Chapter Eight: An Older Path

Their journey had went without event, Rauko and Nymah had protected Elba well. After they arrived in a magnificent city, she'd been scrubbed within an inch of her life. Tangy mint leaves had been pressed on her tongue to improve her breath, and they had given her a new black dress rather then the weather-beaten one she had owned before. They brought her before King Saian, the white tiger of the forest, and threw her on her knees.

"What do you think of my city, Green one?" His voice boomed, his fangs leered in a traimphant smile.

"The most beautiful place in the world is not beautiful with death as its proceedent, Tiger." Said Elba, fighting back tears. "I am tired, I haven't stopped a single moment to rest, and your servents-- Rauko and Nymah-- killed... No, MURDERED, one of my closest friends. Every event of misfortune in my life has been caused by you... And you are asking me what I think of your CITY!?!"

Her green fists were clutched in anger, and, despite her serious tone, the king laughed. Well, Elba thought it was laughter, it was a deep rumbling in his throat. Saian turned to Rauko.

"Very demanding, isn't she?" He growled, and Rauko bowed. Nodding, he stepped backword.

"You are quite right, little one." Said the Tiger. "What they did was in excuseable. In fact, Nymah is dead, and Rauko has lost his tongue. That is why he does not reply to me."

"I have a question," said Elba, getting up and dusting off the dress.

"Yes, child?" Said Saian, his wild blue eyes gazing upon her green skin.

"The flute that Rauko had," Said Elba, "Simone had one just like it. What is it?"

"A flute?" Saian shook his fur in an impressive gesture, turning his head at Rauko. "What flute? And who is Simone?"

"He had an enchanted flute," snapped Elba, "And you sent Simone and Dulin after us, we were able to figure out that much, you know! We're not stupid--"

"ENOUGH!" Roared Saian at Elba, all patience lost. "What flute does she speak of, Rauko. Write it down if you must." It seemed Rauko had no such intentions.

He turned and fled, running towards the door. Yet the tiger had no ideas of releasing of his prey, he leapt over their heads and landed before Rauko, growling. "Tell me, fool, and I may yet spare your life!"

Rauko did not move. He seemed to be considering Saian's offer, but slowly he backed away. Rauko made a very rude gesture that showed his response all too clearly.

"Then it will be your head!" Saian growled loudly, "I will TAKE IT FROM YOU!" He pounced upon Rauko, his paw resting comfortably on his stomach. Blue waves of energy transfered from Rauko to Saian. After a few moments of this, he lifted his paw, walking wearily up to his thrown and sitting down. Rauko seemed too afraid of the tiger to move.

"So," He muttered to himself, barely audible, "So." He sat straighter, trying to look more noble. "You may return to your true master and tell him that you have succeeded. Remind him: I am loyal to Daenaur."

Rauko fled wildly, like a dog with his tail between his legs. Elba's mouth opened, for what Saian was sure to be a demanding call of explanation, but he bowed his head. "You need not ask, nor mention what you have seen today, for it will be beyond your death, Elba." As he called several guards to help her to a room, he could not help but think, "But then, If Daenaur has his way, it will be beyond my time as well..."

***

"What are we going to do now?" Said Circe. She sounded rather defeated, there was a hint of exsperation in her normally musical voice.

"I'm hungry," Whined Niendel. "I vote we get something to eat."

"You ate less then two hours ago!" Said Circe, "For goodness' sake, Niendel, we need to stick to eating three times a day if we are to make our rations last."

"Yer rite, we do need to go somewheres. We can't jus' sit 'round and be.. uh.. wat was tha' word Eliac used? Ibesile?"

Circe rolled her eyes. "Imbesiles?"

"Yea!" He said, nodding and pointing at Circe, "That!"

"I have an idea." Said Circe.

"Does it involve me getting something to eat?" Niendel put in hopefully.

"The clueless need not respond," she replied.

"Wat's this here idea, then?" Jack said.

"Death will be coming for what remains of Eliac soon." Said Circe, looking around, as though hoping to see a sign post. "If we can find him, maybe we can bring--"

"Eliac back?" Said Niendel. "That's pathetic, she wouldn't want that. She didn't have the happiest life with us, Circe."

"No, not Eliac," Snapped Circe, "Nydia." This suggestion was greeted with uneasy silence.

"HAVE YOU GONE MAD?" Shouted Niendel, "How is HE going to help?"

"He worked for Daenaur," Circe said shortly. "He'd be able to help us find Daenaur and then-- later-- Saian. Saian has Elba, remember?"

"We're assuming he'll help us at all, and thats a big leap Circe." Said Niendel.

"Eliac always say that we aien't got no choice," Said Jack, "I think she'd be okay with this here plan, and tha' be good 'nough for me."

Niendel sat back, silently fuming. "Whatever."

"So, its all settled then!" Circe declared brightly, clapping her hands. "I'll have to begin the ritchual now, so I can complete it before dark..."

Children never realize what conseqences bringing back the dead will yield.

"Ready?" Said Circe to Jack and Niendel. They nodded grimly, determined as ever.

"Magiine Maagi!" Said Circe. She felt magic corse through her delicate hands, from her body, into the mark the children had drawn from Circe's instructions. Her words, Jack felt sure, were in a different langauge from Eliac's. When Eliac had cast a spell, she had always remained in full control of her abilities. Her words had been smooth, like freshly wrought glass. Circe's words crackled with energy and uncharted power, power that could fail her at any moment.

The mark began to glow with a faint Radience. "Uuza Douza Zazare!" She chanted, her eyes closed, spinning her pendant before her; like a shield, in a continuious figure-eight motion. It glowed, with ancient power, and many morbid voices began to chant in the clearing. They were loud enough to Niendel and Jack, who shrouded their ears from the pain of hearing what these voices said. Messages of the dead, regrets; tears of familes who had lost someone, undaunted and endless sorrow...

"MEGARO ZANGA --MERU DOUZA!" Circe shouted, forcing her powerful voice to be heard over the chanting spirits, still swinging the pendant. The voices were joined by ethreal pounding drums, music that was so free. The power sound was unbareable to Niendel, but his screams were drowned out by the sound. Jack hardly managed to hold his ground, only the thought of Eliac stopped him from screaming.

"JARJU ZAZARE!" Bellowed Circe suddenly, distrubing the sounds; refusing to be afraid. She took her pendant and, as she swung it towards the ground, it turned to a sturdy-looking staff. One that was familiar to both Niendel and Jack.

"Eliac's staff," Jack whispered to himself, "But how--?"

Circe left him no time for reflection. She smashed the staff's emerald head on the ground, and the scattered peices began to glow. The mark Circe had so hastily drawn was suddenly alight with ancient power, and the ghastly voices turned to a swurling vortex of blue light. The vortex formed a billowing cyclone in the sky, And Circe was lost in it. After what seemed ages, the vortex died down. Circe was there, but she was different.

There was a foreign mark on her forehead, one of ancient magic. Her clothes were tattered, her face and hands were nearly coated in dirt. A hand of rotting blue flesh held her arm firmly, a cloaked figure of black with a scythe in its other hand.

"Let 'er go!" Shouted Jack imposingly, shaking his fist. The cloaked figure chuckled, and realeased her arm. She collasped on the forest floor, barely breathing. Niendel ran to her, holding some water to her lips. It only ran off.

"Circe!" Niendel said, fighting back tears, "Circe, wake up..."

"Perhaps I can help with that." Said the cloaked figure in a loud, boisturous voice that was deep like thunder. Niendel knew that voice, having heard it before.

"Fa.. Father?" He stuttered out. The cloaked figure took a ragged hand to his cloak and removed the hood from his face. Niendel had been right, it was his father.

"What is left of him, my son." He said, kneeling, his features unchanged accepting the rotting hand. "Change now. Change, as I have. I have finally realized; too late, how selfish and arrogant I was in life, now that I walk in death. I have accepted the role of being a guardian of my village's people... what remains of them. I hate myself-- and always will-- for learning my final lesson too late. Carry it on for me, my son. You will find a way."

"Wat can 'e do for Circe?" Grunted Jack, through gritted teeth, still trying not to cry.

"She will awaken when she has found what she needed to in death," said Peter callously. "I will wait with you, and protect you. I cannot stay long, children; but I will protect you. For now, I am the representation of Azrael; and I will walk the path of protecting the innocent from the tainted."

"Azrael?" Said Niendel, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise,"But mother always said that Azrael--"

"Your true mother had never spoken to you of Azrael, Niendel. I ordered her killed, I do not know what happened to her after that. I saved you because a part of me felt responisbility. But your sister threatened my new life. I tell you the truth quickly... the pig keeper named her 'Circe.' He knew, or at least he suspected it. Your mother's name was.. is.. Nimori."

"WHAT?" Cried Niendel, "But Nimori..." Suddenly all of Niendel's life made sense. The memories that stirred when Eliac had told him the story of Circe's life. The name 'Nimori' had seemed familiar to him, even then. His past had been uncovered by magic, and he would never forget it. Later in his life, Niendel would devote all of his wealth to studying magic, because it connected him-- in a way-- to his father.

"Circe returns to the world of the living, now, my son," Said Peter, putting a rotted hand on his shoulders. "Tell her that I..." He bit his lip. "No. Tell her that her FATHER is sorry." And with that, he faded away; free in death once more.

***

Circe sat up, and said immedately, "Where is Nydia?" As though reading her mind, a white wolf ran onto the clearing. It glowed briefly, around it's neck was Eliac's golden Ankh. Shifting back was difficult to watch, as the skin and clothing appeared where fur had been. He stood up, the Ankh still around his neck.

"Circe..." He said holding out his arms. Circe ran to him, and, with the moonlight upon them, he kissed her. Jack coughed loudly, and Niendel didn't really seem to even have noticed Nydia had returned.

"Eliac found me before you said the first words of your spell," Nydia whispered into her ear, "She sent me back with the Ankh. I will stay here with you as long as you need me, or want me. I am yours... She told me what you said to my body, Circe." He paused.

"She asks only that you carry on her name."

"Well," remarked Niendel sarcastically, with mock relief, "at last, she asks for something in style."

"Great you've noticed somewhat 'sides ureself today," Jack said, "You on'a roll?" His cockney accent was beginning to fade, but there was still a twinge of it in his young voice.

"What are we going to do about Elba?" Whined Niendel, before he remembered what his fath had told him, and blushed faintly when he remembered what his father had told him and realized that, by whining, he had directly disobeyed his father's last wish. He made a mental note not to whine as much in the future.

"Elba? The Green one?" Nydia looked around at the children, "Where did she go?"

"The great tiger ordered her taken to him," Said Circe, "We summoned you back-- or tried to-- so you could lead us to Daenaur. Daenaur was working with Saian, from what we were able to figure out, both Simone and Dulin, (as well as Whitefire,) mentioned you worked for Daenaur, so we thought... Well, we hoped you'd be able to help us find her." Nydia had listened very intently to Circce's explanation, but now, he looked disssapointed.

"Daenaur will not speak to children," he said, "And Elba was taken by Saian, not the dragon of the shadowfire."

"I don't understand it, why that Saian bloke tryin' to get Elba? Is it a powewr to Daeagar, or...?"

"No, no, not at all." Said Nydia. "Indeed, Saian wishes to hide her from Daeagar."

"But... why?" Niendel burst out, "Why Elba?"

"Wait a second.... didn't Simone or wateva her name was play a song for us that said sumwat about tha'?" Said Jack, his face similiar to a brillant philosopher's deepest thinking expression.

"A song?" Said Nydia, glancing about at the children, "Can I hear it?" Circe sang it for him, her voice carring strongly about the clearing, reminescent of the clearest bell.

"A beautiful voice," he said after she had finished, "but I fear it is only another false lead. The true prophcy would've left you tingling, as though you were encased in what it had to say. It sounds like this:

'When moon is grim and star is bright,
four children will find a light in the night.
When power is nothing, and love stands alone,
these children will find safety in water's true home.
Size is not strength, age is not knowledge...
The door will answer to none, save one:
The son.' "

His voice was very rough, like a frog's croak muffled by grass, but he got the message across. While Circe seemed postively enchanted, others were not so impressed.

"Well, thanks for bein' so specifc!" Snapped Jack.

"I did not write that, I cannot be held accountable for what it contains!" Nydia replied in a protesting type of voice, readily, as though he'd half exspected someone to say that.

"Ya kno', you shouldn't a brought it up then!" Jack said. He seemed very annoyed.

"I had to," he replied, "Eliac asked me too."

"She... she knew of this?" Niendel put in, confused.

"She wrote it," he said, smiling, "she was a very talented oracle."

"Eliac was an Oracle?!?" Circe cried, her voice ever louder.

"Yes," Said nydia, "She was."

"She knew she would die, "Said Niendel, "And she did NOTHING?"

"What would she have done, Niendel?" Whispered Circe, "She did not know which of us was to die, did she?"

"Nor could she have done anything, even if she HAD known. She could not change fate-- only see it, in tantalizing bits and peices."

"If anyone feared death, it was Eliac." Said Jack. For once, he spoke normally. "She knew this would happen, but she had been forbidden to change it."

"How do you know this, Jack?" Nydia said suddenly, his face set and serious.

"She told me, before you destroyed Cesium." He replied callously.

"Told you?" Nydia said, an edge of suspision to his voice, "Is that all she said?"

"No," said Jack, "She told me many things. Only what I can use for the present can I say again, without her permission-- and its rather difficult to get it, at the moment. An occupational hazard of being dead, I'm afraid."

"She didn't know what she was telling you, did she?" Inquired Nydia, "that is to say, she had a vision without realizing you were there?"

Slowly, Jack nodded.

"What did she say?" He said, eager for the information, "Englighten me."

" 'You will not know until you must, Jean Nydia,' she said, 'Jack, you will lead the others when I have left. Niendel will finish treading the path his father chose for him, and Circe's dearest wish will be granted. And, as for Elba... she has more power then she would realize, and others will attempt to strip that from her.' "

"An unusual prediction," Nydia sighed, "That all of your lives should end so strangely."

"You speak as though you doubt her gift," Said Circe, noticing a familiar silver bracelet on Jack's arm and wondering where Jack had gotten something of Eliac's, "do you?"

"I did not realize how weak I was," Jack shot back, suddenly, ignoring Nydia's half-open mouth. "Not until I wore this. Eliac could have killed us all at any moment..."

"She did not. She would not have, unless fate bade her to." Said Nydia, his eyes searching for the glimmer of fear in Jack's that wasn't there. Instead, Jack flexed his fingers with an inhuman speed, grinning ear to ear.

"She knew more about you then you know, Nydi," Said Jack. Circe saw Nydia re-eact for the first time, and she didn't like it. His fists were white from being clenched so hard they cut off his circulation, and he flushed. His pallid demeanor had all but faded, and Circe saw the faint gleam of a wild beast's anger in his eyes.

"My life," he said, with sardonic smile, "Is no buisness of the dead."

"Oh, but you weren't always alive in life, surely you must realize that." Said Niendel brightly, "Remember what you ARE."

"Yes," stated Nydia, through gritted teeth, "I am more then aware of my... limitations, boy."

"Uh... you have a nice name, Simone told me once that your first name was Jean." Said Circe, flashing her prettiest grin, the grin that masked the cool look she flashed both Jack and Niendel.

"It has been in my family for many years."

"Aside from your charming family history," Jack said, feigning an air of interest at the topic and attempting to remain civil, "How did you come into Daenaur's service?"

"it was no choice of mine, little knight," He responded sadly, "Indeed, I had no chocie. My family had recently suffered... well, suffered a great loss."

"What loss?" Put in Niendel, ignoring Nydia's expression of pain at the many memories.

"They had been lost to life," said Nydia calmly, "Dead."

"DEAD?" Said Niendel, evedentially sharing an out of place interest, "Why, thats fasinating! DO tell!"

"You ask far too many questions, Peter's Child." Niendel blushed, and lowered his head in shame.

"They were citims of the fever when I was six. Worse, mother had just brought a baby into the world... he is dead now, for all I know. After that, I learned to make my own way in this cruel world. I learned to fight for food first and what I believed in second, and I lived a terrible life. No child should be condemned to such a life I was forced to endure, little ones. After a few years, a wolf tried to steal my newly aquired crust of bread... I managed to kill the beast, but he scratched me on the arm, a deep wound that left a scar." He rolled back his shoulder, revealing a long cut. He closed his eyes as he did it, as though he were truly trapped within his own mind.

"I didn't think twice about it. I should have, I knew that even then; but who wwould I have gone to? Any door that would have opened for me would have locked me away in an orphanage-- and that frightened me. All I had was the world of adventure I had lived in, and I would not allow my self to be robbed of that, no matter how severe the wound was. Can you guess what I did?"

"You... um... stumbled into a forest?" Suggested Jack humbly, winking at Nydia.

"No," said Jean, "I did not. Please understand-- this is where my memory begins to fade. I do not understand what I am telling you myself, so do not ask comprehension from me. I stole some needle and thread, ran to the river, and cleaned the wound. I stiched it together myself, at ten, trying not to cry out and give myself away. I went mad... mad... insane. Oh, I only knew the pain. The pain drove me north, and I grew very sick. Only sheer will kept me alive. When I began to hear my mother's voice inside my head, and my father's gruff commands at feeding his family, I went truly insane." Nydia stopped, there were tears running down his rough cheeks.

"I can't be sure, but I think that was the first time I turned."
"You mean... you didn't kill anyone?" Niendel asked Nydia, sounding dishearted for some strange reason. Nydia could not help but bare a wide grin, one full of wolfish-looking teeth.

"No. At least, not then."

"You never did ask the questions posed you, O mysterious one." A woman strode onto the clearing, a wolf trailing behind her. She was plain, but not homely. She had long, light brown hair that she had swept back in a braid that looked like a hornet's stinger, and her skin was tanned from far too many hours in the sun. She was thin, but not overly so... it was obvious she was very strong for a woman. She was clad in a long, brown coat that looked tattered from traveling, as well as a blue shirt and skirt. A short dagger hung limply from her side.

"No, he never did." The wolf said, "And that has been his downfall, hasn't it? When his tongue has tripped over his lies." The wolf was ever yet more beautiful then the woman. It had long, silver fur, that seemed to move about even though there was no breeze to speak of. The tips of her fur covered ears were a night-like black, and her eyes a wisdom-filled green.

"You... You can TALK?" Said Niendel, his jaw dropping.

"Oh, no, you're just imagining it...." Smirked the wolf. Turning to her human counter part, she said, "'Children's are the world's future,' my furry tail! Look at these IDIOTS!"

Niendel's lip began to tremble. He looked like he was going to cry, but then, he was only ten.

"Eve," breathed Nydia. In a louder voice, he said, "What are you two doing here!?!"

"Oh, come on Nid! we weren't about to let you have all the fun!" Shannon said, grinning her wolfish grin.

"Friends of yours, Nydia?" Said Circe, gazing about. There was something protective about her tone, and that made Nydia blush a bit.

"Oh, you could call us that." Said Eve, smiling. "I'm more of a friend to Shannon, my wolfy friend, here."

"Don't even go there," Warned Shannon the wolf, "You know how children are, we'll be here all day."

"Right. Got it." Eve said quietly, taking a few steps back from the children.

"You'll have to forgive Eve," said Shannon calmly, "She is a meek little child. Like you."

"We are no children, Wolf." Jack said evenly, "Watch yourself."

The wolf laughed, and lo! It was a strange laugh that barely masked a growl.

"You do not realize who you would speak to, Child." Eve said in Shannon's stead, "Be silent!"

"You're my age! You can't honestly exspect me to just... just listen to YOU!" Jack said back.

"She is far more wise then you would give her credit for," Said Nydia. "And she is right. Be silent, Jack."

"Well, that's more like it!" Said Eve.

"You too, Eve. You should also hold your tongue, you do not realize what you would involve yourself in. Go, speak now with the children, Nydia and I have some things to speak of that do you do not need to hear yet."

Eve looked rather hurt. "Very well, Shannon." She bowed her head. "Come, Children! For now we shall speak of happier times."

"Seriously, can you talk like you're from this age? PLEASE?" Said Jack, "Its really annoying."

"You could talk like you couldn't talk, and yet you don't. Does that make me from another age, fool?" Jack's eye twitched.

"Whatever."

"Hey, you know what?" Whispered Circe to Niendel.

"No, what?"

"I like this one."

***

"Well, Nydia, we have come. Both of us, I have watched her these grueling years as you have asked me too." The wolf said, "Ever since you were bitten."

"She does not know who she is? I told you to tell her!"

"James knew. I left it to him to tell her, and when he died..."

"I see."

"Good. Seeing is good. Now, we must get them across the river. Eve and I will stay to help."

"NO! Eve cannot stay, it will be dangerous."

"Took you long enough to act your role, didn't it? I was thinking... We do not have to cross the river from the top, Nydia."

"There is no other way. I cannot go, you will have to guide them, I am all but useless, and--"

Shannon howled, and it silenced Nydia.

"Arcadia has bade her come. He has a new way of looking at that prophcy of yours, human. For another thing, there IS another way. You would speak of it if you could remember." She paused, gazing at him, hoping for some sign of recognition. There were no such signs. "You would.. you would take the tunnel."

"That place is cursed, Shannon! I barely made it out alive! Never would I go there again."

"This is far beyond you, and your oh-so-tragic life. I have had a worse one, and you know it. You know what? Fine. Stay here. Cower, stay hidden, as you did then. When you were a boy. A miserable creature without a heart to rely on. I will take care of the children, as you would have me do, and you can sit here and repeat those well-rehearsed lies to the forest animals."

"The tunnel is our only option, then." He said, "If that is so, then I will go with you."

"Good. Why did that girl think that she loves you?"

"She does."

"Fool! Have you told her of Eve? Eh? I will not be alive forever, you know."

"...No."

"You wil break her heart, then. So pretty, too. Perhaps I will tell her."

"You will do no such thing!"

"Oh, but I will. You know I will. You don't love her, you love no woman truly. You use them as toys, bend them to your will, and they are consumed by your handsome face. You are a wolf in more ways then I am, human."

"Enough of your games, Shannon! I cannot linger here. Nor can you, we must go now if we are to make any headway at all."

"What, done roleplaying already? Shame..."

***

"So, your name is Eve?" Circe asked the girl, smiling kindly. Eve nodded in reply.

"Well, my name is Circe. That tall, lanky 'imbecile' is Jack, and the little chubby moron is Niendel."

"HEY!" Said Jack and Niendel in unison, but Circe only grinned.

"Children. You act as children, and so you are treated as children." Eve's reply wiped the grin from Circe's face.

"Really, you are a child! Stop acting like an adult dear, it unbecomes you."

"Not according to Shannon. She says I'm about sixteen, but she's not precisely sure."

"That's about my age," Said Jack, narrowing his eyes. "How do you know Nydia, again?"

"I don't. Shannon does, she's my mother." This statement was met with particular silence, and then the children began to laugh.

"No, seriously," said Circe.

"No, Really. I'm half human."

"Half human? You don't look like a wolf at all!" Niendel said, stating the obvious as usual.

"Of course not." Said Eve, fingering a pendent that hung around her neck. It was a silver feather, and it gleamed in the light.

"Come, Children! There is another way!"