The Land Below our Feet III (Legacy)

REALIZATION

Skhana opened her eyes to find that the sun had already come out, and that a heavy cloak was shielding her body from the morning mist.

Stretching her sore muscles, she blinked a few times before rolling on her side and discovering the Yahurian sitting next to her with his dark sight fixated ahead.

-Thank you – She croaked in a shy voice, gesturing at the thick cloth covering her figure – But you really didn’t have to, I was fine.

-Girl, you were shivering like a wet mouse! – The warrior snorted, rolling his eyes – It was hilarious to watch.

-Well, why didn’t you just leave me be if you were having such a good time? – The young princess offendedly replied, twisting her mouth.

-Oh, I’m not that cruel – The soldier carelessly yawned – And your aunt would make sure I’d get my ass handed to me if I were to let you freeze to death in the middle of the night.

-Are they both still asleep? – She asked, frowning at the silent tent nearby – Axe rarely ever does that.

-Well, he must be drained – The Yahurian appreciatively commented – I would be too if I’d just healed a dying cat!

Skhana´s eyes immediately darted to the large, immobile feline as soon as he said that. A relieved groan escaping her when she confirmed that the creature’s back kept moving rhythmically up and down. Her attention then returning to the warrior and scanning him with her bright, blue eyes.

-Why do you seem so surprised? – She curiously inquired – Haven’t you known about Axe’s power from the start?

-Yeah, knowing is one thing… But I had never witnessed it with my very own eyes – He coyly admitted – Even after all that happened back then, I just kept rationalizing it somehow.

-Really? – The girl exclaimed with a mix of amusement and disbelief – Why would you do that?

-I guess it seemed a lot easier than wrapping my young mind around those facts – Akoh ashamedly sighed – I was there the tragic day that your father killed Ashrae and was shot down by his men…

He stared at his boots and distractedly kicked a small pebble, making it roll a few feet forward.

-I saw their charred bodies and the calcinated field, but I still chose to believe that Axe couldn’t have done it, not that sweet little kid!

-So, what did you tell yourself that had happened then? – Skhana scoffed – Why would you doubt it even after father died and was brought back to life?

-I never really thought that he had died, to be honest – Akoh calmly confessed – You need to understand that, in my eyes, he was outright invincible! I simply couldn’t picture him dying. So, I brushed it off as a metaphor of a near-death experience he’d had, and a convenient technicality that the Guider had used to let him off the hook for disregarding the creed and removing his mask.

-But you saw his mangled body! – She exclaimed – Mom said that you were standing by her side.

-Yes, and he was still breathing – The Yahurian retorted matter-of-factly – So, I decided that there had been a humongous electric storm or something, and that my childhood hero never died.

-Well, I’ve got news for you, Yahun… He did! – Skhana sniffled – He died, big time! And Axe really did all that.

-I know – Akoh audibly gulped down – I’ve been sitting here all night thinking about that.

They stood there, silently listening to the chirping birds as the warm morning light washed gradually over them.

-What about the giant tides? – She suddenly blurted out – Weren’t you there as well that day?

-I was. But then again, I just saw those massive waves – Akoh defended himself – It is a surreal sight, for sure, but in the end it’s simply a natural event.

-So, when everyone said that he had done it, you went and dismissed it as a mere case of mass hysteria or what? – She lightheartedly giggled, clutching her belly.

-It was the logical thing to do – The masked man uttered in a low tone – You can’t seriously blame me for trying to make some sense out of it. At least it sounded more plausible than the possibility that these daunting drifts had been thrown at us by a single kid.

-More plausible, or less scary? – Skhana sassily asked, raising an eyebrow and tilting her head at him.

-Both – The soldier accepted, clearing his throat a bit – I was a child myself, I couldn’t begin to understand what I had just seen. And there was a very jealous part of me that refused to accept that this cute little infant had such huge power within.

-What about now? – She curiously questioned him – Are you terrified, or are you jealous of him?

-I’m awed – He solemnly declared – And truly humbled that Ussi trusted me enough to let me watch him knowing what I know now.

-Oh, it certainly took you a while, Yahun – Skhana puffed out, stretching her arm and patting his leg a few times, the last couple of her strokes purposefully lingering on his knee as she deliberately stared deeply into his eyes.

-T-Thanks for the cape again – She stammered in a hoarse voice, taking it off her shoulder and handing it to him.

-Wait! – The warrior cried out in realization as his eyes broadened, and a loud chortle erupted from his chest – Oh Gods! No way! Are you trying to flirt with me, girl?

-What do you find so funny about it? – Skhana uttered in a hurt tone, instantly retreating her hand from his thigh.

-Well, for starters, I’m old enough to be your father – He amusedly cackled – What are you, twelve? It’s adorable!

-I’m fifteen – She began angrily proclaiming, her voice turning into a timid whisper as he continued laughing his lungs out at her.

-Secondly, I’m a Yahurian – He continued saying between animated laughs – And you know exactly what that means, my sweet, sweet child.

-My father was once one too – Skhana dejectedly babbled, blushing profusely, and staring uncomfortably at her lap – Yet he still married my mom.

-Your father was a very special case – The warrior stated – I think we just established that. And most importantly, he wanted out! While I have no desire or intention of ever doing that.

He paused and looked at her, a tender expression crossing the visible part of his face as he grabbed her shoulders and took a deep breath.

-And thirdly - He scoffed, leaning forward and winking at her – You truly suck at reading people, girl! If you had paid any attention, then you would have known that I have no interest in women, because I’m all about men. I mean, I’ve never precisely hidden it… I’m sure the signs must have been everywhere!

-Oh… I see – She ashamedly grumbled, turning impossibly red as she averted her sight – I’m so sorry I missed that.

-It’s fine, it’s not your fault you were distracted by my outstanding looks – He quickly assured her, pulling her into a warm side hug and softly rubbing the back of her arm – Listen to me, you are a beautiful young lady, and I know you will have no trouble finding someone your own age one day, when it’s time. But for now, I strongly suggest that you stay away from old folks like me, because you’re worth much more than that. Alright?

-Alright – Skhana agreed in a quiet voice, a timid smile slowly appearing on her lips and progressively rising to her eyes.

-Good! – He merrily replied, decidedly patting her hand – Now be a darling and wake those two love birds up, would you? We really need to get to Phenjal.