Findor's Tale


[timeline: immediately after Otherworld 11]






Yuki stood before Lady Namari and bowed low. "You summoned me, Milady?" "Yuki! Stop bowing all the time!" Namari admonished, adjusted her pregnant bulk in the chair. She never seemed to be able to get comfortable! "We are equals here. And I asked you to come to see me -- not summoned." "Sorry, Mi... ah, Namari." Yuki started another bow but it was interrupted by a sigh from Namari. He straightened up quickly. "I was thinking about Findor." "Findor?" Yuki frowned. His nephew had left the White Palace months ago and no one knew where he was. "I want to offer him a home here in the Northern Lands -- but only if you agree to it."

		"A home?" Yuki parroted. Why did Namari want Findor here? He repeated the question aloud. "A number of reasons. First of all, he is lost out there in the wild lands of Demon World when all the rest of us are at peace. He might not even know about Vashir." "Well..." "But most of all, and correct me if I'm mistaken, but doesn't Findor's clan have the only female Blood Demons?"

Yuki nodded. "Yes, he does." "Don't you want him to have a home? Can you not find it in your heart to forgive him?" "I would like to know exactly what part he played in the destruction of our home and my family." Yuki said firmly. "Until then, none of us will ever be able to forgive him." "I see." Namari pondered the statement for a few seconds. "I think you should go to the White Palace and talk to the people there." Yuki remained silent, mulling it over in his mind, then after a few minutes, he acquiesced. "I will do as you suggest, Lady Namari."

After talking it over with Kal and Iome, Yuki walked through the portal that Kage had recently created to the White Palace. Vashir greeted him warmly, asking about the residents of the Northern Keep. After assuring the Prince that all were well, Yuki explained why he was here and Vashir suggested that he speak to Ri-Con and Nakune.

		"It was a sad time for all of us." Nakune mused. "Arashi never wanted to kill people like that." "He was enthralled?" Yuki ventured. "Completely! Absolutely no will of his own. Ga-Wane controlled his every move -- his every thought!" "I need to know ... whose idea was it? To kill the Blood Demon clan."

"It was Ga-Wane's idea. All his." Ri-Con said immediately. "He told Findor that he was only going to kill Shido and that Findor would then take over the entire clan." "So Findor was okay with killing his grandfather?" "Findor was very angry and hurt when he was separated from Kenji. He was completely obsessed with the Human boy. And he blamed Shido most of all." "I see." "But he never wanted anyone else killed! He was furious when he heard about the complete destruction of his clan. His parents were killed and you can't believe he wanted that." "But he did nothing to stop it. To warn anyone." Yuki countered. "He didn't know what was going to happen -- none of us did -- and even if he had known, there was nothing he could have done. Ga-Wane had his Chameleon spies all over. No one trusted anyone else here in the Palace. And if Findor had tried anything, Ga-Wane would have enthralled him like Arashi. You have no idea what it was like here. All of us lived in fear of that Moth. He was insane with greed! No matter how much he had, he wanted more." "Thank you for your candor, both of you." Yuki gave them both a small bow. "One more question -- do you know where he might have fled to?" "All I know is that he and his people were dressed in furs. I would look to some place very cold." Ri-Con answered. "Try the Demon Hawk's old home in the mountains." Nakune offered. "Perhaps even the Ice Demons' village, but you will have to ask Aisu where it is. Only the Ice Demons know its location." "Thank you again." Yuki turned to leave, when Ri-Con stopped him. "Are you going to look for him? To give him a home?" "I'm not sure yet. I need to talk to my father first." Then with a final bow, Yuki returned to the Northern Keep, told Kal and Iome what he had learned and continued his journey to the Castle.

The Otherworld Castle stood before him, two tall towers reaching to the sky and grey stone walls basking in the afternoon sun. In this edifice, his father had finally found happiness and peace. Was Findor deserving of this same peace? Or had he done too much evil to be forgiven?

		Yuki found his father in the library, catching the man as he was going over patrol plans with Kurama. "Son! What a surprise!" "Greetings, father. Lord Kurama." Yuki said. "Could I have a moment of your time, father?" "Is something wrong?" Kurama asked as he rolled up blueprints and signed off on papers. "No, not really." Kurama cocked an eyebrow. That was purposely vague! The Fox quickly excused himself and left the room.

Shido nodded to the departing Fox and then turned to his son. "Now, what is it, son?" Yuki got right to the point. "Namari wants to offer Findor a home in the Northern Lands." Then he told his father all he had learned at the White Palace. "I see." Shido said quietly after hearing the story. "So my grandson wanted my death." "From what I heard in the White Palace, he was still bitter about the Kenji incident. He never wanted to the clan to be slaughtered -- that was Ga-Wane's plan all along. Findor was deceived by the Moth." Yuki paused. "But you're right -- he wanted you dead. He wanted to take over the entire clan." Shido sat down heavily in a nearby chair. "My own grandson wanted me dead...." "Father...." "No, son, it's okay. It's something I will have to deal with. I guess I never realized how much the Human boy meant to him. Maybe if I had never parted them, none of this would have happened. Our clan would be alive -- and Findor would not have joined the Moth."

		"Findor was only a small part of Ga-Wane plans. Almost an afterthought. Getting Aki and Rinkusu on his side was the most important part. Through them, and the betrayal of Kamereon, he took over the Eastern Lands." "But it was not enough. He wanted it all." Shido nodded. "Yes." Yuki said. "Findor is not blameless in this -- but Ga-Wane would have killed the clan with or without his help."

Shido sighed heavily. "We lost so much that day. Shilo ... and Breal." His voice cracked with emotion. Yuki went to his father and put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Everyone lost someone. Findor too...." "Yes, so he did." Shido straightened up, then added. "I don't know what to tell you." As if on cue, a small knock sounded on the door of the library and then the door opened. Princess Aara walked quietly into the room. "I sensed your need." She said to Shido after greeting Yuki. Yuki told her what he had discovered about Findor and the offer that Namari wanted to make.

		The Princess thought it over for a few moments. When she spoke, her voice was gentle. "Forgiveness heals the heart." "You want me to forgive Findor?" Shido asked. "I don't know if I can. I lost so much...." "Perhaps you need more time." Aara said, then turned to Yuki. "But I think you have it in your heart to forgive. If not, then why are you doing all this?"

"You're right, Princess. I do want to find Findor and offer him a home. Perhaps it is only because he has the only females...." "That is not the reason." Aara stated firmly. "You are ready to take the first step towards healing. This will help not only Findor, but your entire clan. And, in time, it will help Shido." "Do I forgive him everything?" Yuki asked. "Can I?" "Only you can answer that -- you will know when you see him. Follow your heart. It won't lead you astray." "Thank you, Princess. I will follow your counsel and go to see Findor." "Do you know where to find him?" Shido asked. "Ri-Con suggested asking the Hawks or the Ice Demons." "Then you will need to go to the Black Tower." Shido said. "But please stay the night here -- catch me up on the doings of the Northern Keep. How are Kal and Iome?" Aara excused herself and left the room, leaving the two men to talk, which they did all through the night. At daybreak, Yuki was ready to go to the Black Tower when Shido stopped him. "In spite of what Aara says, I am not ready to forgive Findor yet. I don't want him to come here." "I understand, father." "Maybe one day...." "When the time is right, you will know." Yuki told him. "Like the Princess said, your heart will know." Then with a final goodbye, he walked through the Black Tower portal.

Klavis immediately sent a pair of Hawks to fly over their old clan home to search for Findor's group. A few hours later, they returned with news that the area was devoid of life. Yuki turned to Aisu. "Could they be in your old home?"

		"If he is, they would have a hard life!" Aisu exclaimed. "We barely scratched out a living and the cold doesn't bother us. I can't imagine he would go there." "Is there anyway to find out?"

"Only by going there." Aisu answered. "I'll take you there myself. It is a five-day journey and a hard one. Practically straight up the mountains. You need to dress warm." "I can have the Hawks fly you to the lower mountains. That would save you a couple of days traveling time." "Thanks, Klavis." Aisu nodded toward the Hawk captain, then turned back to his guest. "Have you rested lately? You look tired..." "Well..." "Let's find you a bedroom and I'm sure we can find someone to volunteer to feed you. While you rest up, I'll find you some warm clothes." "Thank you." Yuki said as he was ushered down the hall to a guest bedroom.

The trip was much harder than he expected, even for a Blood Demon. There were no paths through the mountains and many times, he literally crawled up them. His hands were covered in scrapes and cuts from the sharp rocks. Had Findor really taken his little group here? And if so, how were they surviving? Especially the Human feeders?


		Yuki stood there looking down at the tiny village -- no, it was barely a village at all! Just five sad little huts made of sticks and animal hides. Yuki pulled his parka around him tightly, trying to keep out the frigid wind. The snow and ice was bad enough -- but the wind! It never stopped blowing, chilling the air and filling the days (and nights!) with its mournful howl. It was three days since he and Aisu started their journey to find what was left of the Blood Demon clan. Three days of scaling icy cliffs and enduring bitter cold. And now, finally, he had arrived at the Ice Demon's old camp. Now the only one question remained: how would Findor greet him?

Each hut had a length of hide and fur which served as doors; an attempt to keep the warmth in and the cold out. Yuki could see faces peering out from behind the fur doors of the huts, but he couldn't make out who they belonged to. His fellow Blood Demons or the feeders? Aisu called out to the first hut, asking for Findor, and a pale hand pointed to the last hut. Yuki called out a thank you but the person had already retreated back into the hut. He trudged through the snow to Findor's hut with Aisu, pulling his parka tight. Aisu, of course, had on only the flimsiest of tunics and thin shoes. His step was light over the deep snow and the wind didn't seem to bother him at all. To him, this barren, frozen wasteland was home. Or at least it had been for many, many years. As they approached Findor's hut, two guards suddenly appeared in front of the door. "Who are you and what do you want?" "I am Aisu and this is my clan home. I wish to see Findor." The Ice Demon answered according to the plan that Yuki and he had decided upon earlier. Both had decided it was better not to confront Findor right away, but wait until they were inside the hut and facing Findor himself. One of the Demons ducked his head inside the door flap and relayed the message. Then he stood aside, drawing back the fur door. "You may enter." Aisu nodded and ducked to go into the hut with Yuki following close behind. There was a tiny fire in the center of the hut, smoke curling up toward a small hole in the roof. A Human boy dressed in furs crouched by the fire trying to keep warm. Yuki looked at him closely. It was not Kenji. The hut was divided into two parts with a hanging hide partition. The partition was pulled aside for a moment, revealing Kenji curled up on a fur bed, then Findor walked into the front part of the hut and dropped the partition, concealing his lover once again. "Aisu? Are the Ice Demons returning?" Findor asked, extended a hand to the Ice Lord. "He came because of me." Yuki said as he pushed the parka's hood off his head. "Yuki!" Findor exclaimed and the tension was visible on the Demon's body. Hands clenched into fists and he took a fighter's stance. Yuki held up his hands, palms open. "I come in peace, Findor. As the family we once were." "In peace?" Findor's red eyes narrowed. "Why should I believe you?" "Why not? I am only one person while you have many. I swear upon my mother's spirit that I wish you no harm." Findor slowly relaxed his hands and stood up straight. "Alright, uncle, I believe you. But again I ask, why?" Findor asked as he sat down in front of the fire and gestured for the two men to do the same. He asked the guard to bring them something to drink. "I have little to offer." "That's not why we came." Yuki told Findor of the offer that Namari had made -- to live in peace in the Northern Lands. And of the words of Shido, his grandfather. He also told him how Ryoku-Ashi died and that Vashir was now the Prince of Demon World. "Ryoku-Ashi is dead?" Findor mused. "I did not think that Aara was so powerful." "We do not know what the outcome would have been if she had been forced to bind him. Perhaps the binding would have failed and Ryoku-Ashi would have killed us all in the end. But his hatred of our Princess destroyed him in the end." "And Vashir is a Prince like his mother?" "Yes, Ri-Con, Nakune and Kannu are bound to him and Lady Aline recently joined him." "Aline? So he binds both male and female?" "So it seems." Yuki commented. "So what do you say, nephew? Will you take the clan to a better home than this?" "We are barely surviving here -- some did not make the journey. Several of the feeders died and one of the children. Then a lesser dragon attacked us while we were foraging for food." "How many are left?" "Eight males, three females and four children." "Four children!" Yuki exclaimed. "What a godsend!" "Three of them are female." "You would all be welcome in the Northern Lands. I promise that." "I will not bow to Shido." Findor stately flatly. "Shido is bound to the Princess and does not want to rule the clan any longer. He has found peace at her side."

		"So, you would rule the clan in his stead?" Findor asked, his eyes narrowing. "I talked it over with Kal and my own partner, Iome, and we all agreed that we would be willing to follow you." "Me?"

"Yes. I know you've made mistakes, but when the clan was in danger, you led them to safety. You survived through Ga-Wane and Ryoku-Ashi's rule, standing on the front lines of danger. You have been their ruler for many years." Yuki lowered his voice. "I will follow you, Findor. I will name you Lord." Findor gasped when he heard Yuki's words. "This is very unexpected! I never dreamed ... well, just know that I am sorry for all that has happened. I was a foolish and an arrogant child! Forever will the spilt blood of our clan stain my soul. I have much to pay for." "You have changed a lot, Findor. You are a grown man now." Yuki said. "I do have one other concern." Findor said, lowering his voice to a whisper. "What is it?" Yuki replied in a low voice, following his nephew's example. "Kenji -- he doesn't remember what he did. I thought I was dead -- one sword stroke and I would have been cut in twain. I had no more strength to give to the battle." "We heard the story. How Kenji saved you...."

		"By killing his own father." Findor sighed. "I would have wished anything but that! But my Kenji, my sweet Kenji, is so enthralled to me now that he remembers nothing. I can't take the chance of him finding out. I don't know what it would do to him." "If you build a clan home a little away from the Northern Keep and keep Kenji always ensconced in it, he might never have to know the truth." "But won't his mother demand to see her son?" "Kaoru has left Otherworld. She returned to the Human World last month. She will not return again." Yuki told him. "And I can explain things to Kenru. I'm sure she will understand."

"Then I will accept your offer, Yuki, with gratitude. To you and the Lady Namari. I will be glad to offer her my fealty."

And so it came to be that the Northern Lands added one more clan to its borders. Findor brought what was left of the Blood Demons out from the frozen lands of the Ice Demons and stood before Namari, pledging his loyalty and naming her as his sovereign. In turn, Yuki abdicated his claim to rule the Blood Demon clan and named Findor as his successor and the sole Lord of the clan. Shido accepted his son's decision, but refused to communicate with his grandson. Nor did Findor seek out his counsel. For now, the two would remain estranged.

		That night, after settling in a one of the caves near the Northern Keep -- which would serve as home until proper buildings could be erected -- Findor caressed his beloved Kenji. For this Human, he had done atrocities -- things which he would regret for the rest of his days. But ... but now he had Kenji at his side. And always would. The boy's parents were gone and the mate long forgotten. Nothing would ever stand in the way of his happiness again. "Sweet Kenji." He whispered and kissed the boy's soft cheek. "I love you more than life itself." Kenji smiled up at his Demon lover and reached down a hand to open his trousers. "Prove it."

Findor laughed aloud and spent the entire night proving, over and over, just how much he loved his Kenji.