Yahto was used to keeping her thoughts to herself, and her 'imaginings'. She had been told they were sinful. Being only twelve years old, she didnt quite understand how that worked. She knew it was best to just do as she was told, her skin still aching from the last time her 'mother' scrubbed her skin raw - for what ever infraction that was considered 'filthy'. For the life of her, Yahto coundent remember what it was she had done. Asside from displeasing her parents. Even to the end of answering to the name they gave her, Ruth. But, she knew her name was Yahto even though she never remembered ever hearing it, or being called it.
Though she had no memory of ever leaving the Saint Proper, a small town just outside the City of The Anointed she felt quite comfortable. Her 'parents' were quitely concentrating on the path, it seemed that they were having some trouble navagating. Yahto could see and feel it clearly, but knew it was best not to say anything.
She listened to the crunch of newly fallen leaves and twigs snapping under thier feet. She knew she could have walked quieter, but she felt that she was intruding here and felt that all those that lived in this forrest should get forewarnin.
Of course her parents had explained to her that the only perpose of animals and plants, even the whole of the world was put there for thier use - as they deemed proper. Yahto didnt quite believe this either. She also didnt believe that a superior entity had nothing better to do than listen to everyone's thoughts.
If it was true, and there was such a thing, why did it do nothing about the evil that dwelt with in the hearts of man?
She almost stopped walking in surprise. It was as if they had crossed an invisible line. The earth ached -such a despare and sadness that she, herself felt her chest contract in pain. In her ears the wind sang a lament so sad she only just could stop herself from crying. It was as if everything here was in a state of morning.
She smelled and felt the animals givin them a wide birth. She walked through a sun spot, closing her eyes, to feel the warmth on her skin, smell the bark from the trees and the crispy leaves mixed with dirt. She loved this smell. With the trees and wind having a dialoge she felt that she only had to listen more carefully to understand what they were saying, and was more than certain that she would be able to understand them, and that they would tell her where she needed to go.
"We are almost there." Father informed her with a stern toan and face. He sounded mildly disgusted. "Do you know why were are here?" he asked, his voice soft and dangerous.
Yahto knew the answer by rote. "To show me where the cleansing and divine punishment took place." Her voice, meak and soft.
"Yes" Mother clipped.
"You are one of the ones chosen to redeame this ...this.... " he and Mother frowned deep;y "vile filth." WIth that started Father's liteny he could go on for hours, but she already memorized the whole thing, even if he stopped in places and asked her questions, she could answer them with out really paying attention. "It is your duity to repent fo rthe sins of deprevity of ...THOSE THINGS."
"Vile, dirty and sinful savage beasts." Mother snarled.
Yahto looked down. She was very bored, hearing this over and over since she could remember. Something stuck in her throte though, that the Missionaries of Purity and cleansed the evil of this land - where she came from.
There was an unrelentless anger inside of her. What were her real parents and family like? Did they ever care about her? Did she have brothers and sisters or cousins. She knew she shouldnt be thinking these things - but it was as if she had no control.
She bumped into Father's back. She winced expecting a smack and a scolding. Nither was forthcoming.
Her mother ghasped, whether in surprise or in anger, Yahto could not tell which. She peaked around Father, to see what had stopped him and made his mother make that noise.
There was a wolf - the lagest she ever imagined, except she was not imagining this. She felt as if its eyes were surrounding; engulfing.
"Do not move." Father said as he pulled out his T.A.G - U... She heard Father ask for the Missionaries of Purity... and the word extermination - but she could not look away frome the wolf's eyes. Suddenly - as if someone screamed in her head; telling her to run.
The impulse was like an explosion inside of her, she knew something would be killed today and she didnt want to see it. Her feet took off before her mind registered this, taking her body with them. She prayed to the god of her parents that there would be no more slaughter. But she could not run indefinately, she was not sure how far or long she ran, and insted of stopping, she fell to her hands and knees in order to catch her breath.
She could sense them, smell them - hear the eath and trees whisper to her that they were there. She shut her eyes tightly, hopping this was just her imagination - for if not, she was sure that if the Parents ever found out, she would be punished for the sin most sevearly.
"Are you lost little one?" A kindly, elderly voice asked. She sat down, slowely opening her eyes. There were three. Two warriors and the Elder. They each had packs and canteenes with them. She wondered why they were here? Not because them being here was odd, but because she couldnt understand why they would... wait... this part was not so dismal....
They were of the other clans as part of the Animal Clat Territories. She could not tell which. She wondered if they too, were abominations; as they were 'primitive' a word in which Mother used interchanably with dirty and sinful. Yahto didnt know if that made them abominations though - or what had made the wolf clan an abomination.
"Here." the Elder handed her a cantee. Instinctively she sniffed it - then stopped, her heart punding and racin - she was often punished for this type of uncultured behavior. Mother and Father said thier food and drink were tainted. Whith what and how she didnt know or understand. It smelled like mineral water. Tentitively she took a sip.
"How did you come by this place?" the elder asked softly while sitting down next to her. He did not look at her but into the trees.
She didnt know what to say. She was sure that what ever her parents said would be insulting to the Elder and the warriors, and she didnt want to insult them. She chose her words carefully. "My Parents... we came to... pay respects to the Vanished Clan."
One of the two remainin men, warriors by the looks of them snorted and groweled, but said nothing.
" As do we. The Elder said to her." My name is Tiama, what is yours?" He asked, still starring in the trees.
She wanted to shout her name then, the one she never remembered anyone calling her. But what would happen then? Would they take her back with them? What would they do to her Parents? Did she care either way? Did they know the wolf clan was an abomination? What would they do to her if they found out?
"Ruth." she said quietly
The Elder noded his head one time, in a strong manner. "Once a year we come here, we set out when the planet Mars is seen in the sunrise. We come to remember them, to sing and leave offerings so they know they are not forgotten." The Elder looked up into the sky.
She didnt know one could see Mars with out a telescope, actually - she never thought of it before now. "If you would like," he continued " you can walk with us, as we are headed toward the same destination, Im sure you will find your parents. "
She nodded slowely, it did seem like the best idea. Though she was certain she could find them on her own, it would look suspicious to them and she would be punished. This seemed the best way though they might frown upon the company she was currently keeping.
"Did your parents tell you anything about the clan that lived here?" Tiama the Elder asked
She thought it was best to lie. There would be no good at repeating what the Parents said and she didnt understand it anyway. Maybe this Elder could explain it to her better.
"They were a people from the land, highly regarded by the Great Spirits. So much so that they were both and niether - caretakes of the land, craftsmen of the gifts eath gave to us. They were the greatest of hunters and healers." He said sadly
She wondered, if they were so amazing - how did they .... why.....
He must have seen the question burning in her eyes, he patted her on the head. "There are majicks of which are alient to us - that is all I can say young one>"
She quietly contemplated as they walked. The wolf tribe didnt sound particularly horrible. She enjoyed the wind as it ruffled her hair
She stopped in horror, putting her hood back on, luckaly her veil was still attatched. She reafixed them both - she didnt like wearing them. But then something distracted her. She stoped all her hair on end... she heard cries too far away, but loud enough to shake her eyes and deafen her ears to anything else. She looked to the three men.
They looked worried. "Ruth, young one," One of the wariors said, putting his strong hand on her sholder, "Stay close, and walk only in our foot falls." she was to shocked that he talked to her to do anything but obey.
They carefully wove a path through the trees. A less obvious path - she doupted the Parents would have noticed it in the lease. Suddenly she felt as if she were smacked in the face. All she could smell was blood, all she could hear were death cryes - again her feet rushed to their destination with out telling her mind where they were going. She knew - but she had no idea what she could possibly
Dizzyness overcame her, she grabbed a tree for support, hanging on, not for her life, but for her sanity. All the blood... the bodies... torn to pieces. Vaguely she was aware she was screaming, then running from body to body looking for signs of life - nothing, time after time.
Through her fruitless searching, she felt a faint heartbeat, but it was withering, if she didnt find it soon...... she could feel wetness on her face, blood on her hands.
He blacked out, faded back in- hearing a young girl... crying.. he tried to focus his eyes. He could only see a blur. She moved, from one wolf to another.. what was she doing? Why was she crying and screaming so hysterically?
She smelled like.... she was touching him... she smelled like ... she was crying, he could feel her wrap herself around him, rocking back and forth, her anguished sobbs... her scent..It was warm...strange... but his pain increased and he choked on a howl. His throte, his body raw. Why was she doing this when she smelled like one of them... but she smelled like the humans too....pain seared through him causing him to loose himself.
He wasnt sure what woke him, he was supprised to waken... feeling so warm. He smelled the Tribsmen who were freinds to his pack...his chest aching only slightly...his eyes swam into focus. She wore the scent and trapings of the ones who did this, but smelled like him. Her brown hair, lank and mattted with blood...she rocked him back and forth, crying piteously.>
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING" Mother screached
Father grabbed her and pulled her up, mercilessly throwing the small wolf away, she tried to grab for it, but Father held her to tightly.
The Clansmen anounced their presence. Her parents stopped yelling, stopped moving all together really.
"Did you do this?" Tiama asked quetly.
"Of course not." her father snarled
"how vulgar." her mother sniffed.
Yahto didnt think they believed her parents. She didnt think she believed them either... wasn't lying shamful ?
The Tribsmen eyed the wepons her parents carried.
"we thought our daughter was in danger." her father snapped.
The Tribsmen looked pointedly around at the carnage.
"The wolvs are sacred to us.. we will take care of the rest." The Shamen picked up the surving pups. "You should take your daughter and go."
Yahto thought she heard a snear in there.... her father yanked her up....
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