Ghost of Whisper Creek
Chapter 23: Graduation, Goodbyes and New Beginnings

This was how things went for the remainder of Krita’s contract. Her mother, and even her sister visited a couple times each in the next three years, but for most of the time it was just Krita and training, and the Tsukimatsus. She loved them all dearly, and started to dread what was coming as she entered the last year of her contract. At this point she was assigned to a new team, men she had never trained beside before. These would be her brothers for the last year. They would do nearly everything side by side, they would be a unit. Krita took charge early on and became the leader of the group. It was hard however and she saw less and less of Arthion and Kol.

Krita’s schedule lined up with a lot of her former ‘bunnies’ as they were in the same training program now. They did not train or work together, but a lot gathered and shared stories at midday meal. She was happy to see Morn and some of her other bunnies, but was disappointed that Horeak had ended up in Shadow training.

Finally the last month of her contract came. There was little remaining training to be completed, which left a great deal of time for Krita to spend with Kol, Arthion still had his duties to see to, but was with them whenever he could be. Then the final day came. For the last time she gave Kol, now talking and carrying on about being able to beat his father in a swordfight someday soon, to Lady Tsukimatsu. She found Arthion and managed to pull him aside. “What happens today my love?”

Arthion was more reserved and quiet in the upcoming days. It was hardly morning by the time the day of graduation came and yet it seemed as if the entire castle continued on as normal. “Today you spend time with your son...Tonight you leave us.” he said reluctantly.

Krita frowned, but nodded. She tippie toed and kissed him gently on the lips. “I know I have to go, but I don’t want to.” Instead of lowering to her heels she stood there staring into Arthion’s eyes. “I will be back. Often.”

Arthion tried to smile and gave a nod “I’ll look forward to it.” he answered simply even as one of his brothers walked past calling out to him that he was needed, there were a great many graduates to send out and new recruits to cycle in.

Krita reached out and clung to Arthion’s arm pulling him close for a deep passionate kiss. She then finally lowered to her heels and gave him a sad nod. “I will see you later?”

“At mess. Yes.” Arthion smiled and nodded “Go on. Be with our son and I’ll find you later”

Krita gave another sad nod and turned back to return to Kol who she could hear stirring around in Arthion’s room. She forced a smile to her face and strode into the room. “How’s my boy doing?” she asked with a bit of an unconscious break in her voice. “What do you want to do today? You can be with Mama all day, but tonight I have to leave.”

“Awww!! Mama no go!” The little boy whined after stopping his waiving of a wood sword at the dog that pranced around him yapping and howling in play.

Krita stopped dead in her tracks. She forced the tears welling to stay put, for now. She knew that when the time came she wouldn’t be able to hold them back, but for now she wanted to have a good day with Kol. “I have to go, be with Grandpa and Grandma Rodsvard, and Auntie Freda. I will be back though. You have a lot of learning to do. So let’s do something fun today ok?”

Kol looked down at his sword uncertainly before looking up “Ride Ride Horsies!” he exclaimed happy again.

Krita smiled, “You want to ride on Oblekt with me? Or should we try and talk the stable master into letting you ride alone?”

“Umm...” Kol frowned in thought “I ride wif Joo!!”

Krita smiled, and reached down to grab her son. She held him tight as they headed for the door. “Are you going to bring your friend with us?”

“Can Sno come Mama?” Kol asked as he looked up at his mother smiling.

Krita’s smile came genuinely this time, “Of course he can. I think he’ll be able to keep up what do you think? Maybe we can find some little animals he can chase after.”

“Yay!! Chase wabbits! Come. On. Sno!” Kol clapped his hands calling to the white wolf dog that cocked its head and let off a few barks before chasing after the humans.

Krita gave a laugh, “You know you will come and visit me at the Rodsvard castle right? When you do you probably shouldn’t let my friends Morn and the others hear you so excited about hunting rabbits. Before we came here they were called my bunnies.”

“Bunnies! Hop Hop Hop!” Kol giggled bouncing in his mothers arms, Snow jumping at her feet.

Krita was laughing even more now as she tried to keep herself in balance. “Yes bunnies hop around. The bunnies I used to run with are a little more dangerous than that. They like to fight as well. They used to fight for a different family than Mama’s now they will hopefully still be fighting with me. But the bunnies we’ll see today will be fun and hopping.” Her grip tightened a bit as she thought he might fling himself out of her hands, “You on the other hand will need to be still or walk by yourself little guy.”

Kol giggled and hugged her “Yes Mommie.”

Krita lowered her head towards him snuggling her cheek against the top of his head. She was very grateful that the Tsukimatsu were so disciplined, at least most of the time they were in public, and focused on showing others discipline. Kol listened far more that she remembered any other child his age. She hoped that kept up. “I’ll do the hopping for us for a little bit,” she responded with a little giggle and hopped the rest of the way through the halls of the castle, getting a few strange looks that she didn’t mind in the least.

Finding Oblekt was not difficult, and they had a good day out in the forest. Snow chased a few rabbits and a rodent or two as well, but the wolf, no longer a pup was even more disciplined than her son and came back when he was called. He had no luck in his hunts, but seemed happy nonetheless. As the sun got higher in the sky Krita set out a small picnic for herself and Kol. She let Snow wander off as they ate, giving him a treat of jerky before he left. When they completed the meal, Krita began tickling and fussing over her son. After a short time they went back to riding Snow again at the hooves of Oblekt. And finally with a deep sigh she turned Oblekt back towards what she wished was home.

As promised Arthion was at mess and kept up a cheerful demeanour while around their son. When dinner was nearing it’s end and Kol vanished under the table with a pastry sweet, Arthion reluctantly informed Krita that this was the last he would see of her until the day she returned for her first visit. He wasn’t allowed to complete her graduation due to how close he was to her. He also set a piece of parchment and quill down in front of her asking her to write a letter to her bunnies. He would make sure it was passed around to them so that they remembered their options.

Krita gave a sigh and quickly jotted down a general message to the men who followed her on this five year adventure, she admitted to not knowing all of them well enough to call them friends, but knew what they were capable of before coming here, and knew how much more valuable they would be now. She didn’t quite beg, but strongly requested that they follow her back to Kronnborg. She left a few more personal notes for those she knew were friends, and signed the bottom passing it to Arthion. “So last night was our true goodbye for now?”

Arthion nodded “I’m afraid so...” he sighed “Father has a lot of work with all the graduates and needs my help.”

Krita sighed once more and leaned against Arthion tears were falling as she knew they would. “Who...who will handle my graduation? Will I see your father again before leaving? When...when do I have to say goodbye to Kol?”

“Father will meet you at the second tower. Remember the one I took you to all those years with the bridge?” he smiled some at the memory “You will find him there. When you say goodbye is up to you...But I advise going soon while you still have daylight. You will need to reach the temple I showed you before the moon reaches it’s highest point. Its a long journey on foot...your last test. I can’t say anymore than that.”

Krita also gave a smile remembering the night in the temple that she was not allowed to see the path. She looked up and kissed Arthion’s jaw gently. “I will miss you my love. I will be back. Hopefully sooner than later. But a part of me will always be here with you and Kol.”

Arthion merely nodded and returned the kiss “Just focus on graduating. The rest will be as it is.”

Krita nodded but she had one last thing before she could really focus on graduation. She bent down and searched beneath the table, “Come here big guy, Mama has to say goodbye before her big night, and heading back to Grandpa’s home.” She never called Kronnborg home when talking to Kol. Krita didn’t know whether that was because she wanted her home to be with Arthion and Kol, or if she was just trying to make it easier for Kol. Probably mostly the first. She knew that she wouldn’t be back in a week, maybe not a month, but she wanted Kol to think she was on a trip or something nonetheless.

“Awww!!” Kol whined as sticky hands found hers and she let her pull him up. “No go! Mama no go, stay here!”

Tears were flowing endlessly now, by the time one found its way to Krita’s jaw and fell to the floor two others had replaced it on her cheek. “I wish that I could my dear. I don’t want to leave, but I have to. Grandpa needs my help to make things at their castle work better. That’s what I’ve been training for. I’ll be back home though, I promise. I can’t go long without seeing my little bug.” She tried to smile and gave his side a little tickle.

Kol laughed and giggled at the tickle before looking up to see his mother cry “Why joo cry?” he asked innocently “Mama be right back an we ride an bunny hop hop!”

Krita frowned and stopped tickling, “I cry because I won’t be right back, and I can’t tell you I will be. That’s not fair to Papa and Grandmas and Grandpa to have to explain why I’m not back yet. I don’t know how long I have to be away. But I will be back as soon as I can,” she managed a smile between sobs, “And then we’ll bunny hop hop.” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Kol smiled, not really understanding everything his mother said except for the part about them playing bunnies which he jumped slightly on her lap “Hop Hop!”

Krita gave Arthion a pitiful look before she stood from the table still holding Kol in her arms, bouncing like a bunny would. “Who will be watching him during the graduations?”

“Both of his grandmas will watch him” Arthion replied as he reached out to cup her cheek and wipe the tears away “And I will once I finish my duties.”

Krita nodded leaned into his hand and sighed. “Can I hop him over to them before I go to meet your father?”

Arthion nodded “Do what you need to if it will make saying goodbye easier. My love. I must deliver your message and see to my task.”

“Thank you my love,” she said softly, “Tired of doing what I need to though. Wish I could feel good about doing what I wanted to.” She reached out and grabbed his hand held it tightly until he needed to leave and even then held until they were as far apart as they could be while touching before she released him. She then started bounding off trying to be happy for her son’s benefit. “You’ll learn to read before most kids I bet, I’m gonna send you and Papa notes every...week,” she wanted to say daily, and she would at first she knew, but she could not keep that up, and she didn’t want Kol to know she would lie to him to spare his feelings.

“Me Too! Me Too!” Kol exclaimed happily, giggling at his mothers hops down the hall.

The young boy’s laughter was contagious and despite her heavy heart Krita found herself laughing as well until they came to the part of the castle she knew the Ladies Tsukimatsu would be. She stopped in the doorway and looked into Kol’s eyes. “Remember I will be back. Even if you have to wait what seems like a long time. They would have to...well...if I don’t come back it won’t matter anymore if you hate me. I love you pup. I’ll be back. Go play with your grandmas.” Before she set him down she clung to him tightly and kissed him on the top of the head, she then held him a moment longer just looking into his face, before finally releasing him.

“Oh Tay Mommie..” Kol said sadly but he knew when his mother and father told him to go play with his grandmas that meant he had to do as he was told.

Krita smiled at her son as he scampered off as she told him too. She looked at Lord Tsukimatsu’s wives and gave another smile and nod. She then took a deep breath, blew a kiss to Kol, though he might have been too busy to notice. Krita then turned and headed to where she needed to start her walk to the temple.

At the top of the tower near the bridge Lord Tsukimatsu stood with his arms folded behind him. The sun was only just starting to set making the ridges of the Dragons Back look like looming black fangs of a mighty beast “Has the She Wolf learned with her time in the pack?” he asked simply.

Krita bowed respectfully, something she would not have done to any other than her father or Uncle five years ago. “I have learned much. Enough to put House Rodsvard on the right track to for the future, and defend Kronnborg should the need arise. I thank you my Lord.”

Lord Tsukimatsu turned, a smile on lips as he bowed just as low “And I thank you for the opportunity to help guide you on your path. Just as the Keeper will guide you now to freedom from contracts and oaths.” he pointed a hand out to the Wolf statue that was looking back at her as if waiting for her to follow “But be warned, it is not a simple walk...you must follow the keeper and defeat the obstacles you will face. The journey there is four hours and at the end you will find a temple where you must kneel at it’s center within the light of the moon and reflect on your years until morning. There will be no rest, if you are found sleeping you will be woken up and I cannot promise that they will be friendly. Many bandits have taken refuge upon the path. Be weary Krita Rodsvard and good luck.” he nodded.

Krita gave a coy smile, “I will have many thoughts to keep myself awake. I have a very good reason for remaining alive. And then there is what happens to Kronnborg if I fail. I won’t let you down my Lord.” She said confidently giving another deep bow of thanks and rushing off following the path given by the Keeper.

The journey to her destination was a test as she was warned. Krita thought she felt eyes on her the second that Lord Tsukimatsu left her sight, but she decided that was anxiety and the fact that she needed to be on her guard constantly. In truth there were eyes on her, but she didn’t know where the Shadows were hiding, and they were mostly there to monitor. After fifteen minutes Krita passed a second wolf and allowed herself a small smile, that was when she heard the first obstacle approaching from the shadows. She thought she had plenty of time to prepare, but a blade darted out at her before she was expecting it. She was barely able to intercept it, having it barely graze her upper left arm. She was outfit with her most familiar weapon, a two-handed sword of good weight and length. Krita was able after a slow beginning to fend off the first attacker and made sure she was not as arrogant, and remained focused the rest of the journey.

Once she restarted down the path she came to another stone wolf. She prepared herself for an attack, stood in the middle of the path and listened for anything that would tell her where her opponent would come from. None came. It was a mere ten steps after the Keeper was out of sight when the second attack came. Even though it was unexpected, this time she was ready. The student who challenged her this time didn’t get nearly as close as the last before she was able to dispatch him.

So the encounters went, never repeating a situation from previous on the journey. Krita’s heightened state of alertness not allowing her to be surprised, and her superior blade skill not allowing the attacking students to get the upper hand. She was however slowly tiring, it was after the wolf that marked what she guessed was the halfway point that she was met her greatest test. It was not a student, but one of last year’s graduates who had stayed on with the academy. Her tiring body fought hard, but he was just as good as her, and only boredom would have worn him down over the last near three hours. He got the upper hand after a short standoff, backed Krita against a natural wall the path followed and grinned.

Krita gritted her teeth and tried to raise her sword that was being pinned against the wall by her opponent’s free hand. His blade raise to her throat and he smiled again. Krita thrust her elbow into his midsection which sent the air out of her opponent, but did little to gain her room or freedom. “Graduation is not about winning, it’s about trying and fighting,” he said breathing a bit heavily. “You have done that, this test is of your heart, not your skills, you’ve proven those over the last five years or you wouldn’t be here. Move on.” The fighter backed away and allowed Krita to continue. She gave him a deep bow and hurried on down the path.

At the three quarter mark Krita found refreshments, a skin of water, some small snacks. She looked up into the sky and gauged that she had enough time to sit for five minutes and rest while she ate and rehydrated. As she rested the waterskin against her lips and reached for a piece of bread, a piece of parchment caught her eye. She put the waterskin down, grabbed the note, and tore at the piece of bread with her mouth. As she chewed she read the note, from Arthion, saying how proud he was. She wondered how many completed the graduation ceremony and decided she shouldn’t sit back any longer, fueled by food, water and the note she continued.

The last leg of the journey seemed to mirror the first, in effort, not angle of attackers. She was a little too comfortable when the first came, but managed to overcome and win the fight, and the next several were easier. Krita could see the outline of the temple that was her destination, she saw the stone wolf that she guessed would be the last of it’s kind she would see outside of said temple. She strode towards the building when she heard a rumbling growl.

A panther bounded out of the shadows and pounced on Krita. It slashed at her face leaving shallow cuts on her cheek, nothing that would scar, but certainly not the way Krita wanted to be greeted upon reaching the temple. Krita managed to kick the animal away and pulled her hunting knife from her boot. Feline and human stalked circles around each other, close enough that they exchanged slashes of claws or blades, but far enough that neither felt threatened by the other’s attacks. Krita’s foot turned as she stepped on a stray rock. The large cat seemed to know the stumble was coming and again pounced. Krita was on her back quickly. The cat looked ready to take a chunk out of her neck, Krita meanwhile rose her blade towards the panther’s ribs. A whistle filled the air and the cat gave a growl of disappointment before bounding off of Krita. It purred as it retreated into the shadows, and Krita continued on with a slight limp to the temple.

She entered and gave a smile as she went to the center of the room, to look up through the opening and see the skies. Many before and after her would be smiling just as wide at their accomplishment. There was a degree of pride in her smile, but for Krita more happiness was in remembering her trip here with Arthion, spending the night watching moon and stars. She had stayed up all night that night. If she had to make herself recall every moment of it one by one, she would do the same tonight.

When morning came and the sun peeked warming rays of light into the temple to Illuminate the kneeling knightess and the stone wolf statue a lone wolf’s howl sounded from the entrance. It would be familiar to Krita and not quite animal. Krita smiled as she heard the call. It reminded her of her past, and her future both. “Hi Kin,” she said before she turned and saw, Chance as expected, but also her brother holding the reins of Oblekt. “Nils...why are you here.”

Nils gave a smile and a deep bow to his sister, “To congratulate you sister. Arthion, and Lord Tsukimatsu could not be present themselves, they are quite busy. Arthion thought you would enjoy some family present when you completed your task.” Krita smiled and ran to her brother giving him a strong hug.

She shook her head as she looked at Chance, “Either you’re a good liar, or Arthion didn’t pick you,” she said with a laugh.

“Actually my father did.” Chance chuckled “And by no pleasure of my own, no offence My Lady. Something about carrying my own weight in the family.” he grinned holding up both hands “But a Matsu has to be present to witness the completion and to give you...” he reached around to his back belt and brought forth her contract, unrolling it to show her the bottom where her old signature was “You just got to sign below your old one, with blood of course...and then I give you the documents of Knighthood and you are free to go where ever you wish. To South Port or back with your brother or...Kronnborg” he shrugged “So?”

Krita was quick to pluck her finger and sign the document one more time, “I wish I could stay here, but Kronnborg needs me. Whether they will accept that or not we’ll just have to see. The city and people will be happy I’m sure. I’m glad they sent you Kin. It’s good to see you again, even though you don’t feel the same,” she gave him a wink.

Chance laughed “Ha! That is hardly what I meant. I just would of prefered seeing you in Old North than up in this cold drafty place.” he looked around at the temple “The rest is your business.” he smiled “Congrats Lady Krita, I knew you would make it just fine”

Krita’s face lit up, “Thanks Kin, or can I call you Chance now like everyone else?” she gave a bit of a chuckle and approached him slowly. She was genuine about being happy to see him, but she wasn’t exactly sure how to greet due to their past and her relationship with Arthion.

“Err...” Chance rose a hand to the back of his neck and grinned mischievously “Whatever pleases you, My Lady.”

Krita laughed at his discomfort, “I like Chance, is quite fitting for you I think.” Seeing him uncomfortable seemed to break the ice and Krita approached him and gave him a hug. “So if Oblekt, a representative of House Tsukimatsu and my brother present. I’m guessing it’s time for me to go? Did someone bring my stuff?”

Chance grinned and returned the hug “Its all packed up on your horse. I made sure of it myself. I can’t come along so I figured your brother could travel with you, I have to go round up a bunch of fluffy bunnies and see they make it to their own chosen locations. Word of advice, My Lady? Go have some fun before you rush off to duty. Hm?”

Krita gave him an appreciative smile. “I’m not sure I remember what fun is. And I know I can’t take Kol or Arthion with me. How is the game around Old North this time of year?”

“I’d say plentiful, My Lady. My men and I just dragged in a deer the other day. That was a good feast!” he grinned “Besides, you might not have Kol to entertain right now...but I seem to recall four other little devils that might like seeing their Aunt Krita.” he winked.

Krita chuckled, “I think I’m even a little better prepared for dealing with them this time. And I can spoil them rotten like a good Aunt is supposed to do.”

Nils chuckled himself, “Don’t go doing us any favors. Kisa gets what she wants pretty much anyways. I’m sure all four would like to play with their Aunt however.”

“Well then.” Chance grinned “I’ll leave you two to the road then.” Pointing back to the road behind them there was another stone wolf “Follow the keeper to the crossroads. The Keeper will want you to go right which will lead you to the other side of the mountain. You want to go left back to the main road and all the way back to Old North. I’ll meet you back there in three days.” he smiled back at Krita.

“Thanks again Chance,” she said. It was easier not to call him Kin. Kin was someone she’d shared a few wonderful nights with, a charming fun guy who was a great match for the old Krita. Chance could be her brother, or whatever they would be now. “I will be sure to be there when you show up. Maybe we can bag a deer together.”

“I’d like that. My Lady.” Chance bowed before plunging hands into his pockets and walking away down the path nonchalantly.

Krita watched Chance leave, glad they would be able to move past the fun they had and hoped he they could be friends. She then eyed the packs on Oblekt. She rushed over and took her armor from them. “Hope it still fits,” she said with a grin. “Mind waiting outside. I’ll be ready to go in a few moments.” Nils nodded and led the horse out of the temple. Krita looked over her armor, thinking it even more appropriate now to wear. A daily reminder of what she was forced to leave behind, and would hopefully be able to rejoin for more than short visits.

She stepped out of the temple, her armor shining in the morning sun. She wasn’t sure if the fit was looser because of all the work she’d done over the past five years, or if she just didn’t remember how the fit was after so long without it. She knew that no matter how snug the fit was it felt like home. Something that wouldn’t matter if she was in Tsukimatsu or Kronnborg, or someplace far off protecting either one. Krita smiled at her brother and took Oblekt’s reins from him. “Let’s go. I want to be back here soon, but if we don’t head off, I’m not sure I will be able to leave.”

Nils, his troops, Krita and all forty-six of the bunnies under her command made their way North up the coast. They would stop at Old North, Nils’ home. They were met there by a messenger. It seemed fate would ask Krita to take her family responsibilities sooner than expected. Lord Ammon had been assassinated on the roads between Kronnborg and Sharkhead Port. Krita and Nils agreed she would take control of Kronnborg.

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