Ronin Trip

Book one: For want of a rune

Chapter two: Unreliable sources.

FN: Welcome back to anyone still reading this. I wouldn't have posted this chapter so soon, but I think that reading it should help you get a handle on where I'm going with this fic.

As a general rule my writing tends to follow the Italian Style of Comedia Dell'Arte, or to put it in more modem terms, the Marx Brother's. I specialized in having a set group of characters who I know so well, that I can write them regardless of the setting. They break down like this.

Alexander Diamondclaw: Brilliant General, but prone to channeling just about every single emotion he feels through biting sarcasm.

Florence Bastien: Nurturing, mature, self composed, she's the only person on the planet who Alexander is prone to lose arguments with and knows it.

Callan Wright: Mercenary in every sense of the word, cares about the bottom line and precious few other things.

Devi Skye: Tright and true respectful solider, focuses on doing the job, keeping her comrades safe, and only then thinks about frivolity.

James Firecat: Nieve and trustworthy to a fault despite his chosen career. He's always ready to try and help others.

Mirri Catwarrior: Capable of being surprisingly kind or cruel based on the situation, if James is a kitten, Mirri is a full grown cat that quite frequently enjoys playing with its prey before eating it.

"The Emperor has consulted a local seer who read the stars for guidance and is ready to report her knowledge back to us. He wants you to pick up the readings in question." Alexander looked at Kraze like he was out of his mind. "That's what the Emperor wants us to serve him as, delivery boys?"

Kraze made the foolish mistake of trying to match his opponent glare for glare, when Alexander had all the advantages (height and experience to name two) on his side. "We can hardly be about the process of eliminating the bandits until we're sure of where they are. So while our agents collect information on them, you will collect this information for the Emperor. Or are you refusing an order?"

Alexander turned his back on Kraze and sighed. "Fine, where exactly is this seer you want us to go talk to?" "Take your men to the stables; I've arranged transportation for them." As he headed out of Kraze's sight, a few choice words of Alexander's echoed behind him. "Fine, see what I care, we're going to bill you all the same. If you want to pay us our rates for servant work I'm not going to put up that large an argument over it."

A brown haired brown eyed youth met them outside the stables. "Hey, I'm Futch, I'll be taking care of your transportation. " Alexander was in a bad mood after his concentration with Kraze. "Which will consist of?" Futch smiled, the smile that Alexander had seen far too many times on James' face.

It was the smile of a young man too old to be an adolescent, but not yet having discovered that life was unfair and that their death was a not only a considerable possibility, but a sure thing. "This." Futch stuck two fingers in his mouth and blew creating no audible noise. Alexander however grabbed his ears, his teeth slamming against each other like knights on the battlefield. "Never, ever, ever, do that again without warning me first. Do you understand?"

Futch nodded, but then he turned his attention to the sky. What had looked like a low flying bird a few moments ago now proved itself to be a high flying dragon. It landed before Futch, 50 feet from snout to tail, black scales glistening, and huge flanks going up and down with each breath it took. "Prophets of Destruction, say hello to Black. Black, say hello to the Prophets of Destruction."

The dragon let loose with a trilling chirp that was much lower and much louder then any bird call. James Firecat took one look at it, and came to a quick conclusion. "Oh man it's so cool, Alex can we take one of these with us when we leave?" Futch put on an impressive display of dexterity hopping onto Black's tail and proceeding to make his way along his mount's spine till eventually he carefully nestled himself between two outcropping's of scales holding onto one set.

"I doubt that you'll be able to, you have to more or less raise these boys and girls from the moment they hatch, and I've spent practically my life learning nothing but how to handle dragons." James held out his arms, and then attempted to snap his fingers, but for some reason he was unable to make a sound, maybe there was something about nay-kobolds that made it hard for them to snap their fingers, or maybe James was simply no good at it.

"You're about 20 years old right? Two decades, in exchange for being able to ride something like that? Seems a reasonable trade to me. Alex, can we make that part of my payment? Can I pick the color? Do you have any red eggs you don't really need and are just waiting to hatch?" Alexander put his foot down hard on the issue. "No James no, you're dangerous enough without a dragon. And besides it has been my long standing principle that pets shouldn't be allowed to have pets."

James scratched his left ear underneath his hat as he tried to wrap his mind around Alexander's last sentence. "What does that have to do with me?" Mirri put a comforting hand on James' shoulder exhaling a lung full of air that she hadn't needed to inhale in the first place. "Don't worry your furry little head about it James." Futch looked down from his position on the dragon's neck. "If you're done talking, climb into the basket so that we can get going!"

Since the Prophets were done arguing, they did what Futch asked. The dragon had a basket strapped under its chest though it was just barely large enough to hold all six mercenaries. "Okay everyone hold on to whatever is nearby except each other, cause if you fall out I may not be able to circle around to pick you up before you... let's not worry too much about that, I've never dropped anyone before!"

Alexander sighed as he wrapped both of his hands around the basket's railing yelling his reply back to Futch. "THAT'S AN EXCELLENT WAY OF TELLING US THAT YOU'RE DUE TO DO IT ANY DAY NOW!" Futch just shrugged and apparently touched Black in just the right place. "WOULD IT MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER IF I TOLD YOU I SAW ONE OF SOMEONE ELSE'S PASSANGERS GET TURNED INTO A HUMAN PANCAKE LAST WEEK?"

The dragon let loose with a mighty roar and then began to beat its wings and rose quickly into the sky. Alexander wanted to ask why the hell they had to take a dragon flight to get where they were going, but the powerful winds which began to buffet them would have scattered even the loudest yell to four corners of Suikoden never to reach its intended target's ears.

Besides, they got their answer fairly soon: it might not be the safest or most enjoyable method of travel, but going by dragon was damn fast and Alexander would always have a place in his heart for the ugly and unpleasant yet efficient things in the world. The dragon set down on a small island and Futch slid down off of Black's neck pointing at a large tower, the only true building on the island.

"That's where the seer is. I'd like to take you closer, but every time anyone goes near it the wind gets so fierce that it can blow even a dragon off course. It's just not safe to fly any nearer. You'll have to go the rest of the way on foot." Alexander climbed out of the basket and sighed. "Winds that can make a dragon fear to go near some place? Suddenly I think I'm starting to see why Barbarossa needed us to handle moving a few scraps of paper."

Mirri climbed out of the basket, apparently glad to once again have her feet on solid ground (travelling over bodies of running water was not any vampires idea of a good time) and took a moment to estimate the height of the tower. "Well as they say, it is nice to know you're needed." So sure enough the six headed out on foot, taking off at an impressive pace and reaching the tower in reasonable time.

At which point the wind started up. The tower was one long spiral staircase leading upwards, and there was no obvious way inside. Which left those who tried to climb the stairs to face one blasts of wind after another, each and every one threatening to blow them right off the steps, thus sending them plummeting towards the ground which was growing farther and farther away with every step they took toward their destination.

"Am I the only one who thinks there's something wrong with this wind?" Devi gave Cal a slight push up the stairs when he had stood still for what she reckoned was too long. "The wind is only out here when we are... it isn't natural." Florence who was second in line behind Alexander asked the only question she could think of concerning the situation. "Well then, what are we going to try and do about it?"

Alexander mentioned for the others to stand still and try to grab whatever perilous holds they could while he took one more step forward. "The longer we stay up here the worse it gets, so one of us should try to get to the top as fast as possible. I've got Masamune to weigh me down so I'll be fine, you five head back down." A single look made sure that his order would be obeyed and then Alexander took off with everything he had towards the top of the tower. In his wake the other five Prophets of Destruction began to slowly and surely make their way back down to the ground.

Alexander stood on the roof of the tower in the eye of a swirling storm. "Whoever the hell you are, make yourself visible. I'm here to see the seer in the name of Emperor Barbarossa and I'm not leaving till I do. If I have to tear and/or cut this entire building apart, brick by brick, I will." "It won't be necessary."

A man who looked about the same age as Futch suddenly landed on the roof besides Alexander. He had brown hair and blue eyes that were filled with far more wisdom beyond his apperent age. He was wearing a green robe with several dozen arcane symbols drawn on it in white. Alexander crossed his arms looking at the young man as if he was only a hair's breath away from drawing Masamune and using it. "And you are?"

"Luc, Mistress Leknaat's apprentice. One of her wisdom would frequently be bothered by fools who have no understanding of the true scope of her power if it was not for my actions." "Yes Luc, but you should be a bit less antagonistic towards some of our guests."

A black hole opened beside them, and a woman wearing a blue cloak stepped out of it. Her hair was dark black and her eyes were deep black pools. The wind died at once and Alexander in turn stopped reaching his blade, though he did not look significantly put at ease. "Leknaat, since when were you a seer who worked for human rulers?"

Leknaat looked deeply into Alexander's golden eyes. "Some wolves find it easier to survive in this world by being dogs. As a seer, between most people's casual disrespect and a few simple precautions I am able to train Luc and study in peace. You know, you and he have a great many things in common..." Alexander cut Leknaat off then and there.

"Don't get started. We can chat about the past and our mutual acquaintances later. At the moment I'm here to pick up some readings that you were hired to complete. So I'll be taking them and going." Leknaat reached into her robes and pulled out a scroll, pressing it into Alexander's hand. "Here are the readings. You would read them before you delivered them, so I'll save you the time.

I inform the Emperor that change is coming to the Scarlet Moon Empire, and unless he embraces it, change will embrace him." Alexander carefully tucked the scroll into a pocket sewn into his black outfit and gave it a quick jostle to make sure it wouldn't come loose any time soon. "If you're here, then it means that things are either worse then Barbarossa knows, or worse then he told me."

Leknaat gave Alexander a pitting look that he was not used to getting and did not enjoy one bit. "It is odd Alexander that one as wise as you makes the same mistake as almost everyone else who makes use of my services. You waste your breath asking questions to which you already know the answer." Alexander sighed as he turned and tried to make out Barbarossa's palace, hoping that his current height would make it possible even at this distance.

"You only really care about one thing Leknaat, and it's the same damn thing that I care about. So why is it that every time we have a conversation, I feel like finding a wall and banging my head against it? That, I assure you, is a question to which I can find no answer." Luc glared at Alexander's back like he was tempted to give him a push over the edge he was standing ever so close to.

"Mistress Leknaat has knowledge beyond your ken sellsword..." "Luc, still yourself. Alexander and I have met many times over the years. The answer to your question, by the way, is that it is a manner of perspective. I can see the ebb and flow of events, but only so long as I do not participate on them.

Much as a fisher can see fish in a deep river, but only so long as he stays out of it. Should they lower their head into it then their vision will be blurred by water and everything will become one muddled swirl. You on the other hand Alexander are a fish, you can see what is before, look at what is beside you, and hopefully remember what is behind you, but no more.

I sit back, wait for events to come to me, you reach out and grab what you want. That is why we don't understand each other, or at least you have difficulty understanding me." Alexander turned on his heel and headed for the stairs. "So what is it about this place that made you decide you'd do better if you laid low?" The answer he got was the last one he expected.

"Windy is my sister." Alexander Diamondclaw was rarely surprised, but it did happen and now was one of those times. "Hell, that just makes it all wonderful doesn't it? Oh and I couldn't help but notice that she looked something like the Emperor's late lamented wife. This is just going to be loads of fun. Oh well, at least that explains the feelings I got from her.

Now, I've truly do have to be going. Luc, if you don't mind spare me the wind show this time." Leknaat gave her appetence a pointed glare and Luc quickly spat out words. "I'll do more than that, I'd be glad to help you descend from the tower safely and quickly." Alexander turned back around to face the younger man, crossing his arms over his chest. "If something goes wrong with your magic, I'll find a way to land on you."

Luc took Alexander's words quite seriously, and would clearly rather not followed up on his own offer, but another look from his teacher left him with no choice. "Then I'll make sure not to drop you." A strong gust took both Alexander and Luc from the top of the building. It spun around them as they plunged downwards, and pushed against their feet to slow the fall.

By the time they finally touched down at the base of the tower, both did it with the softness of a feather. Luc managed a quick smile, evidently a little surprised at how well it had gone. "There, how was that?" "You didn't drop me." Luc didn't stick around waiting for the praise he was unlikely to ever get, he simply jumped into the air and once again swirling around him but this time actively lifting him up instead of just slowing his fall. Alexander returned his attention to the other Prophets of Destruction who were waiting for him at the base of the tower. "I got what we came for. Let's get out of here."

"So you got the astrological readings, I see you're not compelte fools." "Very well done, you managed to get what we asked you to." Alexander fought back the urge to have a vein in his forehead burst and drown the two men before him in blood. At least Kraze tried to look the part of a military man. He even went through the trouble of staying in shape, (probably due to an intense regiment of mustache curling) his subordinate Kanaan didn't even go that far to judge from the thick layer of paunch covering his midsection.

"We have a more important mission for you to handle now." "This mission is extremely important to the Emperor, do you understand?" Alexander wondered if Barbarossa realized what had happened to his once splendid Scarlet Moon Empire. Alexander had been here for less then a week, but this was an experience guaranteed to take the shine off the apple.

"Listen carefully, east of Gregminster and this castle you'll find a town called Rockland." "Understand? Rockland, east of Gregminster." Alexander looked to his right and squinted. They were out there, he was sure of it. They should be seated right where he was looking had the stagehands not done such an excellent work constructing this faux castle.

"They have stolidly refused to pay the Emperor's taxes." "Those upstart peasants have refused to pay the Emperor's taxes!" The last time Alexander had checked Barbarossa had been a good Emperor as you measured such things, he knew his ass from his elbow and was in the habit of hiring military commanders who did as well. But apparently Barbarossa's mind had gone in a somewhat more insidious manner then those men who woke up some day and couldn't remember their names.

"So I you mercenaries will get to Rockland at once." "You sellswords will be provided with horses and are expected not to spare them on your way to Rockland." Things had apparently changed in the Scarlet Moon Empire, and somewhat drastically for the worse. After all, why only have one incredibly incompetent commander when you could have two? "You're to let them know that their taxes are due." "Go to Rockland and let them know the emperor isn't pleased, they must send him their taxes!"

He had walked through what looked like a perfectly normal castle's doors, then somehow found himself walking onto the stage of some theatrical group performing a farce. There was not other reasonable explanation for the sights and sounds he was currently registering. "Be quiet!" "Yes, shut your yap while Commander Kraze talks!"

They had reached what James would call critical joke mass. The point where the jest had become so ludicrous and implausible that even those involved in it realized exactly what they were doing and therefore had a tendency to stop in a mostly wasted attempted to look less foolish than they really were. "Kanaan be quiet while I give Diamondclaw his orders, understand?" The Sub-Commander just nodded dumbly. "Yes sir."

Without his partner in foppery Kraze continued. "So you will go, and if they refuse to offer up the tax money or some damn impressive reason why they don't have it, then the Emperor encourages you to take it out of their hides. It's a small village and the Emperor trusts that you won't have any trouble in that area. Kanaan will accompany you and report to me how you handle the situation." Alexander bet the Sub-Commander would have plenty of time to observe and report on said observations, since it was obvious that he wasn't going to do any of the fighting.

One horse ride later (all of the Prophets of Destruction we re very good riders, and looked even better compared to Kanaan who rode like a sack of potatoes) they arrived. Upon first reaching Rockland Alexander lead the way to the Mayor's residence, it was easy to pick out since it was the largest house in the city. The door was locked, so he quickly called Cal over.

The strange looking weapon with the word "Phoenix" etched along its length was pointed directly at the door knob, and a small light show and a loud crack later, a bullet flew from its barrel. By the time the bullet came to a stop, Alexander could simply push the door open, and be quite sure that no one would be locking that door in a long time. At once he found himself face to face with the servant who looked askance at him. "Get the Mayor."

The Mayor came fast all right, full of bluster just like most officials with plenty of rank but little actual power. He had black hair, looked to be in his thirties and was wearing a white jacket, red shirt and brown pants. "Who the hell do you think you are?" "Alexander Diamondclaw, Prophet of Destruction, currently in the service of the Emperor as Sub-Commander Kanaan can inform you."

It was at this time that most people in Gardy's condition suddenly went pale. But for some strange he seemed overjoyed by their arrival, that was new. "Wonderful, I'm so glad to see you here! With the aid of imperial soldiers this will all be wrapped up in no time." Kanaan made sounds as if he was about to say something, but Alexander cut him off. "Yes that's what I hope as well. Now hand over the money you own Emperor Barbarossa and we'll put this town behind us."

Gardy seemed to be operating on a different wavelength then Alexander however. "No one told you? We had our tribute all ready to send when some bandits stole it from us. Of course brave fighters like you should have no trouble dealing with the bandits and returning what they took to the Emperor. The bandits in question are said to have a base in the foothills of Mount Seifu, if you could take care of them then every villager would be in your debt." This time Kanaan successfully did manage to get the first word in edgewise. "Of course we'll take care of those thieves! That is why the army exists after all, to protect the nation's citizens. We'll be after them at once."

Alexander firmly brushed aside Kanaan's words. "By which Sub-Commander Kanaan means that we'll leave with morning's first light. Tonight we'll be staying here. Just to make sure that we don't find any evidence that you're trying to hide the tribute money from the Emperor and blaming it on bandits." Gardy didn't yank the hem of his garment, but from the way a bead of sweat began to form above his left eye he was not exactly in love with this concept. "Umm, of course. I would be glad to offer the full extent of my amenities as humble as they are to those who fight in our defense."

Cal tossed his gun on the bed he had decided would be his for the evening. "Well whatever he says, it still felt to me like Gardy was less than ecstatic to see us." Devi tossed her flail so that it expertly coiled itself around what had probably been originally designed as a coat rack. "When is anyone ever glad to see us Cal? We're soldiers, that means that whenever we run into some medium level muckity muck, we sleep in his mansion, drink his wine, and eat his food and don't even bother to say 'thanks' afterwards.

Not to mention because we're foreign mercenaries, so he can't do a damn thing about tracking us or our families down to give us our comeuppance once the war is over." Cal sighed excessively as he began to get to work on the buttons on his coat.

"That's a good point, do you think we should be more gracious in situations like this?" Devi casually pushed down on the bed. "Hell no, screwing with the local nabobs is one most rewarding parts of this job." "Next to actual reward money of course." "You actually consider picking up reward money a job? Cal, my heart goes out to you."

End Chapter two