The Last Stand (PG-13)

Rimmon nodded,understanding. "I know,but still...."

Indiyo said, "You can not help it now. If she were to forget this day, she would not know how to use a blade when she woke up. Besides, the end of this day is nearing. Look." He pointed with his nose across the lake as Esserian tumbled down the hill towards the water, arrows in her back, legs, and neck. The riders rode off from the hill, a chilling cry coming from the home close by. A man peaked over the top. It was Darisa, and he raced for the limp body. He moaned as he picked up his wife, as she strained to pull of her necklace, and hand it to him. Her hand fell to the ground after that last effort. Darisa bent his head over the body. Indiyo said, "You are beyond their minds even though you spoke a little while ago. When you left, they became again with the memories of Nileve." He lifted his head, horses moving in the woods. He said, "I can not bear you any more. This memory is over. If you remain in her, you will follow Nileve through her life. Don't worry, you will have a mount if you stay. Look for my foal, Kuimo, once Nileve awakens."

Rimmon watched quietly,and hopped off of Indiyo."Im not sure what to do...."She murmured.

Indiyo smiled, "You're not going to have to worry about that. Kuimo will bear you, she will keep you where you need to be." With that, he reared, and turned. He bolted into the woods, and was gone sooner than the sound of hooves vanished. The scene fell white as Darisa put Nileve into the Icaris Sleep. Hundreds of dreams flew by till a flash of light came, and greeny reformed. It was only a few hours, if that, before Nileve would wake up when her childhood home would find her.

Rimmon waved goodbye to the stallion,and decided to stay for a little while.

A black mare with a white mane and tail trotted out of the edge of a woods. The back of a small village was off to the right. The horse trotted up, "You are the one I am to bear?"

"Kuimo?"Rimmon asked.

The horse whinnied, and replied, "Yes, that is my name."

"Im Rimmon,and yes. I think so....."Rimmon answered.

Kuimo said, "Get on. And don't try and tell me what to do. After the Raid, our herd became wild. All you need to do is to hold on, and watch." She turned, gesturing to her back.

"Wouldnt dream of it."Rimmon gently got onto her back.

Kuimo trotted on. There wasn't far to go. Her element was forest and time, and she blended in nicely to the woods. She said, "Look." She nosed the air in front of her as the sleeping figure of young Nileve rested in the brush. A few figures walked up. A man picked up the body, and carried it back towards the village. Kuimo trotted closely behind. Slowly, the village seemed to age. Every once in a while, some one would race past. Kuimo stopped between two houses, one growing across from them. A girl climbed up and down from it, growing older each time they passed by. Kuimo said, "Nileve spent three years after she awoke here in Nomyam before she left to learn about her power." She shook her mane, letting the sun catch the light on Nileve's necklace as she went by. Even at her age, she looked strong and built from hard work and rough living.

"And no one sees us??"Rimmon watched the village,and Nileve. She wondered where Lily and Oaky/Okie were.

A boy turned towards them, and Kuimo made a vine move. He turned away frigthened. She said, "Only if you let them. Quiet, you can affect her here."

Rimmon nodded,and placed a hand on her neck,trying to send a thought."How can I affect her here? When she is not in sight? By the villagers talking to one another?"

Kuimo snorted, "They can't see you because of me. I've hidden you with the forest. They can hear you though, and see you if you make a sudden move." But by now, Nileve looked eight. It was a market day, and she jumped onto a wagon as it left for the city. It wasn't much of a city, since there was no real orginazation since the Raid happened, and the Uncounted Years began. Kuimo followed closely behind, out of sight the whole time.

Rimmon nodded slowly,and sat quietly.

Far off to their left, the present castle of Amori loamed. It had once been a great city of Mirimoth, it's crystal towers unused. Kuimo said, "After the raid, no one went there again." Soon, they neared Jamal, which was much larger years ago. Nileve slide off. Now, her aging grew faster. Kuimo hung back against the walls, watching Nileve training in magic and weapontry. Kuimo said, "With no one looking after her, and no one she had to look after, Nileve devoted herself to protecting others."

Rimmon nodded,watching everything quietly.

A dark shadow passed over them as Kuimo contiued, "For one main reason. There was one evil known to this world at the time." A black and gold winged figure landed, the village scattering in fear. Kuimo said, "The Golden Raven. The first rera. After his pillages, hundreds would swarm into Jamal, it's rocky walls a protection against him. One was a broken hearted girl." She pointed her nose to Nileve helping a brown haired girl with the same face. Kuimo said, "So she found her twin."

Rimmon's own heart broke as she watched. She longed to call out to Okie,to stop him. But she knew it would be of no use. She wished she could meet him like this,well she halfway wished.

Kuimo snorted, and pawed the ground, "With her sister, who bore more memories of their past, Nileve learned about her power. She started to learn about it from her fore-mothers at night. But then, she had finished all of her apprenticeships in swordsmanship, archery, magic, and blacksmith. Also her training with her elders. All that was left was a finally memory of their past they had to save."

Rimmon nodded,"So.. When did they know about The Golden Raven?? Who he was??"Rimmon asked quietly.

Kuimo said, "They didn't. When no one could get through to the Golden Raven, they left." She followed as Nileve and Lily left Jamal, riding on Snow Crystal. Kuimo shifted back to normal, horses on each side. When they stopped to graze, Kuimo stood on the edge. A younger version of Azane trotted around the edge. It trotted by Nileve and Lily, and Nileve kept looking at her. Kuimo smiled, "I think you'll like this part." Nileve got Snow Crystal to match Azane's pace, and when the horse was close enough, and leapt onto the mare's back. The horse reared in surprise, trying to send Nileve off. Nileve gripped the horse around the neck as the horse bolted to throw her off. Nileve lost her gripped, sliding backwards. She grabbed the horse's tail, her back dragging on the ground. The horse bucked, clocking Nileve in the head. Nileve forced her legs down, and backflipped onto her back. With her hands on the back, she twisted right way up, gripping the mane. Bruised and tired, they both gave in. Kuimo snorted, swishing her tail.

Rimmon laughed,and quickly covered her mouth when she did.