Times of Change Chapter 4

Five. Long. Days.

Thats how long Elysi had been walking with these men and woman of the Ruby eyes. Warriors of their clan, they had attacked her home. They hadn't given anything away in the past five days, barely speaking to one another. She how ever was mezmerized by the fact that some of their clan appeared from shadows, beams of light through the trees, or just out of seemingly no where. She how ever didn't know the color of their eyes, the scouts never looked at her.

She'd been a good captive, to the point where even the voice hadn't said two words to her. These people of the Ruby Eyes hadn't said anything that she could hear either. At least until today. She was almost too tired to even hear what was going on.

"Second Captain, perhaps we should rest and change clothing." The man who had been basically dragging Elysi along the entire way had finally spoken up. "We're close to the city gates, and with a successful raid like this, I feel like Lord Engend would want us, and our visitor to look our best for him." The new leader, still mourning his Commandants death nodded saddly.

"Of course First Soldier, a wonderful idea. Everyone take ten minutes to freshen up." Jhensen looked surprised with the order, and the promotion. He remembered the Commandants words but kept mostly to himself. He would of course be estatic to become a Third Sergeant, but that was something his family had never achieved. Second Captain Gungir moved forward slightly, removing Elysi's gag before cutting her hands loose and pointing to a small stream behind her. "Wash the road dirt off of your face, First Soldier Jhensen will accompany you."

"And what of privacy?" Elysi said finally being able to speak. The Second Captain smiled an evil grin.

"You have no privacy here with us Onyx. You will wash the dirt off of yourself, because there is no reason for Lord Engend to view you as a dirty scamp." Turning his back, Jhensen pulled the young girl to the stream.

"Please do as he says, it's easier this way. I will not view you if you plan to undress, but I will make sure that you do not try to escape." Taking a deep breathe, Jhensen released it slowley, gentley. "It would behoove you to just do as your told. Once we are in the city, none will harm you. And we will be able to answer your questions." Elysi nodded and moved to the stream, rubbing off the dirt from her face and arms. They of course hadn't gathered any extra clothing for her, so she wasn't able to fully clean up.

"Do not fear Oynx Eye," First Soldier Jhensen said as he helped her away from the stream, barely cleaning his own face. "Everything will be fine. None will be able to harm you any longer." Tying her hands back together, Jhensen put her in a prominant spot at the front of the column.

"Good First Soldier," Gingur said nodding. "You will walk with her of course, at the front. Lord Engend will learn your name soon enough. How proud the Commandant would be of your growth." Nodding to everyone, including the silent and invisible Eyes of Peridot, the column closed in on the first gate of the city. It was beyond anything that Elysi had ever drempt of.

Soaring towers made of a shimmering stone; and a wall of bleak black stone encircling them. Banners and pennants flapped in the soft yet steady wind above the woods they currently stepped through. Elysi couldn't stop to even think as everything came into view. Her home was not but a bunch of huts and some larger homes spread out. Allowing for farming and tending of cattle, along with clothes making and other such needs being met for everyone. Everyone was equal, except for the elders that were placed above all others.

She had no idea that people could live in such buildings. Or that they would even want too. Looking around she knew that there was soemthing holding back the water in the air that she could feel. Someone was making it as beautiful as possible for this return of soldiers and one captive.

"Will I learn to do this?" she wondered aloud, unbeknownst to her until the final letter left her lips.

"If you're receptive to the teachings of Lord Delhew, then yes. You will soon learn how to make all of this possible." Jhensen looked at Elsyi with a slight smile. "And once you've learned all that you're able too, you may have a choice. Serve the kingdom as you'll see is a good choice; or perhaps we will give you the chance to serve the world once you know how to control all this beauty."

"So you're like a school?"

"Very much so princess," the Second Captain spoke up as he gained his spot to the right of her. The new word took Elsyi back slightly. "I'm sorry, but once our Lord see's your eyes for himself, you'll be elevated from lowly Onyx eyes of your village, to Princess of the free states."

"Free states?" Elysi asked, only getting a nod from Second Captain Gungir. "What are the free states?" No reply came this time as they came within eyeshot of the guards atop the black walls.

Shouts of glee and orders sounded from well above Elysi's head, as the door she hadn't seen opened wide for the returning raiders. She hadn't noticed that the Peridot had also fallen back into the group, in the very back and once again visible. As the doors in the wall opened, she could see people of all shapes, sizes, and eye colors cheering the return. Saphires, Emeralds, Rubies, even the fabeled Diamonds all cheering as she was led inside. It felt geniune to her, not rehearsed, or coerced.

"Welcome my men and woman of the Ruby Eyes. Welcome back to your home!" Several of the people in the crowd shouted, in a long corridor configuration where there seemed to be no end to the cheering masses. Had all of them come to see the return of their people? The continued a slow march as some women reached out to the fighters, the warriors of their city, while some of the men bowed deeply. They were older, with several medals strung across their chests. Were the Rubies an honorable people? Not barbarians and raiders only? What had happened in this cities past?

"Welcome child," the voice said gently in her head for the first time since it had welcomed her to life. "Soon, very soon; you will know the answers to all of your questions."