Private Tales Only For A Day

[Lyta]

Lyta watched over the rim of her cup as Mikko made them sandwiches and hid her smile by taking another sip of the warm drink. It was endearing and sweet. Something she was not used to when travelling with Brom, who would have handed her a stale bit of cheese and called it edible. Brom's strategy was always tough love, Mikko's... Mikko's she had not fully figured out yet.

Finishing the rest of her tea she too rid it of the dregs then handed back the cup and accepted his hand to mount the red elk, even though she did not need it. There was something sweet about the gesture that stopped her from refusing it. Once in her saddle she nibbled on the sandwich as Mikko talked.

"I always preferred a sunset," Lyta admitted with a shy smile. "It is not very often I get to see the sunrise. Usually the Dreamscape keeps me until noon, sometimes later."

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Mikko raised his brows, sounding his surprise at her admittance. "Well, Lady Lyta, this is your first glimpse in so long. What do you think of it?"

Lyta looked beautiful in this soft light. Sunsets were always a golden warmth, but a sunrise was such as this had painted her in a soft glow. She looked like a living dream, and one he did not mind not waking from. He had to avert his gaze, afraid of staring and... remembering what it was he had said to her last night. Mikko had been very close to wanting to kiss her, but even he knew such a spell would be as sweet the moment they were both ready for it.

One day, he would do all of this right.

He was going to take the time to get to know her, court her, and introduce her to his family. And being on this trip with her is not the time for such courting. She was a Guardian on duty, and he was here in place of Brom, someone he really did not want to cross.

"How does this compare with your sunsets?" He grinned.

 

[Lyta]

Lyta turned her face towards the rising sun and closed her eyes to savour the feeling of warmth after the cold night. A soft smile creased her cheeks and when she opened her eyes they were full of quiet joy, though tinged with a hint of regret.

"It makes me realise I miss a lot of when Dreaming," the Guardian had said it so quietly it was not obvious whether she had intended to give voice to her thoughts. The tinge of regret was gone by the time she glanced to Mikko though.

"It is beautiful. Do you paint such things or do you prefer people?" She tilted her head curiously.

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

"I like to capture images that remind me of my life. Things that made me happy in passing, or simply something so gorgeous, it begs to be made immortal." He looked to her a little longer than he'd like, and turning away gave Lyta the perfect view of his blushing cheek.

"You know, I haven't spoken about my artwork like this with anyone... not even my sister." But he enjoyed telling Lyta about it all. She was the muse he was now catching; her life as a Guardian, the idea of her travels, her very beauty... He found himself enraptured with her. "I don't feel like I am here as a Cendrillon of the Vanguard."

And as soon as he said those words, guilt weighed on his shoulders.

 

[Lyta]

"Talking bout passions is important... The Ancestors must agree with me or they would not have left us with a stone dedicated to it," Lyta allowed herself a small smile at the joke. Her eyes were trained on the horizon so she missed Mikko's blush. The snow had continued for most of the night and it now softened the landscape around them, turning it into a winter wonderland. The town Mikko had earlier mentioned was now visible in the hillside, illuminated by a hundred different lanterns that looked like hazy fireflies.

"You must stop thinking of yourself as two different people - the soldier and the man. You are both and there are times when you must give each part of yourself the appropriate time to exist. Otherwise, you will find in ten years you have killed a part of yourself."

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Mikko could not begin to formulate how to tell Lyta he was always thinking himself in such a way. He had to be what his family expected of him, but as he grew older, he began to pursue other things that were not the makings of a soldier. His brother's teased him for it, only making him hide his art and interests and put on the front of a dutiful soldier that was acceptable of the Cendrillons.

It was his sister that insisted on seeing the other side of him.

"I was a foolish boy." He breathed out a light chuckle. "I wanted to impress my father by being like my older brothers and forgot to think of myself until I was much older." And Mikko was good at being a Cendrillon soldier, like many generations before him.

 

[Lyta]

"We are all foolish when we are young," Lyta said with gentle sympathy and glanced across to her companion with a smile. "My own mother was very clear the path she wished for me, even if it damned me in a way to a life of a near ghost. It took me a long time to remember I did not have to do the job how she did it, that I could make it my own. You too will find the balance," looking ahead towards the town again Lyta loosed a breath that fogged in the cold air before her.

"Come, let us think of the present. Ghosts are best left behind when the sun rises," with a click of her tongue she spurred the red elk into a steady lope.

At Lyta's request they skirted the main town and continued on to the small village beyond. That there was something wrong with the village was apparently from the lone road that led to the wooden gates. Usually such a track would be bustling even on an early winters day such as this but it was quiet and the snow only amplified the silence. Lyta frowned but said nothing as they drew closer. Nobody met them at the gates which were left open and inside the streets appeared deserted.

"This is not good..."

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Mikko reflected on Lyta's wisdom, wondering if she had discussions with the actual Guardian of Wisdom about such a way of thought, or simply her own conclusion. Either way, her words resonated within him.

It was much to stew over as they rode ahead, but his soldier training made him aware that not all was right the closer they got to the village. Mikko looked about their surroundings, seeing nothing out of the ordinary that gave away anything that may have occurred here.

"I'm going to dismount. If something happens, you ride without me, back to the town. You hear me?" His boots crunched into the snow, a fresh layer undisturbed until now. Sword taken out from scabbard, Mikko advanced slowly before Kuruk.

 

[Lyta]

Lyta did not argue when Mikko dismounted and instructed her to leave should the worse happen. Just as she expected her Vanguard to listen to when she was the authority in the situation, she bowed to the wisdom of her Guard when dangerous situations were afoot.

As they walked through the seemingly deserted town Lyta began to chew her bottom lip nervously. She had seen their dreams but last night so she knew this town to be popular, if distressed, so where were they?

"We're not here to hurt you!" She called and glanced up when she caught sight of a twitching curtain. "I am Guardian Lyta, of the Dream Stone, and this is Ser Cendrillon of the Vanguard. We are here to help you."

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Mikko left it to Lyta to speak, the image and voice of a Guardian perhaps would be enough to calm their nerves more so than that of a soldier of the Vanguard. He heard a door shut close, and his head turned towards where the sound had come from.

"If there is a threat here, it is not us. Please, we wish to aid you." He spoke aloud, hoping that someone would come to speak to them. "We are here on the faith of Valenntenia. You are under our protection."

Cendrillon spared a glance back towards Lyta, giving her a shrug.

What had the people cowering in their homes?

 

[Lyta]

Lyta looked troubled. She chewed on her bottom lip and her brows were knitted together, casting her usually bright eyes into a stormy light. She never enjoyed being right about her hunches as Brom called them. She would much prefer to still be a novice to the stone and getting interpretations of Dreams wrong. It was never a pleasant thing to discover the darkness in the waking world was real.

Suddenly, the Guardian spied a face peeking out from one of the narrow off streets. The child looked barely older than ten and their face was covered in dirt, streaked with lines caused by tears no doubt. He eyed the newcomers with a suspicion more suited to an adult, but with the hesitant hope of a child. Lyta dismounted, hoping the lack of elevation might make her seem less daunting.

"Please, I saw your Dreams. All of your Dreams. I want to make them go away, would that not be nice?" the child hesitated and then vanished. Lyta let out a quiet huff of frustration, but a moment later he reappeared with an older man's hand in his. He had a long salt and pepper beard and his face was as dirty as the childs. In his other hand he gripped a hammer.

"Can you really help us?" he asked.

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Mikko did his best to hide his blade at his side, but still kept at the ready in case it were needed.

"It is what drew her here. The Guardian of Dreams came here to help you and your plights. We cannot help if we cannot see you all..." Faces now peek from doorways, windows, even from behind homes.

"Is there somewhere we can rest? Perhaps invite a few of you to speak with us about what is happening here?" Mikko looked to the older man. In a show of trust, he stowed his sword back in scabbard. He pulled off his leather gloves, and tucked them away. "What has gotten you all so frightened?"

 

[Lyta]

The man still seemed unsure of the pair. He warily eyed the sword Mikko held and eyed it still once it was put away as though trying to decide how quickly the man could draw and use it.

"Ghosts," he finally replied and the child who had led him out hid behind his legs. "Come this way," and then he turned and headed towards the building that looked as though it served as the villages pub. Lyta threw Mikko a concerned look and followed after.

Before they passed inside Lyta noticed the signs carved into the wood to ward off evil and dark magic. She grimaced but said nothing. Inside the pub was cozy but it lacked the usual mirth of a place built at the centre of the community. They were the only people in there.

"It started a month ago," the large man said and eased himself into a worn chair by the fire. "There was a fire up at the barn on Old Stellers farm. We lost ten of our own, good men and women, and we mourned them proper. But one of us wasn't convinced it was an accident. Agnes lost her daughter up there in that fire, and she lost her mind. Can't blame her, was her only child and the girl was pregnant at the time. She and her husband both lost their lives trying to pull people out. Well Agnes started claiming it was intentionally done. Couldn't find nothing to support her claim but she wouldn't let it go would Agnes. Claimed we were all in on it in the end, that we were hiding the killer among us. So she cursed us."

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Mikko guided Lyta to follow, taking up the rear of the line as they were led to a pub. Again, he positioned himself close to her, but remained vigilant as the man began to tell them what had transpired here.

"What sort of curse, if I may ask?" Already, he was out of his depth with the arcane. He looked to Lyta, smiling wryly before looking up at the man. "If you could show us the farm later... perhaps I may be able to offer some insight."

Investigative work was easy enough for the Cendrillon male; the idea of information coming together and patterns to be found were ways to engage his mind.

 

[Lyta]

Lyta had perched herself on the chair which looked to be in the best condition. She looked out of place in her silks and silvery blonde hair but if it bothered her she did not seem to show it. Her attention was solely fixed on the man as he spoke, nodding in encouragement when he paused or darted a look at her wondering how much to say in the presence of a Lady.

It was one such look he gave her now before looking to Mikko to answer his question.

"Ghosts," that word again. Lyta's lips pressed together in thought. "First it were only when we were sleeping. The ghosts of the dead would appear, ask for help, accuse us of not wanting them to rest. To begin with I thought it were just me, then I heard a few others mention the same Dream. By the end of the week after Agnes left we were all having it, like clockwork. Bad dreams I coulda handled, but lately..." he mopped his brow.

"You'll think us crazy but... now the Ghosts are real. Dreams come to life."

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Ghosts...

Mikko turned to look at Lyta, as if to consult whether dreams coming to life was something unusual. It sounded... almost prophetic that such a thing could occur. He turned back to the man, a grim expression on his face. "Agnes... would you say she has history in the arcane? Any changes to her behaviour?"

Investigate. It was the very thing he can fall back on. His observance and line of questioning had often aided him in the past, and even as a fresh recruit to the Vanguard, he excelled in this segment of training.

"Because you have such a deep frown, Mikky!" He could practically hear his sister say.

 

[Lyta]

"Not that any of us knew. Oh she used to know a good ointment or two to sort out a bad ache or something, was great with the kids but... arcane?" the man looked troubled. "We're not the sort to be casting the title of witch about because a woman knows a thing or two."

"They are not Ghosts," Lyta said quietly into the room. Her eyes had moved to the fireside when he had begun to speak of the spectres that haunted their Dreams and then their Waking Hours. "It sounds like Agnes was a Dreamwalker."

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Mikko raised his brows at Lyta, impressed that such a thing could be true. Of course, he did not look to her with doubt, nor did he give her scoffs or a wave of a hand. The Vanguard looked interested, waiting to hear more on the matter.

"And can you find her, Lady Lyta?" He wished he did not ask such a question before others, when he was unsure of the extent of her abilities truly. This new information changed they way he would go about this investigation. Find and deal with Agnes first, and then if Lyta allows it, perhaps proper investigations of the fire. Maybe it would bring peace to the woman who suffered such loss.

 

[Lyta]

Lyta grimaced at Mikko's question, dispelling the brief moment of hope on the old man's face.

"Perhaps. It will be... hard. The Dreamscape is large and if a person wishes to hide there they could do so for centuries without being found," some of the previous Guardians of the Rune had done just that. Vanished without a trace, leaving behind just the stone and a note. It had been a while since she had dealt with another Dreamwalker such as herself. They were dangerous. A fight in the Dreamscape could mean her death. But to bring these people some rest...

"I shall try my best," she nodded and then glanced to Mikko, seemingly having thought about the use of discovering the start of the fire too. "Perhaps we should take a look at the site as you suggested. Let us see if we can find what Agnes believes she saw." She raised a hand to her mouth to stifle a yawn.

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Mikko waited for Lyta and their guide to take the lead and show the Valenntenians the fire. Carefully, he pulled at her sleeve to get her attention, leaning down to murmur quietly to her. "The Dreamscape... is it safe for you to wander if Agnes is truly hiding there?"

He need not say it, or voice his concerns fully at the idea of Lyta going alone. He would want to be the sword for her, be her protector as Brom had asked of him...

"Do you think it possible for me to accompany you... to keep you safe?"

 

[Lyta]

Lyta stifled another yawn as Mikko tugged at her sleeve. As she turned to face him he would no doubt see the exhaustion creeping in to her blue eyes, the dark smudges that now lay beneath them. Yet still she offered him a reassuring smile and patted his arm in comfort.

"The Dreamscape is... a dangerous place. But out of those who walk this land I am probably one of those most safe," she gave a small sigh and glanced to the husk of the old farmhouse that rose above them. A little further and they would be there. She took the opportunity whilst there was space between them and their guide to be honest though.

"If Agnes is hiding there though... It... will be testing," she grimaced. "As for you joining me... It is a skill to walk in the Dreamscape. I can try to teach you but I would worry you might be an easier target for her."

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

Mikko mulled her words over, still wishing to help her in this. It was as if he knew Brom would be disappointed in him if he didn't try and find a way to be of use. "And what if we did make me a target for her? Draw her out of hiding and..." The rest would be up to Lyta and her Ancient given ability.

"I can put up with some beating and pain... but I am not known to her. Perhaps that could be of use to us?"

Better he suffer than Lyta if it came to it.

The remains of the farmhouse made him whistle low, taking in the damage that was done. It had been an inferno. What was left looked as if it were ready to fall with the hint of breath, and Mikko knew not to let Lyta go near it.

 

[Lyta]

Lyta looked at him sharply, the horror at such a thought clearly written over her delicate features.

"Mikko, you could die if--"

"Sorry to interrupt, but eh, we do be here. Do you still be wanting me to show you the site?" Lyta had failed to notice their guide had stopped and they had indeed drawn up with him now so he could hear their conversation. Her cheeks heated as she realised he had been about to hear her rebuke. It was an unseemly thought. She was a Guardian and he an esteemed member of the Vanguard; they were not squabbling children.

"Yes Sir, if you would be so kind," she gave Mikko a look that said they were not done with the conversation before following.

Their guide took them into the very belly of the building. The roof it seemed had been burnt entirely away and erased the risk of it collapsing on their head. The walls were in varying states of collapse however and she made sure to keep to the very centre of the room.

 

[Mikko Cendrillon]

He knew he would get strife later on when they had a moment to themselves, but Mikko was not afraid to help by putting himself in the line of fire. Perhaps he shouldn't lead with any mention of his past experiences with near death...

Mikko grimaced at the damage done to the building, the aftermath of something as destructive as a fire always a cause for concern. The last time he had seen a fire break out in Valenntenia was two years ago. The autumn evening was a night of blazes breaking out in Old Town, after Odhran Carvyre incited riots. The scars were still there, if one knew where to look, but out here, away from any major city and funding, this building would take time to heal before being rebuilt.

If they could spare any resources for such a thing.

He looked around, careful of where he stepped, but his dark eyes fell on something. A blazing mark, one usually made from the likes of something not natural.

"Over here." He called out.

 

[Lyta]

Lyta was no investigator. Her work lay in the Dreams and Wishes she could see and feel among the people around her. So whilst Mikko quested about the ruins she closed her eyes and let herself slip carefully into a trance state. Pain and terror rushed into her. The final wishes of those who had died here were still imprinted upon the charcoal walls. Lyta grimaced as she tried to make sense of it all. There was something there... a wish that differed from the others...

Her eyes opened when Mikko called and she glanced to the man she suspected was the towns mayor. Together they wandered over to see what it was Mikko had seen. Interestingly it was the mayor who cursed first and crossed himself.

"Tis the sign of the devil."