[Flashback] Broken Skies (Solo)

[Darian]

-35th of Summer, 502 AV

Dawn met him that day, out in the yard just behind his parent's home. He was knee deep in the loose dirt he had spent most of the twilight breaking apart. His callused hands dug reverently into the soil, clutching handfuls, and tossing them far away. Even with the frantic throwing of the dirt every which way, he kept the presence of mind to avoid the right side of the hole where a bundled up white sheet glowed in the morning light. It was not a action fueled by rage but instead a most profound sadness deeper than anything he had ever known before. His dog had died the previous afternoon, the hows and whys of which still eluded him. He simply had found him outside of the front door that day, laying limp and unmoving, sprawled in the dirt.

It had been a heartbreaking find, to see the stray he had adopted a year ago dead all so suddenly. Not even his beloved Sophia could ease the pin that festered inside of him, but still he wished for her presence on that dark morning. She always had ways to balance out the pain, the sight of her smile could make him forget about the entire world if but for just a moment, but not on this morning where he would hold the funeral for Ri, the beloved mutt that had grown so close to his heart. It would be a service that only he attended for nobody had loved him as much as he did.

With one last scoop of earth tossed out, he climbed out of the earthen tomb. Dust caked him from head to toe, but if it bothered him he didn't show it as he walked over to the lump of white cotton fabric, and sank to his knees. " What happened boy " he whispered softly, glittering tears forming in the corners of his eyes, building weight till they where ready to fall. Drops of sorrow patterned themselves against the fabric of the white cotton as the tears left his eyes, and overhead the dawns brilliance seemed a bit dimmer. He clenched his fist tightly as he pounded the top of his thigh in anger, and buried his face in the side of the body of his dog, his body racked with sobs for several chimes. It wasn't right, his dog had been perfectly fine the day before and now he wasn't. It just didn't make any sense at all. Why Ri? He never hurt anyone. The thoughts broke over his mind like a flood, causing more tears to rush from him as he wrapped his arms around the cold fabric, and cradled Ri close. What am I going to tell my family? What am I going to tell Sophia? That I didn't watch him well enough, that it was my fault Ri was dead? He cried harder, all the pain, guilt, and anger rushing out from him in a single moment as he struggled for a grip on the corpse of his dog. It just wasn't right..

[Darian]

Dirt fell over the white cotton fabric, softly pattering against the sheet and making soft shifting noises as the tiny rocks slid across it finding their homes in tiny crevices. Grit clung across the sheet, more of it stacking up as he poured another handful down into the hole, continuing on his slow process of fill in in the grave of his dog. It was a pain unlike any other, filling the grave of a friend most beloved, but it was the least he could do. Grabbing up another scoop of dirt, he spilled the dust into the grave somberly, maintaining his mechanical movements until he had completely replaced all the dirt into the hole, the grave of his Ri one step closer to being finished.

The headstone, a selection of three long pieces of driftwood he found by the Seaside Market, had yet to be marked upon, and the rough wood remained unblemished. With reverence he pulled the shorter piece into his lap and picked up the metal chisel hovering it just above the rough wood. Picking up a mallet, he tapped rhythmically the but of the chisel, watching on sadly as he chipped two letters as large as he could manage horizontally across the driftwood. Just underneath it he managed a series of smaller taps to shape the numbers carefully and neat, finally backing off after a few chimes. His hand wound itself around a bundle of twine he had brought out here for the occasion, and grabbing up the longer slants of wood and setting them into a rough triangle before placing the smaller piece horizontal and tying it together as best as he could. Thick, callused fingers struggled to play with the coarse twine, gripping a section between his thumb and forefinger as he twisted the other end simply around it, and through a loop he found, pulling it taut like he had seen some of the fisher men do with their catches after they had cleaned them.

Carefully he buried the ends of the long pieces of driftwood into the soft ground just above the grave, making sure not to trot over the loose soil now packed high over his dog, and instead stepping around it to secure the wood more firmly into the ground. The ends buried deep into the soil, leaving the horizontal section at its center barely two feet above the ground. It read simply:

Ri

501 AV - 502 AV

Tears sprinkled the earth, and how the rain did pour down in that moment, mixing salty pain with bitter water, dampening the soil with regret and renewal, pain and hope, heartbreak and love. For so ever was a pain such as loss that rain couldn't wash away, so too would the skies split open in the despair of futility furthering the dreary mood of that somber morning. Oh those rainy days.

[Darian]

Midday light gleamed off of the slick sweat that covered his exposed chest, highlighting every ripple of his muscles as he worked his longsword back and forth. His solid stomach rolled as he lunged forward, the tip of the wooden longsword he held so tightly him his hands bouncing off the rough hewn stone of his home with a sharp click. Twisting to the side he spun immediately after the contact, whirling around to slash wide at some invisible opponent on his left. Nothing but the snap of air greeted him in response, but letting out a gasp, he was quick to turn to his left and holding the wooden weapon at a angle, blocked the ghost thrust from yet anotherr opponent he held in his mind, and was quick to slide his longsword him diagonally before bringing it down suddenly, cackling in glee as his disarmed the would be killer and promptly kicked out hard in the air before bringing the wooden blade down in a vicious overhand chop.

For a moment he simply stared at the spot where his imaginary opponent had met his end, and then on impulse he dropped onto the ground on his back, staring up and the now clear blue sky with not a thought in his head. His chest heaved up and down with effort, his lungs working hard to catch his breath, and restore in part the energy he had expended during the fake duel. Sweat poured from his brow to sting his eyes, and brining a hand up to his eyes, he rubbed the brief uncomfortableness away. Whether it was fighting Sophia, or fighting alone, it always left him feeling satisfied and reflective. At the moment though, introspection was not what he desired so he contented himself to feed off of the contented feeling that had replaced heart pounding heady feeling the battle had rose in him. Closing his eyes, Darian concentrated on the darkness in the back of his eyelids, and the noises around him which in doing allowed him to hear the gentle creak of the back door to his home, accompanied by the soft crunch of dirt as someone eager to be stealthy tried there luck on sneaking up on him. When the assailant was close enough that he could hear heavy breathing just beside him his eyes shot open, and not very much to his own surpass, it was Sophia that had so decided to steal upon him.

He opened his mouth to speak but before he could the girl, now fast becoming a woman had dropped to her knees and planted a kiss upon his lips, quieting any words he might have wanted to say. His arms wrapped around her reflexively, and pulling her closer to him, his smiled ever so slightly against her lips. " I trust your showing went well?" Darian asked when they finally disengaged from their passionate moment, sitting up slowly as the words left his lips so he wouldn't get immediately dizzy from the sudden movement.

"The old man might have gutted any chances of me making a decent profit, but I broke even none the less."

Her face, so serene and peaceful with that hint of playfulness in the background so teased him to embrace her in a kiss once more, but he restrained himself, focusing on a bird that fluttered near by instead. If his parent's hadn't told her than he was the one who should. It was only right. "Ri is dead" he spoke plainly, though the words came out almost slurred emotionally charged as they were. Through the sweat and grime that matted his face, a few tears dared to trickle there way down, cutting little paths through the dust that had accumulated on his skin. Wordlessly, Sophia embraced him.

[Darian]

The moment was not to last, and once it had worn on long enough, Darian gently pushed her away, disentangling himself from grasp as he crawled back across the dusty ground, and onto his feet. "Let none of the weight fall on your shoulders, it wasn't anyone's fault" Darian spoke, his voice gaining strength with every word as his eyes stared out her through the stinging pain of the hot tears that budded there. His body shook uncontrollably as he took several short breaths, and tried to still his quivering muscles. Sophia, a lone tear trickling down her cheek, sat there silently staring at the ground. There where no words that he could say to make things better, nothing to change the fact that their animal companion was dead, and forever gone from this world. He wanted more than anything to just rest in her embrace for long as time continued to stretch on, but he couldn't do that to her, couldn't simply mask the pain when what it truly needed was acceptance of it. Only then could it eventually whether away, only then would there be peace restored in their fragile lives.

Sophia stood then, dusting away the dirt that tried it's best to cling to the simple white dress she wore. Stooping down, Darian wrapped his fingers around the wooden longsword he had released during their embrace, and his jaw set firmly, he turned his back to her, his lip only then quivering. He couldn't bear to see the pain that so filled her eyes, and silently he vowed to never let such pain touch her again if he could so help it, any who dared harmed her would pay dearly for their error, that he would make sure of. Glancing down at his hand he could see that his knuckles had gone white from his fierce grip on the sword, and that he was visibly shaking all over. Again the slender, soft arms of Sophia wrapped themselves around him from behind, and resolve crumbling away Darian turned into her, openly sobbing into her shoulder, yet this time he did not care. Silent till then, she held him tightly, and together they wept.

[Darian]

Resting his forehead against hers, his eyes flickered open at last, staring forward just under his brow to meet her eyes. Slowly his left hand drifted slowly up to coil into hers, his thin fingers lacing through hers and pulling back he sighed. It was to painful to dwell on that what had happened, and keeping near there house would not help them find solace from the pain festering within. There where only one choice that offered them a reprieve, entering the city of Sunberth. The wild lands where much to dangerous for two still growing people to go out and risk their necks, and it would be at least quite a bit less dangerous to explore the city like they usually did when not burdened with work in the fields. Mustering up his resolve, he managed a faint smile that stretched across his lips, and immediately turned around and started pulling her along, keeping the longsword close at his side for indeed it would be a wise thing to carry on the streets of Sunberth even if it where only made of wood.

"Where are we going?" Sophia asked, her voice breathy and high as she tried to keep pace with Darian who was practically running across the flat, muddy field. The boy of sixteen summers didn't answer her yet though, his eyes focused on the looming city ahead of them, and his mind focused on the exploration ahead of them. Darian rarely got the chance to really see the city of Sunberth as Sophia had as his parents were simple artisans scrapping by with their work at Cutters and Carvers, and occasionally able to visit in the city when they had sold a piece of artwork or two. It was a simple life, and one of contentment but still Darian relished any chance he could have at a change of scenery and was quick to seize the opportunities when they came.

Their feet pattered on the cobble stones, each slapping step making enough noise to draw nearly every eye to the running couple, but Darian didn't care. With his wooden sword in one hand, and Sophia's hand in the other, he felt as though no one could touch them, and indeed why would they when it seemed gods had dealt him enough pain and heartache for one day. Still he looked to the sky in a mute prayer for safety, but he couldn't even begin to think of how things could get much worse besides the very unlikely chance they would be robbed. After all who would try to rob two youths dressed in cheap clothing as they were, and with not a miza between them. If they tried, Darian would make sure they learned their lesson as they limped back with splinters in their hide. Those worries where far from his mind though, and as they turned one corner, a huge press of people greeted them. It was the castle commons, and in early evening it was every bit as busy as he had seen it before. Men shouted out deals, while others argued over prices, more than one farmer distraught over having got so short changed from a deal. Sophia's hand squeezed his and nodding, Darian made for the alleyway just right beside a stall a baker had set up to sell his wares.

As soon as they where within the comforting walls of darkness inside, Sophia pushed him up against the wall, holding his arms tight against the stone as she forced his eyes to stare back into hers. "Its not going to help" She growled her voice taking a edge of steel too it as her eyes blazed into his own. Darian didn't shrink back from it and even managed a smile, pushing her back and against the opposite wall his eyes glimmering with equal intensity. "No,, but it'll feel our bellies" he said before turning off and scrambling down the alley way, Sophia stumbling after him in a effort to keep up. His belly growled in protest for missing both breakfast and lunch, but he pushed back the feeling of gnawing hunger for the moment it took him to make his way through Sunberth stepping from the shelter of a building and then making his way through the maze of shops to get at the large cathedral marking the very center of the Castle Commons. It was a place he knew not the name of, but he hand Sophia had visited it more than once, and delighted themselves to a nice meal in the shade of it's imposing stone.

Before they could enjoy its shade there was something to do, well actually to acquire. The young man pushed his way through the crowd, keeping his eyes constantly forward at the stall selling fresh fruit, and vegetables. Sophia knew what to do, and he could only hope she wouldn't be to set to make him face the reality to dodge a attempt at a meal. It was something they often did, as it was the way of things in Sunberth, no one didn't have their hands dirty, no one, and if they said they didn't they where liars. Angling his shoulder he purposely bumped someone hard, and frowned slightly as they fell forward into a corner of the stall, the wooden edge no doubt hurting him quite a bit, but not too bad Darian hoped. Looking across from him, he could see Sophia angling into position, slowly walking up behind the distracted shopkeeper and angling her hand to get at the pouch of miza's hanging by his hip. Before she could reach them though the man turned around, very surprised to see the girl had gotten so close to them, and though Darian couldn't hear them, he guessed he was asking her what she wanted. It didn't really matter though as long as they weren't caught obviously stealing, and that made it alright to do what they needed to do.

He was right beside the stand now, and knocking on the hard wood, the merchant cast a glance at him briefly before waving Sophia off and turning his attention to Darian. "Have any apples today sir?" He said, watching the merchant intently while out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sophia sneaking back in, this time angling to get at the food underneath the stall. Even as she did that, his hand slipped underneath a crack in the wood, his fingers wrapping around the loose board and shimming it as quietly as he could. The construct had likely been made by the man himself in order to save him a few mizas and that was something he could work with well, even as the man turned around to view Sophia sitting there on the ground, a curious look on her face. "What now? The man groused. Behind him, Darian had finally managed to pry open the slat just enough to slip his hand in and wrap his fingers around an orange, greedily pulling it from within and stuffing it in his pocket before reaching for a few more, the man turning back around right as he retrieved his third orange. Sophia, noticing Darian's apparent smirk, turned away to head to their spot, and awkwardly shrugging at the merchant, Darian put a orange in the mans hand, and took the apple, quickly turning away and disappearing into the crowd, running as fast as he could. There was no shout for justice, or anything of the like that Darian might have expected, there was only the pulse of the crowd, a buzzing that finally relented as he came into the large shadow of the unknown cathedral.

Falling down into a heap besides her, Darian dumped their spoils on the ground and leaned his back against the exquisite stonework, staring forward into the market stalls that abounded for a long while. Beside him Sophia worked on a orange, her fingers quietly dismantling the orange slices and placing them on a thin cloth between them, before starting to do the same on another orange. "What do you think this building is?"

[Darian]

Even as they gorged themselves on fruit alone in the shadows of the ancient building, Darian could feel eyes upon him but he couldn't quite place the notion. It was as if a the area itself was radiating a cold, menacing presence, one that deepened the shadows around them, and gave the wind a bite. Darian was quick to rub his arms briskly in response but it did nothing to soothe the feeling emanating from all around them. Good Sophia showed no signs of it tainting her mind, though from his angle, the shadows made her features seem sharp, and turned the soft look about her almost imposing. Footsteps to heard coming from the side drew his eyes, and turning he could see three figures making their way towards them, there desires plain to read on the cruel smirks they wore.

Darian's hand found the hilt of his wooden longsword easily enough, though he leaned against the wall and held it against the leg to keep it from the thugs eyes. They appeared to be unarmed, but their brutish size gave him pause, and made his heart quicken in his chest. The men charged him, the need for caution flown as soon as they where spotted. Choking up on the hilt of his longsword, his slashed the wooden instrument upwards, the hard wooden tip snagging the lead man under the chin, and snapping the thugs head up violently. Bringing the practice sword quickly to guard, he squared up with the man on the right, even as Sophia met the one on the left. They carried no bared blades which he suspected was a blessing, but their size, and strength gave him no small amount of due caution as he starting backing up from the heavy punches the man was throwing at him. Bringing his sword in line and slashing it across, he met the man's hand as he overextended himself with a heavy punch, and as his sword shook violently from the blow, the man fell to the ground clutching his cracked hand, blood streaming to mix with the soil below.

With two thugs down, his eyes quickly darted over to his beloved, and found her pinned on the ground by the man, his fist raised to pummel her. Throwing his body weight forward, he cleared the ground between them and hit the man straight on, toppling over into the dust along with the thug. Lady luck must have been with him because he still had his longsword, and bringing it to bear, he held both ends of it, and thrusted forward, striking the man in the throat with the length, and knocking him sprawled on the ground. The first man he'd taken down already started to get up by then, and slashing across, he rapped the man against the temple and sent him on his way into unconsciousness.

Groans filled the air, a sign of trouble to come, but nodding at Sophia he darted off, back towards home where he and she both could find safety and a warm meal.

[Darian]

In the gloom of his home he awoke with a start, his eyes instantly locking on Sophia whose pale skin was gilded with crimson streaks. In her hand was clutched a dagger, dripping with some unknown viscous liquid whose color he had a harder time distinguishing in the gloom.

"Whats wrong?" Came his croaking reply as he sat up and got out of bed, moving toward her. As soon as his feet found the ground though, pain flared up his legs, and he slid on the slick patch quickly forming underneath him. She'd hamstrung him if the blood behind his knee was any indication, though Darian could scarcely puzzle out why.

"What have you done Sophia?"

There was no reply, only silence as she waked in front of him before stooping down and planting a kiss on his forehead. Quickly she stood up then, and he lunged for her, only to fall flat on his belly as pain flared up from his legs. She walked faster than he could crawl, and out of the front door she disappeared, leaving him to his soundless cries. Stubbornly he crawled forward, determined to catch up to her, or at least wake his parents to help him.

"Ma? Pa?" He crossed the threshold, and dread welled up within him as their pale forms greeted him with lifeless gazes. Outside the open front door freezing rain poured, a cold gust of wind coming inside to brush across his hot, tear streaked cheeks. A shadowed form stepped in with heavy footsteps that resonated within him, extending a soaked glove towards his prone figure.

"Come dear nephew, let me see you away from this place" Even then he could tell the man's voice for what it was. Sickeningly smooth.