Redone both the prologue and Chapter One (when I should have been doing other things >.> <.<).
Anyway, I'm just sneaking this post in before I get cracking with my Tall Tales and Short Stories assignment, but I should be back this weekend.
Seis'Houjin
Prologue
Bright eyes stared out across the vast stretch of forest, taking in the scene he knew would greet him from atop the great cliff he stood on. For miles around him the forest swarmed with life and here, in the centre of this great forest, Jester could feel that same great pulse he felt so long ago, like a great heart: beating in glorious ignorance of all else.
As far as the eye could see green canopies hid the ground from sight save for the tip of the cliff that he was standing on, a barren stretch of soil that seemed to be the eye of this storm of life. And it was here that he had journeyed to, not to hear the unwelcome pulse, but to stand before the two mounds still present in the barren eye of the storm.
He stooped to one knee before one of the graves, looking distractedly at the fist-sized stone placed atop its center, with intricate and forbidding hallows carved into it like a grim testament to some deity. He plucked the stone from atop the grave and examined it as if seeking all the secrets it may hold in its scribbles, despite knowing every carving on its surface, having been the one to perform the strange ritual he had been brought up with.
"Did you miss me mother?" he spoke in a mocking and amused tone to the grave before placing the stone back upon it. "What of you father?" he said, glancing at the second mound and its stone.
"No, I do not suppose you would, but I am here nonetheless, just like last year, the year before that, the year before that and…well, you get the idea"
His youthful face twisted into a lop-sided smirk, his arms folded guardedly in front of him and his dark brown hair whipped slightly in the wind - occasionally needing him to swat it out of his face or tuck it behind an ear.
"I sometimes wonder how different things would have been had I not killed you all those…" his voice trailed off as he seemingly lost himself in thought “Yes, I guess it has been centuries now has it not?”
Jester opened his mouth as if to continue this train of thought but again his mind seemed to wander and he lost himself once more, his face displaying nothing but neutrality.
Like a grim statue he stayed stooped before the graves for several minutes until the heavens opened up. He glanced to the clouds to vent his frustration upon them but instead found his eyes drawn to the eerily and abnormally large moon that could be seen through various gaps in the cloud.
It was then he remembered that today was the beginning of the Demon’s Moon’s midnight reign. “It seems duty calls mother, we will have to continue this chat next year, when you will not have to compete with the Demon’s Moon for my attention”
He stood up, turned back towards the trees that seemed to stand guard around this place and silently slipped underneath the green canopies which seemed to engulf him. With the midnight reign of the Demon’s Moon beginning it was likewise time for his reign to begin. The chaos it brought made it easier for him to hunt down his enemies, enemies who will soon rue the day they crossed the Jester of the Demon’s Moon.
Seis’Houjin
Chapter One: Vain Hope of Gain
Cajien studied the piece of parchment he held in his left hand for the second time, his feet crossed atop the worn tavern table and his right hand caught in the motion of bringing a mug of ale to his lips. He alternated between looking neutral and looking thoughtful as his eyes carefully checked all of what the letter said.
He was pleasantly shocked and, truth be told, now rather looking forward to starting this whole Seis’Houjin tournament, even if all he got out of it was a few laughs, riches or just simple life experience. His pleased state was due, in no small part, to the fact that he would not have to go half way around the world as he had dreaded, since the Sei guide had scheduled their meeting in the Halvan capital where he was already quite conveniently located, it being his piss poor excuse for a home town, or city rather.
He finally brought the mug to his lips, managing to chuck back at least half its contents in almost a single gulp, coughing a bit afterwards and silently thankful he was drinking alone.
“Careful there Mr. Vash, wouldn’t want you choking on our ale, it’s bad for business”
Cajien glanced at the grinning face of one of the waitresses of the tavern, a young woman with long dark hair, who’s name was something along the lines of Lea, although he did not want to risk being wrong so opted for a safer choice of words.
“I’m not some sumptuous old codger” he drawled, lounging back in his seat “The name’s Cajien. Besides, I and the family don’t exactly see eye ta eye: I stay outta their business, they stay outta mine” He took a swig from his mug, partly because he was thirsty but also to try and regain his composure – nearly choking on ale is not very high on his ‘how to impress women’ list.
She rolled her eyes and smiled at him. “For a guy who cannae say ‘to’ properly you dannae seem to have any problem with big words
Cajien”
He gave her what he hoped was a charming lop-sided grin. “Well, what can I say? Me mother wanted her son ta have a silver tongue rather than a silver sword like me dad wanted me ta have”
She smiled at him. “Tell me Caj-”
“Oi! Waitress! Where’s our order lass?”
She glanced over to the table occupied by a large group of middle-aged men soon back from their day’s work and gave Cajien an apologetic smile before turning back towards the bar. “Ah finish at ten if you want to finish our wee chat Cajien”
“I’ll be waitin’ here m’dear”
He paused slightly to admire her retreating form and proceeded to neatly refold the parchment and place it within one of the many hidden pockets of his long coat. He then took out a small copper coin and made it dance around his fingers in the same fashion he had been doing since he saw that street illusionist when he was six.
After seemingly being in deep thought for several minutes, only breaking out of his reverie for the occasional sip of ale, he swiftly plopped his feet back onto the floor and stood up, critically surveying the crowd in the tavern for anyone who knew him. He ran his hand through his close cropped blond hair and broke into the grin that made those who knew him double-check that they had secured or hidden their money and valuables.
Since he did not have to worry about traveling to some obscure location he had decided, amongst other things, to get to work before he had to be, or at least act like, a paragon of lawfulness.
But first he needed another mug of ale, there was no way he was going to leave after having drunk three mugs - he had sworn that the number three had some sort of vendetta against him ever since that he was a child and had that incident with the neighbor’s daughter…which was not his fault of course.
~MTWC