Chapter 11
* Attack at Helmsforde
Time & Again - The Queen of Darkness
' So she stood and watched and saw the
destruction she had wrought.'
Tori's eyes were the size of saucers as he trembled in shock. He seemed frozen as if he couldn't believe what had happened. Sakura seemed frozen as if she couldn't believe what had happened either. Her emerald eyes were the same as Tori's – huge and full of fear. She trembled and stared at him as he stared in return at her.
The leaves shook wildly as the wind bowed the trees and teased their hair. The shadow sat watching from the trees, the moon illuminating his face as the leaves danced and swayed. No on moved as the group remained frozen.
It was almost like the Guardian of Time had turned the hour glass on its side and forgotten about them.
Tori saw her outstretched arms as she stood where he had been standing moments before. Her arms were still thrown out to the side as if to protect him still. The act let alone shocked him to silence. She trembled and her breath rasped in her throat.
He watched her face go whiter than the moonlight as she lowered her arms jerkily and it was then that he saw the arrow sticking out of her chest. She pulled her hand away to stare down at the blood trickling down her fingers. Her eyes slowly rose to his in horror.
" Tori – " she whispered before her knees buckled and she collapsed at his feet.
The wolf let out a frightened whine, rushing forward to lick her cheek trying to wake her. Tori knew he should be yelling for help but he was experiencing aftermath. His mind was blank and he couldn't get the image of her frightened expression out of his head. The wolf looked up suddenly and growled long and deep. It snapped Tori back to the present and he jerked up and looked to the trees as the wolf bounded forward and howled with rage.
The young girl at his feet groaned and he looked down as she clutched the arrow stem in her fingers in her unconscious state. He knelt down and acting on instinct that had saved his men and himself, he picked her up and started to run in the direction of the honeycomb.
He didn't hear the scream or the savage growl in the distance.
He wasn't aware that he had been yelling for help but light suddenly flared and a crowd was running toward him fear on their faces as they carried the lanterns high. Julian and Tatsuya were the two who pushed through the crowd when the others came to an abrupt halt at the sight that greeted them.
Tori was panting as he held the unconscious girl in his arms, limp as the dead with blood running down her shirt. His dark hair was mussed and blood ran down his cheek from the man he'd battled at the creek. He looked like a man who had been through hell.
" What in God's name happened? " Tatsuya demanded as Julian rushed forward to feel for Sakura's pulse.
" She's still alive but I don't like the looks of this. "Julian replied looking at Tatsuya.
" What happened? " Tatsuya demanded again angrily.
" There were two of them. One snuck up on me and I dealt with him, Sakura saw the other in the trees and tried to save me. She took the shot meant for me. " Tori felt his throat close up.
" Get her back to the Honeycomb immediately. Juno! Bradley! Take your men and secure the area! "
" Yes sir! "
Tori ran all the way back to the Honeycomb, the others behind him. He ran down the halls and then he found her room and laid her gently on her bed and stepped back. Her breathing was shallow and she was gray in the face. She moaned and he felt a feeling he never felt before – a tugging on his insides. This little brat had tried to save his life. He owed her a debt he could never repay. Everything changed between them now. He went paler when he realized he actually cared what happened to her.
" Out of the way, " Tatsuya barged into the room with the doctor behind him. " Everyone out! " he ordered and turned around expecting to be obeyed.
" Come Tori, " he felt the gentle tug on his arm and looked back to see Julian looking just as worried as he. " There is nothing we can do now. Let them handle it. "
Tori let himself be led out of the room and he stood outside completely stunned. Julian looked at his friend and shook his head in sympathy. He nudged him and led him back to the dinning room. He pushed Tori down into a seat and went about cleaning the cut on his face.
For now all they could do was wait and listen and hope everything would be ok.
" My God, " Tatsuya muttered when he took in the damage.
The young girl was lying still as death on her bed, her small chest rising and falling with such effort he felt his own chest tighten in pain. The arrow was lodged in deep just under her left breast.
" How in the hell could this happen? Tori is nearly another foot taller than she. How the hell was a shot that was aimed at his heart embedded almost in hers? "
" It makes perfect sense Milord if she acted on instinct and jumped in its path. "
" Are you able to remove it? " Tatsuya asked quietly.
" It will difficult but we can't leave it in there. I'll do my best if you wish for her to be saved? "
" How can you ask such a stupid question? " Tatsuya demanded. " Do whatever you have to. "
" Then please excuse me Milord while I undress the lass. "
" Just cut the tunic around the arrow, we'll waste too much time trying to move her. "
" Very well Milord. " the doctor replied and set about the task. " Now to get a better idea of how the arrow is set. "
Tatsuya watched as the doctor quickly examined the arrow's position. He shook his head and he demanded to know what the hell was wrong.
" Milord, the arrow had not gone all the way through, in fact it is between her last two ribs if I am not mistaken. I believe one may even be cracked with the force of the arrow entrance. "
" Are you able to remove it? "
" With great difficulty. You will have to hold her down while I try to remove it. "
He splashed alcohol over the wound to cleanse it and then nodded to Tatsuya. Tatsuya put all his weight into holding Sakura's shoulders. The doctor wrapped his hands around the shaft of the arrow and then took a deep breath.
The sound of bone crunching and flesh grinding was drowned out as the girl screamed.
" My God, " Tori jumped to his feet as the pain-filled scream cut the air. Several members looked up from the fire in the hearth and cringed. Tori was off like a rocket with Julian following him closely behind him.
They flung the curtain aside and stopped dead in the room.
" Tou-san! Oh Tou-san! " she cried again and again tears streaming down her face. " I want my Tou-san! " she sobbed.
" Hold her Milord! " the doctor yelled trying to restrain the struggling girl.
" I'm trying! Sakura calm down, we have to get it out! You're losing too much blood. Do you understand? "
" I want my Tou-san! " she screamed in agony.
" Get the damn chloroform for pity's sake. " Tori demanded angrily.
" It's not as easy as it looks! " the doctor yelled back as he tried to calm the frightened girl.
A whine was heard from the door. The wolf crawled forward on his stomach and looked toward the screaming girl. Julian saw the pain in the deep amber eyes and knelt down beside him.
" There is nothing that we can do but hope and pray. Come with me my friend I'll take care of you while we wait for the outcome. It will be all right you'll see. " he ran his hand down the wolf's head and back and then stood.
Julian shot Tori a look as the doctor reached for the chloroform. Tori watched as the cloth was pressed to her mouth and her eyes roll back up into her head and quiet was restored. He watched a lone tear slipped down her cheek and his heart clenched painfully.
He left unable to watch anymore.
The flame spluttered and danced as the wind passed through the halls. The three sat in Julian's room and waited. Wolf was laying on the ground his head resting on his front paws, his amber eyes reflecting the fire in the hearth. Tori was lying back in the chair, his head resting on the back of it as he sat sprawled out with his eyes closed. Julian sat at his writing desk and was copying old transcripts that he wanted to learn.
Wolf's ears pricked up and he lifted his head as Tatsuya pushed aside the curtain and stepped inside. He took in the two men's gazes and the wolf's and sighed. He sat down wearily and leaned back with his eyes closed.
" We got it out. " he finally said and felt the tension in the room.
" Is she -? Is she all right? " Julian inquired.
" She has a cracked rib and a nasty wound that will leave a scar if it doesn't get infected first. She is still sleeping but when she wakes up she is going to be in a lot of pain. "
" Thank you. "
Tatsuya's eyes snapped open and he sat up and looked at his dark warrior sitting in the corner. Tori met his gaze and nodded. Tatsuya was speechless, was this man who prided himself on his lack of emotion showing concern over a girl that he hated? Well he'll be damned he thought ironically.
" Get some sleep – our plans will have to be postponed until she is better. We cannot hope to successfully attack Helmsforde unless we have Sakura by our side. "
He rose to his feet and felt weary. He was about to walk away when he noticed the wolf in the corner of his peripheral vision. He turned and met the amber gaze of the wolf. He looked straight at Tatsuya as he lowered his head in a bow. All three men were stunned.
" Who is that wolf? " Tatsuya murmured and watched the wolf stand straight and proud once again.
" He is not what he seems that's for sure. " Julian replied.
" I've heard of stories where – "
" He is Sakura's champion. " Everyone turned to look at the dark figure who had no idea why he had just said that. Even the wolf looked surprised. " Until he sees fit he will protect her until she doesn't need him anymore. "
" I see. " Tatsuya wondered what was going on with his men. Ever since Sakura had joined everyone had changed. They were happier and always had a smile whenever the girl walked by. It was like a new life had been breathed into the Rebellion. Even his black warrior was now taken in by her act of protection and now he was giving out predictions. What was going to happen next? " Well until then lets hope she pulls through. "
With that he bid them goodnight and left them to their thoughts.
The moon was full and drove back most of the shadows. Unlike the day where the sun gave off warmth as well as light, tonight was still chilly and called for thicker clothing as the paler light of the moon shone down on them.
From up on a small ridge, Sakura stood with her arm bracing her side where the pain still throbbed, as she watched the people below her haul the Trebuchet across the forest floor into position. If her calculations were correct, then with the first swing of the scoop-like mechanism, Helmsforde would be severely damaged and most of Draven's men destroyed.
The folds of her dark green cape billowed out around her slight form as the wind picked up. Emerald eyes lifted to reflect the bright moonlight as she scanned the heavens for any sign that the weather was about to change. Her hair was braided and left to hang over her shoulder, a few stray strands sticking out near her ears, swayed with the breeze.
Since her injury a few nights ago, Tatsuya had forbidden her from any involvement in the mission. She had been stunned and then angered that he would dare tell her she couldn't be a part of what she helped create. She had raged to the point of losing whatever energy she had and falling back on her bed where she had been since the arrow taking her instead of Tori.
Tatsuya had shaken his head and told her to rest and that they would handle it. She could however oversee everything and make sure that they were doing everything according to plan and if she had any problems to let the guard know and he would relay the message to him.
She heard the shift of rock beneath a leather boot and knew her "guard" was behind her. He was forever silent unless she gave him an order. The chill was making her wound pain uncontrollably and she would kill for a hot bath and some good pain killers but that was a part of her old life, the life she wasn't returning to any time soon. So she would suffer in peace.
" They will have it in position come morning. " Sakura murmured.
" Yes and then the attack begins come nightfall. "
" I hope we don't get busted before then. " she replied absentmindedly.
" Butsted? " the man questioned confused by the unfamiliar term.
" Discovered. I hope we are not discovered before the attack. " she corrected without looking at him.
" Yes, I will pray that we are successful. "
" What is the use of praying? " she asked. " If we all do as planned there will be no reason to depend on something that doesn't exist. " Sakura stated. " Why put your hope on something that is not there rather than on those companions around you? "
" You do not pray to the Old Ones? "
" No. I have never seen them so I keep my faith in my own abilities. I do not get disappointed that way. "
" Perhaps one day things will change for you and you will come to see the wonder of the Gods that watch over us. "
" Perhaps. " she replied without emotion. " Come. There is nothing more for us to see up here. Let us ride to keep an eye on them. "
" But you are to return to the honeycomb until morning. That was the plan. I was to accompany you up here then see to your safety back home. "
* Home. I never thought of the honeycomb as my home until many years later when I was alone and let my mind wonder back to the days of my youth. Perhaps if I hadn't been so caught up in my journey of wanting to return back, I would have allowed myself to see the open, airy space as a home. Maybe if I had appreciated it a bit more and wasn't in such a hurry to have my journey over with, I could have enjoyed its simple pleasures it had to offer.*
" I am not returning to the honeycomb tonight. I have already packed my saddlebags and I am not wasting anymore time. I need to see everything that happens and be able to help if need be. Those men down there have no idea what this mechanism can do, what it can achieve. They are going to be stunned when the first attack goes through and I am going to be there to make sure they don't forget their purpose. Draven must pay for the evil deeds he has done. "
" But – " the man behind her spluttered as she turned to face him, her wound pulling painfully.
" I cannot lift my sword and fight when the Trebuchet can do no more damage. My wound has seen to that and so has Tatsuya's orders. But I will not let this moment pass without some input from me. I worked hard to get where I am in this society of fighters and warrior and tacticians – I will not fail. Please understand. "
The man sighed heavily and then raised his eyes to meet her own. " Very well. At least let me accompany you. Tatsuya will not like you being out there and I will bear the brunt of his anger. "
" Deal. Let us go then. "
" Please be careful of your wound. Tatsuya will kill me if you are injured. "
" Yeah, yeah, yeah.. "
" What in the seven hells are you doing out here? " Tatsuya demanded the moment she rode slowly into the camp where they were overshadowed by the great weapon they had built and hauled over many miles.
" What does it look like I am doing here? " Sakura replied as she slid down careful not to injure herself anymore than she already had. " I'm here to make sure everything goes according to
plan. "
" I thought my orders were for her to remain at the honeycomb? " Tatsuya demanded the man behind her.
" He had no say in my decision. " Sakura replied as she looked up at the Trebuchet and made mental notes. " You can bar me from fighting tomorrow but you cannot bar me from my work and making sure you are all as safe as possible. "
" I will not have it. " Tatsuya stated firmly his voice hinted with anger. " You are still healing. Even now I can see how much pain you are in. You haven't been taking the willow back infusion have you? "
" Stop carping. I hate that nasty tasting herbal tea and it makes me sleepy. I will not sleep this battle away. I am here so you will just simply have to get use to it. "
" What in the seven hells are you doing here? " demanded another voice coming out of the darkness. " You aren't meant to be out here. "
" What is this a conspiracy theory? " Sakura demanded when Tori strode angrily across to them, Julian behind him.
" You said she would remain in the honeycomb. " Tori glared at Tatsuya.
" She was meant to. You know as well as I that our little Sakura has trouble following orders. "
" Damned straight. " Sakura replied angrily.
" Watch your mouth. " Tori reprimanded absentmindedly as he continued to glare at Tatsuya.
" What are you, my father? " Sakura demanded. " Ever since I saved your sorry hide I have had to put up with you all fussing over me and acting like I'm fragile. Let me remind you gentlemen that I kicked his highness in combat and helped you build this great weapon that stands here before you. Not to mention that I have been taking care of myself for months now and managed to stay alive. I do not need a whole regiment hanging over my head waiting for me to break. Now I am going to bed and I will see you all tomorrow night when we let Draven know our true wrath for all his misdeeds. Goodnight. " and with that she walked off to find her own sleeping space.
" Who does she think she is? The Queen of Sheba? " Tori muttered angrily.
" I think you are rubbing off on her. " Julian replied flatly.
" And what is that supposed to mean? "
" You're the smart one – figure it out. "
" Now wait a minute – "
" Gentlemen, " Tatsuya cut into the quarrel. " Let us save that energy for tomorrow. Get some sleep. I'm going to go check on the night watch. "
Julian and Tori watched him go and then shared looks. It would seem that Sakura was not the only one around that expected orders to be followed. They shared secret smiles at the jest. The night was quiet once again except for the rustling of figures trying to get some sleep. Those that could not settle were on night watch.
It was a moment later that Julian smiled in the darkness. He might get a tongue lashing for his curiosity but he couldn't help the simple barb. " Your opinion of Sakura has taken a drastic change of heart. " It was a statement.
" I don't doubt her mettle or the fact that she is a royal pain but she took a direct hit that was meant for me. How can I not feel differently about her? " Tori replied, his eyes dark and brooding.
" But it still narks you that you feel differently now? "
" What are you my conscience? Of course I hate feeling indebted to the chit. She knows it and shows great pleasure in lording that fact over my head. "
Julian couldn't help it. The way that that statement had come out of his friend's mouth with such vulnerability and wonder caused the laughter to burst from his chest. He suffered the black look from his companion but continued to laugh. He had warned his friend that the Gods worked in mysterious ways and that he should cut the young girl some slack, but no, Tori wouldn't have any of it and now here they were about to put their lives on the line and Tori was indebted to the girl for having saved his life. Taking a potentially well-aimed arrow meant for the heart into her own chest.
" You don't have to rub it in. " Tori replied darkly. He punched his so called "friend" in the arm when he wouldn't cease his laughter.
" I'm sorry, I truly am, but the look on your face speaks its displeasure of having to be in service to her until you consider the debt repaid. I did warn you did I not that the Gods work in mysterious ways? You should have listened. " Julian concluded waving his finger in the air for emphasis.
" Julian, shut it. "Tori growled.
" Ah, but one can't help but pity you. "
" Pity me? " Tori's eyes narrowed. " What do you mean by that? "
" Well it's simple really. " Julian smiled knowing he was pushing all the right buttons. " I know you have a soft spot for Sakura. She is the little sister that you never had. It's no use trying to hide behind that gruff exterior. I know deep down inside you want to cherish her and spoil her rotten and dote on her to no end because you adore her so much. But I know, " he ignored the look of total disbelief and disgust on Tori's face. " You rather wish no one know how much you truly do care for her deep inside. Quite touching really. "
" You have ten seconds to remove yourself from my presence Julian before I decide to pummel your pretty face with my fist. Tatsuya be damned. " he growled threatening.
" See there you go again, all bite and no bark. I know you wouldn't truly hurt me. You're too gentle for that. " he smirked as he ducked Tori's fist and then the other. " My, my, such show of emotion. You won't be able to sleep if you work yourself up into such lather. "
" I'll sleep just fine knowing I put my fist in your mouth. " came the threatening snarl.
" All right, all right, be grouchy. " Julian sighed dramatically as he stepped back out of harm's way. " Goodnight Tori. I did not mean to torment you so. But I think it is very sweet of you to care for her. She really needs someone like you even though she will refuse to admit it. You're both good for each other. I just wish the two of you would see it passed your own stubbornness. "
Tori took a deep breath to calm his racing emotions as he watched Julian melt into the darkness. The one thing he sometimes hated about his friend was that at times like this when he wished to keep his feelings to himself, Julian always knew what he was thinking and feeling as though it was written clear on his face.
Did he feel a connection to the chit? Was that what he was feeling? Was the emotion that made his chest swell with pride whenever she fought with him and toss insults at each other a form of affection? He didn't know. All he had ever really had was Julian. Julian was his only friend. To think that there could be another who could come so close to him scared him. He didn't open up for anyone. He only did so with Julian because the man always knew his heart and soul. There was no need for him to express how he felt. Julian always knew.
Looking up at the moon Tori knew that no matter what, he would do anything to protect Sakura. It was his debt and he would repay it by keeping her safe. He turned and walked off into the darkness to his pallet. He would catch up on sleep that he had missed for the last couple of weeks. He snuck a look at the huge hidden weapon and wondered if they could make it work. Could they strike back at a monster with something so huge or was his evilness something that no weapon could destroy?
With these thoughts in his head, he settled down and let sleep claim him.
This was it.
Her heart beat rapidly in her chest and her breathing was labored. It wasn't from strenuous exercise or the fact that her chest ached like the devil; it was the moment of truth. The moment that they all stood on the threshold on uncertainty and the unknown.
It was just coming onto dusk and Draven's men were due for a shift change in guard duty. When that moment happened they would attack. It had been a frightening day fearing that they would be discovered by Draven's scouting patrol but luck had been with them.
Sakura stood with her foot braced on a sturdy boulder as she looked into the distance at the devil's defeated fortress. Let him think he had won, Sakura mentally snarled. Let him think he was master. Time would prove differently.
Wolf stood beside her his eyes scanning the fields below them. The wind rustled his fur adding a ripple effect. Sakura reached down and laid her hand gently on the crown of his head. He looked up at her and she sucked in a much needed breath of air.
She reached to her side and slowly due out her blade. She would not use it to fight – that still angered her to no end but they were the orders – but she would use it to signal the others when to cut the release ropes.
Her heart felt like it would beat out of her chest if she didn't calm herself down. Her eyes were trained on the battlements, watching, waiting. Then she smirked. The soldiers who were watching the forest for any movement let down their vigilant guard and walked away; going down the stairs to tag the next team to take up their posts. She waited until the last head bobbed out of view before she raised her sword and slashed it down furiously.
Several men reached forward and placed their lit torches to the huge boulder-like catapult. It burst into flame. The men jumped back quickly as Tatsuya raised his sword and sliced it down through the rope and setting the mechanism into motion. Within a split second the scoop whistled up into the air and sent the flaming missile hurtling through the air to crash into the side of the fortress, leaving a burning hole and smashed rock. Already cries of alarm were screaming though the air.
" Move it several degrees to the right! " Sakura yelled, turning to look down at them.
Tatsuya nodded and shouted the command. A score of men rushed forward to grab the ropes on the side of the trebuchet and turn it slightly to the right. Another score of men ran up to grab the dangling rope and proceeded to pull the tray back down so the next missile could be loaded. Already another group of men were rolling another missile towards the tray.
Sakura's face whipped back to scan the battlements of the fortress. Soldiers were already throwing buckets of water onto the flames of the wreckage. She saw at least three men trying to pin point their location.
" FIRE! " she roared pointing her sword forward. Wolf threw his head back and howled balancing up on his toes with the force of the call.
A heaving twang was heard as the ropes were once again released and they all watched as the flaming fireball smashed into the fortress sending the soldiers trying to put the fire out flying over the battlements back into the fortress. Rocks and fire exploded everywhere. Sakura would hate to be on the receiving end of such an assault but she had no other choice. This was what needed to be done.
Sakura soon lost count of how many volleys they sent crashing into the fortress, but all too soon there were no more missiles to be used and it was time for weapons to be drawn. Already she could see Tori and Julian directing their comrades and shouting orders. She stood standing on the rock, the wind tugging loose strands from her braid carrying with it the smell of fire, of burning wood and smoke. The embers floating through the air like fireflies.
She watched them charge, watched as small disorganized troupes from the fortress ran out into the fields to meet them. They clashed together in a violent storm. Already bodies were dropping and she knew all of them couldn't all be injuries. She had helped create this hell. Nothing in the textbooks could ever pave her mind for the acceptance of what she had helped create. She watched one foul blow and cringed when she saw the red spray of blood and the man fall.
Dusk was upon them as swords met and parried and brought the inflictions of death. For a time Sakura thought her heart had stopped beating, that the pain in her chest was simply the act of it not beating, but then she realized that her chest felt heavy and it was then that she realized that it was her conscience. A heart was a heavy burden to bear, especially when such destruction lay in front of her.
She watched Tatsuya and many others storm into the broken down walls. There was the ringing of sword meeting sword and many cries and wails. Some men still fought outside the walls in the field but then she slowly noticed that in the fading light they either were killed or they surrendered. At least Tatsuya wasn't as callous as to refuse mercy to be shown to those that surrendered.
She sucked in a breath and looked up as night settled around them like a heavy cloak as cheers of success rang through the air. They had won. She was sure. Such a hearty cheer could not come from Draven's men surely? What would Tatsuya do with Draven? She felt her limbs start to shake and she locked her knees to keep them steady.
She scrambled down the steep hill and forced herself to hurry. She had so little time to get there and see what the outcome was without cringing in pain as her healing wound pulled. Let there be an end to this madness she mentally pleaded as she tried not the trip over the fallen; the clouds of purple and pink drifting across the sky.
Tatsuya, Tori and Julian and several others looked up sharply as two men walked into the darkened room with grim expressions. They had lit torches inside the undamaged room and stood in grim silence. The flames flicked and hissed with the new arrivals in the doorway.
" Sakura to see you Tatsuya. " one man spoke up and then stepped back.
Sakura walked in, Wolf beside her and saw the man sitting on the chair amongst the men. He was tied to the chair with rope and had blood splattered across areas of his soldier's uniform. Her eye widened as she took in the bruises and shot Tatsuya a scathing glance. It did not take a genius to know that this man was obviously a man of Draven's army for she doubted the man himself would be dressed in the uniform of his soldiers.
" What are you doing? " she demanded.
" Sakura you should not be here. " Tori narrowed his gaze for extra warning.
" Stuff it Tori. Why is that man tied so and why is he hurt? " she demanded angrily.
" Sakura this is a man's business. Please wait outside. " Tatsuya said,
" A man's business? " she repeated anger pushing into her heart. She had forgotten until this moment that she had entered the world of idiots. The damned era where men thought a woman's place was to sit demurely by and sew and talk total bullcrap and do as a man ordered. Well she was from the twenty first century and any man be damned to hell if he thought he could tell her what to do.
" I see what a man's business entails. " she glared in fury. " Chaining another to a chair like a dog and beating him – oh I can see the dark bruises already forming. Trust a man to beget more hatred and anger into the world. "
They all stood staring at her as if she had grown wings and flown. They all stared in shocked horror as her words sunk in. She met all their eyes challenging and raised her head in pride. She would not back down. She had no inclination to do so.
" Surely if there was information that you wanted a conversation would have provided enough basis to get what you wanted in the long run. Sure it is given to take a little longer but negotiation never hurts anyone in the long run and it's not like he has anywhere to run to. His comrades are strewn all over the front lawn and there will be no one left to help him should he try to run. " she let her emerald eyes land on the tortured man. He was breathing heavily but he watched her.
"He would try to be defiant for those are his orders and I commend him for remaining loyal to his lord. For that alone you cannot beat him as punishment. You would be the same in any similar situation."
" You defend him? " Tori stepped forward anger radiating from his face. " Have you forgotten what they all did? Have you lost your senses? "
" Shouting at me will not help the situation at all. " she shouted back angrily. " And no, I haven't forgotten what his comrades and himself have done. It is inexcusable, but why should we become like them? Treating him like the lowest of the low? We then are no better than Draven. "
" Enough. " Tatsuya's quiet voice stopped them. " Sakura this is no place for you. Please wait outside. "
" I will not be pushed aside when I - "
" Do not disobey me! " he snapped angrily and she flinched. This was a side to him that she had never seen before. His eyes were dark and looked at her and when they delved inside her soul they made her feel cold. She shivered and rubber her arms for warmth.
" You are nothing more than devils. " she muttered after a lengthy pause before she turned and walked away, Wolf glaring at them before he turned and left as well.
It was many hours later that she was summoned to the room where Tatsuya and the others had set up as a conference room. She stepped inside and watched the torches hiss and spit as she entered. She saw Tori and Julian sitting near the fire watching her. Their expressions gave nothing away except for Julian's sympathetic gaze.
She walked towards the table they had used to sit their maps on. She raised her condemning gaze to Tatsuya's and watched him sigh heavily.
" Do not look at me that way please Sakura. I cannot bear it for I had to do what I must. "
" Then I must look at you this way for I have to do what I must. " she mocked. She watched anger flare in his eyes and raised her chin. She was young but that did not mean that she did not know the difference between right or wrong. Her father had brought her up better than that.
" Draven is not here. He had fled more than two nights ago. " he finally said.
Sakura's mouth dropped open in an unlady like manner. How was that possible? They had been watching the fortress all day and all night for the passed three weeks! " Impossible! " she scoffed. " We would have seen them if they had left. "
" Yes but regardless they have fled. We have missed him once again! " Sakura watched him slam his fist into the table making her jump. She was not use to such shows of violence and emotion.
" Please control yourself. " she muttered feebly a little afraid.
" All that planning and for what? Nothing! "
" That is not true. You salvaged a fortress which is many people's home although it's not what it once was but we can't be held responsible for that; you defeated the enemy and reduced what the small portion was of the army he left behind to less than half. That is a wonderful achievement. I admit that losing Draven is not something that I would be happy about, but there will be another chance. The man is just full of himself and therefore will make mistakes. He will push people and they will push back. It is the way of human kind. "
" Such wisdom in one so young. " Julian muttered thoughtfully. " Listen to her Tatsuya. It is a good lesson. "
" I want the plans. "
" Excuse me? " Sakura asked confounded.
" I want the plans for the making of the Trebuchet. "
A cold feeling stole its way into her heart and she feared where this was leading. The room was silent except for the popping of the wood in the fire place as she stared at him. " Why do you want the plans for it?"
" What do you think I want them for? I want to make more so that we can defeat Draven once and for all. You will hand them over to me immediately. " he snapped.
" First of all I will not stand by and have you speak to me like that. As to giving you the plans I will not do so until you stop sounding like a prig and have the decency to ask me nicely. A Trebuchet is no child's plaything. It can be a very dangerous tool. "
" I did not ask you to come here and give me your opinion. "
Sakura gasped as his words and his tone registered in her mind. She drew herself up to her full height and glared at Tatsuya. Sure he could be tired and stressed out but that was no reason to speak to her so. She would tell him what she thought.
" Well sir, you are going to get my opinion if you wish for it or not. You are the most arrogant, intimidating and disrespectful knave I have ever had the misfortune to meet! You boast about having choices when really you give us none. All you care about is capturing Draven and ending a war!
" I understand your strong desire to set your people free but when you become like the man you hate you will find that you will be the one hunted. If you have a little patience then another opportunity will arise. If you seek power to destroy a greater power you will be the one consumed Tatsuya. You will forget who you are in your thirst for revenge against Draven.
" I refuse your request. I will not hand over the plans, not until you see sense and apologize for being rude. " she crossed her arms and met their gazed defiantly.
" You would go against me in this? " Tatsuya asked slowly.
" Yes because you cannot or will not see the damage you will inflict upon yourself if you build more in the Trebuchet design. "
" Then there is nothing more to say is there. But know this is not the end of this Sakura. I will not tolerate disobedience. "
Sakura stared at him for a moment before he watched her expression soften and turn to one of sadness. " I pity you Tatsuya. Nothing will go well for you if you remain this way. I thought I knew you all but I guess I was blind. " and with that she turned and left.
" Why do I suddenly feel like the sun has gone out of the room? " Julian stated quietly to Tatsuya's back once it was certain that she was gone.
" It needs to be done. Draven has headed north. If we can get the Trebuchet built we can haul them across the plains and then engage him in a battle. It will end there if we can do it fast enough. "
" Haul that monstrosity across the plans? Have you gone daft? " Tori demanded. " What men are you expecting to push and pull them? For all the Rebellion's size we are not that many in number. "
" We will get more. We will send word out. If there is a will there is a way. "
" I will not hear anymore of this madness. Get some rest and then we will talk. " Tori replied as he turned and stormed out of the room.
Julian sighed as he stood as well. " It has been a trying couple of weeks for us. Perhaps everything will seem clearer in the morning. Goodnight Tatsuya. " and with that he took his leave.
Tatsuya closed his eyes and leant his head down on the cool surface of the table ignoring his maps. It had to end, all this madness. Couldn't they see that the suffering, the killing and the wars had to end? Living every day in fear was enough to break a man. What the hell was he to do when all those people looked to him? How could he save them if he had no idea? What kind of man was he to let them go on suffering? When would the nightmare end?
Later that Night…..
I slipped the harness over the horse's head and begged it not to make a sound. The saddle was on as tightly as I could get it and only had I made certain that the blasted thing was not going to slip and send me sprawling to the ground did I start to edge my way out of the stables.
I stuck to the shadows and tried to remain out of sight. Many of the men and women from the Rebellion were still about but thankfully they were no where near me as I walked the horse away from the fortress.
I had to get back to the camp we had made the night before. My saddlebags were still lying hidden where I had left them. But it was what was inside my saddlebags I was most desperate to get to.
When I was out in the fields I swung up into the saddle and urged the animal forward. I am no champion horsewoman. I had had a few lessons after my adoption to Miazaki but after that my heart had been too busy with ancient treasures rather than learning how to ride.
I wish I had learnt now.
I bounced in the saddle and cursed that I had had so little instruction. But that was moot point now. I forced the horse up the slight slope that lead to the Trebuchet's hiding place. I had to be careful. The forest was dangerous to any rider especially when they didn't know there way around.
The camp was empty. With the battle over, the need to guard the Trebuchet was gone. I jumped off the saddle and ran to where I knew my bags to be. Everything was here. My sketch book, my charcoals, my clothes and my weapons that I had earnt, as well as other survival things like flint and a map.
And the most prized – the designs for the Trebuchet. The bushes rustled and I knew already who it would be. He was never too far away. He came to stand close to me as if sensing my mood. How funny that he seems to trust me a little now. There was a time not that long ago that he would not come any closer to me.
I opened the plans and glared. What had I been thinking creating a weapon that no one had ever heard of yet? Now they had the thirst for blood because they had this amazing weapon helping them.
She stood and walked over to the Trebuchet and stared up at its height. She had helped create this and she was going to help destroy it. Without it there would be no more trouble and with the only plans gone, it couldn't be replicated.
Then the madness she had seen in Tatsuya's eyes would be gone. He would hate her and probably want her punished for such an act, but she was not going to be around to suffer it. She was leaving. She had been looking for her chance to escape and here it was.
" I'm sorry for many things Wolf. " she whispered. " I did not know a person could feel so low for her own actions. But I will set this wrong right. I will not contribute to this madness any more.
" Learn by human kind's mistakes Wolf. Watch them and learn and make a better world for everyone. Never repeat these mistakes for you will feel as low as I do. Always strive to make this world a better place. For that is all we can do, make a better world for those that are born innocently into it and for those that deserve a better place to live. That is my advice to you. "
I set my bag down and asked Wolf to watch them. I walked to the base of the thing I had come to resent and saw the barrel of oil that we had used to coat the missiles in. When a naked flamed came near the stuff it ignited.
I dipped one of the dippers in the barrel and lifted it out watching the excess oil run and then drip down. Then I flung the contents on the base of the Trebuchet. I repeated this act until I was satisfied that it would ignite.
The torches that we had used to ignite the missiles still burned. I pulled one out of the ground and glared at the Trebuchet. I walked over to Wolf and pulled the plans out of his mouth. He whined at me and I rubbed his head in comfort. This had to be done.
I held the plans over the flame and watched it catch alight. I pulled the rolled up parchment away and let the flames climb up the outsides. I dropped it to the ground when it became too hot for me to hold.
Knowing time was getting away from me, I watched as the remains of the plans blew away in the wind. Satisfied I walked back over the Trebuchet and touched the torch to the oil. It burst into flame.
I walked around the outside and touched the torch to the rest of it. It caught easily. I threw the torch in amongst the burning mass and turned my back on it. I picked up my bags and made my way back to the horse that was dancing and stamping its hooves due to the smoke and fire.
I soothed her enough to walk her away from the burning wreck. She calmed once we stood back in the fields. It would be a while yet before any one noticed the burning mass.
" Think you can keep up? " emerald met amber in the darkness.
I swung up into the saddle and hoped my posterior wouldn't suffer too badly from my poor attempt at riding or my bruised and battered ribs. I dug my knees in and let the horse have its lead. I relaxed my body and let my body bounce with the gait of the anima despite the pain. The faster I was away from here the better.
I never looked back. I know it is sad to say that. After all, a large part of me had changed in the three months that I had been with the Rebellion. The old Sakura didn't fight or argue with arrogant, older men. The old Sakura had never lifted a sword in her life. The old Sakura had never spoken back or had an attitude. She had never helped build a weapon that could render fortresses defenseless and contribute to the death of so many men.
My heart was so heavy I could barely breathe as I galloped across the fields heading north. After tonight I will atone. I will not be the girl that I was back there. I will not be the trained warrior. Yes I will remember my skills but I will not use them unless I have to.
I will forget their faces and move on. I don't know where the heck I am going but somehow I will get there. All I know is I cannot go back.
Beside her ran the wolf. Not as fast as a horse, but swift enough to keep up. It would seem that he was determined to be by her side a little longer. Many thoughts ran though his head as he replayed the message she had given him.
" Never repeat these mistakes for you will feel as low as I do. Always strive to make this world a better place. For that is all we can do. Make a better world for those that are born innocently into it and for those that deserve a better place to live. That is my advice to you. "
Strong words for one so young. He would heed them for if he had had those words a long time ago maybe all this wouldn't be as it was. Maybe it would have been a better place. He would keep up with her and never leave her side for now. For now she needed him and he needed her. He had a lot to learn from her.
He was no longer stupid.
TBC