Subject: [FFML] [Orig.][Fantasy] Megami Blade, Chapter 1
From: Ewen Cluney
Date: 1/5/2000, 3:23 PM
To: ffml@fanfic.com

Megami BladeChapter 1: HomecomingBy Ewen "Blackbird" Cluney     Keiya had never imagined she'd find herself back here, back in Rhoden. The town where she was born -- in another life, it seemed -- was bigger than she remembered, despite the fact that she was nearly six inches taller than when she last set foot in the town square. More buildings, more people, more everything; Rhoden would be a city soon.     Leaving home had been hard, but at the time it had been necessary. She told herself that every time she thought about it. Nine years. Had it really been that long?  Keiya had left in the dead of night, with the imminient arrival of High Magus Zorn hanging over her head, the man who was to take her to the Magic Guild to become a Magus. There were many good things about this country, but the treatment of women wasn't one of them. Unlike the goddess-worshippers of Avalis, women wore skirts and aspired to be wives. Maybe there was something to be said for that, but a young Keiya craved excitement and adventure, and even women who became Magi were made to be scholars and healers, forbidden the arts of battle.     But not the Mage Knights of the Silver Tower. All women, each armed with a sword and trained in its use. That was what she'd wanted to be, a bold heroine, slaying monsters and rescuing the prince, whether he wanted it or not. But as is the way of things, it didn't exactly work out like that. After six years of difficult training, the novice Mage Knight named Keiya ended up being a mercenary, fighting  not for any real cause other than to keep herself fed.     And sometimes it was lonely, and hard. Fighting alone wasn't entirely sensible either. Being a Mage Knight, able to use a sword and spells both, went a long way, but only so far. Which was why she agreed to join a mercenary group. But why did they have to have their first meeting here of all places?     "Hey, girlie!"     Why here? Keiya slowly turned around to face what looked to be a member of the Watch, a skinny, lanky fellow in chainmail, wielding a pike. His companion was short and pudgy, with the kind of grin that doubtless ensured he got into many brawls.     "Not often you see one of those, eh?" slurred the short one. "What's a girl know about using a sword?" He added, his leering tone making it clear what kind of sword he was talking about.     Keiya was sorely tempted to punch him, but held her temper. Hitting a member of the Watch would get her in jail or status as a fugitive. Hells, if she tried too hard she'd talk her way there. She folded her arms, and let out a sigh. "Do you have something to say to me?"     The tall one shrugged. "Just wondering why you forgot your skirt."     That was why she hated this country. "Since you're blind, let me explain;" She pointed to the hilt of her sword, engraved with the serpent-and-goddess sigil of the Silver Tower. "I'm a Mage Knight, trained in the Silver Tower in Avalis. I'd be very interested to know just how many Neural Stalkers or even Orcs you've defeated."     The tall one went quiet. The short one did about the opposite. "Listen, miss Mage Knight, we don't want anyone causing any trouble around here, so be off before I call the Knights in to deal with you!"     Keiya shrugged, and continued walking to the tune of more stares. "Believe me, I want out of here too."     The inn where they were to meet, the Three Rings, was apparently built after she'd left the town so long ago. The door parted to reveal a small crowd of mostly men, merchants and the occasional farmer from outside town, drinking, talking, and gambling. A fair-haired young man was playing the harp and singing a rather bawdy song, and seemingly not enjoying it. Many, in fact most of them, took notice of her, a woman with short, black hair, wearing a tunic and breeches, and with a sword strapped to her back. The serving maids looked on in awe, and the innkeeper strode over to her.     "Er, what can I do for you, miss..."     "I'm here to meet with someone. A man named... Zyran." It was an odd name to be sure, probably from Ordrein or Niraton.     He nodded towards a corner of the room. "They've been expecting you."     It turned out to be a threesome. The one woman among them was a young Magus, with her long bluish hair tied into a number of braids. She was dressed as her title demanded, in a green skirt and blouse, with a blue cloak. The men had more of the look of mercenaries about them. The one who introduced himself as Zyran was handsome enough, and had a look of innocence about him. Straightening his gray tunic, then running a hand through short, unkempt hair, he introduced first the Magus, Myrna, and then the exiled knight, Sorinel, a slightly older man who was dressed in very well-maintained clothing, of colors that were most likely the banner-colors of his noble blood. Or some such. Red, gray, and white. Myrna looked apprehensive, Sorinel outright disapproving.     Zyran at least seemed ready to welcome her. "Well, why don't you have a seat?" he said, motioning to the chair beside his, which put her across from Sorinel's scowl. "Not many Mage Knights in these parts."     She'd already been made quite aware of that. "I know. So, why don't you tell me a bit about this group of  yours."     Zyran ended up doing most of the talking. Sorinel was busy glaring, and Myrna was alternately watching Keiya and Sorinel, and seemed concerned.     It began when Sorinel hired Myrna as a healer mage to assist in a quest he'd undertaken. For reasons none of the trio was willing to talk about, Sorinel had been exiled after returning home, but convinced Myrna to continue on with him as he became a mercenary, taking a share of the profits. Zyran had been left for dead in the war between his homeland of Niraton and neighboring Kalteron, only to be discovered by Sorinel and healed by Myrna, after which he joined them, having been erased from the records of the army in which he'd served.     "Which brings us to you." said Sorinel. "We need a magic user who can use a good number of offensive spells." From his tone of voice, he'd rather have had a male Magus.     Keiya nodded. "I meet your requirements, then." she said flatly. "Now the question is, do you meet mine?"     "What is that supposed to mean?"     She smiled, drumming her fingers on the tabletop. "Let's step outside."     Keiya stood opposite Sorinel, each with their sword drawn. The knight's sword was a longsword like hers, but with a dragon engraved into the handle and a polished ruby set into the pommel. Zyran and Myrna, and a considerable crowd of onlookers watched the pair circle one another. The winner would be the first to draw blood, and both were tensed like springs, ready to fly into action. No magic, of course; Keiya announced it even before Sorinel could demand it.     "What is the point of this?" he muttered. His knuckles were turning white from how hard they gripped the sword.     She breathed, in, out, in, out, moving in the Dance of Blades. "I won't work with a bunch of weaklings. A team is made of equals, isn't it?"     Swords flashed and whirled, shimmering steel meeting with steel again and again. Sorinel was good, and the rage that made him tremble all the while somehow failed to affect his judgement and skill. And so it went, a sleek, cunning mountain cat facing a viciously stalking wolf. The gathered crowd around them whooped and cheered with each swing of a blade, while Zyran and Myrna watched, he in awe, she in fear.     Time was lost in the Dance, and before she knew it Sorinel had sheathed his sword, sullenly displaying a gash across his right forearm. Myrna rushed to cast a healing spell, but Sorinel waved her away.     "Are you sure? she asked, wide-eyed.     He nodded, and glared at Keiya. "Satisfied?"     Keiya nodded. "You're good." she replied simply. "I'll join, if you'll have me."     Zyran ran a hand through his hair. "But... you beat him."     "Barely. The point is to know if he can fight, and convince him I can do the same. It's different from soldiering."     Her ears picked up something along the lines that a lady shouldn't be here, and she turned around. A woman in a simple but well-cut dress pushed her way to the front of the crowd, a small boy desperately clinging to her hand. Soft blue eyes regarded her with wonder. "Can... can it really be you?"     There was something familiar about the woman, but Keiya couldn't place it. "What do you mean by that?"     She stepped closer, pulling the boy along. Long, braided black hair flowed down her back. "Could you be Keiya? Keiya Luthia?"     Myrna looked at Keiya, then the newcomer, and back again. "Do you know her, Keiya?"     "Keiya? My sister?"     "Moira?" Years of training and battle melted away, bringing back memories of the girl who'd run away from home so long ago, who'd cried for her abandoned parents and older sister every night for the first month, who'd started back home a dozen times.     She nodded slowly, stepping closer, tears welling up in her eyes. "I--I don't believe it. Is that really you? A Mage Knight?"     Keiya nodded, taking one of Moira's hands in hers. No tears. It was as though somewhere along the line she'd forgotten how to cry. "I had to find my own way in the world, Moira. Please, forgive me."     Her sister looked at her for a long time, gathering courage. "I know. You always did things your own way, wouldn't let anyone stop you. We just missed you so much, wondering every day if you were alright on your own, never knowing."     "I know it was hard on all of us..." Everyone was watching, damn them. "Let's go somewhere more private."     That turned out to be the home of Moira and her husband Lensy, a scribe and printer who did some private tutoring on the side. That was what had become of the boy who loved books so much in a world so full of ignorance. When Moira managed to dry her eyes, she unleashed a deluge of questions. Keiya found herself explaining about her journey to Avalis, the entrance test at the Silver Tower, the difficult years of training, and the years spent as a mercenary.     Then Moira asked, "So, when are you going to visit Mother and Father?"     Her parents, whom she'd hurt so much not because she didn't like them, but because what she wanted she could only find elsewhere. She could face a Shock Lion or Emerald Killer without blinking, but could she bring herself to confront them? After so long? When would another chance come along?     Moira took hold of Keiya's hands. "Please, Keiya. We were never mad at you. We've been so worried all these years; they'll be so proud to know that you've followed your dream and succeeded, so happy to see you. You know, we've gone to the shrine and prayed for you to be safe every week."     After a long silence, she replied, "I'll have to think about it. It's hard for me... I..."     "I've never been able to change your mind, but this once, please let me. Don't pass up this opportunity, because some day it'll be too late, and you'll have to hope you can find them in the Next Life." Moira held Keiya's hands close to her heart, and whispered, "You taught me to be brave, to do what was right, to follow my heart."     When Keiya finally managed to leave, the three mercenaries were waiting for her.     "So, is there anything else you need to do before we leave?" asked Zyran.     Keiya shook her head. Myrna frowned, and wove a spell.     Keiya glared sullenly at Myrna as the wagon shook with each and every bump in the road. Zyran and Sorrinel were in the front, talking and guiding the horses. She would've never imagined the little mage-girl pulling something like that, putting Keiya under with a sleep spell and waking her up before her parents. It had been a teary-eyed reunion, almost exactly as Moira had said it would be. Keiya held the pentant Mother had given her in one hand, with its ivory carving of the Goddess Ketaila. A family heirloom which she now realized was magical.     "I hope you're not mad at me." said Myrna hopefully.     She shook her head. "No. Not at you. You did what was right when I was too stubborn to."     Myrna smiled just a little. "Can I ask you something?"     "Go on."     "Why did you want to become a Mage Knight?"     Sigh. "You first. Why did you become a Magus, forbidden to fight save in defense of yourself or others?"     Tracing meaningless designs on the rumbling floor, Myrna said, "I hadn't planned it; all I wanted to do was be a wife like my mother, but as I started training at the Guild, I realized how much I could help others with my magic and knowledge. That's why I specialize in healing."     "Well, I guess my reasons were a little more selfish. I wanted to go on adventures, to fight monsters and become a legend. I ran away to Avalis the night before the High Magus came for me. I still learned the basics of healing -- something an adventurer can't be without."     "That's very true." Myrna yawned, politely covering her mouth, a picture of a proper lady. "Perhaps we should get to sleep?"     Keiya nodded. Six hours in Rhoden had seemed like a week, and fatigued her nearly as much.------------------------------------------------------------------Ewen "Blackbird" Cluney                         blk_bird@yahoo.comBlackbird's Domain            http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/6127/Knight Kevlar of the Immortal Frog        Silver Knight of Mihoshi              "Be nice to me; I might just develop              psychokinetic powers and destroy Tokyo!"------------------------------------------------------------------

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