Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Change of Hands ❯ A Stormy Night ( Chapter 1 )

A Stormy Night

 

November 10, 1040 AD (Location: Future Southern Bulgaria)

 

The rain pounded against the ground in an unending torrent, lightning flashed, thunder rolled across the land mirroring the movements of the horse cavalry as they raced towards an unseen destination. Lightning flashed once again across the sky, illuminating a castle barring over the landscape of smaller villages below. The county side was totally devoid of signs of even the smallest life, as all with any sense took refuge away from the storms fury, all except General Tuyami. He was on a mission directly from the King himself.

 

“It's a fool's errand to be riding in this kind of weather,” the General thought to himself. “Yet this really can't wait. If the King deemed it important enough to risk the summer rains, then that is good enough for me.” the group continued on in total silence as they neared the large castle of Bellenrogue. The castle stood at least ten stories high, heavily fortified with walls of carved granite and slate hewed out of the surrounding mountains years earlier. As the group slowed to a stop and faced the massive oak wood draw gate, General Tuyami stepped forward. “I am General Tuyami, and this,” he screamed while motioning behind him to be heard above the howling wind, “is my elite cavalry. We've come from the country of the East Roman Empire from orders from our King to deliver this message.” The General paused and took a step forward holding out a piece of parchment paper. For a full minute the General and his troops stood in front of the massive oak door, without so much as a sound emanating from the inside of the castle. Then suddenly, the gate started to fall, at first with a jerky motion and then more smoothly as it lowered towards the earth. The gate crashed to the ground with a boom loud enough to rival the thunder of the storm. The General was the first to step forward to cross the gate, bridging the gap over the swirling waters below, agitated by the pounding rains. The interior of the castle was dark, but surprisingly not dank or over run by the smell of rot so prevalent to castles this size. In fact, the castle smelled of incense, spices from lands as far away as India or even China hinting at the family's well off means. The General looked around at the decorated walls and floors. They were covered in colorful tapestries, some of which 1000 or more years old, but showing no signs of decay as if held permanently affixed in their current state by some higher power. “ Hello…” The General called out only to have silence greet him in response. General Tuyami and his troops journeyed forward, inexplicably drawn towards the end of the long corridor. As the General reached the end of the hall, his second in command caught up to him and walked in step with the General's movements.

 

“ Sir, this doesn't bode well with me,” the young man said looking around, “it's just too quiet, no butlers or maids scurrying about or tending to us, and the tapestries, it all looks so new, like they were bought yesterday when surely from the style and weave they are centuries old.” The young man paused and stopped at the end of the hall as the came to a large door made of similar oak wood as the gate outside. “ Father…” the young man spoke in a fervent whisper, “ there have been stories of creatures that rule over these land… they are not human.” The General turned to face his son and saw the look of acceptable concern with an undercurrent of disgraceful fear.

 

“ Gregory it will be alright. I have assurance from the King that those are just myths and old wives tales. Don't let those jealous older soldiers scare you.” The General finished with a twinkle in his eye. The General could see that his son was not fully convinced but let the matter drop. General Tuyami stepped forward again and was about to speak when a strong voice came resounding out of the closed chamber ahead of him.

 

“ General Tuyami, what a pleasant surprise. I had not expected your King to send such a high-ranking officer on such a trivial matter. Please do come in.” The voice rang with an air of cultured grace formed from years of practice.

 

“A constant among the nobles who have nothing better to do with their time.” General Tuyami thought while repressing the urge to roll his eyes. The general purposefully strode forward to the doors framing the entrance to the hidden chamber and placed his hands against the doorknob, if the massive iron ring could pass for as much. He began to press, only to find the doors open of their own accord. Gregory gave a nervous glance in his father's direction. The general glanced back and turned around to face his troops.

 

“ What is keeping you general? You would think someone of your status would have more decorum than this.” the voice spoke again in a taunting tone sprinkled with an air of boredom. The General hesitated once more.

 

“ Something about the man`s voice isn`t right.” the general thought to himself.

 

“ If you insist on staying there, then I suppose I will have to come to you.” Before the general could reply, the eerie click the boots could be heard pacing towards him. Time slowed and for an instant General Tuyami doubted his king's judgment of sending so small a group. Then his son's words of the tales of inhuman monsters came back to him. Though he was loath to admit it, his soldiers' stories did have some truth behind them, and one in particular had come to mind. The story of appeasement of the monsters that lived in the kingdom next door. The echo grew louder but the steps no less quickly as if the owner had all the time in eternity. The general continued his train of thought. He now knew that being sent on this mission was not his punishment for speaking out of turn in court, as he first believed. In fact, his punishment and that of all the men he commanded was yet to come… The footfalls came to an abrupt stop, as their owner came into partial view. When the mystery owner of the castle crossed the door boundary all the torches aligning the sides of the hall ignited. A tall, darkly robed figure stood in front of the general and his troops. General Tuyami gaped at the figure before him. “Why so white General?” the voice spoke again with amusement. “ You look like you have seen a ghost.” the voice stated before stepping forward and into the torches' light.

 

“ Unbelievable!” the general thought, his eyes growing noticeably wider.

 

“My, my general again such rude behavior. One would think your king would have better on his court. No matter, regardless of your behavior it would be remiss of me not to invite you…” the man paused again, this time to smile and bare some unusually sized canines, “ to dinner.” a pearl of laughter echoed off the castle walls followed by the screams of men and one exceptional one sounding more beast than human. Outside the rain poured and poured on the town below, oblivious to the happenings inside the accursed castle.

 

Atheria: Okay so that's the first chappie. I know it's a little short and all but this is about as long as any of the short chapters will be.

 

Yoko: how come I'm only in the first part of the story.

 

Kuro: well because we only play a peripheral part in the story. Our only purpose is to give the reader a frame of reference.

 

Atheria: very good. Sorry but this trilogy is a back-story to make the next 6 or 9 stories with you in so it makes sense with my plots, time lines, and references.

 

Yoko: So I'm in the next series?

 

Atheria: Yup! I would never abandon my little foxy and bat. I just have to write this so everything else makes sense. Alright so read and review. All flames will be used to burn my English projects.