Whirlpool's Betrayal, Chapter Three
“What do you want?” Lyolen asked the newcomer. Dmitri lifted his head to turn and look at her. She was around Jani’s height, and wore a grey wrap around top with black pants and black books. She was also draped in a black cloak with the hood drawn. She had short brown hair tied back with a large green ribbon. Around her neck was a crystal identical to Dmitri’s and in her right hand was a long thin sword, similar to Lyolen’s. Her eyes were fixed on Dmitri as she spoke.
“Leave him alone, he is under my protection.” The woman spoke with her youthful voice.
“Heh,” Lyolen regained his composure. “If he’s so important to you, then drop your weapon for him!” Lyolen shouted as he pressed his blade against Dmitri’s throat, drawing drops of blood. The woman recoiled and turned her eyes to her sword.
“Dmitri, no!” Jani screamed as the electric ropes binding her dissipated and shot out towards Tiaris, who had only time to gasp as they wrapped around him. Lyolen turned to look, which was all the time the newcomer needed. She leaped in the air and delivered a flying snap kick to Lyolen’s face, sending him reeling to the side. Dmitri took the opportunity to recall his glaives back into bracers, stand up, and grab Jani’s hand, helping her up too. Lyolen got up and swung madly at Dmitri, but was parried expertly by the woman.
“Warris, guard Tiaris. I’ll handle this.” Lyolen cried.
“But Lyolen, you won’t stand a chance against the three of them. She’s not going to kill you, we should escape now before you get wounded.” Warris’ words went unheard by Lyolen, who charged with his sword raised at the woman. She raised her own blade, blocked him again, and kicked him in the chest. Lyolen staggered back a few steps and regained his composure just quickly enough to barely block a slash from the woman. They clashed together in a contest of strength, and the woman won, pushing her blade forwards enough so that Lyolen’s own blade cut his face. Lyolen jumped back and charged forwards again. The woman sidestepped him and drew her blade across his throat, making a shallow cut. Lyolen froze and brought his hand up to his throat, giving the woman the opening she needed. She spun around and kicked him in the side of the head, causing Lyolen to drop down, unconscious. Bending down, she gathered up Lyolen’s limp form in her arms and turned to Warris.
“Here Warris. I don’t think he’s knocked too badly.” She handed Lyolen over to Waris, who bent down and picked up the bound Tiaris.
“Thank you. So you’re back in these parts, Viranei.” The woman nodded.
“Consider these two under my protection. If any harm comes to them, I may reconsider my vow not to kill you humans.” Warris grunted in response, turned around, and took off into the woods. Immediately, the woman’s posture relaxed and she chuckled, turning to Dmitri.
“So, I finally found you.” She raised her sword, and it shrunk down into a closed lily pad type fan. Jani gasped.
“That weapon changing form and that crystal, you’re a demon.”
“Yes, I am. There’s also the fact that you were attacked by demon bounty hunters, and your companion’s weapons changed, so the same holds true for him, if not you too.”
“You’re partly right,” Dmitri said. “I’m a demon, but Jani isn’t. You say those men were bounty hunters, Viranei, was it?” Viranei nodded.
“They’re rather famous around these parts. They’ve had books written about them and everything. The tall one, Warris, is pretty level headed, but the other two tend to be pretty impulsive.”
“I see.” Dmitri said as he crossed his arms. “But why did you help us?”
“I’ll explain later, there might be more bounty hunters in the area. They leave me alone as long as I don’t attack any humans, but you would be fair game. Let’s go some where safe.” Viranei beckoned for the two of them to follow. Jani paused to pick up her fallen sword and they were on their way. Viranei moved rather slowly, and Dmitri noticed she was breathing heavily. He didn’t see her get injured during the fight, so she was probably fine, and he didn’t want to ask her about it. It took them a few hours, but soon they arrived at the Glien, the next village, the one Dmitri and Jani had been heading for in the first place.
“Well, here we are, my humble home.” Viranei spread her arms out as they arrived.
“You live in Glien?” Jani asked, slightly surprised. I live in Danser and never heard of a demon here.”
“Well, it’s not really something we advertise. Not even everyone in the village knows. Just the friends I live with and a few key other people.” Viranei said as she turned towards a good sized house and opened the door. She yelled inside “Hey guys, I’m back!”
“Is that you Viranei?” A woman’s voice greeted them. “I thought you’d be gone for another week. You just left earlier today.” The woman who appeared was tall, with soft brown hair tied back in a bun except for a few stray strands which fell down over her face. She was wearing glasses over her medium brown eyes, and was wearing a loud dress adorned with ribbons over black pants. She looked to be a few years older than Dmitri, Viranei, and Jani. “Oh! You have guests!” the woman exclaimed.
“Yes, meet Jani and Dmitri. Guys, this is my friend Alaina.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Jani said with a smile. Dmitri peered inside the house and saw another woman sitting in a couch brushing her long, blonde hair. She was short, and wearing a pale blue dress. She got out of the couch and strode over to the door.
“What’s this Viranei? Did you bring more demons to take advantage of our hospitality? Didn’t we tell you that you and Breeze were exceptions?” She spoke with narrowed eyes.
“Wait, Breeze?” Dmitri took a step back, shocked. “That’s, is that the same Breeze as the royal family’s Breeze who disappeared eight years ago and just turned up dead almost a year ago today alongside his brother Laurd?”
“Shh, not out here.” Alaina motioned for them to come closer. “This isn’t the sort of thing we should discuss in the open. Come on inside. Kara, you be civil to them.” Kara, the blonde short girl, scowled.
“Should I get the others? This could be serious.” Kara asked. Alaina nodded and stepped inside.
“Come on in you three, I’ll get some food ready.” Viranei stepped in the house and motioned for Dmitri and Jani to follow. Kara turned around and walked further into the house’s depths. As Dmitri stepped in, he saw the main room was mostly a circle of small couches around a table. Alaina went into another room, probably the kitchen, as Viranei sat down on one of the couches. Dmitri and Jani nervously sat down as well. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Alaina reappeared, carrying a plate of bread and vegetables.
“Here you go guys, living with Viranei and Breeze taught me what demons don’t eat. You should be fine with this.”
“Wait a minute,” Jani said as she took a carrot and a piece of bread from the plate. “What do you mean, ‘what demons don’t eat,’ I thought demons ate anything, especially flesh, that they could get their hands on.”
“So you aren’t demons then? How did you know about Breeze?”
“I’m a demon, Jani isn’t.” Dmitri spoke up. “And demons, as a rule, don’t eat meat. It has to do with the land we live on. Any meat from animals raised on that land is inedible.” Viranei nodded at his statement.
“There’s no reason we can’t eat meat, but I’ve been so used to not eating flesh that the thought of it is just so weird.”
“Wow, I had no idea.” Jani mused. Alaina cut in.
“Wait, did you say her name was Jani, as in Danser’s Jani?” Dmitri and Jani both nodded.
“Yes, my grandmother is the head of Danser.”
“Well, you’ll have to explain how you all met each other. Wait, here are the rest of our crew.” As Alaina spoke, Kara came out of another door. She was followed by three others, all looking to be in their early twenties. The first was a tall man, with lightly spiked brown hair and glasses. The second was a woman with neatly cropped black hair and coal black eyes. The last was a rather short man with long black hair. Kara and the newcomers sat themselves around the table and helped themselves to food. Alaina sat down too and looked at the group. “I guess I should introduce everyone. This,” she said, indicating the tall brunette man, “is Trey. This,” indicating the woman this time, “Is Saki, and this,” she said, pointing to the long haired man, “is Aric. Guys, this is Jani and Dmitri. So, Dmitri, as for the explanation?”
Dmitri nodded and explained how he and Jani met. He told them about the bandit attack, leaving Danser, and running into Lyolen’s crew. He explained how Viranei saved them and brought them to Glien. He mentioned his mission to the capital that would hopefully bring a truce. After he finished, Alaina sat back in her chair and folded her arms.
“I see. I guess it’s Viranei that needs to do the explaining. Why did you butt into Lyolen’s fight, Viranei? How could you be so sure that these two weren’t invaders?” Viranei took a deep breath before speaking.
“Long ago, back when I lived in demon lands, I was almost killed by one of my teachers. A woman saved me, but she was mortally wounded and died soon after. Before she died, she mentioned she had a son. She said he was tall, with black hair, and one green and one blue eye.” Dmitri scowled, there were his eyes again. “She died before she said his name, but I can’t imagine too many people fit the description. She made me promise that if I ever found her son, I would use the life she saved to protect him. That is all.” Viranei sunk back in her chair as she finished.
“Are you sure it was my mom? What did she look like?” Dmitri leaned forwards inquisitively.
“She was wearing a white dress. She was around my height, and had short black hair and black eyes. That’s all I remember about her, sorry.”
“It’s ok. It does sound like her. She used to say that wearing white made her look innocent. She left right before I changed from a human to a demon, she was looking for a way to save me, but I never saw her again,” Dmitri finished with a sigh. “So, how did you guys come across Breeze and Viranei. I mean, it’s not usual for espers and humans to live together.”
“I’ll explain.” It was Trey that spoke up. “About eight years ago, Viranei and Breeze moved into the forest between Glien and Danser. For about three years, we didn’t pay them any heed. They just kept to themselves. Dead demons kept on showing up around the area and Breeze mentioned to me once that he and Viranei were taking care of them. One night, about five years ago, I was patrolling around the town’s borders when five demons attacked me. Viranei appeared and killed them, but she badly injured herself in the process. She also turned into her demon form, so I knew what she was. Nevertheless, she saved my life so I brought her back here. Turned out that she and Breeze were trying to dethrone Laurd, Breeze’s older brother, to bring a truce between demons and humans. We decided to defeat Laurd together, but only Viranei and Breeze went into that final fight.”
“You mean?” Dmitri gasped, surprised.
“Yes,” Viranei said, “exactly three sixty four days ago today, Breeze and Laurd fought to their deaths. Experts who viewed the scene decided there must have been another demon present. That other demon was me.”
“Leave him alone, he is under my protection.” The woman spoke with her youthful voice.
“Heh,” Lyolen regained his composure. “If he’s so important to you, then drop your weapon for him!” Lyolen shouted as he pressed his blade against Dmitri’s throat, drawing drops of blood. The woman recoiled and turned her eyes to her sword.
“Dmitri, no!” Jani screamed as the electric ropes binding her dissipated and shot out towards Tiaris, who had only time to gasp as they wrapped around him. Lyolen turned to look, which was all the time the newcomer needed. She leaped in the air and delivered a flying snap kick to Lyolen’s face, sending him reeling to the side. Dmitri took the opportunity to recall his glaives back into bracers, stand up, and grab Jani’s hand, helping her up too. Lyolen got up and swung madly at Dmitri, but was parried expertly by the woman.
“Warris, guard Tiaris. I’ll handle this.” Lyolen cried.
“But Lyolen, you won’t stand a chance against the three of them. She’s not going to kill you, we should escape now before you get wounded.” Warris’ words went unheard by Lyolen, who charged with his sword raised at the woman. She raised her own blade, blocked him again, and kicked him in the chest. Lyolen staggered back a few steps and regained his composure just quickly enough to barely block a slash from the woman. They clashed together in a contest of strength, and the woman won, pushing her blade forwards enough so that Lyolen’s own blade cut his face. Lyolen jumped back and charged forwards again. The woman sidestepped him and drew her blade across his throat, making a shallow cut. Lyolen froze and brought his hand up to his throat, giving the woman the opening she needed. She spun around and kicked him in the side of the head, causing Lyolen to drop down, unconscious. Bending down, she gathered up Lyolen’s limp form in her arms and turned to Warris.
“Here Warris. I don’t think he’s knocked too badly.” She handed Lyolen over to Waris, who bent down and picked up the bound Tiaris.
“Thank you. So you’re back in these parts, Viranei.” The woman nodded.
“Consider these two under my protection. If any harm comes to them, I may reconsider my vow not to kill you humans.” Warris grunted in response, turned around, and took off into the woods. Immediately, the woman’s posture relaxed and she chuckled, turning to Dmitri.
“So, I finally found you.” She raised her sword, and it shrunk down into a closed lily pad type fan. Jani gasped.
“That weapon changing form and that crystal, you’re a demon.”
“Yes, I am. There’s also the fact that you were attacked by demon bounty hunters, and your companion’s weapons changed, so the same holds true for him, if not you too.”
“You’re partly right,” Dmitri said. “I’m a demon, but Jani isn’t. You say those men were bounty hunters, Viranei, was it?” Viranei nodded.
“They’re rather famous around these parts. They’ve had books written about them and everything. The tall one, Warris, is pretty level headed, but the other two tend to be pretty impulsive.”
“I see.” Dmitri said as he crossed his arms. “But why did you help us?”
“I’ll explain later, there might be more bounty hunters in the area. They leave me alone as long as I don’t attack any humans, but you would be fair game. Let’s go some where safe.” Viranei beckoned for the two of them to follow. Jani paused to pick up her fallen sword and they were on their way. Viranei moved rather slowly, and Dmitri noticed she was breathing heavily. He didn’t see her get injured during the fight, so she was probably fine, and he didn’t want to ask her about it. It took them a few hours, but soon they arrived at the Glien, the next village, the one Dmitri and Jani had been heading for in the first place.
“Well, here we are, my humble home.” Viranei spread her arms out as they arrived.
“You live in Glien?” Jani asked, slightly surprised. I live in Danser and never heard of a demon here.”
“Well, it’s not really something we advertise. Not even everyone in the village knows. Just the friends I live with and a few key other people.” Viranei said as she turned towards a good sized house and opened the door. She yelled inside “Hey guys, I’m back!”
“Is that you Viranei?” A woman’s voice greeted them. “I thought you’d be gone for another week. You just left earlier today.” The woman who appeared was tall, with soft brown hair tied back in a bun except for a few stray strands which fell down over her face. She was wearing glasses over her medium brown eyes, and was wearing a loud dress adorned with ribbons over black pants. She looked to be a few years older than Dmitri, Viranei, and Jani. “Oh! You have guests!” the woman exclaimed.
“Yes, meet Jani and Dmitri. Guys, this is my friend Alaina.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Jani said with a smile. Dmitri peered inside the house and saw another woman sitting in a couch brushing her long, blonde hair. She was short, and wearing a pale blue dress. She got out of the couch and strode over to the door.
“What’s this Viranei? Did you bring more demons to take advantage of our hospitality? Didn’t we tell you that you and Breeze were exceptions?” She spoke with narrowed eyes.
“Wait, Breeze?” Dmitri took a step back, shocked. “That’s, is that the same Breeze as the royal family’s Breeze who disappeared eight years ago and just turned up dead almost a year ago today alongside his brother Laurd?”
“Shh, not out here.” Alaina motioned for them to come closer. “This isn’t the sort of thing we should discuss in the open. Come on inside. Kara, you be civil to them.” Kara, the blonde short girl, scowled.
“Should I get the others? This could be serious.” Kara asked. Alaina nodded and stepped inside.
“Come on in you three, I’ll get some food ready.” Viranei stepped in the house and motioned for Dmitri and Jani to follow. Kara turned around and walked further into the house’s depths. As Dmitri stepped in, he saw the main room was mostly a circle of small couches around a table. Alaina went into another room, probably the kitchen, as Viranei sat down on one of the couches. Dmitri and Jani nervously sat down as well. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Alaina reappeared, carrying a plate of bread and vegetables.
“Here you go guys, living with Viranei and Breeze taught me what demons don’t eat. You should be fine with this.”
“Wait a minute,” Jani said as she took a carrot and a piece of bread from the plate. “What do you mean, ‘what demons don’t eat,’ I thought demons ate anything, especially flesh, that they could get their hands on.”
“So you aren’t demons then? How did you know about Breeze?”
“I’m a demon, Jani isn’t.” Dmitri spoke up. “And demons, as a rule, don’t eat meat. It has to do with the land we live on. Any meat from animals raised on that land is inedible.” Viranei nodded at his statement.
“There’s no reason we can’t eat meat, but I’ve been so used to not eating flesh that the thought of it is just so weird.”
“Wow, I had no idea.” Jani mused. Alaina cut in.
“Wait, did you say her name was Jani, as in Danser’s Jani?” Dmitri and Jani both nodded.
“Yes, my grandmother is the head of Danser.”
“Well, you’ll have to explain how you all met each other. Wait, here are the rest of our crew.” As Alaina spoke, Kara came out of another door. She was followed by three others, all looking to be in their early twenties. The first was a tall man, with lightly spiked brown hair and glasses. The second was a woman with neatly cropped black hair and coal black eyes. The last was a rather short man with long black hair. Kara and the newcomers sat themselves around the table and helped themselves to food. Alaina sat down too and looked at the group. “I guess I should introduce everyone. This,” she said, indicating the tall brunette man, “is Trey. This,” indicating the woman this time, “Is Saki, and this,” she said, pointing to the long haired man, “is Aric. Guys, this is Jani and Dmitri. So, Dmitri, as for the explanation?”
Dmitri nodded and explained how he and Jani met. He told them about the bandit attack, leaving Danser, and running into Lyolen’s crew. He explained how Viranei saved them and brought them to Glien. He mentioned his mission to the capital that would hopefully bring a truce. After he finished, Alaina sat back in her chair and folded her arms.
“I see. I guess it’s Viranei that needs to do the explaining. Why did you butt into Lyolen’s fight, Viranei? How could you be so sure that these two weren’t invaders?” Viranei took a deep breath before speaking.
“Long ago, back when I lived in demon lands, I was almost killed by one of my teachers. A woman saved me, but she was mortally wounded and died soon after. Before she died, she mentioned she had a son. She said he was tall, with black hair, and one green and one blue eye.” Dmitri scowled, there were his eyes again. “She died before she said his name, but I can’t imagine too many people fit the description. She made me promise that if I ever found her son, I would use the life she saved to protect him. That is all.” Viranei sunk back in her chair as she finished.
“Are you sure it was my mom? What did she look like?” Dmitri leaned forwards inquisitively.
“She was wearing a white dress. She was around my height, and had short black hair and black eyes. That’s all I remember about her, sorry.”
“It’s ok. It does sound like her. She used to say that wearing white made her look innocent. She left right before I changed from a human to a demon, she was looking for a way to save me, but I never saw her again,” Dmitri finished with a sigh. “So, how did you guys come across Breeze and Viranei. I mean, it’s not usual for espers and humans to live together.”
“I’ll explain.” It was Trey that spoke up. “About eight years ago, Viranei and Breeze moved into the forest between Glien and Danser. For about three years, we didn’t pay them any heed. They just kept to themselves. Dead demons kept on showing up around the area and Breeze mentioned to me once that he and Viranei were taking care of them. One night, about five years ago, I was patrolling around the town’s borders when five demons attacked me. Viranei appeared and killed them, but she badly injured herself in the process. She also turned into her demon form, so I knew what she was. Nevertheless, she saved my life so I brought her back here. Turned out that she and Breeze were trying to dethrone Laurd, Breeze’s older brother, to bring a truce between demons and humans. We decided to defeat Laurd together, but only Viranei and Breeze went into that final fight.”
“You mean?” Dmitri gasped, surprised.
“Yes,” Viranei said, “exactly three sixty four days ago today, Breeze and Laurd fought to their deaths. Experts who viewed the scene decided there must have been another demon present. That other demon was me.”