The Calm

Chapter 16

The Calm

Locke sat on a grassy hill with his back bathing in the afternoon sun. The air around the village was still. and carried the subtle scent of burning wood. With care he directed his pencil across his portrait. Adding details to rough lines and smoothing edges, doing away with lines he deemed unnecessary . Locke looked up from his artwork, recapturing the image he was sketching. With his mental image reestablished, his attention fell back to his paper.

Some distance away in front of Locke, underneath the cover of a tree. Autumn and a handful of the young children enjoyed an afternoon nap. What was out of the ordinary and the spark to Locke’s inspiration, were the small beasts enjoying a nap alongside her and the children.

“She is such a showoff, always doing cool stuff like that.”

Atif complained as she walked up behind Locke, peering over his shoulder to get a look at his sketch.

“Damn that’s good.”

She knelt beside him to get a better look at it, she was in awe of Locke’s ability to capture the moment. The subtle details that were becoming more present with every stroke of his pencil. She couldn’t contain her laughter as she pointed at one of the children he sketched.

“You got this one perfect.”

Pointing to the young boy sleeping on Autumn’s shoulder. Mouth wide open, snoring, a butterfly resting on his nose.

“He is my favorite one, so carefree, reminds me of simpler times.”

Looking back at Autumn, Atif smile transformed as she scrunched her face in anger. Standing up, she pointed toward Autumn and the kids and shouted.

“Even that mean old dog that tried to bite Haiden is there.”

Locke chuckled, his attention on his portrait as he sketched away.

“Your sister is something else, she must be the pride of your village.”

“Quite the opposite, to everyone outside my family she is looked at as an outsider. To be fair she is, but Autumn in her time living with us has been selfless and giving her all to the village and our customs.”

“So Autumn isn’t really your sister?”

“By blood no, but blood has never determined family in my eyes.”

“That is something I can relate too.”

He put his pencil down, looking up at Atif. Locke squinted his eyes and used his hand to block the sun.

“With you being here I take it you and Ki finished up hunting?”

“Yeah, should be enough food for the village and their new guests. Haiden is finishing up her meeting with the village leader now. Once Autumn wakes up, we should be good to go.”

“So, have you informed her about your decision yet?”

“No not yet, I still haven’t figured out the words. The idea will probably break her heart. But mine, mine is set. “

She smiled, anxious for the next chapter of her life. Free from the shackles of becoming chief.

“So, this place Busaya, what do you know about it?”

Putting his sketch book and pencil aside, Locke stood up and turned to face Atif.

“Not too much, I’m just aware that my village has a haven established just outside the dome. Beyond that it will be a new experience for me. You do know that you don’t have to come with us, you don’t owe Ki and myself anything.”

“That’s not true, without you and ki I don’t think we get off that ship. It’s not like I’m some kind of lost puppy that’s going to follow you home. We take Haiden to Busaya and find your brother. After that we go our own ways.”

“That’s so cute!”

Haiden exclaimed, reaching the top of the hillside, Ki right behind her.

“You get used to it after a while.”

Atif shifted from Locke and focused on the two new arrivals.

“You sound a little jealous Atif.”

Ki laughed, playfully jabbing Atif in her arm and resting his forearm on Locke’s shoulder. Everyone in attendance chuckled, even Atif trying not to be so high on herself.

“Maybe just a little.”

She confessed pinching her thumb and ring finger together.

“Just a little.”

The group’s playful badgering of Atif ceased when one of the children sneezed, scaring off the small beast and waking Autumn up. Slowly she opened her eyes, her vision starting to focus. Stretching her arms out, she whacked the young boy in the face. Caught off guard, she looked around watching the children around her start waking up as well.

“I’m so sorry!”

Autumn rubbed the young boy’s cheek, apologizing to no end in the process.

“When did you guys get here?”

She smiled, pleasantly surprised she wasn’t the only one enjoying a nap.

“Hey sleepy head, over here!”

She looked upward toward the hilltop a distance away. At the top Atif and company waving in her direction. She waved back, still half asleep, she carefully freed herself from the children’s clutches and stood up. Stretching her limbs one last time, Autumn walked her way up the hill and smiled at the others. They walked away as Autumn approached, something that caught her attention. Atif was the sole member of the group that stayed behind to greet Autumn.

“So, I guess it is time to say our goodbyes to the others. If we leave now, we should reach the southern coast in two or three days. I went out earlier and got.”

“Autumn.”

Atif cut her off, and looking at her in her eyes told Autumn the truth. Out of ear shot, the others waited patiently for emotions to settle and a decision to be made. From the perspective of the others, Autumn was visibly upset, communicating heavily with hand gestures.

“Oh no.”

Ki sprinted forward with the others following right behind.

“Oh man, you can’t be serious.”

Locke was amused, as he witnessed Autumn and Atif start to scuffle with each other. The two siblings pushed and shoved each other. Soon the two started grappling and started rolling down the hillside. Where the old dog came to Autumn’s aid and started barking and harassing Atif. Locke and Haiden remained at the top of the hill. One laughing and full heartedly understanding the dynamic. The other was shocked and worried about what was unfolding.

Ki managed to separate the two, just for Atif to start fighting with the old dog before it ran off, yapping.

“That’s twenty-five to twenty Auttie, pack your bags were going to Busaya!”

Autumn rose from the grass and stood up with the help of Ki. She watched as Atif arrogantly raised her arms in triumph. Dishing out harsh insults toward the old dog as she watched it disappear back into the village.

“Your being selfish Atif!” What about mom, dad and others? They probably think that were dead.”

“Maybe that’s for the better, only time will tell Auttie. Just go with the flow and everything will fall into place, right?”

She used Autumn’s own words against her. Autumn conceded defeat to her younger sister. She didn’t like it, but she supported Atif. Even if that meant possibly never going back to the place, she called home.

“You cheated Atif so that doesn’t count. You had Ki help you.”

Ki was caught off guard by the wild accusation Autumn was throwing his way.

“You had the dog helping you!”

Haiden let out a sigh of relief, Locke just smiled and crossed his arms and watched the sisters and now Ki argue.

“Sometimes I feel I might be the most mature one in the group.”

Haiden was starting to come to the realization that she was traveling with a bunch of characters.

“It wouldn’t be too farfetched to believe that. Come on let’s get going while we still have sunlight.”

He picked up his pencil and sketch book from the grassy hilltop and walked down the hillside to join the others. Haiden, not too far behind Locke, descended the hilltop. The sounds of the two sisters’ argument becoming clearer with every step of her approach.

“Now that everything is settled, why don’t we get a move on.”

Locke Looked at Autumn and then over in Atif’s direction.

“There will be another time for you two to settle this.”

waving the group forward, Locke took charge and casually made his way north toward the forest that surrounded the village. One after another the members of the group followed. First ki, then Haiden, followed by Atif. Autumn lingered behind, while the rambunctious party pressed on. Lost in her thoughts she lowered her head.

“Remember who you are. Bahamut depends on it.”

shocked, she turned around to face the direction of the voice, Seeing no one there with her. She was brought back to the present when Atif grabbed hold of her hand.

“Come on Auttie, no looking back now.”

Atif led Autumn forward into the unknown never once losing hold of her sister’s hand, smile on her face. Autumn slowly looked over her shoulder as Atif led her forward Still thrown for a loop. There in the same spot she was once standing. A small girl stood ominously watching Autumn and the others set out. She turned around again not believing what she saw. Breaking Atif’s hold on her hand to turn around completely. But there was no little girl to be seen, nothing at all to be seen.

“Autumn, what’s the matter?”

She came too once again, shaking her head.

“It’s nothing, forget about it.”

Grabbing her sister’s hand once again, Autumn and Atif pushed forward to join their new friends.

“So, what do you know about this gathering in Busaya, Haiden?”

Locke looked over at Haiden wanting to know the answer to Ki’s question. She didn’t hold her tongue and explained everything she knew.

“From my understanding some of the most influential rebel groups are coming together for one big operation. The details of the operations are a highly guarded secret amongst the leadership. So, I can’t really tell you anything about that. All Lazard gave me was a time and place, but if your brother is a member of Deathwatch like you say he will be there.”

“How can you be certain of that.”

Locke questioned as Autumn and Atif caught up, rejoining the entourage.

"No one respects their leader Roland, who only seeks cheap thrills at the cost of very people we swore to protect. The operation in his eyes will be his claim to fame and buy him a seat amongst the leadership”

Just talking about Roland made Haiden angry, Locke noticed and didn’t press the issue further. But she continued.

“I’ve heard stories from other rebel cells that happened to be stationed with them. That guy Roland used a elderly man as a shield when the village was attacked by New Aurora.”

“Who knew there was so much strife within the rebellion. It’s not as simple as black and white, this fight of yours.”

Locke tried to steer away from Roland’s deplorable behavior, though he wondered why Keyon was running with such a man. Haiden gave Locke a sharp glance, looking forward once again as the group approached the edge of the Northern woods. One by one the party brushed aside the tall grass and other vegetation in their path.

“It’s not just my fight, Its all of Aurora’s fight. New Aurora cannot continue to go unopposed. Hording technology and life enhancing sciences to themselves. While we live with the Beast, EV and other dangers that the tech they keep from us could quell.”

Autumn and Atif cut in front of the others. Curious, they scouted the area ahead for new beast to tame. Locke and the others maintained their pace, continuing their conversation. The party traversed the many obstacles the forest presented, Poisonous plants and vicious beasts. Treacherous rock formations that took patients to navigate. With every obstacle surpassed the further the sun dipped behind the treetops.

Knowing the hours of sunlight were diminishing. The party made a call to set up camp for the night. From the prepping of the fire to the making of makeshift blankets and insulation. Everyone had their hand in contributing to the effort. Around an open fire the group conversed about many things. Enjoying the food and company. Atif was in the process of smashing down some of the area’s poisonous plants into a paste. A coating for the arrows she masterfully crafted prior. Locke, who wished to finish his sketch. Struggled to find a spot where his head and forearm weren’t blocking his lighting. Ki relaxed by the fire, admiring its beauty while Haiden took stock of her inventory. Autumn enjoyed the last bits of her meal. Looking around at her company, all of them had their purpose. But what about her, what was her purpose. She didn’t dwell on it long but instead gazed upward at the few scattered stars she could make out. Clearing her mind and easing her soul.

***

“Rosa will always be my home. But I was born in New Aurora.”

He sat on his stool, Back arched, forearms resting on his thighs. He slowly opened his eyes, feeling the piercing pain of Shima’s needle ceasing. Beyond the walls of the room, raised voices echoed throughout the safehouse. A drunken Roland talking nonsense with Seth and Lorenzo countering his argument.

With a soft cloth she gently wiped away the excess ink and blood off her canvas.

“So, how did you end up in the mountains where Locke and Ki found you?”

She resumed poking away at his back. Occasionally dipping the needle in a jar marked with ancient symbols.

“I was caught in the invasion of New Aurora fifteen years ago. I lost my sister and one of my good friends. I spent days underneath the rubble, presumed dead like the rest of them. I don’t know if it was fate or by luck, but my sister’s friends found me. But not only me but my other friend Viyah, barely alive. He smuggled us out of New Aurora for reasons I was too young to understand. Taking the two of us to my grandfather’s village south of the Azura mountains.”

Her needle stopped, taken aback by the revelation. Her eyes lowered, putting her needle down on her workstation. She placed her soft hands on his stern shoulders. Pressing her forehead against the nape of his neck. Being careful not to touch her workspace.

“Keyon, I had no Idea.”

“My father was held responsible for the invasion, the death of my sister, my friend and countless others. All of it fell on him in the eyes of New Aurora. It doesn’t stop there, sometime later New Aurora raided my grandfather’s village burning it down. Killing him and the whole village, all because they were looking for me. Women, children, wiped out all because of me. Thanks to my grandfather me and Viyah were able to escape.”

She raised her head, picked up her needle and got back to work. Feeling the needle penetrate his flesh eased his mind. Now focused, he continued explaining himself.

“For months, Me and Viyah did what we could to survive. Stealing from markets and doing odd jobs. Times even got so bad we found ourselves eating other people’s trash. Eventually our luck would run out, when I was caught stealing bread from Marblegate. Viyah came to my rescue, separating me from my captors. The village guards chased us out of town and up into the mountains.”

He remained emotionless, even while explaining his past, explaining what haunted him. But he wasn’t fooling Shima, she could feel his anger boiling on the inside. His essence was flaring up, and he was hot to touch. A combination of increased blood flow and dormant emotions stirring. Shima ever diligent, continued working hard on her elaborate design.

“We eventually lost them and for days we survived in the mountains. We even had a little hut up there.”

He cracked a rare grin, his eyes closed as he sat there. Taking the pain from Shima’s needle that pulsated throughout his body.

“Then one day, we ran into something that we couldn’t escape.”

He couldn’t finish when the door to the room slowly opened. Walking through the door, cigarette in hand, Lorenzo made his appearance.

“Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

Shima stopped Tattooing and Keyon looked over his shoulder.

“No at all Lorenzo, I’m just working on Keyon’s piece.”

She went back to work, while Lorenzo peered over her shoulder and looked at her work. Grabbing a chair, he placed it some distance in front of Keyon and Shima. Taking a seat, Lorenzo crossed one leg over the other. Taking a prolong drag of his cigarette, In the process.

“Got tired of Roland politicking?”

Keyon reached his hand out to Lorenzo, signaling for the cigarette. Taking one last soft pull of his cigarette, Lorenzo passed it to Keyon. Slipping it between his fingers, he lifted the cigarette to his lips. Taking a deep breath, Keyon inhaled the tobacco. Exhaling a cloud of smoke through his nose, Shima still focused on her project.

“That’s putting it lightly.”

He took the cigarette back when Keyon passed it.

“How are you feeling? You were pretty banged up the past few days.”

He flicked the ashes of his cigarette into a cup in his free hand. Keyon looked up, giving Lorenzo a flat look.

“I have dealt with worse.”

“I can see that, the Scars on your chest tell a story. I can tell by its stretching that it happened some time ago.

Keyon placed his hand on the giant claw marks that dragged across his chest. From his left shoulder down his right hip. Three giant claw marks defaced his otherwise perfectly toned upper body.

“This is just a scratch.”

“You want me to add anything to this?”

Shima questioned, placing a sheet of paper in front of Keyon’s eyesight.

“No, I want it just like Locke drew it.”

The paper with a drawing of a serpent was set aside. Giving the man a clear view of Lorenzo smoking his cigarette. He closed his eyes once again, the poking of Shima’s needle taking up most of his attention. Lorenzo, after another drag passed his cigarette to Keyon again.

“Now you mind explaining to me how people with your skill set are playing second fiddle to these two?”

Keyon and Shima looked at Lorenzo, His face stern, curious about the feats he witnessed days prior.