"First Steps" II
Year 2350
[Nn'Verih, Ch'Rihan]
Eisn burned brightly in the Rihan sky. In a large field adjacent to a massive estate two children were practicing sword play. Kneeling slightly away from the pair was an elderly Rihannsu, he wore a large head covering to protect himself from the bright sun, and casually dug into the earth with a hand held plough. Glancing up for a moment he grunted "this is training time Shiarrael. Are you just going to stand there?"
Standing erect with a wooden blade Shiarrael glared at her opponent "this is boring!" She swung the annoying thing haphazardly at a pile of flowers knocking several petals astray. A gust of wind grabbed the loose petals and pulled them down the small hill into her opponent who grimaced. She laughed "sorry."
"Enough." Itsak scowled at his young cousin "if you want to play games Shiarrael, fine." He lifted his blade and charged her. The elderly Rihannsu stood up but said nothing. Stunned by the sudden movement Shiarrael squealed and jumped away from the falling sword. However, Itsak didn't let up; he was intent on punishing his cousin today. He continued his onslaught swinging at the girl. She did a decent job dodging the hits but her footing was awkward and she slipped and rolled down the hill. Jumping down the hill Itsak lifted his wooden sword and bopped Shiarrael on the head with it.
"Owww! That hurt Itsak!" Shiarrael stood up rubbing her head.
"Maybe you'll take training more seriously next time." He sneered at her and bopped her on the head again.
"Oww! Lhiu Itsak! Hwi wort!" Shiarrael shouted and then kicked Itsak in knee. Her older cousin grabbed his knee and fell over. While he writhed on the ground she kicked him again in a more sensitive spot causing him to groan in pain. She started chuckling at her mastery but quickly stopped when a hand reached over and popped her on the rear. When she turned around she found her grandfather glaring at her.
"Where did you learn to speak that way?" He kneeled down and dug his hand into the soil "you should not speak of your family that way. Understand?" Shiarrael nodded as her grandfather held up a handful of soil "if you want a dirty mouth then you can one. Open." At first she resisted but knowing that it was futile she finally opened her mouth. Her grandfather smeared the dirt into it. "There, now apologize to Itsak." He stood up.
Shiarrael spit out the dirt and waddled over to her cousin who was still lying on the ground. "Usae Itsak." She bowed her head.
Itsak stood up, dusted himself off, and then smiled "it's okay Shiarrael but you should take this training a bit more seriously" He looked at her grandfather and bowed his head.
"Itsak take Shiarrael to wash out her mouth." The elderly Rihannsu grunted and returned to what he was doing.
Grabbing Shiarrael's hand Itsak pulled her towards the estate "why do you always refuse to listen?" He looked at her, tears were now staining her cheeks and her mouth was covered in dirt. He chuckled "you look quite pathetic."
"Shut up!" She grimaced and tried to wipe away some of the dirt with her free hand.
They made their way to one of the fountains. When they reached it Shiarrael pulled away from Itsak's grip and splashed her face with water until all the dirt was gone and she began rinsing out her mouth. As she rinsed the dirt away she heard shouting coming from the estate.
"What do you mean you have sponsored him to attend the war college?!"
"Do not raise your voice to me- you left the child under my care. If I sponsor him it is my choice."
"Without consulting me?!"
"There was no reason to do so."
"How dare you! That child is my daughter's son- he is a mere bastard! The shame he brings is only fitting for the Gai'Shian, I will not allow this!"
Shiarrael recognized the voices. One was her mother and the other was her father's father, Jamor tr'Sahen, Itsak's grandfather. She looked at her cousin who was silent and staring at the ground. At his sides his hands were balled into fists as the shouting continued. Grabbing his hand she literally pulled him towards the estate.
"Stop Shiarrael." Itsak said pulling her hand off his.
"You're just going to let him say that about you?!" Shiarrael pressed her knuckles against her hips "go tell him to eat manure!"
"No, he's right. I'm a bastard and I do not deserve to be part of the Galae." He sighed and started to wander off. However, Shiarrael simply grabbed his hand again and pulled him into the great hallway. As they both made their way to the antechamber the shouting grew louder. However, when they reached the massive arching entrance they found an imposing figure standing in their way. Shiarrael's grandfather looked at the pair and then walked into the antechamber.
"What is the meaning of this?" Her grandfather said bringing the commotion to a standstill. He slowly removed the head cover revealing his sun worn skin and ivory hair. He was a tall and imposing figure; hard lines carved their way through his face- old scars from many battles. A former Galae En'Riov he preferred the life of a Galae officer over that of the Rei'Krannsu but never allowed the latter to hold that fact against him.
"Forgive us father." Shiarrael's mom said standing up "we seem to be having a disagreement."
Jamor shot him a sour look "how dare your daughter sponsor Istak for the war college without my consent Verol!"
"You abandoned him here- what gives you the belief that your opinion holds weight in this matter Jamor?" Jamor began protesting vehemently but her grandfather continued over the protests "you put that child in our house because you are too ashamed of him. So be it- you have not acknowledged him since, why do so now? You are honorable Jamor but you wear your honor with disgrace. You have not earned the right to be rude in this house. Itsak will join the Galae- now leave. It is none of your concern."
Jamor, stunned by the words, walked out of the room in a stupor failing to notice Shiarrael or Itsak who were gawking at the entire scene from the edge of the archway. Her grandfather called them both in "Shiarrael, Itsak, come here." They both entered the room.
Shiarrael's mother grinned "how long have you two been watching?"
"Grandfather! You put him in his place!" Shiarrael cheered but the old man scowled.
"I simply spoke truth. Itsak if you wish to join the Galae I will be your sponsor- is it is your wish child? Do not mind the words of your grandfather, he is an old fool too concerned with his own pride. One day he will see you as a grandson."
Itsak wasn't sure about the last part, but he was sure about one thing "yes, I want to join the Galae."
[End]
