The Tsuki Saga
The First Day
The first to wake was Shalnek. As he stretched and yawned, Stanley appeared, as if from nowhere and offered him hot water for a wash and a shave and a clean change of clothes. The clothes were fine, a white silken shirt with gold buttons and cufflinks, some handsome black trousers, shoes in exactly his size, and a red jacket, to add a little interest to the outfit. A short while after he was dressed another man appeared in the room. He looked just like Stanley only his eyes and his hair were yellow. He introduced himself as Sidney and asked Shalnek: "Would you care to follow me to the sitting room, my lady is waiting for you so that she may take breakfast." He agreed and followed Sidney back down the staircase and through the main hall, into a room full of large overstuffed chairs. Tsuki was already there, in a long blood red silk dress and an equally long black cloak. Her black hair and silver eyes shone brightly this morning, and she seemed taller than she had the last night. She offered him a breakfast of fruit and bread and some coffee or tea. They sat together on the sofa while they waited for the others, who arrived one by one, Lienad being the last. They were all dressed alike, except for differently coloured jackets, green for the elves, silver for the knight, black for the wizard.
Once they were all present she took the liberty of asking them what they thought of her proposal. They all agreed that they would stay, at least for a few days, while they prepared for the rest of their journey. She clapped her hands with joy and danced around the sofa. At this moment the door opened, and a tall strong looking man walked in. She looked up from her celebration and then dashed over to the man. She gave him an enormous hug. "Okami! My dear!" he hugged her back as if he hadn't seen her for years. He then spoke in a voice like distant thunder, deep and strong. "Good morning, sister, I see we have guests." He turned to them and bowed, "I am Okami, I hope my sister is treating you all well?" but before they could answer he had disappeared again. Then Tsuki spoke again. "Well, I too must leave you for a short while, my friends, so may I explain the house rules?" She looked around to make sure they were all listening. "You may go where you please in the grounds, and the castle, although I would ask that you don't go into the west wing or tower. Lunch is at one; dinner is at seven, both in the main hall. Supper and breakfast times vary mainly whenever you want them. Stanley is at your disposal, as is Sidney. Feel free to call on them at any time, day or night." She nodded to the men and then left the room, her gaze lingering slightly longer on Lienad than on the others.
And then they were left alone in the sitting room. They were a little surprised at themselves for agreeing to stay in the castle for the week, but they immediately began to discuss their host.
"I think she is the most magnificent creature I have ever seen!" exclaimed the knight; "If I weren't bespoke I should be courting her myself!" This statement caused much discussion among the party, especially considering who had said it. He was normally reserved, unlikely to bestow his affections on someone he had known for such a short while. However, they all seemed to agree with his sentiment. Only the wizard was in opposition, he thought she was not as she seemed. He was not comfortable with his bizarre behaviour. The others pooh-poohed his argument. They decided to explore the grounds individually, as they were beginning to irritate one another. (As all good friends do, no matter how well they get on normally, when they spend large amounts of time together, the creases and the cracks begin to be annoying.)
For now we shall follow Lienad, as he wandered off first into the orchard at the back of the castle. It was an apple orchard, with many magnificent apple-trees. The wood of these trees would make equally magnificent arrows, he thought to himself as he strolled down the grassy path towards the orchard wall. In the corner of his eye, he saw a dark shape hiding behind the trees to his left. However, when he turned round, the shape was gone. Thinking that perhaps his headache was causing him to see things, he ignored the shape and continued walking. Suddenly he could hear singing, a sweet voice the like of which he had never heard before. He headed towards the sound. It seemed to be on the other side of the wall. Looking for a door he paced up and down the wall for a while. When he realised there was no door; he began to climb the wall. Upon reaching the top he could see nothing but fields for miles. He dropped back down again and shook his head. As he looked once more at the wall, he saw the source of the singing, a tiny fairy. She was about as large as his hand and wore a beautiful silver gown. Which must have been made by a master taylor, because though small, it was perfect in every way. She had jet-black hair and her tiny black eyes sparkled in the sun. When she noticed he was watching, she stopped singing. "Hello stranger, what can I do for you?" she asked, in her beautiful singsong voice. He smiled, "nothing, nothing," he replied, "I was simply looking for the person who was singing so beautifully." " And now you see how small I am you don't want to know anymore? As always." She said, haughtily, "I'll have you know, I was once big like you, but the old owner of this house got cross one day with my work and banished me here, to live among the fairies. His daughter, unlike him, is very kind to me, and always sends me food. If she could bring me to the house I think she would, but if she did, I would die." Her voice softened again as she spoke of her mistress. "It is her that I sing for, she likes music in her orchard, and says that if I sing, then she can always remember me to be here, and so never forget to come and see her fairy friends as she does."
Lienad was surprised at this tale, and he seated himself by the wall. "Would you sing something sweet to soothe my aching head?" he asked, "Of course," said the girl and she began to sing, such a sweet, sad song, as he had never heard before, in a language unlike any he knew. As he listened he drifted off to sleep.
And now we must leave him to rest for awhile, and perhaps follow another of the group. The Magician perhaps. He took himself off into his room and stayed there, writing his fears in a large flesh-bound book. This was the only blank book that Sidney could find for him. So perhaps his story is shorter than the others are, and maybe I should have begun with that one. Still, now we can move on again, this time to the other elf, Shirrol. Shirrol wandered out as Lienad had done, only to another part of the grounds. He headed for the lake, which he had seen from his window the night before. It was a beautiful day; the golden sphere of the luminary had risen a little way above the mountains in the distance. The fields, trees and mountains made a handsome landscape, perfect for a painting, but he knew his skills in that area were seriously lacking. He whistled to himself as he walked, he hadn't got far when he heard a shout from behind him. He turned to see Sven trying to catch up with him. The two then continued towards the lake. "So," began Sven, "Why the lake?" Shirrol looked at him and shook his head, "Why? There is no why; I just wanted to go to the lake. Why not?" Sven had to agree that it was a pleasant enough walk, and that lakes were fine things. He never failed to question the elf and his motives, and always got the same sort of answer from him. They continued on towards the lake.
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