The Great Divide

[Fijoli]

Fijo drudged on through the scenery, closing her eyes for elongated amounts of time as October's movements kept her awake.The warmth hit her as they entered the Mountain gate shelter and smiled slightly as she was wrapped in warmer clothing, far more clothing than she was used to. Uther let out a rather irritated caw as the men approached them, Fijoli's eye opened just in time to feel drips of hot liquid spray across her cheek and lips. Quickly she brought her fingers up to wipe it away smearing red vibrance in streaks along her white skin.

"October.." she muttered weakly.

"I'm a marked man, we must move."

With haste she felt herself being tugged in many directions, giving October complete control over where she was going. Foot struggled to not trip over the other. Uther did not like this, He pecked at Lychgates head a few times and the horse stopped in his tracks. It was time to put her on the saddled they were saying with their animal eyes, primal gazes that looked right through October and gripped tightly at his soul. It was Fijoli's power, her connection to the world, to all of nature was powerful and she effected all that she touched. she looked up slowly at the horse-crow duo and Uther spoke. This time with Fijoli's in His arms, October heard his words loud and clear as if another human being was with them.

"You need to get on the war horse, Fijo, you too, Reaper of the West, We can't have Her falling off the beast while running from them"

Uther cocked his large beak up and down, as if to point past them. As Fijo turned with October to see a group of horses treading clouds of snow towards them. Her silver eyes shot up to the hill beside them, bringing up her hand high above her head, she crushed at the air with her fingers. Sudden cracks bellowed through the snowy ridges of the mountains sending tons of snow billowing down towards the mercenaries. She was ripped away from the ground and placed on Lychgates back and soon held tightly by an Arm of October. She looked back to see the men popping their heads from the snow.

Head falling back, Fijoli, melted into Octobers Torso, resting in a weightless stride. With what reckless abandon she trusted in him her very life, and the liberation that followed seemed more unreal from one moment to the next. For years the same man she watched struggle to conquer her lands and ravaged the earth, wrought evil doing down on her, she now leaned on and believed to be true of heart.

Uther spoke again this time addressing October, Knowing full well the more time he held on to Fijoli, The more he would observe her powers.

"For someone who fought so fiercely for his kingdom, your fellow fighters don't seem...happy to see you! CAWCAWCAW!!"

FIjoli swiped at Uther as he fluttered up into the air to circle above cawing out in his laughter,

"That is what you get for destroying our home reaper, Not all of us are as forgiving as the queen of crows."

"Do not listen," she muttered," October Knight, you are on the right path, let nothing deter you. Soon you will be exhaulted, soon you will be loved, not feared, righteous, not entitled, humbled, from this day forward you are no longer the reaper of the west. Forever starts today, Forever My October Knight."

She lifted her chin to look on his face even her eye held a somber smile, loneliness just melted away into some unknown casim of forgotten memories. Instant and unconditionally she felt for the Knight, How he looked at her made it hard to do otherwise. Turning her head back to face ahead she lifted her hand and placed her warm fingers just about his ear, palm forming to his jaw, she held his face, caressing him to reassure him of everything and anything she could. She held her hand there for what felt like Infinity.

"I trust in you"​

 

[October Knight]

The stories of magic were true. The powers of those blessed, or cursed, with the ability to rain down fury upon their opponents. As the snow blocked the pursuers from making chase, perhaps maiming them in the process, October made a sudden realization: Why had magics not been used in war? Surely the east, and the wizards and witches in the north could have influenced the sway of the war with the power of magic? The only thing October knew was war. The battle, gaining ground in combat and the celebrations after a victory. The political aspect of war could be very rewarding to a calculated and precise warrior like the Reaper in the west. A shadow from a snow bank passed over Octobers rugged face, silver snow lined reflections dancing with cation at the feet of the quintuplet as they made their way further into the desolation where the Norther Witch resided.


"For someone who fought so fiercely for his kingdom, your fellow fighters don't seem...happy to see you! CAWCAWCAW!!"

October regarded the Crow, sucking cold air in through his nostrils and exhaling a grunt directed at the bird.

"That is what you get for destroying our home reaper, Not all of us are as forgiving as the queen of crows."

"I would not expect a talking feather duster to understand anything men do, nor would I expect it to say anything useful at all. You'd best to mind your beak, bird." A chill in the air became a distant discomfort. Any conversation was better than acknowledging the constant chill that slowly became more intense as they climbed in elevation. October let out another breath "The wars men fight are seldom fair, bird. What kings do is law, as good as the gods own voice. I'll let you in on a little secret, Crow. My allegiance never truly lied with the West or King Barrister or even my home land of Mantra. My allegiance has always lied with the war. The battle is what I live for, and I would do anything, kill anyone, to make sure it never ends." The October Knight knew now that he had a new mission, to help the Queen of Crows. It was only fair to give her companion a look into his mind prior to the events that led them all here.


"Crow, I am war." He Felt Fijoli's body heat in the saddle, her body resting strong but at ease in front of his. "Now I focus that energy into, Fijoli. It is my belief your queen is the answer to ending this hell I have created. Should you or any one else hold malice in there hearts towards me or what I used to represent, let them come. I still have the itch to kill lurking just beneath my bones."

"........Forever starts today, Forever My October Knight."

Octobers strength, his true courage, shone through when she spoke. The ice melted away on his armor where his heart pounded in intense rhythm.

"And so I give my life to you, regardless of the consequence."

October knew that he was as good as dead as long as Mantra wanted him to hang. His foreseeable days were marked. The only hope rested in the The green Witch to the North and the strength Fijoli possesed. Her faith in him was his true strength. He felt it in her and in himself.

 

[Fijoli]

So Traveled the two heroes into the snowy mountain peaks, Snow whipping past them. Octobers hands looking nearly frozen. She took her cloak and wrapped his hand under her arms letting his hand hold fast to the reigns as well as become warm from her body heat.

Insignificant flakes of snow clumped together to impact the integrity of pioneers, fijoli was resistant to the cold, being a druid had its Major benefits. Pressing closer to The knight, she rubbed his hand gently with her warm fingers, Spotting Ruskalas's Hut in the distance.

A small round hut stood in the middle of the sloping tundra of snow, neatly tucked beneath a protective cliff.

"Look!, Knight, just there beyond the nearest hills." She briefly pointed towards the shelter that lay just about a mile from them.

As they approach, the door swings open a rather tall and slender bends from the opening of the hut to stand as tall as Lychgate. Fijoli smiled and slipped from the back of the horse and away from October, hopping through the snow like a frantic hare to the tall, slender woman adorned in emerald green robes with piercing honey glazed eyes that ripped through the air, straight into the eyes of the knight. Fijoli leapt at Ruskalas her arms wrapping around the young druid.

"Come in, all of you,...quickly" Ruskalas whispered with a hiss that made the horse and crow jump, leaving October to feel the effects these women had on beasts aswell as the elements themselves.


​

 

[October Knight]

Even with thick wool lined padding under chain armor, October felt the vicious bite of the northern mountains. The air was painfully dry as the snow fell, becoming increasingly Heavy as they moved on. Lychgate neighed in protest as his right fore hoof slipped on a snow covered rock. October reached down and stoked his steed behind the ear, his hands feeling the instant cold as they left the warmth of Fijoli's body. The way she intuitively knew just how to comfort him made October feel something inside that he had thought was dead. It was loving, but deeper than that. he only hoped that Fijoli knew that. Sometimes he would try to hide it, even become angry with her or himself, but no matter what, he imagined, he would always love her.

"Look!, Knight, just there beyond the nearest hills."

A small plume of smoke rose from a snow covered building. The October knight reached down instinctively and felt for the hilt of his weapon. He had a pain in the bottom of his stomach. It was the constant reminder that he no longer had the support of a kingdom, he could no longer ride into a village with 150 armored escorts, and 2000 more waiting just outside the gates. He was a renegade now, a marked man alone in a world that hated him for prolonging a war for kings.

They approached the hut, October dismounted before slapping Lychgate on the hind quarters, an act that would have usually caused a horse to jump. Lychgate knew Octobers hands and merely whinnied at him. Even in the darkest hours Lychgate could make October smile.

"You stupid horse.."

They got within spitting distance of the door when it flew open. An older woman, wrapped in winter garb not unlike the typical northern dress, stood before them. October had heard tales of the Green witch, and like most magical phenoms of their time, she kept a distance from political nonsense of the kingdoms. October had had little use for her likes in his past life, but now felt an urge for the guidance she may be able to provide. He did not smile, but instead went to tie up Lychgate under the protruding rafters of the hut. He shot a cool glance at Uther.
"Maybe we can tie you up too while the humans talk, hmm?" He had developed a love hate attitude towards the crow.

 

[Fijoli]

Uther Cawed into Octobers ear as he swooped by to land on Ruskalas Out stretched hand, she slowly brought him to her cheek, his pale feathers ruffling against her smooth long cheeks. Legends of Ruskala were Older than all the forests in the world. Many said she was the mother of the mountains her powers to heal were beyond any natural remedy. Fijo had learnt much from her.

Ruskala sniffed the air as Uther chittered into her ear, earning fijoli to go inside into the warmth. Uther followed after her and Ruskalas shut the door behind them.

"I can smell my mana on you,....Knight."

Her Voice was angelic, with near melodic tones. elonlgated vowels and gently hissed 'S's. She began to move around October she was just a foot or two shorter than her, she beams over him like a creature from somewhere distant and beyond the earth they stood on. Large green eyes were far spaced, moonlit-like wisdom ever present in the rings of each Iris.

"Fijo, learns fast. Adaptive" She snapped her thumb and middle finger at him with her left hand, her arm coming up to reveal a longer and more slender bone structure. Bending at the waist, to look the knight in his eyes and smiled.

'Look at you, she brought you from near death." She flicks her finger and the snow beneath October swirls into a solid ice lifting him up to look her in the eyes now. sniffing at his neck and chest, back up to lift strands of hair to examine.

"Risk her own life, but I know why..." Her eyes were gapping windows of curiosity, The otherworldly aura was all that was in the air.

"You are The Exiled and hunted."
​

For the first time she blinked revealing under eyes​

lids that closed vertically just before they close horizontally. Gently she gripped his hand and Lychgates reigns, leading them both into her abode.
​

The inside was far bigger than it appeared to be on the outside, layers of railing stretched down, down....down into the earth. Ruskala glided across the dark wooden floor. Herding the knight and his Horse down a winding sprial of books and ivy covered railings. Candles lit every corner, it was bright and all in sight was more than even the few lucky mortals would ever witness.​

Handing him back his reigns, She removed a lit torch from the wall beside her and with another smile and moved along the stone floor down a wide open tunnel. Walking him through rows of bones, burial Urns, and Scrolls, The great druid began to talk to October again.

"You understand, Traitor of Mantra, that the Moon has a healing breathe. Fijo used the moon's light, it's gravity, to keep life in you. However, something is there that which you do not understand.'

Ruskala began to light the candles as the walked into a darkness that with every lit candle fled away from their coming.

"That night Fijo, found you she held you in her arms. This tenderness, is not my mana," Sniffing at him again, "That is her own Mana and in little time will become stronger than My own. It is your mission to ensure that Fijoli does not lose the ability to love this way. Becuase If I am not mistaken." She stops to look him straight in the eye, "She has reminded you with that very love what you are still capable of?"

Ruskala Just smiled and thought inside she did not like the way things were going but she had to accept that this was their Destiny and if they both wanted it, even she didn't posses the power to stop it. However there were far more powerful things stirring in the south, things Ruskala feared much more than the unseen destiny of October and Fijoli.

"In the south, there is an Island, far across the clear seas, it sits along the water with a Mountain of Fire. Fijo used to have dreams about this Island when she was a child. When she would visit She would wake with Terror in her motral eyes, crying about the mountain of fire on the ocean. This was no dream but the future she encountered in sleep."

Pausing at the memories she began to frown,"Thats when we knew Fijoli was meant for extraordinary things. That she had, and Extraordinary...destiny"

"The mountain of fire, Is far, and the power within threatens to consume our world. This all being said, do you believe you have what it takes to protect Fijoli, Ensure the love she has for life remains intact. Above all be a dear friend to her?"

Pleading tears fill her large green pools to roll down long cheeks.

"Fijoli means so much to us, she is fearless with a Brave heart."

"You must promise"

Her voice began to split, resounding as if many of her spoke at once.

"All in the world will Perish without Fijo's love, their hate grows strong and greed fuels a raging fire in their souls. They seek to take her love and use it for selfish gains. for ends to means they will destroy such an unguarded and sacred power."

She loosened her gaze that fell away to the floor, she took in a deep breath and continued," You mortals no longer have respect for the old ways or the old gods. Fijo is in danger, but to keep a Free spirit away from the world will only destroy the spirit. She needs you to be free"

Ruskala bent at the waist again and wrapped her unusually long arms around the knight, and with animal like affection, she rubbed her cheek across October's rough chin. This was her way of letting him know that maybe at time he may doubt himself, but she would believe in him. That If Fijoli loved him, Ruskala Did too.

As she stood she pointed to a bench where he could sit and wait.

"You promise me, October?"
​

 

[October Knight]

The October Knight was not a small man, his chest and shoulders alone dwarfing other mens in size and statute. There were bigger men, sure, but the way October held himself was larger and more intimidating, making him a natural leader on the battle field. His eyes were not easy to read. Even when glowing happily with strong drink they still held a vicious intensity in them that made hardened warriors uncomfortable. Even those that knew not of his reputation, felt it when he came into a room. He radiated it, like toxic fumes from the mouth of a swamp dragon. October was aware of his effect on people, and astonished at the fearlessness of the northern witch, whom he had never met. October felt venerable in her presence and was guarded as she looked him over and spoke.

'Look at you, she brought you from near death."

"I am forever grateful. Fijo saved more than one life by saving mine." The other saved life of course was Lychgate. October wouldn't elaborate though, instead letting Ruskala take it as she would.


"You are The Exiled and hunted."

"If they hunt, why have they not caught their game? The hunted in stronger than the hunters. The kingdom that hunts me also fears me." October responded, his voice as cold as the snow beneath him. He didn't question how she already knew that The King of Mantra had banished him.

"She has reminded you with that very love what you are still capable of?"

October flinched inwardly. however his face only took a split second break from it's steel cast.

"I…..I' The Knight stammered "I have not felt free since I was a child." Was the only response he gave. The prison he had created for himself had put out the fiery passion he once had, Fijoli revived it.

October Listened about the mountain to the south. October knew about it, as it was one of the few free places not being warred over by Human armies.

"The mountain of fire, Is far, and the power within threatens to consume our world. This all being said, do you believe you have what it takes to protect Fijoli, Ensure the love she has for life remains intact. Above all be a dear friend to her?"

The Witch began to cry, and October felt his venerability disappear. It was replaced with a new courage and fearlessness.It took opening himself up to gain his true inner strength. He felt invincible and stronger than he ever had on the battlefield, killing men by the dozens. This moment marked a change in the Knight.

"Our paths are one in the same, I feel bound to her. So if you are asking if I will protect whats mine, then the answer is yes. Until my last breath the answer is yes. I promise, as a Knight not of Mantra, but of my own, I will protect her."

October took the Witches hands in friendship, lowering his eyes and head to her.

"I am the October Knight, no longer the reaper of the west. Reborn as the Knight of fall and the protector and sentry to the Queen of Crows. My life is hers. I fight for no kingdom and I bow to no man.... I only do it....."

He switched his gaze, eyes as clear as polished diamond, to Fijoli.

"For her."

 

[Fijoli]

The Green Witch somberly left him to stand with Lychgate far below the ground. Some time had passed by, too much time. Hours turned over themselves before Ruskalas returned this time covered in a deer red hue the flowed down the front her green robes. Bloody hands rubbed at a small linen and concern wore her face.

"That was very close"

She didn't keep eye contact with him, she broke away her gaze to the floor as thought it would further support her. she was weary, weak from so much work.

"My magic was not enough to stop the bleeding, it seems it is part of the bargain she made."

noding for him to follow, the witch led him to the queen of crows. the room was bright with candlelight, Fijoli looked peaceful in a heavy sleep, void of pain or injury. Her eye was wrapped in a more loose fashion than before yet the color of blood remained.

"The creature that took Fijo's eye, only they have the answer to stop this insufferable bleeding, but...The worst is over, Knight, Keep her fed and watered, Keep each other alive"

leaning over, Ruskalas rested a gentle kiss on fijoli's forehead and left October to sit with her alone. looking back once to give him a small but very thankful smile. He may have destroyed and made others to suffer once, nevertheless this knight got Fijo there just in time and she would live thanks to him.​