A Good Day to Die
Happosi sat on the bench outside the Guide's house. The Guide left for the Amazon village yesterday. Happosi knew the Elders would take some time to decide what to do so he wasn't surprised the Guide hadn't returned yet. Probably the first hint he would have of the answer would be an arrow or spear through his heart. Well, if it was one of his last days, he may as well enjoy the weather. Lifting his face to the sky he let the pouring rain wash over his features.
He was getting up and preparing to enter the house when he heard a muffled moan. Standing still and listening intently, he waited. Another! To his right! Quickly he moved in that direction. He strained to see through the rain. There on the path! He ran over to the huddled shape. It was a woman. In labor. He may be short in stature but he was strong. Lifting the woman with ease, he carried her carefully into the house.
He rapidly took the wet clothing off of her and made a examination. Obviously pregnant and in labor. Placing dry blankets around her, he quickly stoked the fire, to raise the temperature in the house. He needed to keep her from going into shock. He put on the kettle to make tea or soup. He had to get water from the well. Murky. He needed clean pure water for the woman and her infant. He placed several pots outside to collect rainwater.
He moved the woman to the bed and touched several points on her neck and back before laying her down. He may not have the material for an epidural injection but those touches would be just as good. Now he and she would have a long grueling night.
Morning came.
The Guide saw his house bathed in the light of early dawn. There, seated on the bench, was his house guest apparently dozing. He seemed to be holding something. A woman's voice called out from inside the house. The Amazon patrol stiffened on hearing the voice. As one, there was a rasp of steel as six swords were drawn. They watched as the 'perverted one' got up and went inside. Voices were heard from inside and then raise in intensity. No More! The patrol sprinted to the house. Two entered, the others each took a wall to ensure there was no escape.
Happosi and the mother were a bit startled to say the least when two sword wielding women ran into the house. Happosi moved to place himself between the mother and danger. There was a hesitation of a few seconds as combatants readied themselves.
"HOLD!" shouted Kuh Lon.
"But, Elder." began the Patrol Leader.
"Be silent. What cause do you have to enter a home with sword in hand?" asked a quietly seething Kuh Lon.
"Why, you heard as well as I. The woman called out, the 'pervert' entered and an argument began. I and the other patrol members took action to protect the woman." said the Patrol Leader.
"Did you check to see if protection was needed? We will discuss your lapse in judgment later. Stand guard outside. I will call if I need you." ordered Kuh Lon.
She waited until the two women had left and then raised an eyebrow at Happosi. He motioned her to come over to where the woman was lying. Kuh Lon saw a young woman nursing her child. She looked closer. A newborn child. She looked at Happosi and he waved a hand toward the door. They left the house and sat on the bench.
"So, what was all that about?" asked Happosi.
"People who should know better rushing to conclusions." replied a weary sounding Kuh Lon.
"The patrol knew we were coming to ask you to return with us to the village. Thats what they were told. Evidently, what they heard was we were going to bring the 'pervert' back to the village." she said.
"I haven't done a perverted thing in over thirty years." murmured Happosi.
"We know. We have been keeping an eye on you." said Kuh Lon softly.
"Unfortunately, stories still get whispered around campfires about the 'pervert'. Keeping you as a prime example of what we must protect ourselves against." explained Kuh Lon.
Hidden Happosai listened with glee. He was still infamous for his perverted deeds. He may well become a legend to frighten future generations of Amazons.
"So, what set them off?"asked Happosi.
"I guess it was the arguing inside..." began Kuh Lon.
"Arguing? We weren't arguing. Her people have a tradition of having the child named by the person who assisted with the birth. After I washed the child off with rainwater, I waited outside until she called me in. She told me to pick a descriptive first name. We tossed a few names around and when we agreed then we shouted the name out loud so Kami-sama would hear it." stated Happosi.
"So, whats the name?" asked Kuh Lon.
"Well, the tribal name is Taro. Hidden Happosai wanted to name the child some wildly perverted inappropriate names. I asked the woman who would the child take after. She said if he grows up to be like his father he would be a giant, a man fit to lead their tribe. I asked did she mean he would be awesome and that is what we agreed on. Awesome Taro." explained Happosi.
"Well, thats very interesting, but now we have to get you to the Elders. I hope the reason you returned is worth your life." said Kuh Lon.
"It is. It most certainly is." replied Happosi.
They began their journey to the village. Happosi saw out of the corner of his eyes that the patrol members were disgusted to be near him. Well, he knew he wasn't going to win any popularity contests. He just hoped to be able to plead his case for assistance before the Elders. If they provided the assistance, as long as it would get to those who needed it, he wouldn't worry about surviving this little jaunt.
"You're just a curse! What do you mean YOU won't worry about surviving! This is my body, my life!" raved Hidden Happosai.
Entering the village, Happosi was glad the Amazons didn't waste food. He had imagined if they did have any to spare he would have been in veritable vegetable blizzard. Unfortunately, they didn't mind using stones. Kuh Lon had to intervene otherwise he may have been stoned to death. He was escorted to a small guest house. He thought that was pretty smart of the Elders. If he had been placed in a cell that would prejudice opinion that he was a criminal. The guest house showed everyone that the Elders considered him a 'guest'. A guest with a guard at the door, true, but better than being chained in a cell.
Kuh Lon stood at the doorway. She motioned the guard away and beckoned Happosi to come closer. She looked at his eyes and couldn't detect any hint of deceit or treachery. She did see a weariness that had never been there in all the years she had interacted with him.
"How are you handling this, Happosai? Have you learned anything in all these years?" she asked.
Hidden Happosi seethed with anger, no, rage. Shouting silently at her, he wanted to tell her all the things he would do to her, the Amazons and all of the women of the world. If he ever got free. Happosi winced and got red in the face.
"That may not have been a good idea, Elder. He was quite descriptive and naughty in what he wanted to say. I would have to say though that he has not learned the lesson." said Happosi.
"Happosai, I know that you are aware of what a curse is used for. Why not embrace it?" she asked.
Happosi turned pale and looked like he was going to vomit. Wiping the sweat off his forehead he started to speak then a shocked look came over him. Kuh Lon sensed a great struggle being waged in the man in front of her. An aura shone around Happosi. Pulsating. Brighter. Larger. Kuh Lon was forced to raise her own barrier and look away. Slowly the aura diminished until it was gone. After a few minutes, Happosi took in an unsteady breath and looked at Kuh Lon.
"That was disturbing. Happosai was so enraged that he came close to emerging and breaking the curse. He said that embracing the lesson would destroy him. He would not be the person he should be. He would rather die first." said Happosi shakily.
"That was a fierce struggle. What happened to Happosai?" she asked.
"He is, well, unconscious I suppose you could say. He was so weakened by that struggle that he is barely aware. He tried to kill himself by depleting his chi reserves explosively." explained Happosi.
"So he was going to kill himself and take us with him." muttered Kuh Lon.
Happosi nodded.
"How much did he drain?" she asked.
A thoughtful look came over Happosi as if he was looking inward.
"A significant amount. If he does not force a struggle again of that magnitude, the chi reserves will sustain us for some years. We will have to be very conservative in our actions. No excessive or extravagant displays of strength or blast attacks for example." he said.
Kuh Lon nodded in understanding. She thought for a few seconds and then looked away slightly.
"When Happosai is aware enough, tell him if he can not embrace the lesson, at least he is still alive and can look at the women." said Kuh Lon.
"I can't believe I said that!" muttered a blushing Kuh Lon.
Happosi grinned at Kuh Lon.
"Even a virtuous man likes to look at pretty women. I just don't stare and carry on as Happosai did." chuckled Happosi.
Happosi looked around the guest house. The walls were charred and smoking everywhere except for a normal looking bit of wall. In the shape of Kuh Lon. Nothing remained of the furnishings.
"Think I might impose on you for another place to stay?" asked Happosi.
Next morning Happosi was awakened by a knock on the door. He wondered who it could be. Last night the guard and a male servant entered to deliver his meal without knocking, shoved the tray at him and left. He opened the door and was surprised to see two guards. Looking closely, he saw that one of the guards was carrying a meal tray. Moving out of the way, Happosi let the guards enter. The younger guard placed the tray on the table and approached Happosi. She made a pleading look at the other guard. The older guard looked at her with a stony expression and pointed her chin at Happosi.
Happosi looked the young guard curiously. She was obviously upset and appeared to be trembling.
"I was improper in my conduct and my actions last night. I was discourteous to a guest of the Elders and disrespectful of someone that should warrant respect. Please, accept my apology, honored guest." said the red faced young guard.
Happosi thought to himself. "Discipline action. She should have not let personal feelings interfere with her duty."
"Of course, I accept your apology. In return, I ask that you meditate on why you acted as you did and what you should have done." said Happosi.
Happosi looked at the older guard and nodded. The guard nodded back in silent agreement.
After they left, Happosi sat at the table and ate the meal that was brought.
"Well, its not bad as breakfasts go. Still, this might be the last meal for the condemned man." he thought to himself.
A feeble thought came to his attention.
"If you hadn't interfered, we wouldn't have to suffer an execution." moaned Happosai.
Happosi snorted and responded.
"So, it would have been better to let you kill yourself. Oh, lets not forget a couple of thousand other people too." said Happosi.
"They deserved to die. Wretched society. Wipe them from the face of the earth." ranted Happosi.
"All of them? Infants, children?" asked Happosi.
Silence.
"So, even someone as evil as you has some scruples." said Happosi.
Silence.
Shortly before the noon hour, an Elder and four guards took Happosi to the chamber of the Elders. He was taken to the center and the guards began to shackle him.
"It was agreed that our guest was not to be bound. Remember, Elder At Tar?" said Elder Sis Ors.
"Guest!" At Tar snapped.
She looked at Happosi and spat at his feet.
"Curse or no curse. I am well aware what our guest is. Amazon deaths that he is responsible for have not been avenged. Here he stands and we should coddle him! If I have my say, he doesn't leave this chamber alive." shouted At Tar.
Murmurs of agreement were heard throughout the chamber from the watching Amazons. Even among the Elders, heads nodded.
"Be that as it may, he is to be left unbound. If a chair can be produced, he may sit to explain why he came back knowing he would be killed for returning." said Lu Fah.
The chair was produced. At Tar stalked away muttering imprecations as she went. The guards arrayed themselves behind Happosi. He was surprised to see two of the guards facing the spectators. He realized that he hadn't won the popularity contest after all when you need protection in the council chamber.
"Happosi, you may begin." said Lu Fah.
Taking a deep breath, standing to face the Elders, looking them in the eyes, he boldly said.
"I need your help to have a baby."
