Saint of the Sword

Part Two

The Magic Kingdom…

Rumpelstiltskin led the newcomer known as Momotaro through the trees to his cottage.

"Not much, but it's home," he mused. Momotaro nodded, he was grateful for the hospitality and had, on occasion, taken refuge in more unseemly places.

"Thank you friend," the foreigner answered, "I only hope you do not have to suffer for that- unpleasantness earlier."

"What, those bums?" Rumpelstiltskin referred to the three ruffians who had foolishly attacked his new friend that night, "Sooner or later, and I'm betting on sooner- the sheriff would've had to hang them for some crime anyway, you just saved him the bother."

Momotaro scowled. That was not the first time he'd had to cut someone down in self-defence and he had few illusions it would be the last, but even they did not deserve to be dismissed so coldly. Yet he held his tongue.

Storybrooke…

Stephen Hisashi stood outside Mr. Gold's pawn shop. Like most of the town's inhabitants he was a tenant of Mr. Gold, but where the others were ignorant of their true past and his, Stephen was not- which made his necessary interactions with Mr. Gold more trying than theirs.

'Just go in and get it over with,' he silently told himself before stepping inside.

Mr. Gold smiled at Stephen when he entered- a smile that made Stephen shudder. Presenting the envelope that held a cheque, he kept his tone polite, but not familiar when he spoke, "This month's rent."

Mr. Gold took the envelope in hand, "Oh before you go- I managed to acquire some of that rice paper you like to use for your poetry. If you're interested…"

In truth Stephen had hoped to get in and out of that shop quickly, but he paused. That rice paper was difficult to come by; he'd had difficulty locating online vendors for it and the one time he tried to go to another town to find some had ended… unpleasantly. Finally, he nodded, Mr. Gold went to retrieve the aforementioned paper.

His business concluded Stephen turned to leave- and nearly collided with Regina Mills. An awkward silence passed before Stephen addressed her, "Mayor Mills," then left.

Regina watched Stephen leave; when the door swung shut behind him She turned to Mr. Gold, "Something strange about that one," she said, "I always get the impression he knows something the others don't."

Mr. Gold nodded, "Perhaps because I might have designed the curse to affect him a little differently…"

"What?" Regina glowered, "You fool- "

"Oh come now, who's he going to tell?" Mr. Gold countered, "Besides, it didn't exactly feel right, keeping such a friend in the dark about who he was."

"A friend?" Regina chuckled, "I'm not so sure he still considers you such."

The Magic Kingdom…

Momotaro brought the axe down and spit another log in twain. Rumpelstiltskin had told him the labor was unnecessary but Momotaro had insisted on contributing to the household somehow. Gathering up the kindling in both arms he headed back to the cottage; when he got close enough to hear two voices within he stopped.

In Momotaro's land magic was something rare and mysterious; he had been uneasy when he learned of Rumpelstiltskin's seeming mastery of it, but tried to keep an open mind, reminding himself this was a different land with different ways. And now he strained his ear to make out what was being said.

"I think I can help you," he heard Rumpelstiltskin say, "However, you should be made aware- all magic comes with a price."

"I'll pay that price," the other person pleaded, "Name it!"

It was what Momotaro heard next that made him drop the kindling- Rumpelstiltskin casually said, "We'll worry about that later- your signature?"

Momotaro thought he heard the scratching of a quill on paper, followed by Rumpelstiltskin saying, "Slip this philter into the drink of the woman in question, make sure that she sees your son when she imbibes it before anyone else- and your boy will have the spouse you desire for him."

A moment later a woman dressed as nobility emerged from the cottage. She briefly glanced at the 'foreigner'- as most people had come to regard Momotaro as- then strutted out on her way.

Momotaro entered the cottage and looked upon Rumpelstiltskin, partly wanting to believe he hadn't heard what had transpired. Rumpelstiltskin himself seemed rather pleased with what had happened- but when he saw Momotaro's face his smile evaporated, "I assume you heard what business I just concluded?"

"I did," Momotaro hissed, "Worry about that later? You could demand anything from her when the time comes! That is no bargain you offer, that is a trap!"

"A trap?" Rumpelstiltskin laughed, "Do you think anyone here knows not what I am- what kind of deals I make? That they have any illusions of what bartering with me will bring? If what I offer is a trap, it is one they walk into knowingly and willingly."

"And that's supposed to make it better?" Momotaro snarled.

Rumpelstiltskin simply shrugged and turned away.

Storybrooke…

Stephen went inside Granny Lucas' café and took his usual seat. Ruby Lucas greeted him with a warm smile and asked if he wanted his usual. Stephen nodded; as Ruby went to get him his tea and salad he watched her interact with her grandmother.

Did he have grandparents- in his old life? Stephen wondered; for all intents and purposes his 'birth mother' was a tree in an orchard somewhere, and the couple who raised him had both lost their parents long before he entered their lives.

'Their lives'. Sometimes Stephen envied the others of this town for their ignorance of where they came from and their past, other times he pitied them for it. Occasionally he wondered if any others in Storybrooke were aware of the town curse, aside from Mayor Mills and Mr. Gold- and young Henry, he supposed.

Pondering this he heard the sound of approaching footsteps, to his surprise it was Ruby's grandmother who brought him his order.

"Don't suppose one of these days I can convince you to try my pie?" Granny asked, "You really don't know what you're missing out on."

"I'm sure it's delicious," Stephen answered, "I'm just trying to watch what I eat."

"A health nut?" she smirked.

"Something like that," he replied.

Granny looked over the bag at the side of Stephen's seat, "Is that some sort of fancy paper there?" she asked.

"This?" Stephen looked down to the bag, "Rice paper- more porous than other kinds- I use it for calligraphy."

"Oh right, your poems," Granny remembered, "The paper printed some of them a few days back, I read them."

"Yes it did," Stephen remembered translating a few for the local newspaper editor, "You saw them- what did you think?"

"Alright I guess," Granny started, "Just always thought if it doesn't rhyme it's not really a poem, is all." Granny broke off to see to a new customer, Stephen sipped his tea.

The Magic Kingdom…

Momotaro stood on the path leading to Rumpelstiltskin's cottage. Sure enough someone approached, no doubt to make a foolish deal with the sorcerer.

"Ho there," the man hailed Momotaro, "This the way to Rumpelstiltskin's home?"

"It is," Momotaro said morosely; stepping in front of the other when the man made a few more steps, "Whatever he offers you," Momotaro pleaded, "Surely you know what you will lose isn't worth it."

The man scowled, "What do you know, foreigner," then shoved Momotaro aside. Momotaro hung his head in sorrow.

Later that night Momotaro packed what few belongings he had; Rumpelstiltskin looked on, finally saying "You really don't need to do this."

"Yes I do," Momotaro insisted, "You have been kind to me and I am grateful for that, but I cannot stay under a roof where such dishonorable deals are struck."

Rumpelstiltskin exhaled, "Where will you go?"

Momotaro raised his head, "I have heard of a fort in a nearby province, where they welcome skilled warriors- even from foreign lands- who are willing to defend the people from these creatures called ogres. Perhaps my skills will serve a good cause there."

Rumpelstiltskin shook his head at this, but he would not force his friend- possibly his only friend- to stay, saying "Just know that when you realize your foolishness, you shall always find the door to this cottage open for you."

Momotaro nodded, then left without a word.