The Exiles
Chapter 10
Rob and Aka were exported into the throne room of the castle by the majordomo. Sitting in a simple chair on a dais was Lord Menemoto. There were guards and priests standing guard next to either wall, as well as two guards and an other priest flanking the Lord. The room was well lit and a wicker rug lead to the throne. The majordomo stopped about ten feet from the throne. With a stiff bow he said, "Lord Menemoto I present the foreigner Robert from the West, and Aka, the Flame Demon." Rob and Aka bowed as they were instructed and the majordomo took his place next to the throne.
The lord studied Rob and Aka intently, just as they studied him. Lord Menemoto was a young man, perhaps in his late twenties. He was clean shaven and had long black hair and sideburns. His eyes showed intelligence, his skin had a tan to it. His armor was exquisite with dark laminar and iron rings on the arms. The chest place of the armor was covered with a surcoat of gold and a black trim.
After a moment Lord Menemoto said, "Welcome Robert of the West and Aka to my abode. You know why you are here, I assume?" His voice carried cool confidence of a man who was used to having his authority unchallenged.
"I can only assume Lord, that we are here because you have been told of our exploits against Lord Hoji," Rob answered. Aka had no experience in these kinds of situations, dealing with lords or political intrigue, thus she decided she'd be silent unless called upon directly.
"That is indeed part of it. You two have been developing quite the reputation in the area. Some people say you are a force of righteousness; others say you are devils who should be extinguished from the land," Lord Menemoto said bluntly. The guards in the room shifted nervously at this proclamation. "What do you have to say for yourselves? Answer truly, because if you try to deceive me it will mean your heads."
Rob looked the Samurai Lord directly into his eyes and said, "I am sworn to always tell the truth, and so I shall. To Lord Hoji and his allies we are indeed demons. The Lady Aka and I have sent many of his men to their deaths by sword, hammer, arrow, and yes, fire. To others, we are a force of justice. For example, when Lady Aka and I wiped out a pack of bandits that had been infesting the highway we rescued four women. The plunder the bandits had seized we gave to them to help them begin a new life, so I would like to think that to those women we are a force of justice."
"Are you a good man," Lord Menemoto asked.
"I'm not sure there is such a thing as a good man," the knight replied.
Lord Menemoto narrowed his eyes, stood, and walked to the duo. He walks like a soldier, Rob thought as he watched the noble walk towards him.
"No such thing as a good man," the Lord asked softly.
"No my Lord, only good deeds. You, me, everyone in this room is capable of doing terrible things. Many of us I am sure have done terrible things already, and will do more terrible things before our time on this earth is through."
The Lord had walked behind the duo, and Aka was clearly getting agitated about it and began to squirm. Rob gently squeezed her hand to reassure her. As he did the sound of a blade being pulled from a sheathe filled the hall. The Lord walked back in front of Rob and Aka and said, "This is your sword?"
"Yes Lord, it is."
"And you have killed with it." The Lord examined the Templar blade, tested its balance and heft. He examined the straight blade. "What does this inscription on the blade mean?"
"Lord it says, No me saques sin razon; no me enbaines sin honor. It is a language called Spanish spoken far from here, and it means, "Never draw me with our cause, never sheathe me with dishonor."
The Lord then stood in front of Aka. "Lady Aka, where are you from?"
"I am from the northern mountains. My Lord," she added quickly when the majordomo narrowed his eyes threateningly.
"What is your condition," the Lord asked as the tested the sharpness of Rob's sword with his thumb.
"My what?"
"Your condition. Your status. Why do you Tavel with a human? Fight with a human? And a human barbarian at that."
Aka narrowed her eyes in rage. "Rob is not a barbarian. He is the most decent human I've ever met. He is more honorable than any human I have ever met. He is the most compassionate human I have ever met. My condition? My status? It is linked to his, as is my life. Rob means more to me than every single human in this castle. He means more to me than anything. THAT is my condition, HUMAN."
As she spoke, priests reached for their prayer beads, and the samurai grasped their swords at the disrespectful tone. Lord Menemoto however smiled and raised his hand, signaling his men to stand down. "I see, demon. You do not lack courage, I can see that. How did you come into Rob's service?"
"I was attacking a human village far from here with the remaining members of my flock. Rob had been hired to stop the attack and nearly killed me. I asked for mercy, and he spared my life. We have been traveling together ever since."
"Are you his prisoner?"
"No, I am his companion and mate. I am his, and he is mine. Wherever he will go, I will go."
"Where were you two headed before we met," the Lord asked.
"We were headed to the Lands of Fire," Rob answered.
"Why?"
"To see a blacksmith," Rob replied.
Lord Menemoto returned to his throne and said, "See our guests to comfortable rooms. We will meet again in the morning, I wish to confer with my advisors."
Rob and Aka were escorted to a comfortable suit complete with a washtub. Clean clothes for the two were set out as well as a large platter of food.
The two sat and ate in silence. "I'm sorry, " Aka said finally when the silence became to much for her.
"For what," Rob asked. He put his arm around Aka when she didn't answer. "Aka, talk to me. What are you thinking about?"
"I'm afraid I made things worse with the Lord. I tried to not get angry, but that human bastard was just so insulting!"
Rob pulled the diminutive female close. "Aka, I suspect that was all part of whatever negotiation tactic he was using. Trust me when I say that I believe the meeting went well. I do not know what Menemoto will want from us, if anything, butI do think we will be leaving here with our heads on our shoulders." With a sigh, Aka stood and walked to the tub to find it full of water.
"Would you like for me to wash your back," Rob asked as Aka disrobed. She smirked when she looked over her shoulder at him. "You know where that leads, Rob." With a grin he said, "Indeed I do love. Indeed I do."
Rob and Aka were summoned to the throne room early the following morning. Upon arriving they saw that Mariko, Ryojo , Touma, and Ujiro were there as well as the majordomo. Lord Menemoto was sitting on his throne. "Robert of the West, Aka of the Flames, come forward."
The two approached the throne and bowed.
"I will allow the two of you to continue to the Lands of Fire," Lord Menemoto said. "I found your testimony truthful, and my most trusted spies here vouched for your character." The samurai then stood and approached Rob and Aka. "Once you have concluded your business there, you will return to me, and report what you observe in the Plains of Musashi. I wish to retain your services for my army. You must understand, my domain is small, and Lord Hoji is not only a cruel and greedy master, but he is a threat, One among many, actually. We are surrounded here by domains both larger, and more populated than mine. With warmer weather coming soon the wars will begin again, and I tell you in all candor I am unsure if I can defend my people without your help. Will you assist me," the Lord asked with a bow.
Aka spoke. "We will help you under to conditions. First, you will marry us today. Second, give us a small house to live in with a mountain stream. If you do those two things, you will have Rob's sword and my fire."
"I accept your terms," the Lord replied with a bow. "And I will pay you wages and supply you both with food and whatever supplies you require. Now, if you are repaired…"
Aka and Rob were married that day. Lord Menemoto informed the newlyweds he had no such home on his lands, "But it will be ask you ask once you two return from your journey. Enjoy your day here in the castle, and tomorrow go see to your business. I will need you two back and ready for battle in no more than four weeks.