"Broken Steel" -- Act V

So, I'm a liar. I thought last week was the finale of "Broken Steel". I was wrong. I realized that many elements of the next tale could be far more easily dealt with as another act in "Broken Steel".

Here now, then, is the FIFTH and final act of "Broken Steel"!

Enjoy!

~ Charles

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"Broken Steel" copyright 2009 by Charles Shaver. All rights reserved.

ACT V

RUNNING ON THE WIND: Wherein Jupkishi and the Butterflies Enter Taleisin; Comet Fox Seeks out Xiao-tep; Xiao-tep Shares with Comet Fox his Tale of the Broken Spear of Sorrows; A Band of Dark Hearts is Formed

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PART 1

Came to Taleisin in large droves clouds of butterflies of every kind, of every color. Came they to Taleisin on winds of rumors of demons. Came they to seek council with the passing Zingtai. Came they to carry to the world word of what they saw.

Xiao-tep flowed down the mountain to the vast plains flowing gold and purple, blue and white, bright orange and grays with the flickings, flutterings of thousands upon thousands of butterflies. He drew near one that flew higher than all the rest, saying, "Welcome, friends. Welcome to Taleisin. Have you come here for some great purpose? Or is this a simple visit? I can make tea. I'll mow down grass or nuture flowers into bloom as you wish. Welcome, welcome to Taleisin."

"Thank you, friend," spoke the butterfly. "By the glory of your colors, by your kindness, may I guess you are the one called Xiao-tep?"

"I am indeed," answered Xiao-tep.

"I am Jupkishi, Elder Butterfly of All the World. I am Zingtai's great-great-grandfather and have lead my people here for her council and, perhaps, for yours."

"What can I do for you, Jupkishi?" offered Xiao-tep.

"There comes to me word of a mighty demon crossing the face of all the many lands. With him follows death like a stallion running wild upon a plain. Everything the demon touches does not merely die, it withers first in agony and pain, is tortured and then is mercilessly left so life may bleed out. Many of my people, we that live upon the lands like no other, suffer because of this. Flowers wilt and dry. Branches are too weak to hold even the smallest of our cocoons. We are desperate and though I dare not admit it to my people, I had to grant them the wisdom that I am lost at the moment. I know not how to purge the world of the demon or reclaim our lands. Many of my people have already died, withering as I have said, their bodies turning to dust like that which graces the underside of our wings.

"I seek council, friend Xiao-tep. I seek your aide."

Xiao-tep's heart grew heavy for the butterflies. He said, "I will help you the best I can. Until you find the answers you seek, you may remain here on Taleisin as my guests. You are most safe here."

"Thank you, friend Xiao-tep."

That night Jupkishi flew near his great-great-granddaughter and told her his tale of desperation, of woe, of death, of the demon. Xiao-tep flew with them. So horrible was the news Jupkishi shared, Zingtai could not help but cry.

"What is the name of the demon?" asked Xiao-tep.

"He has many names and has been called many foul things, all of which I will not share but I would not argue with, either. The name I've most often heard, however, is Ketsueki Sato. He is a demon of wood resembling a demon of the Many Hells."

"Ketsueki Sato?" cried out Xiao-tep. "Are you certain of this name? Think with every wit, Jupkishi, is this demon truly named Ketsueki Sato?"

Confused by Xiao-tep's reaction, Jupkishi cautiously put forth, "It is as I have said. His name is Ketsueki Sato."

"What's the matter, Xiao-tep?" asked Zingtai.

"I know this demon."

"Do you?" asked Zingtai.

Xiao-tep nodded. His eyes grew wet with the distance of memory. As stars glimmered overhead, he remembered the Cottonwood Chamber, his fights with Wu Chan Chu and Comet Fox, the battle for their freedom. He nodded again and said, "I have fought him once before."

"Did you defeat him?" asked Jupkishi.

"I did, with the aid of my sister and many friends."

"Bless the gods!" exclaimed Jupkishi. "Then we are saved! You can go forth and defeat him once more!"

Xiao-tep was once more awash with memory. Tears formed in his eyes. He shook his head violently, shaped his fins into clenched fists and said, "I cannot! And you cannot ask me to do this thing! I shall never fight again!"

At this Xiao-tep broke from their side and returned to Taleisin.

"What has happened?" asked Juokishi. "I meant no offense."

"You did not offend him, Great-Great-Grandfather," explained Zingtai. "You simply must not have heard that our dear Xiao-tep recently killed another fish like himself. So wracked was he with sorrow he has sworn off fighting for good. He has destroyed his famous Spear of Sorrows."

"I did not know," was all Jupkishi said.

Jupkishi returned to his people. He lead them in prayer to the gods, asking they rid the world of the demon. He then silently asked for help with Xiao-tep. He begged the gods for him to find peace and, if it be within his character to do so, to convince him to fight once more, just once more.

The butterflies slept upon the plains of Taleisin.

Xiao-tep spent the rest of the night perched near the edge of the mountain, his fins dangling over the edge as he gazed upon the sleeping world. Otti the Firefly came to him, saying, "It is not safe to be so close to the edge. Please remember the tale of Momoki's Fall."

"I know the tale well," answered Xiao-tep.

Otti landed on a blade of grass nearby and spent the night with Xiao-tep.

Xiao-tep mulled over many things in his mind. He realized how much fear, how much sorrow had plagued him for so long. And though much of it was well-suited to him as much of his sorrow was not brought on by his own actions, he realized the sorrow and fear remained with him because he allowed it. Xiao-tep closed his eyes for meditation. He controlled his breathing. He breathed in, then out, then in and held his breath, then out and held his breath and repeated this pattern until he could feel the beat of his heart. Slowly, slowly, silently Xiao-tep released the sorrows, released the pain, released the hatred for his father and fear of having to fight again.

Etain's head rose over the far horizon. The new day touched Xiao-tep's face with fingers of light. His scales glimmered brilliantly. His eyes opened. He rose from the edge of the mountain to greet the new day. He looked down upon the world; gazed upon the handiwork of the Cosmos; witnessed the clouds of the world and knew of Aowe, a boy, a mortal child and his wish for flight; he gazed upon Etain, turned to look over his shoulder at the tails of Kalavata and Zingtai. Every bit of this world he lived in, every bit of his world was alive and connected and each minute thing served its purpose. He felt the world as one, he felt all the interconnectedness of every living thing - he felt everything. He gazed into the distance and saw at the farthest reaches of all existence the Misty Hands of the Cosmos. He felt the world moving far below Taleisin, he felt Taleisin breathing and smiling at the butterflies, he heard songs in the wind, laughter in the air, life living everywhere.

His white scales grew shiny, more pearlescent. They glowed of themselves. The violet ankh upon his forehead shifted into gold and shone with a light of its own, shone like a jewel from Zingtai's wings.

He did not hate, he understood. He did not fear, he accepted death and failure. More than anything, he loved. Xiao-tep saw all things at once and, with his new understanding, he loved. Should death ever come for him, he would die. Should hatred ever mock him, he would laugh. Should anyone ever cast him out, he would hold them near.

Xiao-tep found his path, his purpose. He would not fight, could not fight, would never raise a hand or weapon again in anger or emotion or with logic. He would not allow the illness sorrow to infect him again, he would make himself too busy chasing smiles like a child chasing butterflies across an open plain.

The Heavens on high were moved, the many gods took notice.

All of Taleisin gazed upon Xiao-tep as he turned to gaze upon them. Not a single creature spoke, except little Otti who said, "By the gods, he's beautiful."

In the distance Xiao-tep saw the familiar form of Comet Fox break from a cloud, flying towards Taleisin. He went about preparing to receive his old friend.

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PART 2

Comet Fox came to Taleisin on swift wind and sparkling white light of a comet's tail. He flew hurriedly, eying the Mountain That Lives in the Sky, seeking out Xiao-tep. When he found his old friend, he landed softly near him.

"It is good to see you once more, old friend," said Xiao-tep.

Comet Fox cocked his head sideways with wonder. He studied Xiao-tep a moment, questioning his newly golden ankh, his whitened scales.

"A change has come to you," said Comet Fox, the quickly added, "I'm sorry, Xiao-tep. I forgot my greetings. It is good to see you once more, as well."

The two embraced as brothers might after years apart.

"Would you have tea with me?" asked Xiao-tep.

"I would, but I cannot stall too long," Comet Fox looked about at the mass of collected butterflies. "There are so many butterflies here. Is it always this way on Taleisin? I think I could get dizzy with all their flutterings."

"They seek the refuge of Taleisin," said Xiao-tep as he sat upon a stone and pour hot tea for first Comet Fox, then himself.

Comet Fox took the tea and nodded a thanks to Xiao-tep. "Refuge from what?"

"From the demon Ketsueki Sato," Xiao-tep explained.

Comet Fox ceased sipping at his tea. He set the cup down on the ground. He asked, "What do you mean by this? We killed Ketsueki Sato long ago."

"That I do not know, but these butterflies are here for that very reason. They seek refuge from Ketsueki Sato."

"Could he have been resurrected?" asked Comet Fox. "Could we have failed in putting him down before we fled the Cottonwood Chamber?"

"Perhaps, but anything I tell you would be speculation. I just learned of this myself the day before today."

They sat in silence a moment. At last Comet Fox said, "Those were dark days for me. I was sick with drunkenness at every hour and the demon's willing pawn as long as he fed me him enchanted fruits and wines."

"It was dark times for me, as well. I had just learned of my father's hatred and hatred filled me," Xiao-tep let memories flash across his mind. "It seems an age ago now, the day we met."

"The day we fought," added Comet Fox.

Xiao-tep smiled. "I am glad you became a friend instead of remaining an enemy."

"I am glad for it, also. And I come to you to ask for your aid, friend."

"What is it?" asked Xiao-tep. "You may ask anything of me."

"As we speak, the Eternal Empress is committing dastardly acts. She hunts her own daughter, murder is the intent. Alecto has come of age and the Eternal Empress will not have another challenge her throne, even her own daughter, though Alecto has yet to formally challenge it."

"The Eternal Empress' actions, it would seem, are destined to be foul."

"Indeed."

"How can I aid in this?"

"I have taken Alecto as my charge, I am her guardian. But the Empress' men are many. We have defeated them once, but I am uncertain if it can be done again and again. Our flight takes it toll on the mortal Alecto and her handmaiden. Truly, it takes it toll on us all. If I can but have you at her side, when the fight comes once more, I would rest well in the knowledge you are there with your Spear of Sorrows."

Xiao-tep eyed Comet Fox. He stood, asking, "Would you follow me a ways?"

Comet Fox agreed to do so. They crossed the plain of Taleisin, the massed butterflies fluttering madly and parting before them, taking flight around them, speaking to one another on how blessed they were to have gods walking amongst them.

"I think we should have put down the Eternal Empress long ago," said Comet Fox as they walked.

"Perhaps," was all that Xiao-tep gave.

When they came beneath a cherry tree, Xiao-tep looked down, gracefully waved a hand at the thirteen pieces of the Spear of Sorrows laying amidst the grass.

Comet Fox looked on. He bent low, asking, "Is it truly the Spear of Sorrows?"

"It is," confirmed Xiao-tep. "It was last used to kill Fei Li Mi when he came here with rage in his heart. His was such a sad tale. I could not let his passing go without being felt. He was, after all, as my darker self. Ii ripped from my waist my willow branch and felt the full effect of his demise, every bit of it. SO horrible was it that I determined to never fight again and thus broke the spear in its current thirteen pieces against this cherry blossom. Aleis was freed by this and I have left the pieces. I cannot bring myself to pick them up yet."

Comet Fox reached out to touch the legendary spear. One of its four blades pricked his fingertip and he bled. "Though broken," he said, "it is as sharp as ever."

Comet Fox stood. He eyed Xiao-tep. "Does this explain your change in appearance?"

"To a degree. They are all symptoms of a far greater change."

Comet Fox looked at the broken spear once more, then to Xiao-tep, saying, "You won't help me, will you?"

Xiao-tep sighed. "If I were to aid you in your present task, I would most certainly be placed into situations where I would be forced to fight." His eyes leveled and he peered into Comet Fox's eyes. "I will never fight again, dear friend."

"The Little Empress needs you, I need you. Great injustices will occur unto her if something is not done."

"I understand the possibilities in all things, in every choice. I wish to help you, but I cannot."

"Then at least let me bring her here, to Taleisin."

Xiao-tep shook his head, "I cannot allow that, either."

"But this land is pure and safe and you've always kept Taleisin's borders open for refugees! You've thousands of them flitting about currently! Why not Alecto?"

"For I intend to keep this land pure and safe. If you were to bring her here, her mother, I know, would chase after her. Armies of wicked men would find ways to climb to and conquer Taleisin."

"Perhaps I'll bring her here despite you," Comet Fox growled.

Xiao-tep sighed. "I will not stop you, though it would displease me."

Comet Fox was angry with his friend, but felt Xiao-tep was on some new path he simply could not yet understand. He knew Xiao-tep to be good and wise and caring. He also knew Xiao-tep would not dissuade him from doing anything unless he truly felt it the right thing to do.

"I trust in you," said Comet Fox, "though I do not understand you."

"Thank you, Comet Fox."

"I suppose I should be leaving. I'll need to return to Alecto's side as swiftly as I can."

"Can you wait a moment longer so that I may prepare for you a satchel of supplies?"

Comet Fox thought it over. "We could certainly use a few supplies," he agreed.

Xiao-tep called upon all the creatures of Taleisin to gather items for Comet Fox. Bark was peeled from trees and stamped down into cloth to make the satchel. Vines were dried and braided to make rope to tie the satchel and for other various uses. Foods were brought forth. Xiao-tep harvest many teas and vegetables. When the satchel was made and filled, Xiao-tep handed it to Comet Fox.

"I love you, Comet Fox. You are as a brother to me," said Xiao-tep as Comet Fox took the satchel.

These words surprised and confused Comet Fox, though he felt they were spoken with truth. He searched within himself and there found words and feelings to express to Xiao-tep, "Whatever my words may be worth, I love you as a brother, as well, Xiao-tep."

They embraced.

"Be careful, Comet Fox."

Comet Fox nodded and said his thanks to everyone. He then added, "Momoki once said we should stick to our paths. I urge that to you now. I know not what happens with you, Xiao-tep, but whatever it may be, may it be peaceful and good."

"Thank you," Xiao-tep bow low at the waist.

Comet Fox pulled the satchel on over his shoulder. He lifted to the sky and flew away. All of Taleisin watched him go and waved goodbye, wishing him luck and blessings.

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PART 3

Comet Fox had left Alecto and the others under Stavros' watchful near a small, flowing stream. Yele Prin Prin and Alecto sat in the stream, the water caressing their legs as Yele braided the young lady's hair. Gullnir drank deeply from the stream as Faryad and Snow Fox both lounged in the sun, enjoying the warmth of the day. Stavros sat in the shade of a large oak, Eloqua nearby. She eyed the rat, wondering. He caught her watching him and said, "What is it? I've had people stare at me many times before, I know when someone wants something from me."

Eloqua was startled by Stavros' accurate read of her. She said, "It is your sword. It's quite the deadly-looking weapon. Has it killed before?"

"Many times before," he said, then warning, "And it will again if I continue to be pestered."

Eloqua ignored the threat. She said, "Have you taught others to fight?"

This questions surprised Stavros for it was not a thing he had ever been asked. "No, I haven't."

"Would you?"

"Why do you ask this? Are you interested in learning how to fight?"

Eloqua moved closer so that she could speak without being heard by anyone but Stavros. She said, "Every day for more than a week now we have been on the run from Alecto's mother. The other day these good people that now surround us, along with your friend Comet Fox, had to fight the Empress' men. On that occasion Alecto and I were fortunate enough to have been hidden prior to the fight, but I fear more fights to come and there may be a time when we cannot hide. I feel I must learn how to fight for the sake of Alecto. If I do not and should be surrounded, if I do not and we should be challenged, then doom will wash over us. To learn to fight would give us a greater chance at surviving the Eternal Empress' wrath."

"And you would have me teach you?"

Eloqua nodded. "The others have many great tales of battles they've had and won. But Comet Fox, the one I trust most, trusts you most. He said your sword and friendship can be trusted. If that be so, then I wish to learn to fight from you."

Stavros breathed deep. He considered the handmaiden before him.

Snow Fox eyed the sky overhead. He was the first to see the streaking tail of his brother. "Here comes Comet Fox!" he heralded.

Everyone stood, waiting, as Comet Fox landed near them, a new satchel of supplies about his form.

"Well?" advanced Eloqua. "Will the fish-god Xiao-tep help us? What news do you bring?"

Comet Fox sighed. He said, "I bring supplies and nothing more."

"What? Where is Xiao-tep?" asked Stavros.

Comet Fox stored the satchel across Gullnir's back, thanking him for carrying the heavy loads without complaint. He then turned to Stavros and explained, "He will not come. He cannot help us."

"Why? What reason has he given you for turning his back on a helpless girl?" demanded Stavros.

"He says he can no longer fight and he knows our task will force him to do so."

"He is a coward, our Xiao-tep? After the blades I've seen lashing out upon his spear, creating lightning in the sky, fighting like no other, our friend is a coward?" Stavros was angry by the possibility.

"No, Stavros," Comet Fox soothed. "Xiao-tep is many things, but he is no coward. What he does, what he needs to do now, is a righteous thing, I feel. But cowardice, fear, lethargy have nothing to do with this. He simply cannot help us at this time."

Stavros spat. "To the Many Hells with him! When you brought him forth, I was going to let you run off with him and return to my village. But if he will not, then I will stand in his spot."

"I thank you, Stavros. We could use your sword and your company, but I say again: Xiao-tep is no coward."

"If the fish-god will not help," questioned Eloqua, "then who will? Where do we go to from here?"

"Balori!" cried out Alecto as she rose from the stream. "I have said from the very beginning that he would help us. We must seek him out."

"I agree, Little Empress, that Balori would be a strong ally, but he is as yet far off. After the Battle for the Plain of Adoration, he remained with Xiao-tep a time before leaving for Ife and Ife is yet too far," Comet Fox did his best to calm the young lady.

"Then what do we do?" cried out Eloqua. "Woe, mercy upon us!"

Comet Fox turned to Stavros. He judged his thoughts against his friend. "We will be fighting once more. It is safe to assume the Empress will soon dispatch a new band of men after us and these new men, perhaps, will be far more fierce, far hungrier for death than the first."

Stavros nodded in agreement. "She will find a man so hungry for battle he will lay to waste all that he touches from her land of Bizo to us."

"He would be a wicked man," added Eloqua. "A man with a wickedness to match her own."

This made Comet Fox think upon Xiao-tep's mention of Ketsueki Sato. "And what's more, Xiao-tep has told me of a demon that has entered the world, a demon he and I fought once before. Thought we he to be dead."

"Let us pray the demon is not the one the Empress recruits to hunt us," said Eloqua as she grasped Alecto and hugged her closely.

Comet Fox shook his head. "I doubt that to happen. I know this demon and Ketsueki Sato is not one to enter into the service of another," he let his thoughts wander on the matter a bit before adding, "Though I would not be surprised by a union between the two, himself and the Eternal Empress."

"Comet Fox," Snow Fox approached to stand by his brother.

"Yes, little brother?"

"What will we do then? We've traveled this far to find Stavros and then Xiao-tep. Now that we've done so and Xiao-tep will not help us, where do we go from here?"

"I still say we must go to Balori," spoke out Alecto.

"Quiet, girl," scolded Eloqua. "We know your feelings on the matter."

Again Comet Fox looked to Stavros, to have him confirm the validity of his thoughts as he spoke them, "It would be wise to assume we will be fighting again, perhaps many more times. We did well against the Empress' firs group of men, but as we've determines she will most likely send fiercer fighters after us. Our options, then, as I see them are thus: we disband and I carry on with the Little Empress to some safe hiding place while the rest of you remain behind to deter the oncoming fighters. Or, alternatively, we can remain together, but not only remain together, but grow our numbers with fighters of our own."

"We could build our own small army," said Stavros, "we did once before against the demon-dog Yaska Selith, we can do so against the Eternal Empress."

Comet Fox nodded in agreement.

The small group gathered closer, each thinking over the options, each remaining silent for a brief moment.

It was Snow Fox that spoke first. "I, for one, would not leave. I've come this far to see my brother, I would enjoy more time with him, even if in that time we are under duress. Perhaps that is selfish of me, but as long as my brother is dedicated to the life of our Alecto here, then so is my life dedicated to her."

Alecto smiled, looked at her feet. She said, "Thank you, Snow Fox."

Faryad and Yele looked to one another. Faryad then said, "We would like to right the injustice being done here. We will stay with you, if you'll have us."

"I suppose that means I'll have to be going along, as well," grumbled Sarut.

"And you already know you've my sword," said Stavros.

Comet Fox nodded. "Then we will remain together and find others to help us."

"But who?" asked Alecto.

"There is another and, the last I heard, she is closer. She is perhaps a day's ride from here. She is quite possibly the best fighter in all the world and will most likely be sitting upon the throne of championship at the Peony Teahouse.

"She is Wu Chan Chu the Frog Demi-goddess, sister to Xiao-tep. And we will go to her."

All were in agreement on this. They stalled not another moment longer. Eloqua and Alecto mounted Gullnir, the others gathered their things. Soon they were heading north towards the Peony Teahouse.

Stavros came to walk beside Gullnir. He said, "Eloqua, if you still wish to be trained, I will teach you all that I can."

Eloqua thanked him.

On they went, across plains and farmers' fields, over hills and through both day and night. They rested where they could, begged for food at many homes. They were met with much kindness. And as they went across the world, as they traveled, they quietly feared the coming of the Eternal Empress, they each were secretly dismayed by the presence of Ketsueki Sato in the world.

On went Faryad and Yele Prin Prin, both hunted by Sharif.

On went Sarut, ladybug without a home or family.

On went Stavros, leaving behind once more his beloved village.

On went Comet Fox and Snow Fox, brothers desperately trying to enjoy their brotherhood.

On went Eloqua and Gullnir, afraid for Alecto's life.

On went Alecto, hunted by her own mother.

And as they went; as they begged for food and were met with kindness; as people greeted them, spoke with them, learned of their harrowing trials, people spoke of them to one another. People spoke of their lives, of their curses, of their frantic flight. People watched for them, wishing to help. And as the small group traveled across the world the people called them Dark Hearts, for here was a band that knew sorrow, that knew betrayal, that was fighting against great and desperate odds for justice, righteousness.

To the east, an empress chose a murderous madman for her general.

To the south, a demon entered the home of a family to terrorize and slay them all, drinking their blood to grow stronger.

And on ran the band of Dark Hearts.

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All right, folks! There was your fifth and final act of "Broken Steel"! I hope you enjoyed it. Check back next week for Act I of "Tournament at the Peony"!

"Broken Steel" -- Act IV

Here is the fourth and final act of "Broken Steel". I'll be taking next week off from writing this latest The Children of Gods novel, but an all new story will be started right here on my blog on July 17th.

Enjoy this week's installment.

~ Charles

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"Broken Steel" copyright 2009 by Charles Shaver. All rights reserved.

ACT IV

OLD WINDS BLOW HARSHLY: Wherein Aowe Makes a Kite; Sharif Hunts Faryad; Comet Fox Faces the Imperial Soldiers; Stavros Emerges from Yuki Once More

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PART 1

Long before Comet Fox came into the lands, when the Misty Hands of the Cosmos made the world, as Momoki the Marmoset yet sat as ruler and caretaker for Taleisin, there lived a small boy named Aowe. Aowe was a gentle child. He did not like to roughhouse as other boys his age did, but was not a fearful child, either. He was the son of two textile makers and learned a love for cloth.

Once, when Aowe was helping his mother hang her newly dyed cloth, he feel in love with the way the wind was caught beneath the cloth and lifted into the air. He desired to fly, to soar above the plains his family lived upon, to capture the wind like a gull and float gently upon its currents above his home, above the world, to visit Taleisin.

But he was a mere mortal child.

Then came a time when Aowe's mother had done a particularly poor job of dyeing her fabrics. She was using a dye she had not yet ever used before and was not proficient with it enough. She practiced with a new dye on a small bit of cloth and when it came out poor, she threw the cloth aside.

"What is this, mother?" asked Aowe of the discarded cloth.

"That cloth? It is trash to be buried or used to wrap fish. I am not yet used to this new dye and it turned out poorly."

"May I have it?" Aowe asked.

His mother thought nothing of the cloth and saw no reason the boy should not have it. "Take it if you wish," she said.

So Aowe found himself the possessor of a new bit of cloth. Though unwanted, he thought it was beautiful. He would spend hours with his cloth, running through the open plains of his homeland, lifting the cloth above his head like wings and listening to the cloth flap, flowing behind him. He smiled and laughed and giggled and played with the cloth.

At one particular moment, Aowe nearly lost his cloth when a strong wind plucked it from his hands and blew it away from him so that he had to chase it down. Aowe ran frantically. Luckily, a tender sapling Aowe often sat under while resting from a day's work helping his parents or after a day filled with playing with his cloth reached out with its thin branches and grasped the cloth. Aowe was very thankful for this and he began thinking on the matter. He decided to tether the cloth to himself with a think bit of string.

He went to his father and asked, "Father, have you any bits of string I can have?"

As the father was masterful at making strings and attaching them to cloth as ties for clothing, he had much string he had made himself. "How long of a string would you like?" Aowe's father asked of him.

Aowe said, "Long enough to reach into the Heavens!"

His father smiled. "Do we plan on capturing a god?"

"No," replied Aowe. "Merely the wind."

SO Aowe was granted a long, strong bit of string. Aowe tied it to his cloth and wrapped the other end round his hand. Soon he was running across the plains again, dragging his cloth on string behind him. But it wasn't the same as holding the cloth fast in his hands.

"The cloth flaps like a wing when i stretch it out," said Aowe. "I must stretch out this cloth."

So Aowe set about figuring a way to stretch out the cloth as a wing. He soon found himself approaching the young sapling he so loved and asking, "Dear friend, may I take a few of your thin branches from you? I need them to stretch out my cloth."

The sapling simply bowed, offering its branches.

Aowe smiled and took two long branches. He cut these two in two so that he had four pieces in all. He fastened the cloth to them securely and tied the string to the wooden frame he had made.

Soon Aowe was running across the plains once again. Behind him, towed by him, the first kite the world had ever seen lifted into the air and flew gracefully, chasing playfully after him.

Once more Aowe smiled and laughed and giggled and played. Aowe had finally figured a way to fly.

Then one night came a great fire to the plains. It burned nearly everything on the plains, including the dirt of the plains itself. Homes and many lives were lost. When the fire came swiftly to little Aowe's home, carried by wicked winds, it consumed his home swiftly. His mother and father trapped, dying, Aowe could think of nothing to do but save himself and his kite. He ran from his home, afraid, sorrow filling him for his dying parents. Flames lit the night as the sun in the day. Heat scorched the vegetation of the land, causing Aowe's beloved sapling to curled, dry and die under its weight. Flames jumped in every direction, burning everywhere, cutting off every path of escape for little Aowe.

The child, afraid, in pain from flames and the death of his parents, lay down with his kite and was overrun by the fire. Smoke lifted from his body, from his kite and intermingled as one, forming, shaping, becoming thick. The smoke lifted. So angry was Aowe that even in death his will caused the smoke to float high overhead and cry as he would have cried with tears from his eyes.

Aowe's tears fell from smoke as the world's first rain. So fierce was the crying it put out the hungry fire. And so strong was Aowe's will that the smoke remained, becoming pure white like the cotton his mother sometimes worked with or sometimes black as smoke and filled with tears that fell upon the land, expanding to make new smoke, becoming the clouds of the world.

Aowe was at last able to soar above the world and visit Taleisin. And when sorrow filled the land, people were often heard speaking Aowe's name as expression.

******************************

PART 2

Rains fell harshly upon Comet Fox and his companions as they continued their flight at night.

"Aowe," said Comet Fox as he stopped Gullnir from the day's long, hard ride. lecto was asleep on the horse' back and Eloqua struggling to remain awake.

"Each day we lose ground before the pursuing guards," said Comet Fox.

"Our little one needs her rest," explained Eloqua.

"And food. I fear we may not be able to keep up this pace much longer."

"But we must. What would happen to her if she is caught? I can only guess and my mind is not as foul as her mothers, nor as creative. We cannot let her be captured."

"I know," nodded Comet Fox. "We must allow her capture. But we must find food and supplies. And if we continue losing ground, I fear a fight comes."

"With the guards?"

"Of course."

This sent a shock of nerves through Eloqua that chased away her exhaustion. "I do not know how to fight."

"I didn't say you would fight," replied Comet Fox. "But if I'm to fight, I'll need rest and food, as well."

Eloqua eyed him. "You look well. Were it not for my knowledge of your mutual exhaustion, I would guess you're fit for anything."

Comet Fox yawned. He twisted his long, tail-like mustache with his fingers as he thought.

"Oh, to have the strength of a god," pined Eloqua.

"If I could grant it, you and our Little Empress would have mine. I have decided, we will need to sneak into the next town we come across and find some food."

The four of them rested all night as Aowe cried. By the morning, the rains were gone and the day was bright. Everyone had rested a little and they soon set off once more.

They traveled all day through groves of trees, afraid of being seen. Tension and worry was their way of life an had been for many days. When at last they spied the outline of the town of Gortys nearby it was devised Eloqua would go into the town as a woman on pilgrimage and she would beg for food. Eloqua did so and returned to her companions' side in the early evening with many foods. They ate, regained their strength and despite themselves further rested.

Much to Comet Fox's suspicions, the Empress' guards drew nearer, as did Snow Fox and his companions.

Unbeknownst to Faryad, Sharif had followed him to the mainland, had discovered he had been in the village of Tokerau and was now chasing after him. He then came to Li and discovered Faryad had picked up a companion in a wicked little, evil fox-god -- or so said the prefec t Silver Wind. By chance Sharif happened upon the soldiers of the Empress. Sharif stood in a beaten path he suspected Faryad had taken.

"Out of our way, fool!" cried one of the soldiers clad in golden armor. "We seek a fox-god and will not allow you our hindrance. Stand aside or you will taste our steel!"

"With apologies," said Sharif. "Am I to understand you seek a fox-god?"

"This is what I have already said!"

"I seek his companion, a murderer, ad must bring this foul person to justice."

"A companion, eh? A murderous companion?" smiled the soldier. He thought of Eloqua, wondered what the woman had done and did not understand Sharif was seeking a different fox-god and a different companion. "A murderous companion? Perhaps we can mutually aide one another. We could use a fresh mind."

The soldier turned around to eye his men. He chose the one he thought was most weak from their travels. The soldier drew his sword and cut down the weak man who fell from his horse, dead.

The soldier turned back round. "I'll give you a moment to don the armor and mount the steed. You will now ride with us."

Sharif, not wanting to become a soldier with this league of men yet afraid to refuse, did as he was instructed. He donned the armor and mounted the horse.

"Follow me in every respect or I will cut you in half," warned the soldier.

They rode off together, Sharif and the soldiers seeking two different fox-gods, two different companions.

******************************

PART 3

A cloud made of dust lifted into the air in the east. Comet Fox stood as the day ended, straining to see the cloud at dusk.

Eloqua came to his side. She looked where he was looking and asked, "What is it?"

"Dust kicked up by horses," he turned to her and said, "They've come for us."

Alecto drew near. She was dirty and tired, looking nothing like a young inheritor to a throne. "What shall we do?" she asked.

"We can run no longer, I fear," said Comet Fox. "We must find shelter and hide you in the town."

"What of you? Will you also hide with us?" asked Alecto.

"I will hide. They know of me and will hunt for me, as well. But I will hide elsewhere in the town, separate from you in case they find me. I can then fight them off."

From the east, Comet Fox and his companions entered the town of Gortys. They left Gullnir tied to a tree in a grove of trees, fearing such a fine horse would be too recognizable and too difficult to hide.

From the south, Snow Fox and his companions entered the town of Gortys, unaware of Comet Fox's proximity.

On the horizon came a roiling cloud of dust. With it came a band of soldiers.

The gold-clad warriors entered the town in a fury, kicking up dust and startling livestock and children. They grabbed at a nearby townsman and lifted him from the ground by his arm, asking, "Where is the fox-god? Have you seen him?"

"I'm right here," came a voice. But it was not Comet Fox's. Standing center of the main road in the town was little Snow Fox, his fur ruddy and browning. His hands worked knives. Behind him stood Faryad, his guitar strapped to his back and his fists clenching, and Yele Prin Prin, her violin tied at her waist and her talons ticking against one another nervously.

"Who seeks me?" asked Snow Fox.

The lead soldier approached on horseback. He leaned out, eying Snow Fox. "Are you the one known as Comet Fox?"

"No," answered Snow Fox. He craned his neck to look up at the soldier. He feared telling him Comet Fox was his brother.

He said nothing further.

"Then there are two fox-gods?" the soldier asked, shocked.

Comet Fox had stowed Alecto and Eloqua away with a family in their underground cellar. He was seeking a hiding place of his own when he bore witness to the exchange occurring in the middle of town.

"Who are you?" demanded the soldier.

"I am Snow Fox, son of Nyavatalii the Frost Giantess and Coyote!"

Comet Fox pricked up his ears at this.

"Bah! This is not the one we seek!" said the soldier to the others.

Sharif drew near, removed his helmet and pointed at Faryad, "Perhaps not, but he is the one I seek!"

"Sharif!" Faryad gasped.

"It would seem we are companions without reason," said the lead soldier.

"Or, perhaps with reason," Sharif then quoted a common curse, "'How wicked the ways of the Cosmos.'"

"How wicked, indeed," came Comet Fox. He stepped out into the center of town to stand before the soldiers.

"Brother!" cried Snow Fox.

"Are you truly my brother?"

"My father is Coyote. I have heard of you often and came to find you, to meet you!"

"You are a fox as am I, therefore your claim makes sense. If you be my brother: well met, young one."

"A family reunion!" the lead soldier mocked. "How adorable!"

"Shut you mouth, foul one!" demanded Comet Fox. "I know why you're here and I'll not hand her over!"

The soldiers, including Sharif, dismounted. They each gathered up their weapon of choice. The lead soldier carried an am arbir. Sharif had been outfitted with a machete with a long, curved blade looking like a fat belly.

"Do not run, Faryad," Sharif warned. "Come with me. Return to Ayiti and you will have a fair trial."

"I killed Bleddyn! You let us go once before, why have you come for me now?"

"I know of Bleddyn's ways, of his tyranny and treachery. I could not abide by it. But I still have a job and I have been tasked by our warlord to find you. If I did not come for you, I would have lost my head. I did not wish to find you, truly, but knew I must try nonetheless. If nothing more, I have granted you a few more days of living. Be grateful for that and, I beg of you, come with me."

"We'll not return to Aytit," said Yele, "perhaps ever."

"Come to me, Comet Fox," called the soldiers, their leader stepping slowly closer towards the fox-god. "Do not fight. Let us have the girl and you may go. You've no charge in this, no benefit is to be gained for you. Come to us and tell us where the girl is at."

Snow Fox stepped to Comet Fox's side. "I'll not let you further advance on my brother!"

The lead soldier lunged, his spear biting air, streaking out at Snow Fox.

Snow Fox leaped backward and threw one of his knives in one motion. The knife struck, deflected by the thick golden armor.

The soldier laughed.

Comet Fox drew his ulus from out of the sash at his waist.

The soldier arced the spear wide, bring it round at Comet Fox.

Comet Fox lifted off the ground, flying high over the spear.

Snow Fox threw another another. Once again it was deflected by the heavy armor. He eyed the soldier, searching for weaknesses in his armor.

Comet Fox flew down at the soldier.

Snow Fox saw the soldier's boots were mere black leather. He threw a third knife. The blade dug into the boot and split open the soldier's big toe.

The soldier cried out in pain.

Comet Fox struck, arcing his arm around to bring his fist up under the soldier's chin, an ulu passing under his helmet, the blade cutting deep and wide the throat of the soldier.

Comet Fox landed to one side.

Blood spewed from the soldier's wound, blood raining down on the small Snow Fox until he was more crimson than any other color.

The soldier fell dead to the ground.

Comet Fox eyed his and said, "I know of one other like you, one that enjoys bathing in blood."

"I didn't much enjoy this," admitted Snow Fox. "In fact, it's rather foul."

Sharif approached Faryad.

"You know what I can do with my fists," warned Faryad.

"I also know you're no killer. You won't attack me unless I press you. I won't press you, but urge you once more to come with me."

Three soldiers surrounded Comet Fox and Snow Fox. Three more knives were flung out by the smaller fox-god, three more feet were wounded until the soldiers were sent howling away.

One soldier, a young and ambitious soldier, made a final charge at Comet Fox with a spear of his own. Comet Fox let him slip close in his mad rush, sidestepping the spear. he merely held out his ulu at the right height. The young soldier's own momentum, own weight pressed his neck into the sharp moon-like blade until he was spewing blood as his leader once had until he fell to the ground, writhing until he was dead.

The rest of the soldiers ran in terror, except one. This one had been wounded by one of Snow Fox's blades. Snow Fox wriggled the knife free from the soldier's foot and the soldier cried out in agony.

Snow Fox went about picking up his knives except for the two that remained in the feet of soldiers now running away.

Comet Fox neared the soldier with the wounded foot. He knelt low, put his arms around the soldier and lifted him up onto a horse. He spoke softly to the mounted soldier.

"Ride. Ride fiercely to the east. Ride into the rising day, staring only at Etain's belly. Do not look back here lest you find my chasing after you. Ride until you have returned to your beloved Empress' side and deliver unto her this message: tell her Alecto is now under the care of Comet Fox; tell what you witnessed here today, telling her every detail; tell her if she continues her hunt, I will do to her what I did to her captain. Deliver this message, understand?"

The soldier shook his head nervously.

Comet Fox nipped at the horse, forcing the animal to ride wildly into the east where the soldiers had come from.

Sharif was still slowly advancing on Faryad. Faryad's fists were raised, trembling. Neither had seen the soldiers leave. Both were concentrating only on one another.

"Faryad," whispered little Sarut.

"Not now," said Faryad.

"But you must look! We have the advantage."

Faryad looked about to find only Sharif and the fallen remained. He straightened, lowering his fists.

"I think you'll be wanting to let us go," he told Sharif.

Sharif looked, saw Comet Fox slowly approaching, saw Snow Fox tending to his knives. He, too, straightened and lowered his sword. He looked upon Faryad and Yele. He spoke, "I suppose now would be my demise."

"If you attack us it would be," said Yele.

"Yet if I return to Ayiti, that too would be my demise."

"Then what say you?" asked Faryad. "Have you further words for us? Further hostilities? How would this day end? It is of your choosing."

Sharif sighed. "I'll do nothing more to you at this time. But know this, wherever you may go, I'll be fast on your trail."

Yele thought it over a moment. As Sharif turned to walk away, she called to him. "Sharif! Why not join us?"

Sharif looked back over his shoulder at her. "And become an outlaw? A criminal? There is such a thing as justice and I'll have it until my end days. I will be smart about it, but I'll have it."

"And what of the wars on Ayiti?" called Faryad. "They choke and starve the people. They long for a better life. How is that not injustice?"

"You are correct, there is no justice in our warlords, including the one I currently serve. That is the purpose behind my station as a hand of justice on Ayiti, to make certain justice exists in at least some small way amongst the ugliness of all that war."

"And your hunt for us is just? I was right to kill Bleddyn!" defended Faryad.

"Indeed you were, as I will be in the right to kill you. Bleddyn's death was just. He was a tyrant that needed to be put down, hot steel that needed tempering. You did that, but to the extant of murder. You have become despicable. Now justice must be meted out."

Faryad eyed Sharif. He had never heard the man speak so deeply on the matter of his station.

"Be warned, Faryad, though you are a good man, justice will come for you."

"You mean to say you will continue your chase for me."

"That I will, but whether justice comes for you at my hands, from the tip of my blade or if it comes from another remains for the Cosmos to shape. Until then, I bid you fare well. And I give you fair warning: wherever you roam across this world, the eyes you feel resting upon your back, the eyes that raise the hairs of your neck, shall be my eyes."

Sharif turned back round and left the town of Gortys.

"What now, brother?" asked Snow Fox of Comet Fox.

Comet Fox looked down on him. "I do not know for the likes of you and your friends, but I've an Empress-to-be to protect. I must take my leave. Under other circumstances, I would have spent time with you. But I was happy to have you here for this fight. I thank you."

"You're leaving me behind? But we just met! Please allow me to come with you?" begged Snow Fox.

Comet Fox shook his head. "I know not a thing about you, though I feel I can trust your identity as my little brother. I've an incredible task at hand now and must see it through to the end. When I've delivered the Little Empress to safety, then I will return to you."

"You said yourself just now you trust I am your brother. And you know I can fight. If there's more fighting to be done, perhaps you'll need me? Please, allow me to accompany you!"

Snow Fox knelt to the ground, his arms outstretched and his hands clasped together in pleading.

Faryad watched this all from a short distance. At last he said, "This little fox has been through much and has served as friend to Yele and I. And, truth be told, if I'm to have Sharif after me, though I would not wish to burden you with my woes, your company would ease my mind. Perhaps we can do the same in return?"

Comet Fox considered all things. He knew it foolish to trust so quickly, knew more people would mean slower and less conspicuous travel, knew the benefits of having others for posted watches. And, he quietly admitted, Snow Fox was good with his throwing blades and that could be useful. And, once more he admitted to himself, he wished to know more about this little one claiming to be his brother.

Comet Fox breathed deep. He said at last, "Wait here, then. I'll return in a moment with my charge, then we'll go to the grove to retrieve a horse."

Snow Fox leaped from his knees in joy.

Yele and Faryad smiled.

Sarut grumbled incoherently.

Comet Fox introduced and explained who Alecto was and why they were currently on the run as they retrieve Gullnir.

"And those soldiers were your mothers?" asked Yele.

"Yes, indeed."

"You poor girl."

Alecto immediately loved Yele Prin Prin for her beauty and kindness and, other than her own mother and Eloqua and the occasional child commanded to play with her, Yele was the first woman she had ever met.

"I love your wings. They're so beautiful!"

Yele blushed. "Thank you."

They traveled through the night, gazing at stars and chatting. Comet Fox listened to all the tales his little brother had to tell, laughed when he heard about the little fox stumbling over himself trying to use an axe, how he came into the rest of the world. He enjoyed most knowing someone else shared with him his father.

Comet Fox then in turn told Snow Fox, and indeed all of them, about his escaping the Cottonwood Chamber, the Battle for the Plain of Adoration, about Balori -- Alecto's favorite tales involved Balor -- and Xiao-tep and Wu Chan Chu.

"We should find this Xiao-tep," suggested Snow Fox. "He sounds as though he may help."

"I would, but we draw near another dear friend's home. He is well trusted, perhaps my most trusted friend in all the world besides Xiao-tep."

"Who is this that you speak of?" asked Snow Fox, wishing some day Comet Fox would speak of him that same way.

"Stavros the Red."

"How far is he?"

"Not far at all now, I believe. In fact, you could probably rest here while I fly to his village and seek him out."

"Oh, please don't leave!" cried Alecto.

Comet Fox grabbed the young lady's hand. He sighed. "As I've promise, I'll not leave. But what of Snow Fox and Faryad? How would it be if I sent them?"

This was agreed upon.

"How will we know him?" asked Faryad.

"You'll know him," said Comet Fox. "I believe he told me the village is beyond that crest of hills there. Follow due north and I'm certain you'll find it."

Faryad nodded.

Snow Fox checked his knives one last time.

Sarut flew to Faryad and climbed into his pocket.

"Ready for another adventure, Sarut?" asked Faryad.

"Adventure I can handle. I need rest and, well, I trust you to let me sleep in here."

Faryad smiled. "Thank you for trusting me, Sarut."

The three set off for the hills.

******************************

PART 4

It was a joyous night in Yuki village. Several of the younger villagers played musical instruments they had made themselves or, a few, had traded for. A great meal had been prepared all day. Now, at night, food filled bellies, alcohol infected minds and music filled the air.

It was Elsa's twenty-fourth birthday.

Young Petru danced near Stavros and Elsa who lounged together near a blazing bonfire, singing drunkenly at the night sky with the music that played. Stavros was fat now in the belly and a little slower than he once had been.

Stavros smiled at the boy not yet seven years old. He sat up and called to Petru, who came to his side at once.

"Are you enjoying the festivities?" asked Stavros.

Petru nodded frantically, smiling wide. "Oh, do I!"

"Good, good. Would you like to hear more of my tales of battle?"

"Always!" cried Petru.

So Stavros told of his fight against the Brothers Jackyl and soon a small crowd gathered round him to listen in. Elsa listened attentively, too, though she had heard the tale many times before.

The story complete, those gathered clapped happily at Stavros.

Petru looked up at him and asked, "Can I have my own adventures?"

Stavros laughed. "Maybe one day."

"I want to fight with swords like you, Stavros!"

Again Stavros laughed. He said, "Go forth, child, and find me two strong pieces of fallen poplar."

As Petru did this, Stavros asked Elsa to retrieve for him his sword from their hut. Her family was dead now. Only she and Stavros remained in the hut.

Both brought to him the things he had requested.

Stavros quaffed another swallow of tzuika he had taught himself to make. As he did so, he thought briefly on Comet Fox, his old friend, and wished that he was with him this night.

Stavros used his sword to carve and whittle the two pieces of poplar. He then sent Petru forth to find him some twine and when he returned with it, Stavros fastened the two small pieces of wood together with the twine to make a wooden sword big enough for Petru to play with.

"Thanks, Stavros!"

"Now for your first quest, young man: go forth and patrol the perimeter of the village. Make certain no one comes or goes without your seeing them first."

Petru saluted like a soldier and ran off to patrol the outside of the village.

Stavros laughed uproariously at this. Elsa leaned near him and placed a gentle kiss upon his maw. He nuzzled his muzzle into her neck, saying, "I love you, dear Elsa."

"And this whole village loves you, dear Stavros. We are so much happier now that you've returned to us."

On the outskirts of the village, Petru patrolled. The nighttime sky twickled down on him with stars. he had never known a world without stars and for that the villagers were happy and thanked Stavros constantly for his part in returning the stars to the Heavens above.

Petru marched along until he spied movement, two figures drawing nearer. Petru froze. He had not truly expected to find anyone, yet here came two figures -- a man and some creature. He thought about what to do. Stavros had told him not to let anyone pass without speaking to him first, so he determined to do just that.

The little mock soldier stepped forward before Faryad and Snow Fox, thrusting out his small wooden sword menacingly and saying, "Halt! Who wishes passage to Yuki village?"

Stunned, Snow Fox and Faryad stared at the small child a moment. Then Faryad said, "We've come looking for one called Stavros the Red. Is this Yuki village? Would he be here?"

"Yes, he would be here," said Petru. "And who might want to know?"

The weight of the dense poplar made the boy's sword falter.

"I am called Faryad the Exploding Sword. My companion is Snow Fox."

Petru stood in silence a moment. Stavros hadn't told him what to do beyond finding out who came or wen from the village. He thought it over and decided he should escort them to Stavros as prisoners.

"Come with me!" he commanded. "And I'll not tolerate any foul play!"

Faryad shook his head and put his hands up in a gesture to signify he meant no harm.

"Of course not," smiled Faryad.

Petru lead them towards the village. He continued to think matters over and slowed his pace when he came to a realization.

"You've come to take Stavros away, haven't you?"

"We don't want to take him away so much as we'd like him to accompany us," explained Snow Fox.

"Will it be dangerous?"

Snow Fox nodded.

Petru frowned. "Stavros told us of how he left the village once before. The people were so unhappy then. But when he returned he taught the people to sing and play music and make wines and enjoy their lives. They say if he's taken away again, he may never come back."

Petru stopped. "I don't want him to go."

Snow Fox cocked his head, pricked his ears. "I understand. If it were not a most dire situation, I would turn back now and let you keep him."

Petru sighed. "I suppose all I can do is lead you to him."

"Thank you,: said Snow Fox.

Petru lead the two through the celebrating village. As they went, people stopped to stare at Snow Fox. Many whispered of horrible things, of Stavros leaving them once more. Others spoke of gods and men, of Blessed one and demons and the Brothers Jackyl.

"Sir!" said Petru as he came before Stavros. "I've brought these two before you, sir! They came to our village looking for you."

Stavros stood, his crooked back making him small next to Faryad, yet still far larger than Snow Fox.

Petru looked up at Stavros with wide, sad eyes and said, "Please don't go, Stavros."

Stavros eyed both the newcomers, especially Snow Fox. He told Petru, "Go retrieve some tzuika for me and our guests."

Petru ran off.

Stavros invited the two into him hut. Elsa watched them go. When Petru had come with the tzuika and left again, they sat at a table while Stavros poured them cups of the wine and asked, "What brings you here?"

"My brother Comet Fox sent me here," said Snow Fox.

"Brother?" Stavros said, then nodded. "You share a father, then?"

"Indeed. I am Snow Fox. This is Faryad the Exploding Sword."

Stavros smiled. "What trouble has that drunkard gotten himself into?"

Faryad and Snow Fox looked to one another. Snow Fox said, "He lends aid to a young empress-to-be whose mother hunts her. He would like your help in delivering her to a safe place."

"And what safe place would that be?"

"She seems to want to go to Ife," said Faryad. "But he desires to reason out a way to get her to Taleisin."

Stavros nodded. "Balori or Xiao-tep. It's a difficult decision. I would think Comet Fox could fly to Xiao-tep quicker, but then I'm not one for flight. But, how does he need my help?"

"He asks you come see him. He awaits some ways outside the village."

"Comet Fox is here?" this excited Stavros. "Why does he not merely come here?"

"We have fought off several soldiers this night," said Snow Fox, "but he fears more will be on the way. He did not want to lead them into your village."

"It's a kind gesture."

"Come with us. Speak with him," urged Snow Fox. "He speaks of you as a brother."

Stavros considered matters. He looked out the door of his hut and watched the now quieted village. He looked back at Snow Fox and said, "No. I cannot. I have given up fighting and the skills he calls upon me to use. I am fat now, I can lift my sword, but cannot swing it with any ferocity."

Snow Fox and Faryad were shocked to hear Stavros turn them away.

"But he needs your help," said Faryad. "He desperately needs your help."

"And I am truly sorry I cannot give it to him," said Stavros. "Please, leave. If you would like I'll have a few supplies packed and sent with you."

Snow Fox spat. "We need nothing from you."

Snow Fox and Faryad left the hut. Stavros stood in the doorway, watching them leave. Elsa came to his side.

"What did they want?" she asked.

"Nothing," he lied.

"Tell me, Stavros. Tell me the truth."

Stavros sighed. He did not desire to lie to his beloved. He said, "Have I ever told you of Comet Fox?"

Elsa Smiled. "Yes, many times. Is he coming?"

Stavros shook his head. "No. He wanted me to come to him."

Stavros turned and entered the hut.

Elsa followed after him. She asked, "Is he near?"

Stavros nodded. He took his sword she had retrieved for him and put it away under a pile of linens.

"Why didn't he come here? I thought you extended an invitation to him. You did invite him, didn't you?"

Yes, but he needs my help now. I would have to leave Yuki. And I refuse to leave Yuki anymore."

Elsa sighed. She sat on the edge of their bed. She asked, "Why do you refuse?"

He eyed her with confusion. "This is my home now, my life. I've grown older and softer. What he needs me for is my sword, but I'll not aband-" Stavros caught himself in a moment of passionate fury. He calmed himself and said, "I'll not leave Yuki ever again."

A long silence hung between them. It was shared by those gathered outside that waited to hear news from Stavros about the visitors.

"You want to go, though," Elsa said at last.

"Of course I do. Comet Fox is like a brother to me. I can truly say I love that fox-god."

Elsa stood. She walked to Stavros' side and said, "Then go."

"What? I cannot go! I won't go!"

Stavros walked out of the hut and demanded, "Play music! Celebrate! It's Elsa's birthday!"

The people of Yuki simply stared at him.

Elsa stepped out of the hut. She said softly, "Stavros, this is who you are. This is what you are. When the world needs you, it calls upon you and you must leave our little village. It is how it must be."

"Lies! It doesn't have to be that way!"

Stavros' rage scared a few of the villagers.

"Tell me, what will you do then? As I age and die, what will you do? Remain in Yuki and watch me slip from you? Everyone here but you will come and go."

Stavros hung his head. "That's why I must stay. I want as much time with you as the Cosmos will allow, Elsa."

Elsa stepped to him and embraced him. "And I thank you for that. But now the Cosmos will not have you here. You are needed elsewhere. Live your life, live the destiny that has been chosen for you."

Stavros, tears in his eyes, looked at Elsa. "And what destiny might that be?"

"I cannot say," she shook her head. "Only you can find it."

Stavros sighed. He hung his head. He stood in silence a long time.

Quietly, Elsa said, "Would you have me get your sword?"

Stavros did not look up, did not speak. He merely nodded.

Elsa retrieved his sword once more.

A few of the villages began to pack a bag of supplies for Stavros. His accordion was brought to him as were his gourds freshly filled with tzuika. When he was prepared, the villagers gathered round him and prayed for him.

Elsa gave him a final kiss and said, "Yuki is proud to have you as their son. Return as swiftly as you can."

"I will," Stavros nodded.

He turned and ran from the village, calling out for Snow Fox and Faryad who heard him and stopped to wait for him.

As the three walked together, Stavros spied a fourth member of their group. He spied Sarut peeking from Faryad's pocket at him.

"A ruby bug?" asked Stavros.

"I wish he were ruby! He is Sarut, a friend."

"Hello, little Sarut."

"Well met," called Sarut.

Then Stavros spied a fifth member of the group. He stopped, stared into teh shadows of a tree and called out, "Petru?"

Petru stepped from the shadows and said, "I'm coming with you."

Stavros smiled. He knelt to Petru. "I cannot have you come along."

"Why not? I have a weapon! You made it yourself so it must be in good order."

"I know, but the villagers need you while I'm gone. If we're both gone, who's to protect Yuki?"

Petru gasped. "I almost fouled up Yuki's chances for survival!"

Stavros chuckled. "Indeed you did. Here are your orders: Every night I want you patrol the village as you did this night. And every night I want you to keep a small fire kindled for me so I can find my way home. Understood, little soldier?"

"Understood, sir!" Petru saluted.

Stavros kissed the boy's forehead and sent him off, back towards the village.

Stavros eyed his new companions. He looked to Snow Fox, "You're Comet Fox's little brother, eh? You poor bastard!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Snow Fox.

Stavros laughed.

The three left Yuki village far behind.

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That's it for "Broken Steel"!!! Thanks for reading!!!

"Broken Steel" -- Act III

Here's Act III of "Broken Steel".

Enjoy.

~ Charles

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"Broken Steel" copyright 2009 by Charles Shaver. All rights reserved.

ACT III

THE MONSTER AND THE MINION: Wherein Faryad, Yele Prin Prin and Sarut Battles the Gigantic Sea Beast Rata Enki Yafuni; Snow Fox is Captured by Silver Wind; An Escape is Made with the Help of New Friends

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PART 1

The people of Tokerau stood at the shore, waiting in the storm. Lighting roiled across the skies. The Living Sea churned with the fury of angry gods.

Closest to shore stood Father Papa with his young daughter Heron. The young girl had become a woman, had bled with life for the first time. As it was also the Time of Feasting, when the little village of Tokerau offered a freshly born virgin woman to the sea in return for a good season of fishing, Heron had been chosen.

The villagers stood now, staring at the sea made angry by the defiant Father Papa.

"Throw her to Rata Enki!" cried out an old woman.

"I will not!" cried out Father Papa. "If he needs blood, then let him take me!"

"No!" pleaded the village elders, "It must be a woman!"

"Then send one of our old and useless hags!"

Heron wept.

The sea came in waves, pounding at the shore to remind the small people of its might.

Far from Tokerau, far from the shore, rowing for their lives with the last of their strength, came Faryad the Exploding Sword and Yele Prin Prin. Little Sarut the Ladybug had taken shelter, afraid of the sudden storm, in Faryad's shirt pocket.

With tremendous ferocity, with tidal strength and fearless hate came the beast Rata Enki Yafuni through the Living Sea churning with foul, wicked creatures of every kind. Long had it been since he had last eaten and now his annual meal was being denied. Hatred filled him, made him hungrier as hate always does, and he swam swiftly through the deeper waters until he spied a lone boat struggling atop the sea. Thinking it a wayward fishing boat from Tokerau, Rata Enki steered himself towards it. He lifted himself from the sea to tower of the tiny borrowed boat.

Yele screamed with terror, her neck craning to look up at the immense beast's face. Rata Enky Yafuni was like a serpent, but its face was that of a thin man's. Where hair should be sprouted long, tangled seaweed. Where a mouth should be extended tentacles that hid giant, snapping mandible claws strong enough to rip a large ship in twain. Where ears should be there were furrowing webbed fingers stretching out to make the creature look far larger, far more menacing.

A large wave caused by Rata Enki's appearance capsized the small boat. Faryad and Yele were thrown into the sea.

Yell cried out for Faryad.

Faryad swam to her side. He held her and looked upon the great beast.

"What is it?" asked Faryad.

"It is Rata Enki Yafuni, the vilest of all that live in the Living Sea. We are dead, Faryad. We are dead for no one has ever escaped his wrath!"

Faryad pointed, "I think the mainland is in that direction, though in this dark storm I cannot see. We will head in that direction and we will become the first to escape this beast."

Yele grabbed hold of Faryad. Her wings worked, beating hard against the choppy sea. At last she was able to lift Faryad out of the water, flying slowly towards land.

Sarut, drowning, climbed out of Faryad's pocket to rest upon his shoulder.

"I was drowning down there!" he yelled.

"I am sorry, little friend," answered Faryad, "but matters are not much safer here."

Sarut looked about to see the giant Rata Enki dive into the sea.

"It will kill us!" cried Sarut.

"Fly away," said Faryad as he swam. "Now's your chance!"

Sarut considered this, but was certain he would lose his way in the storm and so decided to remain with his companion until they reached land, should they reach land.

Rata Enki drove out of the water once more, this time closer. So afraid of the beast was Yele, so exhausted of strength was she, that she dropped Faryad.

"Faryad!" she cried out as he hit the water, Sarut taking to the sky to avoid splashing into the sea once more.

Faryad returned to the surface of the water, swimming.

Yele dived after him.

Rata Enki struck. His tentacles flayed. His mandibles spread wide. He sucked Yele Prin Prin whole into his small, toothless mouth.

Having seen this, Faryad cried out for his love. He then swam at the beast, but it went once more under water before returning right at Faryad's side.

Faryad grabbed hold of the beast's flesh. Though scaly and slimy, Faryad's strength kept him held onto the Rata Enki. He deftly climbed the beast, slipping here and there, trying desperately for the creature's head and ultimately to retrieve his love from its mouth.

But Rata Enki dove once more. Seeing the churning sea coming at him, Faryad quickly breathed deep and held his breath as he continued his climb even under water until he was, at last, able to grab hold of one of Rata Enki's fingers at the side of his head and hold it firm.

Rata Enki appeared out of the water once more. It cried out in pain as Yele Prin Prin fought back from within, digging her sharp talons into the gums of the creature's mouth, fighting a wicked, forked tongue grabbing at her to pull her down into the creature's belly.

Sarut swarmed around the beast, afraid to leave lest he get lost, afraid to remain lest he be killed. He spied Faryad crawling his way across the face of the beast and flew to him.

"Faryad, what is it that you do?" he asked.

"I'll retrieve Yele!"

"You are foolish! Surely she must be dead!"

Then the beast opened its tentacled mouth and Sarut caught sight of Yele battling the tongue.

"She lives!" he cried out.

"You saw her?" asked Faryad.

"Yes! In the mouth! She does battle with the tongue! Go, Faryad!" Sarut urged. "Go to her! She lives!"

As Faryad crawled to the mouth, weaving through slimy tentacles towards the mouth, Sarut flew directly into the eye of the great beast.

The sudden pain made Rata Enki blink. He lost his concentration upon swallowing the girl and turned to eye Sarut flying away. Rata Enki cried out in fury.

As the beast cried out, Faryad drew near the mouth. He was able to reach into the deafeningly loud, screeching maw and grab Yele by the arm. He pulled her free of the tongue and she came flying under her own power out of the mouth.

"Thank you, Faryad!" she called.

Seeing Yele freed, Rata Enki grew angrier still. He felt Faryad crawling amidst his tentacles and worked them to grab at the interloper.

Faryad struggled to get free, the mandible claws snapping beside his head. A flood of memory then came to Faryad, a memory of a murder on a beach, of a fist breaking the steel of a sword.

Faryad stopped fighting the tentacles. He instead turned towards the mandible claws, considered them.

Yele flew into the face of Rata Enki. She clawed at his eyes until green jelly poured from them and the beast was blind.

Faryad swiveled his shoulders, making a fist and punched at the nearest mandible claw. It shattered into pieces causing the beast great pain and woe. A few of the pieces fell into the beast's mouth and it began choking.

Yele dived after a large piece and grabbed it.

Sarut returned, resting on Yele's shoulder.

Faryad wriggled free from the tentacles and climbed the face to the top of the head where he punched repeatedly. With each punch came a loud crack like thunder. With each punch, the great sea beast drew nearer death.

Yele said to Sarut, "Hold fast, little one."

She dived at Rata Enki, driving the bit of claw into his forehead, striking Rata Enki down with a killing blow.

At last Rata Enki Yafuni fell floating face down atop the sea. Faryad fell into the sea with him and swam from the beast's side.

The sea calmed. The clouds parted and let daylight shine upon the world. Rata Enki Yafuni's body petrified, becoming stone. In many more years, after the sea had spent time bringing silt and soil to the body, plants would grow and the village of Tokerau would expand from the shore to the newly made island named it Papua Prin after the two that had caused its formation: Father Papa who defied the beast Rata Enki Yafuni and Yele Prin Prin who had killed it.

Faryad swam to the small boat, checking it to make certain it was still sea worthy. He flipped it over and climbed in.

Yele flew into the boat, saying, "I checked everywhere, but I cannot find the oars."

Sarut took flight to look once more. He called out, "Hey! Over here!"

"Have you found them?" asked Faryad.

"No," answered Sarut.

Yele and Faryad steered the boat the best they could with their hands until they found little Sarut resting upon the overturned back of Faryad's violin. Floating nearby was Yele's guitar.

"At least we can have some entertainment as we drifted in the sea," said Sarut with a smile.

Faryad and Yele laughed, grabbing up their weapons.

They floated for some time until Etain flew overhead, bringing the day and they were able to catch sight of land. Sarut then flew to the village of Tokerau and retrieved help from the villagers who, in turn, rowed their boats out to Yele and Faryad.

The three were welcomed into the village as heroes and were fed well and made to tell the tale of their victory over the beast Rata Enki Yafuni.

A day came and went before Faryad approached Yele to say, "We must leave this village."

"Why?" asked Yele. "We are accepted here."

"But it may not last. I've discovered a few men here know my father and several more trade with the people of Ayiti. It will not be long before they discover the true reason we are here and no long still before Sharif hears of our presence here. We must leave."

With great sighs and sorrowful, silent goodbyes did Faryad, Yele Prin Prin and Sarut slip from the village that night without a single word of farewell spoken.

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PART 2

The prefecture of Li was ruled by the Prefect Silver Wind that likened himself as a mystic and soothesayer. He had no grand powers, but could read tea leaves and palms and was forever searching for signs, omens and charms of luck. He was not any of the Blessed Ones, he was a mere man with an inclination towards those things that give us chills on warm evenings.

Silver Wind ruled pompously. He thought himself a greater ruler than he was, though he was not a bad Prefect. He thought himself well-loved and while there was a certain amiability about him, he was largely mocked for his foolishness and deluded sense of importance. As he rarely interfered with the daily lives of those he ruled, they allowed his rule without hindrance or revolution.

Li was in the southern lands of the world bordered by the Living Sea and north of Tokerau. It was a beautiful land, a productive land and the people were largely happy. It was this land, this prefecture, that Snow Fox came to after a year or more of traveling the world, chasing after rumors of his brother. He had learned much about Comet Fox's antics, his mischievousness, his kindness and his fighting skill. He had also learned he was presently being chased by soldiers of a mad queen's army for some reason. The more he learned of his brother, the more Snow Fox desired meeting Comet Fox.

But an agent loyal to the bumbling Silver Wind spied Snow Fox without his awareness from high on a hill. He ran to Silver Wind and told him of Snow Fox's appearance in Li.

Silver Wind said, "This is an omen of good fortune!" as he often said. He added, "He has come to help our small prefecture in some way. We must keep him here and keep the good fortune he most assuredly brings with him. We must stall him here until our happy lands grow happier still with abundant crops, boatloads of fish and a new generation of civilians are born onto us. We must make him ours."

The servant nodded.

Silver Wind devised a plan to capture Snow Fox.

As Snow Fox came into the warmer climes of Li his fur grew more rough, thinner and lost some of its white, turning to a ruddy brown. He stopped a moment to rest and study his changing fur beneath a large koa tree.

Spying once more from the hill, several servants gathered and descended upon Snow Fox. Only one approached him with a harried voice, claiming, "Please! Help! My wife! There has been an accident and without help she will die!"

Snow Fox immediately followed the servant only to be jumped upon by the others, tied up and netted, his small frame pressed to the ground under their weight. A cage made of steel was brought forth and he was placed inside and he was carried to the large home of Prefect Silver Wind.

"I am most happy to meet you, little Blessed One," said Silver Wind sitting in his koa wood rocking chair upon his home's front porch. "This is a most auspicious meeting between we two. I am Silver Wind, your host."

"You are Silver Wind," mocked Snow Fox, "my captor!"

"I suppose that would be so, but my intentions are not foul. I wish my lands to be far more prosperous than they already are. I want the history books to claim me the greatest prefect of Li to ever have lived. And with your presence, I will accomplish just that."

"What would you have me do?" snarled Snow Fox. "Tend your garden? Babysit your children? I am the son of Coyote and Nyavatalii the Frost Giantess, this is no way to treat me! This is no way to treat anyone!"

"Perhaps not, but I need you and I could not be assured you would come of your own desiring had I simply asked."

"You could have asked nonetheless."

Silver Wind folded his hands in his lap and considered Snow Fox. At last he said, "We are at an impasse. Let us not argue further."

"All I have are arguments for you!"

Silver Wind ignored this. He said, "Here is my offer: You will do for me three tasks that will not only benefit but improve the way of life for my people. When you've completed these three tasks, and not a moment before, I shall free you."

"And the moment you free me," spat Snow Fox bound in his cage, "I'll take your head!"

"Now, now," scolded Silver Wind, "That's no way to treat a business partner."

Snow Fox growled.

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PART 3

Silver Wind had Snow Fox bound in chains and his many knives taken away. He was lead down to the sea where the people of Li were fishing in their boats. Snow Fox struggled the full way, hoping desperately to get free.

"Why should you fight?" asked Silver Wind. "I'll make good on my promise if you make good on your duties."

Snow Fox growled.

"Here, now, are our fishermen. They work so diligently for the fish they bring in each day. Rarely do they falter in their task, but there are times, perhaps thrice a year, these good people return to shore with empty nets and empty baskets which leads to empty purses and empty bellies." Silver Wind turned to Snow Fox. "Can you remedy this matter for them?"

Snow Fox made a last valiant effort to wrest himself free from the shackles. He fell, exhausted, to the ground. Silver Wind said nothing of this as Snow Fox lifted himself from the ground, tired and defeated. He looked to Silver Wind.

"You will make certain I am freed if I help you?" asked Snow Fox.

Silver Wind merely nodded, smiling.

Snow Fox sighed. He sat, cross-legged at the rocky shore. He studied the tides for some time, the movement of the fish in towards shore where the rocks formed natural barriers against the sea so they may rest in their swimming. At last an idea came to Snow Fox and he said, "You should make a breakwater of stone, something that is just as high as the tide is normally. Make a small hole in the wall, like a door. When the fish tire of swimming, they will swim behind the breakwater where the waters are calmer to rest and breed. Then, when the tide lowers itself, they will be trapped there for you to feast upon. When the tide rises again, they will be able to come and go as they please."

Snow Fox nodded at himself. "Yes, make this. Make for the fish a well-made home. They will spawn and live there and happily give of themselves in return for this home."

"Brilliant!" cried Silver Wind. "I knew your presence here was a blessing."

Silver Wind ordered such a breakwater be made. To the pleasure of all, it worked just as Snow Fox had said it would and the fishermen never went another day without a load of fish for market and their families.

Many days passed before Silver Wind returned to Snow Fox shackled to a massive banyan tree. A servant brought forth a stool upon which Silver Wind sat. He eyed Snow Fox and said, "Recently, one of my messengers was sent forth to deliver a message to a nearby town with whom my people often conduct trade. This messenger was young, new to the task, and he fouled up the message that was sent. Now my people have an abundance of fish and no one to sell them to. I must make an amended message to send forth. Could you help me in this?"

Snow Fox thought on the matter. He said, "The problem was the message was befuddled by the messenger. What is needed is a way for you to convey your message exactly as you intend it. If you had written the message down on something and have it delivered to your fellow traders, this problem would not exist. Have you people here that are literate?"

"Not many in this entire region are literate. In fact, in all of Li only I am able to read and write," Silver Wind lied. He could not read or write.

"I could make a system by which you could communicate."

Silver Wind ordered a wood tablet be brought forth to Snow Fox along with many sticks of charcoal. Snow Fox worked swiftly. He drew out several symbols, first based upon numbers as he knew the language would be used primarily by traders that needed to know quantities and prices. Next he drew out several basic drawings for items of trade. As he was a fox, all of the symbols looked like foxes or trees, a favored hiding place of foxes.

"Have you scholars or wise men in the area?" asked Snow Fox.

"Only myself," bragged Silver Wind, "but there is a visiting scholar from the north."

"Bring him to me."

This was done and Snow Fox taught the man his system of symbols. Soon the man was sent with a new message, a written message, to all nearby towns where he taught tradesmen and merchants the system. Never again did Li or the other nearby prefectures have difficulty with trade or communications.

Silver Wind smiled on Snow Fox. "You've only one more task to perform for me, then you will be granted your freedom."

Snow Fox wished for the day to come swiftly. As he was left alone, vulnerable to the elements outside, shackled to the banyan, he found a stone protruding slightly from the ground. He dug it out. It was sharp on one end, like that of a finely honed blade. Snow Fox smiled, determined to used the stone should the opportunity rise. But then he thought he may need more than one weapon as Silver Wind had several servants and he was therefore surrounded at any given moment by many enemies.

Snow Fox took the stone and used it to peel away small bits of the roots of the banyan tree. He carved then into pointed sticks weight rightly for throwing. He worked all night and made five such wooden throwing knives. By dawn, he hid them under the root of the banyan with the stone before falling asleep.

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PART 4

Faryad, Yele Prin Prin and Sarut traveled northwest, skirting the coastline, until they came into Li. There they were confronted by three men, servants to Silver Wind.

"What is your business in Li?" asked on servant.

"We are merely passing through," answered Faryad.

"You must meet with the local Prefect first, it is only cordial."

"I would rather not," said Faryad.

"Oh? Have you something to hide?"

Yele whispered to Faryad, "Perhaps we should go, simply to avoid confrontation. We are still weak from our battle upon the sea."

Faryad nodded at this. "Lead on," he told the servants.

And so they followed the servants to the side of Silver Wind who was chatting idly with the shackled Snow Fox.

"Prefect, we have brought to you three interlopers: a man, a bug and a Blessed One."

"Ah!" gasped Silver Wind. "Another Blessed One! How fortunate for our little prefect!"

"I am Yele Prin Prin, daughter of Kompa and the Owl Mama Mara."

Silver Wind's eyes glowed with delight as he coveted her presence.

Yele eyed Snow Fox. "Why have you shackled this poor dog thusly?"

"I am no dog!" snapped Snow Fox.

Yele gasped in horror. "He is a Blessed One! And you have him shackled!"

"We have a matter of business worked out between us. He remains thusly until he completes a task for me."

Afraid, Faryad said, "You'll not do the same to Yele!"

Silver Wind smiled. "I'll do as I wish. I am the Prefect here and I rule everyone that passes within. You are my honored guests now, much like this one." He pointed at Snow Fox.

"We'll not remain your captives!"

"You will or I will issue a mandate for your head. I may not be able to do so for her, but I certainly can for you. You are mortal, are you not?"

Yele grabbed Faryad's arm to restrain him.

"Remember the island," she said.

Faryad breathed deep, gaining control over his temper. He then walked to Snow Fox's side. Snow Fox eyed him and Faryad eyed Silver Wind. With a cry of fury, Faryad bent low and punched at each of the shackles about Snow Fox's wrists. Each one exploded into a symphony of clanks and tinkling metal as the chains fell away from Snow Fox's wrists in small pieces.

Snow Fox eyed his hands, felt at his wrists where the shackles had rubbed away fur from his skin. Despite the wicked blows, Faryad had not hurt Snow Fox. He eyed Faryad a brief moment before quickly reaching for the wooden knives he had hidden beneath the nearby root. He deftly threw one at the servant standing closest to Silver Wind. The knife struck in the throat, the servant gagged as blood poured out of the wound and around the wood. The servant fell dead.

Silver Wind stood in haste, backing away in fear.

Snow Fox said, "I've four more and a stone. That's enough for the rest of your servants and the stone for you. Or, conversely, I can deliver them all into you. Which would you rather?"

Silver Wind swallowed hard. He straightened his clothing in some attempt at dignity. He stood tall and said, "I have decided your service to me has been met and hereby decree you free from bondage." He then nodded at Snow Fox, urging, "You may go."

"Where are my weapons?" demanded Snow Fox.

Another servant brought them forth wrapped in cloth. He did not wish to get too close to Snow Fox, so he threw the knives to Snow Fox's feet.

Snow Fox smiled as he gathered up his knives. He ran from Silver Wind's home.

Not knowing what else to do, where else to go, Faryad, Yele and Sarut followed him. They followed him until they left the prefecture of Li, they followed him until Kalavata flew high over head, bringing night upon them.

When they at last stopped to rest, they made a small fire and spoke.

"Thank you for freeing me," said Snow Fox. "Your prowess is unequaled. Lesser men would have broken my arms in two with such punches."

"It is a matter of control and directing your anger, your energy into precisely the right point. I didn't want to harm you, so I directed the energy of each punch into the shackles only."

"You must be a fighter of magnificent skill!"

Faryad sighed. He said, "I am no fighter."

"Your punches say otherwise. And I thank you once more. I am Snow Fox, son of Coyote and Nyavatalii."

"I am Faryad, this is Yele Prin Prin."

Sarut climbed to rest upon Faryad's shoulder. "And I am Sarut," he said.

"Well met, friends. Where are you heading?"

The three companions looked to one another. At last Faryad said, "North." He thought a vague direction was an appropriate answer.

"And you?" asked Yele.

"I seek my brother, Comet Fox. Have you heard of him?"

Faryad and Yele shook their heads.

"I wish to meet him. But he has been difficult to track. I think now I am closer than ever, but I have been delayed many days by Silver Wind."

"In which direction do you go?" asked Faryad.

"Northwest. I am told he is on the run from some tyranny."

Faryad looked to Yele. She nodded.

"May we accompany you some ways?"

Snow fox nodded. "I would like the company."

The four companions shared tales they had heard, jokes they had learned, bonding as friends. Eventually Yele began playing her guitar and Faryad accompanied her on the violin. Snow Fox sat back, listening to the music and enjoying his new friends before the instruments were put aside and all went to sleep.

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I hope you enjoyed Act III of "Broken Steel"! Check back next week for Avt IV!!!

"Broken Steel" -- Act II

I started "Broken Steel" last Friday. Here it Act I.

Now for Act II.

Enjoy!

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"Broken Steel" copyright 2009 by Charles Shaver. All rights reserved.

ACT II

EXPLODING SWORD: Wherein Faryad Learns of Hatred and Falls in Love with Yele Prin Prin; Bleddyn Terrorizes the Island; Sarut is Born and Loses His Family to Faryad's Hate

PART 1

Between the spaces of breath, amidst the pause of two heartbeats, a young girl falls in love. So it was with young Shazi Suha. She had run away from her parents' home when she was a mere fourteen. Finding the world difficult to live in, she turned to selling herself for the pleasures of men. With the money she made she fed herself and others like her. She soon became the cherished mother of whores for this.

When she was sixteen, Shazi Suha met with and was hired by Zahir the Indominable -- the mighty sailor and luster of wandering. Zahir spent many days with Shazi Suha, paid for her food and purchased for her new, fine clothing. Shazi Suha, in turn, loved him like she had loved no other and swiftly found herself loving him with more than her body, but with her heart.

When Shazi Suha awoke one morning to an empty bed in a room she had rented for them and unable to find Zahir, her heart grew forlorn. She did not return to her other trade for sorrow for having lost the roaming Zahir overcame her. She lived in streets and off the kindness of others.

Not long after Zahir had left, her belly swelled with a child. She cursed her fortune of having found a man she loved and lost him and was now with his child and unable to work. No man would want her.

Ashamed, uncertain, she returned to her home.

The sun set golden on the home of her childhood the day she returned. It seemed to her all the gods were welcoming her home by bathing her parents' home with golden rays of light.

Hesitantly, sadly, she entered the small hut in which she had been born.

Her mother, now old and ugly with wrinkles and age, peered from her work at a blackened wood stove.

"Come," said her mother. "Sit. I'll make for you some food."

Shazi Suha sat on a small stool at a tiny table as she had been instructed. Her mother went about preparing a plate of food for her daughter.

"I'm sorry," spoke Shazi Suha.

Her mother stopped, turning to look at her. She spoke no words. She merely nodded and prepared the food.

Her mother sat with her as Shazi Suha ate.

"How long have you been with this child?" asked her mother.

Shazi Suha paused in her eating. "Almost three months now."

"And you're already this big? He will be a large boy, and an even larger man."

"A boy? How do you know it will be a boy?"

"You carry him low in your belly and his male ways ugly your face. Look at me after I've given birth to your five brothers, I'm ugly as a dog."

"Oh, no, mother," Shazi Suha leaned in and hugged her mother. "You're the most beautiful woman in the world!"

Her mother thanked her and encouraged her to continue eating.

"Do you know the who the father is?" she asked.

Shazi Suha nodded. "He is a great man, but a wanderer of the world. He left before I knew he had sowed a child within me."

Her mother sighed.

"Where is father?" asked Shazi Suha.

"He passed a year ago."

"Oh."

A daughter cried for the loss of her father that night.

Shazi Suha stayed with her mother. All her other siblings had grown and moved away. They were alone. Only the neighbor came to help and only then for the birth of Shazi Suha's child.

He was quite a large child, as his grandmother had predicted, and a boy. He came screaming and hungry into the world. As such, his mother named him Faryad the Screamer.

The child grew. Shazi Suha went to work for a nearby miller, packing grain into sacks for transport to larger cities for sale. It was hard work, but it was good work. Shazi Suha lost the fat she had gained during pregnancy and grew strong in the arms and legs.

Though Faryad grew to no longer screamer, he was still quite a raucous child. Every opportunity that presented itself to him he would bang on pots or fallen logs and babble incoherently, yet in a tune of his own making. Seeing this in the child, his grandmother saved her money for a whole year and a month and when she had enough she traded it all for a fine violin which she gifted to the child. Faryad took to it immediately, playing as though he were a man that had played for many years. As Faryad grew, so too did his music. Wherever Faryad went, he was dragging his violin and bow behind him.

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PART 2

When Faryad was two years old, his mother met and fell in love with another man. He was a tradesman, a blacksmith named Beileag. He was a good man, a strong man, and he loved Shazi Suha's mother and son as much as he loved Shazi Suha.

They were wed and Faryad was told Beileag was his father and Beileag promised to raise him as his own son. They lived together in Shazi Suha's childhood home.

Shazi Suha's mother then passed. This greatly affected young Faryad who yet did not understand such things as death. At her funeral, as his grandmother's lifeless body was burned atop a pire, Faryad played his violin. So beautiful was the tune that people in far distant lands hearing the notes carried on the wind wept for his grandmother.

On Faryad grew as his father struggled for work in the region.

"There simply isn't much demand for a smith in a sparsely populated region," he told Shazi Suha.

Beileag then met with a traveling merchant that told him certain regions of the island of Ayiti were in dire need of good smiths for weapons of war. The small family saved their money and when Faryad was age five, they boarded a merchant's sloop that took them to Ayiti.

Ayiti made for a wonderful adventure for Faryad. He fell instantly enamored with its tropical climes and sunny days. He loved the beaches and the Living Sea and tales of monsters so frightening he was kept awake many night listening to horrific cries from the sea -- both from the monsters and their victims. He played with the other children and learned of war. Of all his playmates, one in particular caught his attention. She was a beautiful girl with dark skin and wings.

Faryad struggled with his feelings for Yele Prin Prin. He did not know of love, nor did he understand enough to ask his mother about such things yet.

He heard his parents speaking of her as being a demi-goddess, a Blessed One and they mentioned others feared her. But they, his parents, did not fear her.

"She is a gift to this land," Faryad heard his father say once. "Since her birth, our warlord has tripled his efforts to wrest control of the island and from me he has ordered almost more weapons than I can make. He seems to have taken her birth as a sign of the gods blessing his efforts. Perhaps they have. We live a good life now because of the arrival of that girl. May she have a blessed life."

And Faryad quietly repeated, "May she have a blessed life."

Faryad grew. He learned his father's trade and the work made him stronger than an ox. On quiet nights he would sneak from the fires of his father's shop, run to the beach to meet with his friends and accompany Yele Prin Prin's guitar with his violin.

Let it be remembered, however, that all was not well on the little island of Ayiti and not everyone so loved the Blessed One. One such person that despised Yele Prin Prin was Bleddyn, one of Yele and Faryad's peers. He was taller and stronger than even Faryad and he lived a life filled with hatred for Yele Prin Prin and he never traveled alone. Always he traveled with his little brothers Cai and Idris and all three always carried saifs they had taken from the dead bodies of soldiers in service to the warlords of the island.

He came one night to interrupt the music of friends upon the beach. His brothers in tow, Bleddyn pushed Yele to the sandy shore.

"Stop it!" cried Faryad.

"Shut your mouth," commanded Bleddyn.

Yele raised herself from the sand. She demanded, "What is this about? Why do you push me to the sand?"

"Because I hate you," gave Bleddyn.

"What have I done to receive your hate?"

"You were born."

"I apologize, then. But I had no control over that matter."

"Perhaps, but on the day you were born my mother passed. The Cosmos took one life for another and one day you will pay for it. One day soon I will murder you and on that same day I will celebrate your passing by conceiving a child with a woman. That child will replace you and will make my family grow."

Bleddyn and his brothers left them with that warning and prophecy.

"His mind is twisted. He will cause me more troubles in the future," Yele told Faryad.

"Not as long as I'm here," said Faryad.

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PART 3

Beileag had given his son a day off to do whatever he wished. Faryad, instead of spending time with friends, spent the day fishing alone. He enjoyed his day, lounging in the sun and dreaming of all the songs he would write. He was almost a fully grown man now and would soon complete his training with his father as a smith. He sipped cool tea and rested all day.

The day had been wonderful.

As he walked home with six large fish slung over his shoulder, Bleddyn and his brothers came to him.

"Cease right there," called Bleddyn.

"I've got to get on home," Faryad said.

Bleddyn smiled. "We watched you fishing all day. We are not surprised you spent the day loving fish instead of that filthy Yele Prin Prin."

"Indeed," said Cai. "The fish, after all, are far more clean!"

The three brothers laughed uproariously.

"That is not a kind thing to say," Faryad retorted. The words had hurt him deeply.

"She is not a kind creature," said Bleddyn. "She is a pox upon this island. She has brought more death, more war. I will spit on her lifeless body when I kill her."

"I'll not allow that!" Faryad raged.

"Oh? Would you stop me now?" Bleddyn removed his red tunic from about his torso to reveal is rippling, muscly chest and arms.

Faryad sighed. He doubted he had the strength to topple Bleddyn. He sighed and said, "I refuse to fight you."

"Of course you do," snorted Bleddyn. "You are a coward and a whore's child. It's true, I've heard the tales of your mother's previous life. A whore's child can never be more than a worthless bastard. Are you certain Beileag is even your true father?"

"Stifle your lies!" cried Faryad.

"Stifle me yourself," challenged Bleddyn.

Faryad, ill in his mind and stomach, tried to push his way past the three bullying brothers. They grabbed him and pommeled him with their fists until Faryad's body made an indent in the sand beneath him.

Bleddyn spat on Faryad as he replaced his tunic. "We will one day do the same to that Yele of yours, except we will not stop until everything within her body bleeds out to stain the sands of your island."

It was a long time before Faryad ceased his tears, lifted himself from teh ground, gathered up his fish and returned home. His parents were horrified by the sight of their bloodied, bruised son.

Beileag went to Sharif, the local warlord's Hand of Justice. Sharif came to their home and inspected Faryad's wounds.

"Who did this?" asked Sharif.

Faryad would not answer.

Beileag lead Sharif outside, yet Faryad could still hear them.

"I do not understand why he hides his attacker's identity."

"Because he is young," said Sharif. "He is at the cusp of manhood and feels he must defend himself and not involve others, yet is too uncertain in the world to know how to express it."

Beileag sighed. "I suppose you will hear music from him this night. That is the best way he expresses himself. As I pound against iron, so he makes a violin sing. I apologize for bringing you out here to no end."

"It is no matter. This is why I was placed as Hand of Justice. If he speaks of anything, let me know and I'll help however I can."

That night, when his parents were asleep, Faryad slipped from their home. He walked in the moonlight, thinking over what he had heard, what he had felt that day. He wondered at how such a lovely day could be made miserable by the hands of another. So it seemed to him was the course of life: to be happy only to have that happiness ruined by another, either a person or a force. This angered him.

The spirit of his father, his true father Zahir, infected him and he climbed the mountain of the island. Anger took control of him until, at last, he stopped by a large boulder. He thought the boulder the size of Bleddyn, though thicker. In his anger he cried out, clenched his fist, swiveled his shoulders and with a single blow cracked the boulder in two.

Surprised by his own strength, Faryad let slip his anger. He examined the boulder all night until he was too tired to remain awake. He returned home and slept most the next day.

On the day following he helped his father with his smith work. Out of curiosity, he tried and succeeded at bending thick pieces of iron with his bare hands. He worked diligently all day and when the time came for he and Beileag to put away their tools and have supper, Faryad excused himself. He climbed the mountain once more. He found the boulder he had split in twain and, summoning all his strength and anger, punched at the two pieces. Once more the boulder halves cracked.

Faryad punched repeatedly with both hands. He punched and punched, turning the large boulder into smaller stones. He punched on through the night, turning the small stones into pebbles. His knuckles cracked and calcified instantly into hard, thick bone so his hands became now harder than stone, harder than iron or steel. He punched until he was too tired to remain awake. He went home and fell asleep.

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PART 4

Without Faryad's knowledge a small ladybug had made her home at the back of the boulder. She laid her eggs in a crevice hoping the large stone would block out great winds and protect her family from the rains.

When Faryad had cracked the boulder in half, she was so afraid. But the damage was instant and stopped. She thought herself and her family safe. Soon her eggs gave birth to six small children and she fed them delightfully.

Then Faryad returned, destroying the boulder the next night. All but one such bug died in the tremendous fervor. Faryad left the pebbles behind along with the lone survivor.

When Faryad returned the next night, he clenched his fists in preparation for further destruction. The remaining ladybug, who had spent the day trying to find his family and forage for food on his own, witnessed this and the great terror that welled within him grew until he was able to cry out to Faryad.

"Please! Do not destroy these pebbles any further! My family is already dead! Please spare me!"

Faryad heard the small voice. His fist unclenched as he peered closer into the pile of pebbles.

"Who is there?" he asked.

The ladybug moved out from under a pebble and presented himself. "Please, I am a mere creature of the land. My family is dead from your destruction. Please spare my life."

Hearing the ladybug beg, Faryad asked, "What do you mean I've destroyed your family?"

"We all lived here, on the back of this boulder. Now you have destroyed it and they have all died amidst your fury."

Saddened, Faryad cried. He said, "Oh, little one. I am so very sorry. Please believe I meant you no harm. Please believe that."

It was then Faryad learned anger and hatred could grow from one to another and left death and destruction everywhere it bloomed.

"I will flee from this pile of pebbles," said the ladybug. "Then you may carry on with your anger and destruction."

"I am so very sorry," repeated Faryad. "Perhaps I can help you? Perhaps I can give you a home and feed you?"

The ladybug stopped. He looked up to Faryad. "Why would you do this? Why would you kill my family then offer to feed and house me?"

Faryad wept. "For I am guilty of murder and I can only offer repentance. I have made you a victim as others have victimized me. Please allow me to help you."

The ladybug considered all things. "I admit, having another wait on me sounds delightful."

Faryad wiped tears from his face. "I will serve you the best I can, this I swear."

The ladybug concurred. He climbed into the gentle, welcoming hand of Faryad. And though Faryad had the strength the press out the life from teh small creature, he chose not to. In this act of kindness he found beauty.

He asked, "What is your name, little one?"

"Name? I was not given a name before my mother was killed."

The ladybug's words stung Faryad. "I'm sorry. Perhaps I'll name you then?"

Faryad thought it out. He said, "What about Little Sarut?"

"I'm not so little! I was the biggest of my family!" cried the ladybug.

"Very well then, how about Sarut?"

The ladybug sighed. "I suppose it's as good as any."

Faryad took Sarut home with him that night. He introduced the ladybug to his parents and they were quite saddened by his tale, but proud their son was willing to do the right thing by Sarut.

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PART 5

Sarut went everywhere with Faryad. He bossed Faryad about terribly, but Faryad continued to obey him as his servant. Sarut was introduced to Faryad's friends and, most of all, to Yele Prin Prin.

As they sat on the beach one night playing music for their friends, Sarut climbed to Faryad's ear and said, "Why not ask the lovely lady to dance?"

Faryad shook his head.

"Go on. It is obvious you are in love with her. She is kind to you in return. I am certain she would love you."

Despite all his anger for Faryad and all his bossing, he felt for Faryad's yearning of the beautiful Yele. He wanted to help Faryad in this matter. He thought about enacting Faryad's avowed service to him and forcing Faryad to present himself to Yele. But that seemed too harsh even to Sarut. He instead lifted into the air and flew to Yele's ear.

"Hello, pretty Yele Prin Prin."

Yele smiled but did not stop singing and playing her guitar.

"Did you know our young Faryad kindles a flame for you?"

Yele Prin Prin blushed.

"I thought you should know," said Sarut. he flew back to Faryad's shoulder.

After their song, Yele Prin Prin moved herself to sit closer to Faryad. She eyed him, smiling.

"Another song?" she asked.

Faryad nodded and she played a gentle song of love.

Yet the song was interrupted by Bleddyn and his brothers laughing raucously.

"What a wonderful party!" cried Bleddyn. "Is this all for me? You are all much too kind!"

Faryad placed his violin on the beach and stood, clenching his fists.

"What do you wish from us, Bleddyn?" asked Yele.

"Oh! I've finally come for your blood, beastly Yele."

Bleddyn and his brothers drew their swords.

Faryad stepped forward.

"Oh, no! Get yourself killed on your own! Leave me out of it!" cried Sarut as he scurried into the pocket of Faryad's tunic.

Bleddyn eyed Faryad. "You still play with bugs as a child?"

"Get out of here," Faryad spoke slowly and in a low tone.

"Not until I press out the life from your lover."

Cai and Irdis attacked, their swords flailing about in mock ceremony before coming down at Faryad swiftly, viciously.

Faryad punched. His fist connected with the side of one of the saif's blade. The steel shattered into a dozen smaller pieces that flew in every direction.

Cai gasped. "My sword!" he cried. "He has caused it to explode!"

Faryad grabbed Irdis' blade and snapped it in half. He flipped the blade around in his hand and pointed the tip at Irdis.

"Come at me," challenged Faryad. "I've the wicked end now."

Bleddyn laughed with delight at this.

All of Faryad's friends ran, except Yele Prin Prin.

Bleddyn said, "Our little Faryad the Smith has become Faryad the Exploding Sword."

Bleddyn drew his saif. He scowled.

"Taste my steel!" he cried.

Faryad dropped the half blade and backed away.

"Do not run from me, coward! Do not run from me, you bastard child of a whore!"

Again Bleddyn lunged. Again Faryad backed out of range of the biting sword.

Frustrated, Bleddyn ran with all his might at Faryad. This time Faryad did not move. He instead waited for his enemy to draw near. He raised his arm, let Bleddyn's sword slip by him and brought his arm down to grab hold of Bleddyn's wrist.

Surprised, Bleddyn gasped.

Faryad lifted his fist and brought it crashing down onto Bleddyn's skull, cracking it. Blood sprayed from his nose, skin peeled away from under his hair and blood waterfalled down his face.

Faryad wriggled free his fist from his enemy's skull and let go the corpse.

Bleddyn fell dead on the beach, his blood staining the sand.

Cai and Irdis ran away.

Yele Prin Prin said, "We must go. Sharif will be after us for the murder."

"He'll be after me, not you."

"Nor me," Sarut flew from Faryad's pocket to land on Yele's shoulder.

"He came for me," said Yele. "I'll stand by your side."

"What about me?" asked Sarut.

"Fly away home," snapped Yele.

"I haven't a home!"

"We have to go!"

Faryad picked up his violin and ran home. Yele Prin Prin followed with Sarut grasping firmly to her shoulder.

Faryad's mother and father were harangued by the tale of the young couple. They helped them quickly pack.

"I know of a boat we could use. It is one of the fisherman's. He died a month ago but his boat remains tied at the shore," explained Beileag.

"Yes, I know of it," said Faryad.

"You could escape the island."

"We'll row out and wait a while until we came return safely," said Faryad.

Beileag grabbed his arm. "No, son. You may never be able to return here."

As he said this, Faryad knew it was true.

Yele Prin Prin looked to Shazi Suha and said, "Please, tell my father what has happened and that I love him."

"You don't have to go," argued Faryad.

"I'll not leave your side," she said.

Beileag looked out the door.

"Quickly!" he said. "Hide! Sharif comes!"

Faryad, Yele and Sarut hid behind the door of the home's pantry. They heard Sharif enter the home, heard him speaking with Beileag and Shazi Suha.

"Where is your son?" asked Sharif.

"Not here right now. He has gone to entertain his friends with his violin," said Beileag.

Sharif found Faryad's violin lying on the bed.

"Then why is his violin still here?"

Beileag stammered, "He must have forgotten it."

Sharif looked about the home, suspected the young couple were hiding in the pantry as it was the only true hiding place there could be in the home.

He said loudly, loud enough for everyone in the home to hear, "Cai and Irdis have come to me this evening claiming your son has killed their older brother. Do you know anything of this?"

"Not at all," Beileag lied. "My son would not murder anyone."

"I'll admit if anyone on this part of the island deserved it, it would be that Bleddyn. He was a sour man. Perhaps Faryad has nothing to do with it, but I'll need to speak with him as soon as possible. I'll go around and try to find other witnesses. That will take, oh, say an hour." and at this last part he raised his voice a little and looked towards the pantry. "I certainly hope that's not too much time for Faryad to escape, should he want to."

Sharif excused himself from their home.

Faryad and Yele stepped out of the pantry.

Faryad said, "He grants us time. He knows the dastardly nature of Bleddyn and has given us time."

"Then let's not waste a moment of it," said Beileag.

The small family ran along the shore. The island curved and shone silver under the night's moon. The family ran through this bed of soft silver until they found the abandoned boat. They loaded the boat with the few supplies they had time to pack, a guitar and a violin.

Faryad, Yele and Sarut got into the small boat. Shazi Suha and Beileag pushed the boat out to sea, guiding it until they both stood with water up to their chests.

Faryad leaned over the side of the boat and hugged his mother.

"I love you, son," she said. She then hugged Yele and said, "I love you, daughter."

Tears came to Yele's eyes.

"Son," said Beileag before he let go of the boat. "I am not your true father."

"Beileag!" Shazi Suha scolded.

"He needs to know," Beileag explained. He looked at Faryad and said, "Your true father's name is Zahir. I do not know what kind of man he is nor if he is even alive, but if you can find him perhaps he can help you in your new life."

Tears came to Faryad. He reached out his hand and held that of his father's. As his father let go the boat and his son, Faryad said, "You'll always be my father."

Yele Prin Prin grabbed the oars and handed one to Faryad.

"You could always fly away, you know," said Faryad.

"This is the life I am choosing."

Sarut flew to Faryad's pocket. Faryad looked down on him.

"You could also fly away."

"And where am I to go?" asked Sarut.

Thinking of the ladybug's urgings earlier that night, Faryad, in the night upon the Living Sea filled with monsters and moonlight, said, "I love you, Yele Prin Prin."

Yele answered, "I love you, Faryad. And thank you for defending me this night."

Together they rowed away from Ayiti.

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I hope you enjoyed Act II of "Broken Steel"! Check back next week for Act III!