Kiyote Tales Frozen Tears

By Benjamin D. Upton II

The fate of the city of Smud hangs in the balance and our heroes must divide their forces if they hope to stop the evil Nyar. Jin and Puffer stay behind to assist the Lord Pamplamoose Pithwhithle in the defense of the city against an impending Bugbear onslaught. Meanwhile Kiyoté and the dwarves seek an end to the nightmarish phantoms in the hopes that it will allow Queeny time to relearn the ways of her power.
Join Kiyoté and two fearless dwarves as they embark on a perilous journey to the dreaded glacier mountains. There, they must confront the source of evil itself, battling the elements and the phantoms. Along the way they find new friends and old mysteries, all of which seem to lead back to the dark power of Nyar and his horde.
An adventure story for the young and young at heart with action, adventure, humor and good karma.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Benjamin D. Upton II
• Release date: Oct 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215151075

Benjamin D. Upton II

I currently reside in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Western tip of North Carolina. A great deal of inspiration comes from being in the expansive Pisgah National Forest. For 15 years I taught children from 2nd grade up about self reliance, team building, science and history using experiential education and 'hands on' teaching.The Ki-yo-te tales themselves began about 12 years when my son was just taking in interest in reading and stories. Every other night for the next decade I would make up tales about the Ki-yo-te and his adventures as bed time stories. After a while, they took on a life of their own. He encouraged me to write them down and gave a few copies to his friends. One of those friends walked up to me one day with a printed and stapled copy of the 'Forbidden Forest' on top of a stack of library books. He told me that my story was the best one he had read. I decided then to give see if I could get my stories out to the world.

Book preview

Kiyote Tales

Frozen Tears

Benjamin D. Upton II

First Edition 2023 ©

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced

without the written consent of the author.

Thank you for respecting the efforts of all artists.

www.kiyotetales.com

This book is dedicated to the peeps of my youth.  Many a night we spent in my basement playing D&D and darts.  I have reached the age where I don’t remember everyone’s name, but I remember the good times. 

Thanks Y’all.

Note from the Author:

There is a lot going on in Kiyoté tales right now.  To make sure that the entire tale is told, I have divided it up into several shorter stories.

The events in this story take place concurrently with the events in the next one.  This tale is primarily about what Kiyoté and the dwarves are doing in the battle against the Evil Nyar.  The following book will tell the story of Jin the cat, Puffer and Queeny.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 1

Buni

Kiyoté and Queeny reached out to give a knock on the ancient gate of the Buni temple but it swung open before he could.

Two long lines of various animals, and even a couple of humans, stretched back into the temple and at the front a large brown rabbit in a brown gi stared down at Kiyoté.  Even without being on a higher step the rabbit was so large he could look Kiyoté eye to eye.

You have a lot of nerve showing your face here, spat the rabbit angrily. 

Kiyoté  bristled I have a lot of nerve showing my face anywhere! he retorted, but then considered if he had actually said what he meant to say.

Bah said the brown rabbit take him.

"Another rabbit, a gnu and a moose stepped up and grabbed Kiyoté.  They began to remove all of his belongings and toss them to a nearby marmot who began to busily jot down in a notebook.  Everyone paused and gave Kiyoté a hard look when they saw his silver sword, Moonlight.  Buni’s never used metal weapons.

Wait! said Queeny, trying to intervene but Kiyoté stopped her No Queeny.  This has to happen, aye.  It will be fine.  Err… probably.

Kiyoté was led away from Queeny, who was seemingly forgotten for the moment. 

The Kiyoté was handled none too gently as he was dragged through the venerable temple. He had warned Queeny that there might be some hard feelings and some rough handling, but she was still taken by surprise at the vitriol.

Confused and shaken, she followed, uncertain about what she should do. The acolytes of the temple neither noticed nor hindered her.

Kiyoté having been stripped of all his gear, wore only his shirt and pants. He didn’t normally have this much of his gray fur exposed, but it would be pointless to resist. It actually felt kind of nice to be out of his armor and feel the evening's breeze.

His tail started to wag, whacking one of the acolytes and eliciting a stern glare. He had to stifle a snicker.

Their anger was understandable. The Buni temple was built on tradition and commitment. His acceptance had been a break in that tradition. His renunciation of Buni ways many years before was a refutation of that commitment. He had abandoned the temple and sneaked away in the night. It was seen as an insult to Buni ways.  Still, Kiyoté felt that this reception was a little overboard.

He had been prepared, though, so he relaxed and let them drag him along.  Being larger than most of his captors made it so they had to deal with his full weight. It gave him time to amuse himself by observing the diverse array of animals present. Apparently, the temple had witnessed an increase in both numbers and species. During his time, the temple consisted mostly of rabbits, with only a few representatives from other species. Now, it appears that rabbits were almost a minority.

The temple acolytes were all dressed in similar gi uniforms, with appropriate alterations to suit their species, and tied with white belts. A few of the older acolytes, like the large brown rabbit, had a gi or belt of a different color. The large rabbit in question was adorned with a dark brown belt denoting his position as second in command. Higher-ups within the Buni temple were addressed using rank, so he was simply known as ‘Brown.’

Brown had been there when Kiyoté was taken in by the temple, but had never been happy about a predator's inclusion.

They walked down a long path through the center of the temple. Most of it was set up as a practice space of one sort or another. The left side of the path had a firm sandy floor and was open to the sky, where as the right side had racks, shelves and various martial arts equipment.

The evening stars were bright, giving enough light to see the route past ancient columns and the massive blocks that made up the exterior wall of Cathuria.

Queeny, looking lost, could not hide the fact that she was glowing, but no one seemed to pay any mind. Kiyoté had asked her not to interfere, and she would not have known what to do in this situation anyway. He glanced over his shoulder and saw that she had begun to rub her sleeve. It was a sign that her stress level was growing, and he hoped she didn’t have an ‘episode’ now. He had not considered that if her power went crazy in the temple, what the result would be?

The path led out of the sandy area and ended in a floor paved with huge white tiles. In different areas of the practice space, creatures were in various stages of training, though they all stopped to watch the passing group. Silently, the acolytes left their training and joined the procession, forming up in the two long lines.

As Kiyoté was pulled along, the two columns of Buni Temple Acolytes folded around him. By the time they had reached the other end, Kiyoté was at the front of quite a crowd. To his surprise, he spotted a moose, a deer, and a warthog. There were even a couple of humans in the back. Neat.

The mob stopped at a wooden platform on which sat a very old white rabbit wearing a blue robe and sipping from a blue cup. Kiyoté was tossed onto his knees before the platform. That got his hackles up as he had never been good at kneeling or contrition. An expectant silence fell.

Ummm. Hello Ms. Blue Bunny, he said, eliciting a whack on the head from the Brown Bunny who barked angrily, You may have left this temple disgracefully, but you can at least show proper respect to the Mistress now that you have returned!

Kiyoté rubbed his head and gave Brown an unfriendly look. Am I back? If I am no longer a Buni, then I have no need to follow Buni decorum, aye?

Impudence. I alone will decide when you are no longer a Buni, said a voice, quiet but carrying the full weight of the ancient temple. The Blue Bunny had risen to her feet and now stepped down from the platform.

She was small, even for a rabbit. With Kiyoté kneeling, she still had to look up to see his face. The rabbit gazed at him for a long, unsettling while. Kiyoté looked unflinchingly back into her eyes, which were deep with wisdom. They also were dancing with humor rather than anger, and he wondered at that. Once Kiyoté’s gear had been placed on the dais, she looked it over then spoke, Why are you here, Kiyoté? Why would you return to the temple you defied and abandoned to face whatever punishment I see fit?

Kiyoté breathed deeply and considered his words. He needed the Bunny’s help for Queeny’s sake and stuck with the blunt truth.

To protect her, said Kiyoté, pointing back to Queeny. She looked alone and small behind the crowd. Every head turned. Queeny looked even more isolated under the weight of all those eyes. She is in terrible danger, aye, implored Kiyoté. If punishment must be had, Kiyoté will accept it gladly if only you keep her safe.

The Blue Bunny stared a moment longer at Kiyoté, then laughed loudly and uproariously. The Brown Bunny scowled and passed her a pouch that jingled with coins. I told you, she said happily to Brown. I told you he would come back one day and would do so for a noble cause. She pointed at the older students in the crowd. You all owe me money! Come, sit with me, Kiyoté, and you too, Lady.

To Queeny and Kiyoté's bafflement, they were given a seat and tea on the dais while several other Buni acolytes handed over various-sized coin pouches. The acolytes then bowed and quietly returned to their practice. Blue and Brown Bunny listened as Kiyoté told of their adventures, rescue, and journey. It was late, and most of the acolytes had gone to bed by the time they finished. The waxing moon had crossed the sky and was nearing the horizon.

Well done, Kiyoté, said the Blue Bunny, sipping delicately. I will now tell you a Buni secret. Perhaps our greatest secret. Nearly a third of Buni temple acolytes sneak away in the night. Almost all of those acolytes have returned eventually, and each of them came back for the noblest of reasons. If I could find a way to make that errantry part of the training, I would, but it has to come from inside. You have met and exceeded all of my hopes and expectations. I am very proud of you.

Kiyoté was shocked, relieved, dizzy, and did not know what to say. So he just sat and pretended his cheeks weren’t just a little damp with relief tears.

This, however, needs some attending to, and she lifted Kiyoté’s sword, Moonlight, from the pile of his belongings. She drew the sword, which was nearly as long as a spear compared to her size. Casually, doing an amazingly complex routine, she then tossed a coin into the air and sliced it in half along the thin side. She then resheathed the sword and picked up the two coin halves. Hah! Doubled my money! she quipped, then became serious. You know that the Buni do not kill. Wooden weapons only and for defense only. Even as beautiful and perfectly balanced as it is, making a metal blade goes against all that we teach here.

It was me, said Queeny solemnly, and a little testily, at which Kiyoté wondered, "I changed it, not him. Kiyoté came for me when no one else would. He faced a powerful monster, one that he knew nothing about.  He had no way to fight the monster, but he was still willing to stand against it on my behalf.  I was imprisoned and barely aware.  Still, I felt the danger and the hope. I sent out what power I could and let it do as it would. I didn't mean for his sword to become silver. It just... happened."

The Blue Bunny pondered this. So this is the same sword you took the night you left, Kiyoté? You did not have it crafted?

Oh, yes, replied Kiyoté, aghast at the thought that he would ever give up his original Buni sword. "It is the sword you gave to me and the only sword I have ever used, aye. When Kiyoté lost everything else, he held onto this. It is called Moonlight."

Blue Bunny nodded, stroking the Buni symbol on the hilt, where it glistened in sapphire. Well, I certainly can’t blame you for keeping and guarding the sword I gave you, she passed the weapon to him. Well named.

To the side, the Brown Bunny gave a huff of disappointment, but Blue Bunny chuckled at him and said, As I recollect, you have run away on three separate occasions, so I don’t want to hear it. During my training, I ran away five times before I graduated. To his credit, Kiyoté only ran away once.

Kiyoté suddenly had a thought. Does that mean that I did pass? I am a graduate?

Yes. I can give a trinket to symbolize that if you like, but your quest is a greater sign than any bauble I could provide. Then the Blue Bunny placed her paws on Kiyoté’s. "You are a Buni. Protect life. Encourage growth. The Struggle is the Glory. Yr Ymrafael Yw Y Gogoniant. Your rank among us shall be Grey. Perhaps it is your fate to wander in the shadowy realm between what we believe to be right and what is right." she said, loudly enough to be heard by everyone still in the practice yard. The solemn moment was downplayed as Queeny gave out a loud yawn.

I am so sorry, she said, embarrassed, and yawned again.

Sprout, said Blue Bunny, and a cheery-looking rabbit appeared. Take her to a place to rest. Brown, you go as well. I wish to speak to Kiyoté in private for a bit. She clapped her hands, and the few acolytes still in the yard dispersed.

They finished their tea in silence while Blue Bunny jingled the many small bags of coins that she had won. She piled them up and sat on them.

You look like a long-eared dragon, snickered Kiyoté. Then he said in a sad voice, So many bet against me, aye?

Hah, said Blue, smiling. Such a pessimist. Say instead that the most discerning eye in the temple wagered in your favor. That did make Kiyoté feel better.

Then the bunny got serious. This elf. Tell me about her.

What’s to tell, aye? said Kiyoté, uncertain about what the Blue Bunny was asking. You have heard her story, yes?

She shook her head. What I need to know is, how is she? You want us to keep her safe, but are we safe from her? Her great power keeps being mentioned, but also that she cannot control it. You know that we don’t delve into magic in this temple. What is it you think we can do for her here?

Kiyoté thought about the questions for a moment. He had been so concerned with getting Queeny to the safety of the temple that, until tonight, he had not considered that she might be dangerous to them.

She swings in mood, yes. Sometimes like an irritatingly sweet child, sometimes a sad woman without hope, occasionally she becomes a raging she-devil. I have met her disconnected parts in dreams, where they are confused and at odds. Once, she lost her temper and fired lightning bolts at harpies, but then wept for them. Another time Kiyoté was in danger, but she appeared and saved the day, but forgot all about it the next morning. For all her difficulties, she is kind and wants very much to be healed. My friend, Puffer, believed her instability was because her various bits are struggling to recombine, and that it will just take time.

Blue Bunny sighed in exasperation. Your wizard friend? Wizards seem to think that if you sit and stare at something long enough it will change into something else. Time alone is not the solution. This ‘Nyar’ captured her, imprisoned her body, fractured her mind, and scared away her spirit. He then set dark shadows to keep her locked away. After all that, she was used in a way contrary to her nature. He took her power of creation and used it to consume. She has scars and wounds, Kiyoté, on the very framework of her being. Time alone is not the answer. Hiding her here is just a slower way to fail. She must take an active role in her own healing.

Kiyoté was crestfallen. Then what to do, aye? She said something similar on the journey here, but Kiyoté does not know how to help her, hmm. I have tried to be a good Buni, but Kiyoté is no healer.

The Blue Bunny smirked. "I know what to do. Make her sweat. The temple will take her in, but not just to keep her safe. She will be trained as a Buni. The training will give her focus and allow her the stability to accept what has happened to her. She must admit to herself that what was taken from her was used for evil and this evil is now part of her. Each of her parts feels its own set of guilt and shame. She must learn that the guilt is not her guilt and the shame is not her shame.