, I took her as my "bride" so that she wouldn't be taken advantage of. I let her know that I was really woman right away and we quickly became friends. But like I said before she was killed by the Etrurian army. After my family's death I was striped of my male statues and told to leave and never return.

"It funny That we all came together. We all have a sad story. Valin said getting to his feet again. "If thats true then whats yours? "I don't think you guys want to hear mine right Shugo, Yashi?

[Shugo]

Once again Yashi dawned that grin that made shugo cringe. “None sense Mr. Valin”, spoke Yashi in a devilish, but soft tone. “You were so enthusiastic to catch a earful of our stories that you hid in a tree. You must truly desire to share your own. Please share with us. Don’t you agree Shugoshii”, spoke Yashi as she turned to the young boy.

Shugo almost yelped in fear. “Yes of course”, spoke Shugo agreeing with the maiden as fast as he could. His mother once told him that if a person is nice a hundred percent of the time then they are faking. No person is nice all the time everyone has their negative points. Yashi seems to be proof to her words. She was kind and sweet when she first met, but if you cross her she can become fierce as a lion. Immediately the image of the brigand popped into Shugo head. He could not remember the face, but the outline was there. He did not know why, but Ms. Yashi reminded him of his kidnapper.

“See even Shugoshii agrees”, spoke Yashi. “Now Mr.Valin. How about you share your tale with us, and don’t forget the embarrassing parts. They are always the most entertaining to here.”

[Valin]

Valin made a small sound that was one part laugh and one part sigh. "Fine fine. First off My name is not really Valin its Gregor Fisher. I've seen twenty-seven winters and "Wait wait not only did you lie about your name but your Twenty-seven? Lin said putting her hand up. "Yes and if you let me tell my story I tell you why. I was raised in the village of Greenstone were I was cast in the role of bringer of all woe in the village because of my red eye. Must of my life was spent on farm on the edge of town were grow tomatoes in the spring and summer, Yams in the fall and turnips in the winter. When I was eighteen.. "You got married?" Lin interpreted again. "Wait what? No! I mean I wish but no Woman would get near me because of the eye again. In fact thats why I have this scare over it. "A woman did that?!" "Would you let me finish. I tried to cut it out my self. Back on topic When I was eighteen A noble took me as his squire. Even then my eye caused me trouble, the only reason I was train as a knight was because lord Denfer wouldn't let me quit. Any questions before I continue?"