Never to fade away, it's time to fight!

Kyra stood stunned. Her heart pounded, though she did not move. She could not think to move. Her brain was an empty hole of painfull memories. She saw the men slightly, though she looked beyond them to the shadows of tents that danced about the fire light in the warriors camp. The memory of rejection came back all too clear. Kyra pushed at the memory with such a force, trying desperately to hide it away as she had the last year. Her mind recoiled and she shot back into reality. She had one scream, one scream, that was all. Kyra tried to bring saliva to her mouth but her throat was much too dry. On the ground the bucket moaned as the wind rushed through it's hollow center, rolling it in a circle. As Kyra stood there staring at the men she knew she couldn't give up on life. She couldn't just simply die and fade away. With horror, Kyra realized that was what she had been doing this past year. She had been making herself fade away, to become nothing. Kyra had accepted the destiny chosen for her instead of fighting it, and now she stood defensless before two highly trained killers.
It didn't matter what illusions she tried to create for herself, that's what they were. Killers. She could feel her hands clenching into fists at her side. Kyra could see her brothers face, lit up with joy as his father carried him about triumphantly, her father. She had wanted that! It should have been her, she should have been the warrior. Kyra should have been the one standing here, trained and ready to fight these two men. Instead she was defensless and no one would miss her once she was gone. The figures stopped suddenly, hesitant now.
"Are you sure she's the one." One of them whispered and she saw that he was panting. They were afraid of her! The realization struck her. But why? Why could two killers possibly be afraid of one small girl?
"Have you heard what she can do?" The other one responded, his voice shaking a bit.
"I know." The one closest to Kyra replied grimly. Then they both continued forward, slowly and cautiously. Now more hesitant than ever, as if they were reminded of some deadly weapon this defensless girl had hidden up her sleeve. A peircing cry shook through the still night air as Kyra screamed, her last breath into this world.

Routine

Kyra's mother was standing outside shaking out the rugs. Kyra took one look at her upset face and snuck around to the back window. The curtains blew in the morning breeze, pushing against Kyra as she scrambled into the warm room. A loud thump sounded through out the house when she hit the small wooden planks covering the dirt floor. She blew her hair out of her face and stood up. Her room wasn't much it was small with one larger pad in one corner which her and her younger brother, Arthur, shared. The pad was covered in a bundle of brown blankets, at the foot of the bed lay the pile of clothes, they mainly consisted of browns, greys and whites, the few green peices belonged to Kyra, those she had made herself. One of her favorite corners though, was the one cluttered in books. Large volumes left open or stacked one on top of the other. Her father had given them to her to study in case she became a warrior, normal housewives didn't need to be educated, now those books would just lie in that corner, gathering dust until one day Arthur would read them, he was twelve he could be apprenticed next leaf fall. Kyra could hear her mother scolding Arthur outside and she sucked in her breath, gathered her courage and opened the door to face her. Min stood in the kitchen, Arthur in front of her face down. She noticed Kyra's entering footsteps almost and once and spun around to face her. Arthur looked up grinning, he wouldn't be scolded any more today, it was Kyra's turn. Arthur shot out the open door as quick as he could, the dog barked and began following him as he ran off. Min's face showed she was disgusted, disapointed and annoyed. She always displayed her emotions clearly, when Min was younger she was a girl with dreams, just like Kyra. She used to tell Kyra how dreams were wasted, her name was Mayrenne than, it meant fair like the sea. She was beautiful with long silky blond hair, Kyra had neither Min's hair or her fathers reddish-brown hair, which Arthur inherited. Sometimes Kyra wondered where her brown hair came from, when she was younger she used to believe she had inherited it from the earth and her eyes from the treetops, she used to pretend she was the forest and the forest was her. But those were also foolish dreams. When it came time for Min to change her name on the day of her wedding when she would pass from young women to adult she wanted something simple and plain, she was just a housewife afterall, and Min became her name. Kyra remembered how her name used to be Kee until she was eight leaf falls old.
Min stared hard at Kyra for a while, she opened her mouth once than decided better of scolding her and pointed to the metal tub on the floor, filled to the rim with water. Kyra sighed and pushed past her mother to do the dishes. Min was out of the room by the time Kyra started on the first dish and Kyra hated her life more than ever. Why should KioNish get to decide your destiny? It was a question Kyra asked herself everyday of her life for the next year, soon preparations for leaf fall were there once more. Kyra wore only brown clothes now, her beautiful forest green ones lay crumple in the corner. Arthur was especially excited this year, he was hoping to be chosen. Kyra just smiled at his excitment and pushed the memory of the year before from her mind. It had become a routine for her now, to wake up past sunrise, wash the dishes cook breakfast clean the house, take care of Arthur, fix lunch and dinner. In Kyra's free time she would lay outside the house in the grass her layers of brown skirt flowing out around her, staring at the clouds. Leaf fall was to be the next day and Min tried to encourage Kyra to wear something pretty, but she refused again and again. When leaf fall came Kyra went to the ceromony wearing a simple longsleeved brown and white layered dress, her white apron tied around her waist. The dress was long unlike the ones she used to wear, it nearly touched the ground, the tips of her brown boots barely showing through. Kyra had let Min cut her hair just above her shoulders, she cut it quite nice and Kyra always kept it brushed. The campfire glowed bright on all the eager faces as KioNish came out, four young warriors at his sides. Kyra could see Aaron, Fey and others she used to play with hiding in the shadows behind their leader. Arthur's name was called first, instead of rejoicing for him, Kyra shrunk farther away, hiding her face. As she saw her friends and heard the names being called she couldn't stop the memories from flooding back in. There were vivid in her brain and they hurt terribly. After the ceromony was like a nightmare, Kyra's father was holding Arthur and congragulating him, both his and Min's faces were glowing with pride for their son. They paid no heed to Kyra, except for when Min asked Kyra to go fetch water from the stream.
Kyra's feet dragged along as she carried the heavy metal bucket at her side. In her other hand she held a lantern, something she had never carried at night before. She was nearly to the stream when she saw him. A black figure stood leaning against a tree, another jumped out of the tree landing in a crouch. The bucket fell to the ground and rolled away on the dark ground. Kyra did not try to pick it up, she only kept her eyes fixed on the two hooded figures that were now staring at her and walking forward. A night so long ago played back in Kyra's mind. The cold hand at her throat, the emerald green cloak. These cloaks weren't emerald green, though, they were a deep blue, the color of the man who had tried to kill her that one night, now they were here again, only this time there were two of them, trained and ready, and there was only one of her and no figure dressed in emerald green to save her.

KioNish

Kyra lifted her head up, the wall towered over her, she moved her fingers along the rocks but could find no where to grab with her sweaty palms. She placed her forehead against the wall, the cold stone stung a bit at first, only after it felt refreshing.
"Now what would a young girl like you be doing here at a time like this?" A ruff voice came from behind her, she spun quickly around to face her leader, KioNish. Though the small, but noticeable wrinkles on his face showed that he was older, he still fought well like a warrior.
"Why should you care what I do, I'm just one girl." Kyra whispered, she did not care to show respect anymore.
"It is true, you are not a child anymore, and as much as I care about each person under my leadership I would still let one of them cross the wall, if that is what they wish, I would allow them to take their life into their own hands, but you are different." There was silence after KioNish spoke, not even the chirping of morning birds could be heard. Kyra did not move she only stared into the soft blue of eyes of the man who lived to lead and protect his people.
"Why am I different?" She whispered, mainly to herself. The old leaders ruff hand now rested firmly and protectively on her shoulder.
"By your crossing over the wall you not only take with you the fate of yourself, but the fate of all those whom I am accountable to protect, you must understand this is why you could not become a warrior, I could never allow you to cross this wall." Kyra nodded at his words, but remained frozen still, KioNish turned and walked away, though she knew he would be watching her still. Why would her leader, strong and great, try so hard to convince her she was special enough that she need not kill herself? No, he didn't care about her, he only wanted to protect his people. Maybe, Kyra thought If I were to cross the wall, I would be held hostage and he would have to send out warriors to fight when they should be training. Kyra satisified herself with this conclusion, she would think no more about it. She turned than to the bright, blinding light of the sun rising above the dark mountains. Kyra closed her eyes and felt the bathing warmth on her face. After a moment she opened them again, squinting into the light and there she saw the strip of green making its way down the wall. She may not climb it today, but that vine would always be there, an escape. Slowly now Kyra turned and started back toward home.

Hearts travel on

Kyra's run slowly became a walk as she began to fully realize what she was about to do. There were forces protecting the other side special beings hired from Lome where it's said they still have magic, why would she dare to cross it unless she wanted to die? Is that what she wanted, would she rather choose death than a life of servitude to some warrior husband whom she would not even be able to pick, to never have respect by anyone besides her own mother? Death didn't seem like such a bad option, but was Kyra brave enough to face it? She didn't know the answer to any of these questions only that her legs kept moving forward and she allowed them too. Fright filled her as she could see the rock wall in the distance, her heart beat madly in her chest and the wind, the wind was still as a rock, not even the slightest breeze blew, everysound her feet made echoed all through the valley around her and secretly she wished someone would hear and come to stop her. They wouldn't though, why should it matter if a young girl foolishly crossed the wall and never returned, it didn't matter to them and that just made it much less exciting, to know that they wouldn't even care. Kyra kept her hands firmly at her side, her hands balling into fist than quickly releasing again, the cold still air could have given her goosebumps but she was hot, with anger, fear and confusion. Unconscouisly she began to sing a song, one she always sang when she was alone it was not a song from her village and she did not know where she'd heard it, but she had heard it some where and it played on her mind and her lips now.
"Never to roam afar and wide,
Never to see the sun setting
Never to hear my mother call,
Never to know where I'm getting
Always to wander on my own,
always so far, always alone
Life means nothing, a break in the dawn
one star in the million up high
but hearts travel on, and I'll travel on!
Never to come home again..."
The song finished quickly and Kyra found herself at the foot of the great rock wall her hands pressing against the large, cold stone.

A dangerous challenge

A frightening wind blew in through the window rustling the covers of the bed Kyra should have been on, instead she lay curled up on the wooden floor, at first she lay there never wanting to move than she remembered the night before and fear came back to her quickly, she jumped up with a start immediatly feeling dizzy from jumping out of slumber so quickly. Outside was light but the sun was not up yet, she guessed there was probably about five minutes till sunrise, Kyra didn't even bother to change her clothes as she slipped her dark cloth brown boots on under her simple brown quarter sleeve dress, rushing out than into the still cold air, over at camp she could hear the noises of the morning, warriors in training would have to be up by sunrise everyday, oh how she wished she was there now. Kyra looked back at the small house with disgust, vowing to always do terrible at cooking and cleaning so terrible that her mother and other woman would give up on her. She hadn't gotten what she wanted and yet she wasn't about to give in to what they wanted of her, she was going to be her own person and at that moment she had decided it. Kyra would do something dangerous, she would prove her bravery to all of them, she would cross over the wall.

The spy

There was the sound of a knife being drawn, slowly out of a sheeth. Kyra's breath came out in hard, slow breaths, her heart beat quickened with each second his cold gloved hand remained on the back of her neck. Sweat beaded up on her forehead, the cool air of night helped a bit, but not much. She found her eyes slowly closing, bracing herself for the blow, then there was a loud humph! Kyra wondered if that was her that had made the noise, she felt no pain, it was rather peaceful for dying, then she found her eyes were still in her power and she opened them, turning slowly around, afraid of what she would see. A scream escaped her lips as she saw the dark figure huddled in a ball on the cold ground, blood dripping down his face, there was another figure there standing above him, he was tall, but slender, young, she could tell by the way his hair was cropped short, but he was strong still and he had saved her, was it because he only wanted to do the kill himself? Or could someone actually care that much, he reached his hand out slowly as if he wished to touch her, then he turned and ran off, as he ran Kyra caught a glimpse of emerald green, the color of his long cloak, it was the enemy's color. She stood frozen there in the cold air, shivering in the nights chill, she looked on the other stranger, the one dressed in the dark blue of Tren, the encampment on the far end of their lands, he was a spy, spies were not warriors, not meant to kill, this one had a motive, he would not have dared try to kill her unless he knew he had to, unless there was no one else to do the deed, unless he knew a secret, a secret about her so terrible that she deserved to die for it, though she knew not what it was, Kyra shuddered once more than ran quickly into the warmth of her house.

The night sky

The stale air inside the house smelled more musty than usual, her father and mother discussed adult affairs in the other room, Kyra sat on her bed staring at the floor, this would be the place she would be doomed to the rest of her life, doomed to smell only the musty stale air of the indoors and be trapped in the endless smoke from cooking fires. She supposed one day she could marry a warrior only to clean his shoes and cook his meals, never to be respected in the way she would be, if only they'd chosen her. Slowly she stood up, the wooden planks that made up the floor felt hard beneath her bare feet. She walked slowly, with that somber attitude that many have when so completely disappointed and depressed you feel as if life holds no purpose, as if you need not live any longer. Kyra halted at the small mirror set on the dusty desk in the corner, she moved over to it taking the brush up in her unwilling hand and running it painfully through her tangled hair. She grimaced at herself in the mirror, she finished by tying it back out of her face, a few pieces escaped, the downside to having shorter hair. Kyra brushed them back behind her ears, staring at reflection for a few moments before turning out the door. She slipped easily past her distracted parents as they discussed urgent matters, her father was no warrior, he was not honored, in fact the opposite, for when he was Kyra's age he disgraced the warriors by stealing their food, they were not rich never were, but they could survive in their small three room home. Outside the cool air brushed across her face filling her with life, she suddenly did not feel so depressed as long as she kept the terrible thoughts from entering in. Kyra relized to late she had forgotten shoes as she stepped onto the frozen ground, the cold shocked her for a moment yet she did not wish to go back for shoes, her feet would numb after a few minutes. A rustle in the bushes beside her caused Kyra to turn, but there was nothing there, nothing she could see int he moons dim light. Kyra stared at the stars through bewitched eyes, they were amazing how they twinkled and shined, she wished only to reach up and grasp one. Another rustle snapped her attention back towards the bushes, when she felt a cold gloved hand creeping along her neck.

The Ceremony

The ceromony began with the beating of drums and when they stopped the leader walked forward. His wrinkles not only shows signs of age but signs of wisdom, four young warriors lined up beside the leader, two on each side, four chances to become a warrior four of Kyra's last chance. The first name was called, it was Aaron the cutest boy in all the land at least in Kyra's view, he introduced himself proudly to his teacher and master then was led back into the leaders tent where he would be given a briefing after the ceremony. Fey's name was called, she had the most beautiful eyes Kyra had ever seen, and yet she would never see the world through them. Fey was blind yet fierce, she could see the world in a way no one else could, she could see her enemies in a way they could never see her, she would be a great warrior. Another name was called and it wasn't her, Kyra began to lose hope only one more name, that was all, only one more chance left. The leaders voice rang out, loud and clear deciding the fate of Kyra, deciding everything she cared about, all she ever wanted, a boy named Athro walked forward grinning mischievously as always. The wind played about her hair as she slowly backed away, tears welled up in her eyes as she turned and ran.

Fear

Children cried out as parents dragged them unwillingly into the cool chill of the large river running alongside the camp. Kyra had already bathed in the chill of the morning, it had been almost unbearable, but worth avoiding the bustles and cries of children that came with sunrise. The men left their weapons at home, the people would go without breakfast this morning. The elders were dressed in beautiful clothing which had taken years to weave and those Kyra's age gathered in groups speaking eagerly about what apprenticeship they hope to have, boys fought fake fights with sticks which at the end had been carved down to a point. And yet with all of the bustle Kyra's eyes stared only longingly at the tent situated at the far end of camp. Inside the warriors of six leaf falls would be discussing with the leader of who they would apprentice and he would either approve or reassign, that was were Kyra's fate lie, inside that tent where the voices were hushed and low, the only place Kyra longed to be. Their leader was the oldest of all the elders on both sides. Many say he should have died years ago, most of the warriors could not wait for his son to take over his place, they say he was too kind, he had made a truce when the enemy that as long as he lived, war would not strike. The people were ready for battle again, and Kyra was afraid that the old leader would not last another leaf fall, if she was taken on as apprentice now she would be a full fledged warrior in the midst of chaos. The old warriors knew this, that is why this time around they would choose very carefully. Kyra only wished that they never had to fight, but it was the way of their people, they say fear governs the land and the people must fight it with all their strength, fear kept the people going, fear kept the children hiding, fear is what makes your heart beat pounding against your chest, fear is what keeps you hiding in the shadows instead of facing your enemy head on and fear is what kept Kyra rooted in place, fear for the ceremony, fear for her fate.

Running at Sunrise

The rustling behind her grew louder, and finally Kyra gave in and began the slow decent. Landing softly on the frost bitten ground, tingling her feet beneath her cloth boots. Kyra pictured herself, the tight dirt colored dress, simple and roomy, long sleeved of course, yet the thinness of it did not keep the piercing cold from stinging. She could imagine her long brown hair, rarely combed, tossing about gently in the slow chill wind. Her eyes, a dark green staring at the flat valley before her, where in the distance the sun was slowing waking. It's lovely colors were indescribable by small and unseeing human eyes. Kyra let out a shiver from her dry lips, beginning with a walk she soon broke into a run, holding the majority of her dress in one hand, she flew, or so she thought. The ground passed beneath her, the earth was crying out her name as she ran. Wind rustling her hair, her face already so frozen with the cold did not seem to mind more chilling wind. She closed her eyes for just a moment before quickly opening them again. The few small trees Vinta had were behind her, now all that was left was valley stretching out until finally it hit the hills and the sun slowly rising behind it. Maybe out there by those hills there were more large trees like Zen's, only no one dared go to that place, the dangers were unthinkable. At last the smells of morning campfires, and smoke drifted out to her as she neared the edge of the camp. Kyra turned away from the camp and took one last deep breath of the beautiful morning air, then turned once more and walked into the morning bustle of her camp.

The signs of Leaf Fall

The earth glistened with a frosty glow, the skies gentle blue was fading slowly into gray, the sun prepared itself for a long winters sleep and the cool chill wind rushed by bringing the cold months in with it. Kyra saw the birds begin to wake behind the leaves, her breathing came out ragged as she tried not to break the morning silence with it's loud panting. Behind her the sounds at camp grew steadily louder as children excitedly rose from their beds, many like Kyra had closed their eyes but for a moment the night before, sleep had seemed much too difficult. Even the elder ones would be up early this morning, no one wanted to miss the annual ceremony held when leaf fall arrived. All the signs were there in the air, and in the earth. Children and adults alike knew well the coming of leaf fall, they were here and the ceremony must happen as tradition. Only today was not filled with the ordinary excitement for Kyra, there seemed to be a sort of foreboding feeling, she was scared not knowing whether or not they would except her into training. Each warrior of six leaf falls must take on an apprentice, they will consult the earth and stars on their decision, which will be announced at leaf fall. Kyra was getting too old to have a chance at apprenticeship, it was this ceremony or she would be stuck as a house wife, forever. Kyra had heard that on the opposing side she would have many more leaf falls to try, but here this was her last chance and nervousness had kept her from sleep. Kyra looked longingly at the tree covered valley ahead of her as she gripped the ruff bark of Vinta's highest tree, it grew right up against the wall, it was tall but not high compared Zen's great and giant trees, oh how Kyra wished to place her hand upon that redwood tree and hear it's song, but it was on enemy territory, Zen's territory.