Akosha – The Orphan
Written by Nick H.

The darkness of night enveloped the snowy outcroppings of the Northern Mountains.  With an overcast sky under a new moon, the only faint traces of light came from various torches dotted throughout the mountain range, evidence that only a few could live in such a cold, harsh environment.
Of those few, they had adapted throughout their lives to cold, using it as an aid for focusing during meditation and training.
In the middle of a high ridge overlooking the range, one in particular exhibited this adaptation extremely well as she went through the katas that she had been taught from as early as she could remember.  In her hands was a scythe, modified as a polearm weapon.  Its polished metal shaft and razor-sharp blade reflected the minute light from the area like mirrors, and embedded within the blade itself, surrounded by angled runes, was the glowing red crystal of Verrocite.  Her body was bathed in its red glow as she swung and twirled it like a true master.  Her name was Akosha Terias, a young mare who was raised by the monks of this region.  She had no family, and no history.
With the crystalline Verrocite implanted in her weapon being the only source of light nearby, her completely jet-black body contrasted with the pure white snow she moved upon as her scythe tore through the chilling night air.  Her long, black mane and tail flowed out from her body like ribbons as she moved, executing each movement with flawless precision.  Her toned body, dancing in the center of the flaring ruby-red light as the scythe effortlessly spun, was muscled and yet delicately curved at the same time; a perfect model for the training she had taken on as an Auran Sage.  At only twenty-three years of age she was already considered a master at her art.
She only stopped moving with a familiar voice called out to her from behind.
“Daughter...”
Akosha slowed to a pause and shouldered her weapon.  Being the only female in the monastery, it was traditional for the monks to call her “daughter” even though they were not related.  She was neither monk nor nun here; merely an orphaned student with nowhere else to go.
The black mare turned to face an older wolf monk, one of her closest friends at the monastery, holding a torch in one paw and a cloak in the other.  He himself was dressed in a thick wool overcoat with stuffed moccasins.
Akosha smiled, “Master Wensin?”
The wolf nodded and held the torch closer to his face to illuminate it, “It still amazes me how you can withstand such cold.”
“It helps me practice focusing,” she replied, trotting up to let him wrap the cloak over her body.
“Ah, indeed.  Well, I came to tell you that you have been summoned.”
“Summoned?  By who?”
The two began to walk back to one of the larger campfires in the distance, by way of wooden planks dotted along a pathway.
“Akosha, the high courts from the township at the base of the mountains have come to us concerning some news they have.  It’s about the kingdoms in the East.”
“Is it war?”
“We’re not sure.  They do not believe so, but there have been numerous reports of strange occurrences all along the trade routes from that direction.  There have also been many kidnappings going on in the towns that border the outskirts of the Eastern kingdoms themselves, and news has finally reached us here.  The high courts do not consider it a matter worth petitioning the Sages for yet, but we’ve managed to change their minds to the point of letting some of our fellow monks investigate.
“Are you saying that you want to send me into the Eastern Kingdoms?”
“Well... we haven’t decided on that yet.  But if you are willing, we can present you to the court representatives and have them ask you about it.  This will be a good opportunity to put forth what you’ve been taught here.”
Akosha paused for a moment before saying, “Master... while I am more than willing to go, are you sure that you want to send someone that lacks experience?  I know I’ve been recognized as a Sage but... it’s just something I didn’t expect.”
“Sages have to be prepared for anything, my dear, however unlikely situations may be.  Besides, you have gone into the towns below for many years and you socialize extremely well.  Perhaps you can find some others to accompany you, as you will likely be passing through a number of towns and maybe even a city or two.”
As they walked along, Akosha was silent again for a few moments.
Nearing the light of one of the campfires dotting the outskirts of the monastery, she spoke up again, “Do you think I might find other Sages along the way?”
Master Wensin stopped, then smiled, “I wouldn’t doubt it; giving your uncanny talent for making friends, I wouldn’t even be surprised if some actively sought you out.  However, you might want to keep such thoughts secret for now, as the high courts did not want to get the Sages involved in this investigation.  It was only through a lot of convincing that we got them to consider you.”
“What about other townships along the way?  The Eastern Kingdoms are practically across the continent from here.”
“Indeed, and though many are interested in sending their own investigators, few are truly willing to go, due to the horror stories of the small number who actually return.  There is much fear growing as news of these occurrences spread through these lands.”  He looked up to the mare, “If you do go on this mission, I want to let you know that you may be gone for months, and may be traveling alone the entire time.  But do not let that discourage you.  You have a knack for remaining optimistic and brave in the face of distress.  Just remember your experiences here and all you have been taught.”  The old wolf put a paw on one of Akosha’s shoulders, “And ask yourself… Are you truly prepared to face the world?”
Akosha thought for a moment, then with a small, hopeful smile, replied, “Yes... I am prepared for it.  I’ve lived at the monastery for as long as I can remember; it’s about time I see what’s beyond the mountains of my home.”
Master Wensin’s tiny smile faded, “Your home...”
Akosha gave him a puzzled glance, “Something wrong?”
“You do remember how you came to us, right?”
The mare looked toward the night sky, mane flowing in its gentle breeze, “I remember the stories you an the other monks used to tell me every night… about how a dying messenger brought me to the monastery as a small colt.  You used to say I was probably descended from royalty, a princess.”
Master Wensin sighed, then lowered his voice, “I have been conducting research into your history, but as you know I’ve never been able to find the identity of your family.  However, as the years went on I noticed that your Aura was strong, and getting stronger still; it is my belief that giving that capacity, you may actually be a priestess, rather than princess.  You have always been well in-tune to the spiritual forces surrounding yourself.”
Akosha smiled wryly, “A priestess… heh… Y’know, I kinda like that better.  I guess growing up in a monastery had its purpose, even though I was never a true member.”
The old wolf continued, “Indeed, you were brought here as a baby, but I’ve also learned that your memory had been purposely erased.”
The mare froze, staring back at her Master in confusion, “But how?”
“We’re not sure who did it, and the messenger that brought you to us died shortly after we accepted you into our monastery.”
Akosha blinked, “How do you know it wasn’t him who erased my memory?”
“Judging by the wounds that covered his body, we believe he was escaping an attack, maybe even a warzone.  We’re not sure where he got you from, and we don’t even know if your parents knew about your disappearance.  Or if they’re still alive.  Our elders, Masters Exin and Fargo, believed that it was in your best interests that no one knew who you were, in case someone was hunting you.”
The horse paused again, questions filling her mind, “But why?”
“We still don’t know.  I’m... sorry that it took so long for me to finally tell you this.  We were never quite sure until a few months ago, and didn’t know how to tell you.  I suppose the time has finally come, with the eve of your absence.”
Akosha sighed longingly and looked up at the dark sky above, “And all this time I thought I was just a regular orphan...”
“It is not a custom of the monastery to accept orphans, especially females.  But once we saw you... it was almost as if we had an obligation... like we had to protect you... to raise you as one of us.  Even now as you prepare to leave us, we are all dreading your absence.  We know it’s best for you to go, but... well, you have made quite an impression on all of us.  Even Master Gildoy respects and appreciates you as if you were his own daughter.”
Akosha glanced back to her friend, “I... guess I was a daughter to each of you.”
Master Wensin nodded, “Indeed.  And the only female to ever live among us, in the history of our entire monastery.  You are one of a kind, Akosha.”
Akosha smiled, “I’ve lived a happy life at this place.  I’m sure the many memories I’ve had here will carry me through my travels.”
“Then... I guess you’ve made your decision.”
“Yes...”
“Very well,” Master Wensin replied as they began walking again.  “It would probably be best if you never mentioned your fractured past to anyone as you go, lest you reveal your identity to the wrong people.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll go inform the other Masters of your decision.  Perhaps we can stall the leave of the court representatives long enough for you to gather your raiment, and present yourself to them as a volunteer.”
As the two friends parted ways, Master Wensin made his way to the central hall where the representatives, mostly regional inquisitors, were discussing possible strategies with the other monks in how to approach the growing crisis of paranormal occurrences originating from the Eastern Kingdoms.
The meeting hall itself seemed rather small for the large number gathered there, but there was plenty of space due to the lack of furniture.  Firelight danced off the stone walls and wooden rafters of the ceiling.
“Again, we have no desire to get the Sages involved in this matter; our seers have notified us that is it better to keep this matter out of Auran hands.  We agree with them, fearing that if the very things that have been happening to innocent people began happening to those with the powers of the Aurans, the results could be disastrous.”
“Are you not aware, noble inquisitors, that the Aurans are best-equipped to handle dire situations like this?”
“We will not stray from the advice of our seers; they have never failed us in their fore sightings and we have no reason to stray here.”
The robed monks, consisting mainly of wolves, snow leopards, and an arctic fox, seemed to contrast the high council’s inquisitors’ appearances in every way; from the trim, black tasseled uniforms they wore to the very air they held about themselves, lacking both humility and flexibility of mind.
Master To’shu, a ruffled snow leopard, stepped forward and replied, “We have no intention of discrediting your seers, but consider once again that you are speaking to a group hosting a small number of ex-Sages in this room.  We merely think that the talents of other Sages will be more useful in this endeavor.”
An impala, one of the inquisitors, nodded and said, “Precisely.  Experience as Sages is why we seek your guidance on the best course of action.”
“Then why do you insist on second-guessing them?” snapped the arctic fox, one of the younger monks here.
Master To’shu put out his hand in front of the fox, “Kenzo, calm down.”
Before anything else could be said, a new, female voice could be heard from behind the monks, coming from the back door of the chamber.
“Noble inquisitors, I would like to volunteer my services in part of your investigation.”
The monks stepped back to let in Akosha, who walked in wearing full gear and carrying her scythe over her shoulder.  Her red clothing, consisting of a travel cape, long loincloth stretching to her shins, and a broad halter top, went perfectly with her jet-black hair and mane.  The look was accented by polished gold armor on her right arm and leg, along with ceremonial jewelry, which was inlaid with ruby-red Verrocite gemstones that matched the unique red color of her keen eyes.
The impala glanced up and replied, “And your name would be...?”
Akosha bravely responded, “My name is Akosha Terias, and I have been trained here by the monks for as long as I can remember.”
“Ah, you must be the orphan girl we heard about...”
Master To’shu grinned and added, “She has indeed been trained by us in both fighting and diplomacy, but not once has she ever made contact with those outside of this region, including Aurans.”
The impala raised an eyebrow, at which point To’shu continued, “Actual Aurans... as opposed to ex-Sages like some of us here.”
The impala turned to Akosha and asked, “Is it true that they trained you in the ways of their order but without contact with fellow Aurans?”
Akosha glanced at To’shu, who gave her a friendly nod.  Akosha nodded in return, “Yes sir.”
The inquisitors glanced among themselves, then the impala turned and replied, “Very well.  Her extreme training and lack of exposure may be enough required of this task.  As long as she hasn’t been exposed to practicing Sages then I suppose it doesn’t matter by now; she will report to our council hall in the fortress tomorrow at noon for a briefing on what she will be ordered to do for us, if they decide to send you off, that is.  I suppose the timing couldn’t have been better since she’s the only volunteer we’ve had to investigate this.  Are you sure you are ready for this, Akosha Terias?”
Akosha nodded enthusiastically, “Definitely!”
“Then we will see you tomorrow,” replied the inquisitor, turning on his hoof to walk out.  “Good night.”