Meanwhile...
Xylia had kept running, it was all she could think, only feeling the intense clashing of aura and shaking of the ground. Her only thoughts of keeping this child safe. Not thinking about anything else but escaping this forest and the mountains. She had heard Rin and felt Rin's thoughts, but dared not think about the outcome or what could happen. She could see the daylight peaking through the tree line. Bursting through she finally collapsed to her knees gasping for breath and crying.
Every part of her body ached beyond belief. She had never used magic in such capacity, nor had she ever had to run as hard as she had. The young girl still clinging to her scared out of her mind looked at Xylia with curiosity and worry. What would happen to her now?
"Are you.. gonna take me in.. to the bad people?" She asked
Xylia thrown off by this, as she finally sat down the child and shook her head.
"N-no.." Xylia stuttered out "I will.. keep you, safe." She added
Her voice so unfamiliar to herself, her throat hurting some from so many years gone by of not speaking, her throat hoarse. But it felt nice to speak again nonetheless.
"What's.. your name?" Xylia asked her voice a little more strained
The young child was able to take note of hard it was for her speak. But what little she had spoke was true, that much she knew.
"Juni..." the young girl finally said softly
Xylia giving a small smile and offered Juni a hand now.
"Xylia..." she too whispered for Juni to know her name as well
Juni herself wasn't sure where this Xylia was going to take her still, but she would trust her for now. Taking her her hand, she was guided now towards a cobblestone road, with her free hand she pulled the jacket close still a little cold herself. But this jacket and scarf had traces of those that made her feel at ease, they belonged to people this Xylia cherished even if they weren't here.
'How am I going to explain this George? Gods, what has gotten into me?' she thought to herself as she walked on but now looked back out at the mountains 'Rin, you had better return to me alive.'
That's when she felt a gentle tug on her dress. This snapping her out of her thoughts as she looked back at Juni now. Instantly feeling terrible for making Juni worry. But she was most confused by what Juni was doing now, offering her the teddy bear she'd clung to since they had escaped.
"I know it's not much, but you should have something that makes you smile too, please don't be upset momma." Juni said a tone of nervous in her voice
Xylia instantly thrown off by this. But she could at least understand the young child's emotions and mental state at the given moment. Though she herself had never thought herself as a parent. She was only twenty years old even now. She exhaled a gentle sigh through her nose as she knelt down now offering a soft smile and accepting the teddy bear delicately. She could see it was not easy for her to handover, but had the maturity to be willing to give it to someone she thought would need it more.
"Keep these safe.." Xylia said softly now as she fixed her mother's scarf and her father's jacket as Juni gave a smile of relief and nodded happily
With this they continued to walk down the path as the town was just beginning to quiet down for the day now. Shops closing, men going home, other people headed home for dinner. But they indeed took note of Xylia and the girl at her side. First the stranger, then the massive surges they felt hours ago, now this. This was most of all a shakeup in the day to day routines for the village of Serene.
Arriving at the small familiar bakery, she gently pushed the door open as the bell rang.
"Sorry we're closed. Oh! Xylia, Good Gods girl you need to stop scaring me." George said in his normal tone before noticing and jumping some "What're you doing here? You don't work till tomorrow." He added even more confused why she was here so late
Her expression turned to one of a half pained smile. George knew this look well enough to understand something had happened. He could see something clinging and hiding behind Xylia.
"It's okay..." Xylia now whispered, her voice soft and gentle
George couldn't believe what he was witnessing nor immediately registering that she had actually spoken. Before he knew it a small girl with long silk black hair and almost glowing green eyes, an old worn canvas green jacket draped over her small shoulders and completely enveloped her, a red scar with white patterns woven into the crochet fabric. And Xylia herself holding a teddy bear, George able to deduce that it belonged to this girl. He now offered a hardy smile as he pulled out a cake from the display shelf as well as some plates before setting them on the table by the window.
"How about a nice slice of cake little one?" George asked like he was a parent or grandfather
He was able to understand far better what was needed right now. Juni looking up at Xylia only to receive a smile and nod. Juni taking off her scarf and jacket as she sat down at the table looking around curiously. But George took to her like she was always his grandchild.
The door opened again. Rin limped in now groaning softly from the pain. Xylia immediately catching him as he started to collapse. Juni the most frightened. Xylia now setting him down against the wall.
"You're back..." Xylia said softly this time as she caressed his cheek
Rin gave a gentle smile as he kissed the palm of her hand, making her face turn bright momentarily. Juni a little more at ease with this strange man, able to sense his aura, it's pale and calm blue, burning like a fire. This display only made her curiosity spark even more, Xylia trusted and cared for him, so she would too. George the most in awe of what he was witnessing. Only able to chuckle and smile like damn fool.
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"Are momma and papa flirting?" Juni asked George with a straight face making the old man laugh only adding to Xylia's embarrassment
Rin chuckled as he carefully stood and walked over to Juni before kneeling before her.
"I know this is all a lot to take in. So many things will change, people who will seem intimidating will come to see us, but they are friends of mine. But you will stay with us, if that's what you want?" Rin explained to her now
Juni took a moment as she processed this information and gave a nod.
"I.. I want to stay you both. I don't want to be a burden." She said looking away now, but now was gently poked in her forehead by Rin's fingers causing her attention to return to him
"You will never be a burden on us, little one." Rin assured her with a smile
Juni momentarily confused as she rubbed her forehead but soon understood as she smiled happily. Xylia herself wiping tears now as Rin took her in his arm now, and planting a kiss on her head.
"Are you okay momma?" Juni asked worries again
"It's alright kiddo, tears of joy. Just happy she has your father and you." George smiled now only confusing the child more "You'll understand when you're older." He added making her roll her eyes and go back to her cake
Rin looked down at Xylia, he hadn't imagined that this was what the threads of destiny had been weaving for him. Xylia couldn't believe so much of her life had changed. But she welcomed this change, whatever tomorrow would bring she would be ready for it...
———————————
Two weeks later...
Juni had settled into the spare bedroom of the cottage. But the last few nights she'd often gone and crawled into Xylia and Rin's bed. Rin himself still feeling unworthy of these changes himself, but he would not abandon them.
All three were outside and working on repairs and cleaning again. Everything was coming along. Xylia had touched up the paint, Rin had cleaned out the gutters as well as the roof. Meanwhile Juni was allowed to play, running and laughing, playing an imaginary game of her own creation by the tree Xylia herself use to play under. Xylia couldn't help but smile watching her run around and have fun.
This tranquil feeling and excitement was interrupted by the clattering of wooden wheels against the cobblestone road. A familiar royal carriage was arriving. Juni stopping like a rabbit in the wild hearing something and judging if it was dangerous. Immediately going to Rin and Xylia. Xylia had a look of mild irritation, but maintained a look of stoic and calm. She would dare disrespect the Princess, but that didn't take away her personal distaste for this young woman. Rin himself more understanding as he placed his hand on her shoulder assuring this wouldn't be anything more than a simple thank you.
As the carriage came to a stop the two guards pulling it hopped down immediately and opened the door. The same guard as before stepped out first, Lodell, only now he carried a strange wooden box. Then the princess herself exited. Dressed in a pea green royal dress with white dire wolf fur draped over her shoulders and elbows, her tiara set upon the top of her head. She also held a small chest as well.
"Rin Sayer, Xylia Hato. For your actions, risking the both of your lives for the sake of this kingdom. I cannot truly repay you for this debt. But I hope this reward will suffice." The Princess explained to them both standing at the gate and waiting to be invited as she held a small wooden chest
Xylia still unsure how she should feel on all this. She moved forward first and carefully opened the gate for her and bowed.
"Thank you..." Xylia said softly but a hint of tension remained
"I know my actions may seem harsh and questionable. We all can do the best we can." Midori said "And I want to make things right. You have my word, I will strive to do better." She added offering the chest to Xylia now
Xylia carefully accepted it her eyes unable to believe how much was in here. She couldn't accept such a reward. But the gentle smile of the Princess, she could not dare turn away such a thing from one who had come all this way to see them.
The Lion guard now approached Rin, his gaze imposing, but he was more understanding now.
"A gift from her highness. Made by best craftsman. Should work exactly like it should." Lodell said as Rin carefully and cautiously accepted the box, the guard bowing before returning to the princess
Midori now turning her attention to Juni who was hiding behind Rin and clinging to his robes. She smiled gently as she approached Rin and knelt down to meet the child.
"You must be one who survived. I can't imagine how that must have been." Midori said in a gentle tone
Xylia more tense now, but dared not move in the presence of this guard, his aura so bright and commanding. She found it almost hard to breathe. Juni still a little frightened by all that was going on. But Midori merely chuckled as she outstretched her hands, dirt from the ground gathered as it began to transform and mold. She was using a variety of earth magic to create something.
"I wasn't as gifted as my ancestors. My magic is more glass and silicon based. It's allowed me to discover what I refer to as 'plastic', it's my legacy." Midori explained
Xylia's immediately going wide. This was the one who had invented plastic?! She'd seen and even owned such containers. But she never imagined she would ever meet the actual inventor of it. It was truly mind boggling for her, she still wasn't used to talking. She wanted to say so much but couldn't.
Midori chuckled a little as Juni was truly mesmerized now watching as the Princess molded something.
"It was actually your father who mentored me. Gave me perspective with his wisdom, it gave me the strength to find a different way to develop my own unique magic." Midori explained as she completed her contraption, a pair of red framed glasses "Here. Give these a try little one." She added offering them
Juni looked up at Rin who nodded with a smile. Carefully accepting them and putting them on she immediately felt the difference. Xylia truly in awe of what was happening, only more grateful for what the Princess had done for them.
Midori stood once again as her gaze turned to Rin, and she smiled gently.
"Is there anything else I can do to repay you?" She asked her voice longing to make things right
Rin looked out again, Xylia the most confused. But turned his attention back to the Princess, he had something in mind clearly.
"It's about time I stomp out my foolishness. Take responsibility for who I am. I would ask to settle a clan of my own here. An ally to the Kingdom of Oronia. I would ask to settle the Snowtop mountains." Rin explained formally asking indeed a big favor of the princess
The Lion guard immediately angered by such a request. But he would not speak as the princess held up her hand instantly to stop him.
"This is indeed quite a tremendous undertaking. A lot of paperwork, and the Snowtop Mountains remain a very touchy place to go poking about. I'm sure you can also imagine the political atmosphere around a new Clan being established here." Midori said being honest with Rin
Xylia herself a little lost in all this. But she at least understood that this was no cakewalk. Asking favors of royalty was not something one did lightly, but this was on another scale she couldn't imagine. Juni herself retreating back to hiding behind Rin now, feeling all the immense aura that was being projected.
"I'm aware. I would not ask for such a thing if I did not understand the implications and reaction from the people. I understand it would take time to organize, to officiate and be recognized." Rin said fully understanding the ramifications of such a deceleration
The princess merely smiled at this exchange now.
"And what would such a clan be named?" She asked now the mood shifting to one of hope and relief, but Rin now paused as he to indeed think
"The Dawnsythe's. To give those lost and wayward souls a reason to find new light. The night is darkest just before the dawn." Rin declared, explaining the meaning of the first half "But also so that we do not forget our heritage, our ancestors. The ways of the sword and bow. That such tools, even magic must not be taken lightly. Those learning from their mistakes." He further elaborated on the choice and reason for his Clan's purpose
The Lion guard now more at ease, truly respecting this man that Rin was now. Xylia truly in awe of what she was witnessing, history in the making even if she wasn't fully aware of it. Juni a little more curious about all that the adults were talking about but not understanding it herself.
"These terms are acceptable. I would formally like to welcome the leader of the Dawnsythe Clan to the Kingdom of Oronia. I will take care of the political process for being formally recognized." Midori said formally but smiling nonetheless "The Snowtop Mountains will be officially recognized as territory of the Dawnsythe Clan as well." She added as both bowed to one another slowly
"Take care of yourself, friend." Rin said caringly to her
"Take care of your family as well, friend." Midori said softly as she and her guards now took their leave
That night they celebrated with a trip to the market to make a feast to honor Rin's clan. Making a stew of his mother's clan, and grilled meat in the style of his father's clan. They all genuinely had a good night and did the dishes together. Juni was soon laid down for the night and in her room.
But for Xylia, she was awoken by something. Something was off, Rin wasn't lying with her. Soon out of bed she found him sitting on the couch, looking at the small box now sitting on the coffee table and opened, a prosthetic arm lay in a velvet mold. A small gasp escaped making him jump.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you." He whispered standing and taking her in his arm
She could feel the conflicting emotions in him. He was grateful for such gift, but did not feel worthy of such a gift. Even after all he had done. He still held many doubts in own mind. Doubts of being a good leader most of all. Her gaze now turning to the arm he had lost and carefully held it. Her way of letting him know she thought he deserved it. Rin gave a gentle sigh as he surrendered to her. Now together they carefully slipped the arm onto where his stump was. The fingers began to move and articulate, Rin truly unable to believe how natural it felt, like he'd never lost his arm in the first place. Xylia could see his doubts and looked into his eye again.
"It's yours..." she whispered now taking his new hand into her own and guided him back to their room so they could lay back down
As Rin lay there he held Xylia close, already asleep again. He couldn't, he just couldn't take his eye off her. He truly felt like he had started to find some peace in his soul after all. He was a father now, a leader, he had his responsibilities, and he would keep his family safe. Before he knew it, he too was drifting into sleep himself still holding Xylia close...
What do you think of this chapter?
