This story is part of the Wanderer series.
Walking down to the lower chamber, shadows flickered against the stairway wall as he entered. A single candle lit the room, the dim ember giving the space its moody atmosphere. Scrolls and books were scattered all over the numerous desks, most of them opened or propped open by another book or some other tool. Along with the stale scent of the candle, a bittersweet, pungent smell dyed the air, the strong odor that comes with any recluse dwelling. Despite all the desks, there were only two chairs, one of which was covered with unraveled scrolls. The other was pulled out from the desk which held the candle. The desk was empty.
After a long gaze, the warrior turned around and went back up the stairs. The echoes of his footsteps were lost amongst the shelves that lined the walls. Searching around in the other rooms, he did not find what he was looking for. Eventually, he checked the bedroom, and there she was, standing out on the balcony, facing out towards the full moon hovering over the lush mountainscape, its heavenly light illuminating the atmosphere with a pale glow. She paid him no heed as he emerged.
“Princess.”
No response.
“Your father is expecting your attendance.”
After some time, she uttered an affirmative grunt, but said no more.
“Then,” he continued. “I will take my leave.”
As he turned around, the girl finally spoke up.
“Asahi.”
The warrior stopped. “Yes, Princess?”
The lukewarm breeze of the hot summer night brushed her long purple hair against her face. “Have the invaders left yet?”
Facing her again, he watched her with gray eyes. “No, Princess, the empire still proclaims the land they took is theirs, and will not withdraw from the other regions until they have a guarantee from the King.”
“Don’t they have enough land already? This isn’t fair.”
He sighed. “No war is fair, Princess.”
“Did Father agree to their demands?”
“No, Princess, he has not.”
The girl fell silent again.
“Princess, if I may…”
“It’s just us, Asahi.”
“…” The warrior judged her request a little longer before continuing. “Miyako, put your faith in your father and rest tonight. You needn’t fight this war.”
“No, I need to keep studying,” the Princess rebutted. “I can’t let my power go to waste.”
“I have faith your father will resolve this.”
“They’re shaming us, Asahi!” She finally turned around, her brows knit and her eyes glimmering with emotion. “The kingdom’s subjects won’t look up to him for this! Everything he has given up, it still isn’t enough!”
“…”
“They attacked us first, why won’t they do anything first? It’s just both sides waiting for each other to do something. How will this end?!”
Gasping as the final words left her mouth, Miyako stopped and froze, realizing her loss of composure. She retreated back, but couldn’t regain herself, instead turning away once more.
“Have faith, Miyako,” he simply answered. “Your father has gone through many hardships. He will get us through this one.”
Miyako raised a hand to her face. From the sound of her choking voice, Asahi could tell she was crying.
“It’s not fair, Uncle.”
With a few quiet sobs, she went silent. Only a few stifled sniffs escaped from behind her turned head. The warrior listened for several long moments, gazing with pity, before he sighed and finally left the threshold to approach her, putting a hand on her shoulder.
“Miyako…” he gently soothed. “Don’t bear this yourself. You’re too young for this.”
“I’m a demon,” she sniffed. “Nothing is too young for me.”
“You are not a demon, Miyako,” Asahi assured. “You are human, like the rest of us. You have a great power you simply must master. That does not make you a demon.”
He bent forward and brushed the hair from her face with his other hand, revealing her reddened face. The young girl looked up with her tearful eyes, beautifully deep and dark purple.
“See? Even now, you are able to control your power from surfacing. You have made great strides over the past two years.”
Miyako glanced down, gazing aimlessly down the mountainside. “Then why do I need to hide?”
“The people are not capable of understanding your gift yet.” Asahi straightened again, rubbing her shoulder as he too stared out from the balcony. “There will come a day when they will need your power. Your father is certain of it.”
“Am I still not ready?” she pouted. “What are those sorcerers telling my father?”
“They speak of your progress. They do not dishonor you behind your back,” Asahi assured once more. “They mean well.”
The girl did not look too certain.
“Come. Your father is expecting your attendance.”
She ducked down her chin even more, murmuring a miniscule grunt.
“Certainly, you have not grown too shy to see your father again.”
Relaxing her shoulders, the question finally sparked some energy in her. Rubbing her eyes one last time, she straightened her posture.
“No, I will go see him.”