The girl with Crimson Eyes and the Slave

[SoF]

PART I


Mirror-flat lake stained red with spring flower petals, columns of rock shining with sunlight. An elderly woman sitting under a blossoming tree watches silently as the the girl swings a wooden sword, gracefully cutting the air. In perfect harmony with the spring, her crimson eyes are as bright as the blossoming trees.

Today she was sixteen, in her spring of youth. Could she know that after today her life would forever change.


The woman under the tree suddenly rose, clapped her hands twice, then said "it is enough for today", with a relaxing tone "you should get back and prepare for the ceremony." The girl with crimson eyes stopped as soon as she heard her mentor then lowered her head into a respectful bow. At once they took way to home.

What a home it was, more like a palace erected on the hill with the most beautiful and delicate kusarian architecture. In its garden were statues and ornaments of traditional dragons, crystal fountains spraying water and shining in sunlight, flowers of every kind and every color decorating the earth, servants were working and armed guards were standing watch on every corner. Truely it was a home worthy of a kusarian noble family.

The girl could smell the delicious cookings prepared when she reached the garden. Servants were busy preparing the courtyard for the ceremony, setting up tables and moving chairs. She once again bowed to her mentor, then moved towards the archway where her mother was.

Her mother looked young and beautiful, she wore a traditional dress and make up, which really suited her. She had bright brown eyes, her hair was raven black like her daughter, her posture was so delicate yet confident. Smiled and said "You should go prepare, I don't think the guests would expect to see you in your training robes and all sweaty."

Then a man's voice is heard behind her mother "Indeed, I did not expect her to be all sweaty, but I think she looks beautiful." There came a man wearing black leather, and breathing mask, which made a distracting noise for them who are not used to it. Alarmed by the unexpected appearance of the man, girl first stood there for a short while not knowing what to do, then she bowed. The man tried to reply with a bow of his own, equally bizarre, it was obvious he never did that before.

Mother let out a loud laughter after witnessing this funny moment "Alright! Both of you, there is no need to bow this much." She continued with a smirk on her lips "My sweety, Rinoa... Do you know who this man is?"

The girl, now with red cheeks stared at the man. First thing that striked her was a scar on his face covering most of his cheek, looking like a blade cut, then his blue eyes with piercing stare, which was charming and a little bit disturbing as it felt like he saw through her soul. He was a big man, well built and muscly, he had a tanned skin. The breathing mask, she saw it before... once... maybe twice...

With reluctance she replied... "H-Hai... My father..."