I'm not gonna lie: I haven't been entirely satisfied with the last few chapters' quality. The thing is, I tend to upload these the moment they're done (after spell checking, which even then I tend to miss some stuff). Been considering taking more time to write each chapter so that they're closer to the standard I want to hit. Some chapters end up being a bit short and have what I think is unnecessary stuff to fill in the page. This is a trend I want to stop, so if updates start coming in a bit slower, this is the reason: so I can fine tune the writing. As always, thanks to those who review the story.
"Thank you, Ayako," Ashitaka said as he bowed to her. He took the rolled up message from Ayako and tucked it into his blue tunic. "Are you heading back alone?"
"I think I will be fine," Ayako replied. Her insecure eyes that peeked at the darkening forest gave Ashitaka a different answer.
"If you want, I can ask San's brothers if they can accompany you back," Ashitaka offered. "You never know what you might run into when you're in the forest."
"Oh, alright; that would be great help, actually. I'm not sure how well I would do on my own if I ran into one of Asano's soldiers."
Ashitaka nodded. He knew that the impending attack was due at any moment, and it came as no surprise to him when Ayako arrived and told him of the attack. Confidence in Eboshi's ability as a leader clashed with the dread carried by Asano's massive invading force. His previous encounters with samurai proved violent, and the curse on his arm that threatened to kill him gave him the force to fell the armored warriors with a single arrow. No such power coursed through his body now, and although he had no doubt in his natural strength, he knew he needed more than stone arrows to cut through armor. Until the time came when his bow and sword were the only answer to the conflict, he kept the idea of entering battle aside. Message in hand, he returned to the cave to find Okami and Urufu.
As Ayako waited, a familiar woman strolled out of the forest with several limp squirrels clutched in her bloody hands, a dagger between her teeth, and a red-tipped spear held in a newly fashioned harness. Her hair grew longer in the time Ayako had last seen her, to the point where it touched her shoulders. The rest of her body hadn't changed much. Ayako guessed that San burned away whatever weight she gained with the amount of activity she received while hunting in the forest. San's steely grey glared at Ayako briefly, but she eased her widened glower when she recalled the days when Ayako helped her in the more troubling times of her pregnancy.
"Hey there, San," Ayako greeted. "How have you been?"
"Fine," San replied. "The children are doing well, too."
"That's good to hear." Ayako and San never developed a relationship to a point where one would the other a friend, but Ayako was one of the few humans San trusted and Ayako never once believed San's brothers were responsible for Irontown's troubles in the past few months. San's guard dropped around her. The usual defensive instinct that kicked in when San met with humans never activated with Ayako. "Have you heard that Asano's soldiers have arrived?"
San shook her head. She knew little about Lord Asano, and most of what she knew of him came from Ashitaka. Although his name rang unfamiliar, she recalled the armored warriors who fought against Irontown at the same time Eboshi sought the Forest Spirit's head. They were set to return. Ayako confirmed their arrival, but San didn't balk at the presence of more humans, not as long as they remained outside of the forest.
"Have they attacked yet?" San asked.
"Yes," Ayako replied. "I just got here from Irontown, and they fired a ton of arrows over the walls. Nobody on our side was hurt, fortunately, but we managed to make a small dent in their army. They pulled back after that. Still, I don't think they're done yet. Now that they've seen how prepared we are... I don't know; maybe they'll be back later tonight, maybe tomorrow."
"Hm," San hummed. "Where are they now?"
Ayako shrugged. "I didn't follow them, but you can probably find their footsteps on the road; hard to miss them."
San nodded. She opened her mouth to speak, but the cry of one of the two children stole away her attention. Ayako waved her off as San dropped their conversation and left to attend to either Inu or Ryouken, perhaps both if they were equally riled. Ashitaka and the wolves arrived seconds after San's abrupt departure. He watched San scurry up the slope and dash into the cave.
"It looks like your children keep you both busy," Ayako remarked. "How has San been doing since the pregnancy? Any behavioral changes?"
"No, she seems like her usual self," Ashitaka replied.
"That's good to hear." Ayako nervously turned to Okami and Urufu, both of whom eyed the anxious woman with their piercing eyes. She heard from Ashitaka that the two wolf spirits were losing their strength, and that there were days when they could barely move, but she didn't see any such weakness. Their legs didn't shake and their breathing sounded normal for that of an overly large wolf. They flanked her. Both nodded their heads in greeting. "Okami and Urufu, was it?"
"Correct," Okami answered.
"We'll take you to the gates before heading back," Urufu said. "If we run into anyone or anything that tries to attack us, stay back and let us handle it."
"Sounds good," Ayako noted. The wolves followed her as they left the forest, leaving as dusk took over the sunset. Their figures disappeared into the darkening forest, and soon their footsteps faded. Ashitaka unrolled the message. He made his way up the slope as he read the scroll, squinting his eyes as he scanned the words in the dim light. It was a request from Lady Eboshi.
Hello Ashitaka,
If you're reading this, then you already know that Irontown has been attacked. Asano's soldiers arrived this morning, six thousand strong just as you predicted. We managed to keep them away for now, but I cannot say whether or not their next attack will swing in our favor again. They lost around sixty men. That isn't enough to deter them. Although we have a number of traps set up outside Irontown, along with a number of preparations made, it isn't enough to stave off an army that large. This is why I am asking for your help. I'm not asking to fight, I just want you to watch the soldiers' movements, possibly get an idea of their plans. Whether you decide to help us or not, I request an answer. Currently, the gates are shut and I don't plan on opening them any time soon after Ayako returns, so tie your response to an arrow and fire it near the top of the wall.
Lady Eboshi
Ashitaka rolled up the paper. It wasn't anything unexpected. He took a seat on the floor while San soothed Inu, nestling the infant girl in her arms as she stroked Inu's head. Inu stopped crying. San's palm rubbed Inu's head, careful not to push down, while her fingers brushed Inu's cheeks. A smile formed on San's lips when Inu's eyes closed. She gently set Inu next to Ryouken and let the two sleep undisturbed. San joined Ashitaka's side, although he didn't share a smile like hers. His elbows rested on his knees and his chin pressed on his interlocked hands, eyes distant and aloof.
"What's wrong, Ashitaka?" San asked. She noticed the uncoiled paper near Ashitaka's feet, but she couldn't make out any of the words.
"Irontown was attacked today," Ashitaka replied. "Did Ayako tell you?"
"Yes; she said that the people who attacked them left."
Ashitaka nodded. "They'll be back though." He picked up the message delivered by Ayako and handed it to San. She scanned the writing, but her mother only ever taught her human speech. The characters on the page had as much meaning as the lines on a leaf or the texture of tree bark.
"What is this?" San inquired.
"It's a message from Lady Eboshi," Ashitaka answered. "She wants me to help Irontown in the battle."
"What?" San muttered.
"She isn't asking me to actually fight Asano's army, she just wants me to scout them. It doesn't sound as dangerous as taking part in battle, but I can't say what would happen if one of the samurai found me."
"Does that mean you're going to help them?"
Ashitaka remained silent. San's disdain for Irontown wasn't a secret that she kept from him, and he understood her spite that flickered in intensity like a candle's flame. The recent accusations against her brothers did little to warm her feelings towards Irontown's people. During the month after Ashitaka finished gathering information for Lady Eboshi, he and San didn't speak a word of Irontown or any of its residents. She never spoke of them unless Ashitaka brought it up in conversation.
"I don't know," Ashitaka replied. His fingers tightened together. He kept his eyes on the wall, away from San and the sleeping children. Leaning against the wall was his bow, next to which was his sword and quiver. Although he didn't believe they were necessary for spying on Asano's army, they would become his most valuable asset if caught. How far the samurai would follow him weighed further on his mind. The choice of protecting his family or risking his peaceful life again for Irontown's sake crushed his mind from two sides.
"I'm going out for a bit," Ashitaka said. He stood up and retrieved his bow, arrows, and sword, ignoring San's call as he slung the string over his shoulder and clasped the sword to his belt.
"Ashitaka!" San shouted. He startled at the harshness in her tone. The yell awoke Inu and Ryouken, and the two grew restless in their beds. Despite the growing fretfulness growing between her two children, San scowled at Ashitaka as though he struck her. Her eyes threw daggers. She stood two inches from his face, her teeth bared and eyes narrowed like a wolf about to pounce upon its prey. "Where are you going?"
"I'm just going to see how big the army is," Ashitaka replied. "It shouldn't take me too long."
"Why didn't you tell me?" San demanded. "Were you going to just leave without saying where you were going, or what you were going to do? Also, if you're only going to check their size, why bring your weapons?"
"Because it's dangerous," Ashitaka answered after a five second. They seemed to drag on for five minutes. He looked into San's burning glare. Her anger bore partly out of concern for him, worry over their children, and frustration over how he tried leaving without stating his destination. His eyes fought to seek the exit, but he kept them in place. "I don't want to go without something to defend myself."
He removed his sword from its leather scabbard and offered the handle to San. She eyed it curiously and took it from his hands. It was a single edged sword shorter than most katana, one closer to the size of a washizaki blade. Her finger traced the cold metal. San handed the sword back to Ashitaka, but he kept his hands at his side.
"Keep it," Ashitaka said. "I promise you, I won't do anything besides watch them for a bit. Yes, it's dangerous, but not as much as attacking them. If you think I won't need that sword to defend myself, hold on to it for me until I get back."
"Ashitaka, I trust you," San clarified. "I just don't want you to leave without telling me where you're going."
Ashitaka nodded. "I'm sorry, San; I was in a hurry. Once I'm done, I'll come straight back here so I can write Eboshi my response."
"Fine," San said as she gave back the sword. "Just please come back soon."
"I will," Ashitaka assured with a smile. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. Her stabbing glower eased as she embraced him in a tight hug. "San, I promise I'll come back soon."
San nodded. She eased away from Ashitaka and stared into his eyes. They held no indication of deception. Ryouken and Inu's soft cries grew, and San went to attend to the children.
"Are you sure you don't want to wait for Okami and Urufu?" San asked. "They're better than any sword or bow."
"It will be dark before they return," Ashitaka said as he shook his head. "I know it will probably be dark by the time I get back, too, but I want to leave while there's still light out."
San nodded. "Ayako said that the humans left their tracks on the road. Maybe that will help you find them."
"Thanks; that'll be useful."
"One more thing, Ashitaka," San said. She picked up Ryouken, who fussed about more than his sister, and held him in her arms. "Think about what you're going to do concerning the humans, and think of what we're going to do if the fighting gets worse."
"I will," Ashitaka swore. His head kept low as he made his way down the slope and approached Yakul. He brushed Yakul's bristly fur. "Yakul, there's something I need to do for Eboshi; for myself. You don't mind helping do you?"
Yakul snorted and bowed his head, a gesture signaling the elk's approval. Ashitaka petted Yakul once more before hopping onto the saddle. He inhaled deeply. His sword bounced against his leg as he adjusted his positioning in the hard leather seat. The moon grew clearer as the sun continued its steady descent behind the western mountains, leaving Ashitaka with very little light in the dusk hour.
"Let's go towards the road," Ashitaka said. "Don't actually get on the road, Yakul, just get close enough so that we can follow."
Yakul grunted. He began the trot towards the pathway that crossed Irontown. Ashitaka's eyes remained forward, keeping from looking back towards the cave, towards San and their children. His fists clenched. He allowed no distractions to cloud head as he started towards the enemy's camp.