Disclaimer: Don't own any of the healing items/ summons/ jobs, those are Squaresofts. This is non-profit fun.
AN: Hey all! It feels like I haven't updated in forever. School does that to you I guess. Well here it is, enjoy! Don't forget to review, I like to know if it's being read and how I can improve it. Also go ahead and ask questions if you have them, I enjoy answering them. *winks * Now read!
One hundred ninety eight, one hundred ninety nine, two hundred. Ashen laid on the floor after his final sit up, wiping the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand. The light of the early morning sun drifted into the room from the window despite the curtains meant to keep it out. He didn't sleep at all after Aleura left, a fact which gnawed at him with a question. Why? An answer for which, he could not find. He exhaled in frustration a sign he needed fresh air. Time to go outside, he forced himself off the ground.
The air outside was crisp, cooling off his watery brow. Leaning his elbows on the balcony, he looked over the landscape. Still vibrant green even in the orange hue of the morning sun. The calming sounds of trickling water from the creek that ran through the monastery was over lapped by the sharp 'kah' of an alien crow.
Something new drowned out the rest of the sounds of the morning; scuffling of many feet. His eyes glanced down catching streams of monks and priestesses scurrying down the halls, their normally cheery faces cast in worry.
"Ashen!!" A familiar voice called from the distance. Ashen looked down the hall to his right, there was Kazu and Sesshin were running towards him. Out of breath by the time they had reached him.
"Mr…Ashen…" Sesshin huffed out, he gulped hard, "The… High Priestess says… you are to stay by us at all times when we reach the front…"
"What's going on?" Ashen asked eyeing the flood of people below.
Kazu looked uncomfortable, his eyes quickly passing to Sesshin then back to Ashen, "There…are some people here."
~***~
He stared out at the congregation on their knees, their cream and red uniformity made the white-haired youth all the more easy to spot. Tenth pulled himself to his full height as he folded his arms in his trademark fashion, he made sure the youth could see the amused smile on his face when they locked eyes. As if to say 'I'm impressed to see you lived, you know what happens now, don't you?'
The sound of metallic clacks alerted him to the forty some odd grunts behind him clicking off the safeties to their guns. He leaned over to the MAGE at his right, whispering, "Tell them to keep their guns down. I want to avoid all unnecessary blood shed. Let's just get what we came for then head back. Understood?"
The man gave a sharp nod then turned to the group behind them, he lifted his hand in code for 'at ease, boys.' A tense silence ensued, only Tenth seemed to be unaffected. The two groups, those of Ghri and those of the Sect, separated by only a short span of ground, all one need do is cross the line.
Suddenly a short white robed girl scurried onto the scene, followed by two others, a woman with red hair and a burly elder monk. The rings on the brow of her gold trimmed headdress jingled like mad as she came to a halt. The entirety of the costume meant to obscure her femininity, including her hair, in a symbolic gesture of purity. She and her companions brought their overlapping hands to their foreheads in a religious act of welcome.
"I hope the day finds you well, good sir." Her anxious green eyes trail up to meet his calm dark gaze, "How is it that I and my humble congregation may serve you this day?"
Tenth smiled down at her warmly, he bowed his head slightly in recognition of her position, "Forgive us…we do not wish to keep you from your duties long, but we are here out of desperation."
His eyes shot momentarily to Ashen then back to the girl before him, "A few days ago a criminal escaped over the iron gates of Ghri territory. We have been charged to find him and bring him to justice."
"May I ask…what were his crimes?" She quivered a bit knowing she was treading on thin ice, "And, how will you bring him to justice?"
"I'm sorry…that information is classified," His eye closed momentarily, "But I can assure you our reasons are just and his punishment will fit his crimes."
"Oh…" She edged her head slightly over her shoulder, catching sight of Ashen. Her eyes returned to the dark clad man before her, the fearful quiver now replaced by strong determination. "I am also sorry, but I cannot be of help in this matter. We did find someone from Ghri, but he has asked us for sanctuary. Our laws forbid us to turn away anyone who asks for sanctuary, we are unable to hand him over to you."
"I see…" The smooth voice took on a serious air, not quite distant, but mingled with his own thoughts. While examining her face he caught something move in his peripheral vision, his eyes narrowed focusing on her veil which seemed to wave very lightly as if by a breeze. Curiously enough…there was no wind blowing. He doubted anyone else caught it but him. "That is unfortunate…"
A new silence enveloped the two, this one more tense then the later. It slowly became apparent to a few that this was a waiting game. Who would make the next move and what move would it be?
Suddenly a ringing erupted breaking the tense silence. The MAGE to the left of Tenth held his earpiece to his ear, he talked to someone in low tones. The MAGE finally turned to Tenth holding the earpiece in his hand, he whispered something to Tenth who took the earpiece from him. Tenth put the earpiece to his ear, never taking his eyes off of Aleura.
"MAGE number 1010, what the hell are you thinking?! No one gave you permission to go on a little excursion in the Frontier with forty grunts!" yelled some rather upset supervisor for the military deployment aspect of Dynasty.
Tenth remained with a stoic expression on his angelic face, patiently waiting for the man to get to the point.
"Are you even listening to me, 1010? Look; just get your ass back here! Director Meth is asking for you, he says to tell you 'the winds of change are blowing', whatever the hell that means...."
Tenth didn't show it outwardly but his insides jumped at the news. He took the earpiece from his ear and handed it back to the MAGE, his warm smile returned. "Looks like things have changed. We have been ordered back to Ghri."
"It must be the will of God." Aleura smiled relieved.
"It must be..." he humored the girl. "Good day, your Holiness. I don't think we'll be bothering you or your congregation again."
"God be with you on your journey, sir…" she said as he gave one last look back at Ashen and then to her before turning to leave.
"MOVE OUT!" yelled one of the MAGE's to the grunts, forcing them to turned about face and head back to the trucks.
