Chapter 22: Tidings From the East
"How about…?"
"No."
"Did you…?"
"No."
"Why won't…?"
"Sister," Alphinaud cut in, "How many times must I tell you? It's none of your business!"
Alphinaud had been back at the Reach for only a couple days, but not a moment had gone by that Alisaie wasn't pressing him for details about how his 'date' went. She was persistent… he could give her that much.
"How can I not?" Alisaie asked with a laugh. "You finally decided to take a big step forward and you don't want to share anything that happened? Come on… what was it? Dinner? Romantic candlelight? A long moonlight stroll at the beach? What did you two do? I swear, I have to urge to hit you over the head right now."
Nothing really happened. The two of them spent the better part of the night on the shores of the Isle of Bekko, enjoying the rare moment of peace and quiet. All in all, he felt that it went very well. Despite their argument during it all, he was glad to see that she could spare a little time away from her duties and be allowed to rest after so many moons of fighting.
The sad thing was that it was probably going to be the last time they rest for a while. Things were never quiet for long… even when there wasn't a new problem arising that didn't involve the fate of the world… she was constantly wandering and busy with so many other tasks that it was downright unfair. And he had a bad feeling lurking in the back of his mind that something big was coming for them—he just didn't know what.
He had to find a way to put an end to this fighting… for her sake if nothing else.
But he just didn't know how to go about it.
Especially when everything he tried to come up with usually resulted in him daydreaming about her face once again and feeling himself blush at the thought.
Unfortunately, this time, his sister saw the blush staining his cheeks.
"By the Gods… she's got you wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she?" Alisaie grinned.
"Listen," he sighed, "We are at a stage when…?"
"Stage? You two haven't taken a step forward since you told her how you felt about her," Alisaie groaned out. "Can you blame me for being irritated? Don't think me foolish. I understand why you feel the way that you do. But it's like you are resisting the urge to be happy because even with your feelings known they were still mostly at the same place that they had been before."
He turned away from her and found the perfect way to shut her up by pulling out some of the reports that the Resistance had been keeping. She hated anything to do with politics and he happily read them out as she told him to just shut up.
But in all honesty, he was fascinated by what he learned here and of the recent changes that have been made in Gyr Abania in the recent days.
The council had decided that the Resistance would be transformed into the new army and with Raubahn at the head of it. When it was confirmed that Raubahn to be remaining in Ala Mhigo, the people rejoiced at such a thought. Lyse would remain at Rhalgar's Reach and lead the forces stationed here in the Fringes… as well as keeping a close eye on the Qalyana… whom are under a new leader after Shanti had been cut down.
It would seem that the Qalyana had appointed Shanti's soulless daughter as their new leader… which made them basically leaderless at the moment. Still, they had retreated into their lands and were keeping far away from them all. So he was hopeful that they should have a little bit of quiet from them… for the time being.
It seemed that everything was well in hand here and he was looking forward to speaking with Lyse about some of the suggestions that he had when he heard his linkpearl buzzing in his ear.
He answered it, only to be greeted with surprise to hear Tataru's voice.
"Tataru?" he questioned, his sister falling silent as she watched.
"Alphinaud? Listen, I don't have time to explain, but you need to get over here to Kugane as soon as you can," she told him.
He raised his eyebrows as he set the reports aside and half rose from his chair. "To Kugane? What is it?" he questioned, "Is everything alright there?"
"I'm fine and everything's still standing," Tataru told him impatiently, "I just need you to come here right away. Oh, and bring Claire too. I think we might need her."
"Ah… yes, o-of course," he said, "But what is this about?"
"It's important!" Tataru said again hurriedly, "Hancock has some new information that I think that you will find most interesting. So hurry up and get your butts back here to the Ruby Bazaar!"
It was after that she hung up, and he felt like he was missing something important as he looked to his sister—any trace of teasing having left as she examined his face.
"What is happening?" she questioned immediately.
"That was Tataru," he informed her. "Apparently there is some kind of trouble in Kugane and she is urgently telling us to return."
"What kind of trouble?" Alisaie demanded, sitting upright in bed.
"She didn't say," he stated, "Apparently they found out some kind of information that we need to hear."
"Well then," she said, swinging her legs out of bed and getting up, "Let's go!"
"What? You can't leave now!" he retorted as she glared at him.
"I've been confined to this godsforsaken bed for weeks now!" she hissed, "I'll be damned if I miss out on another adventure because you're being overly-protective!"
"Excuse me for wanting to see that my only sister is recovering," he retorted.
"And how am I to regain my strength if I'm stuck lying around?" she demanded. "I've more than recovered enough! And I will be going with you, so you can deal with it."
She then collected her weapon from her bedside and strolled right out of the Infirmary as he followed and they argued some more. To be fair, he knew that Alisaie had recovered enough that she didn't need some nursemaid to watch her every movement. He knew that this would be good for her… not that he was ever going to admit to it.
They had a slight change of subject when they heard a few soldiers going by, mentioning that they had seen the Warrior of Light entering the Reach mere moments ago, they knew where she would be.
"You know?" Alisaie asked, "She has the most perfect timing I've ever seen. It's like she's always around just when you need her. Almost frightening?"
Yeah, it truly was. But he was grateful for it. They went up the hill to where the main tent was, and found that she was standing there speaking with Lyse and M'naago. It seemed that she had just come by to see how everything was going and was getting ready to leave.
"Claire, there you are!" Alphinaud called, getting her attention, and they all looked back to see them arrive.
"Alphinaud, Alisaie! Is everything all right?" Lyse asked in surprise as Alphinaud did a quick scan over her, just to make sure that she was still hale and healthy. While still looking fatigued, she seems that she had some rest since they parted ways. She smiled warmly at the sight of him there, and he found it difficult not to return it. He only stopped when he heard Alisaie speaking.
"We've received word from Tataru," Alisaie explained, reminding him that they had important matters to deal with right now. "Hancock has apparently acquired information of great interest and urgency. More than that she didn't say ─ only that we should come to Kugane right away."
"I had a mind for the two of us to set forth together, but Alisaie is determined to make it a party of three," Alphinaud stated as he looked up at Claire.
"Oh, I'm sure you would like that," he could have sworn he heard Alisaie hiss under her breath as she folded her arms. But rather than come out and say that, she instead reminded him, "As I've told you more than a dozen times, Brother, my wounds are quite healed, and I would benefit from some fresh air. Besides, you may well need an extra pair of hands."
She wanted to get a rise out of him, but he knew that if he were to try and talk her out of it, they would just be wasting time. Besides, he knew that she was right. He would just have to keep a close watch on her.
"Worry not, Sister, I have quite given up trying to convince you," he said to her, "Whether we be two or three, we should depart as soon as possible." He looked to Claire and added, "You will be joining us, I trust?"
She nodded before Lyse made a slight noise and they looked to her to see the rather rueful smile she had.
"Huh," Lyse said with a small wave, "I was about to say I'd come too, but I'll just have to settle for cheering you on from afar. Good luck with…whatever it turns out to be!"
"Thank you, Lyse," Alphinaud said, understanding that she wasn't likely to be allowed to leave Ala Mhigo any time soon, "Rest assured, should this business prove to be of even tangential concern to Ala Mhigo, we shall inform you without delay. Let us be off, then. Hancock and Tataru await us at the Ruby Bazaar offices."
They soon began to get ready to leave. They had to take the time to clear up the information with the other Scions and informing the city-states where they will be should something happen. After about an hour, had just finished packing… at least until Lyse reappeared with a surprising request.
"Ah, Claire?" Lyse suddenly called and she paused to look back.
"Before you go, if you have time, why don't you go speak with Fordola?" Lyse suggested and Claire dropped her bag as she looked on at her with surprise.
Lyse sighed before confessing, "I don't know what it's about, but I went to speak with her a little bit ago, you know? To try and talk to her… get through to her, maybe? But she said that she wanted to speak to you. It was the first time she said a word since she helped us to fight off Lakshmi."
"Why?" Claire asked and Lyse shrugged.
"She just said that she wanted to speak with you before you go," Lyse said. "She said that she has a question that she wants you to answer."
Claire looked to the two of them, and they reassured her that they would be alright on their own and that they would meet her in Kugane. Claire nodded and followed after Lyse, heading back to Ala Mhigo—leaving the two of them to get ready to head off back to the Far East. Leaving took longer than they first thought, and despite her earlier bravo, it was clear that Alisaie seemed to still hurt.
One good thing about the threat of an emergency was that she had forgotten to make fun of him about his… sorta-relationship. By the time that they left the Reach, teleporting right back to Kugane, it seemed to have taken a toll on his sister. She had to sit down and rest for a few minutes, having been shaken up by the long teleport. He sat with her as she caught her breath, wincing slightly from pain before she masked it and got back to her feet.
It seemed that it took them longer than they first thought for n sooner did they reach the Ruby Bazaar Offices, Claire had caught up to them with a thoughtful expression on her face as she approached. He wanted to ask about it, but there would be time for that later on. They waved her over and entered together, where he was greeted with a slight surprise in the form of both Yugiri and Soroban standing there with Hancock and Tataru… all of them clearly waiting for them.
"My friends!" Hancock called happily at the sight of them, as if an old comrade who hadn't seen them for years, "Thank you for coming at such short notice!"
"We were told the matter was urgent. I take it Yugiri and Soroban are also involved?" Alisaie asked, determined not to let her recovery slow her down any more than it has done up until that point.
"Ah, my presence here is but a happy coincidence," Soroban confessed with a friendly wave, "I am come on separate business ─ which can wait."
"My apologies," Yugiri said with a bow to him when he looked at her, seemingly with concern in that scaly face of his. Though… it was hard to tell with Kojin how they felt. She seemed to appreciate the gesture though before she looked back to Hancock and said, all business-like, "Master Hancock ─ pray tell our friends exactly what you told me."
"Of course, of course," Hancock said agreeably, before addressing the entire room. "Some few days ago, a large detachment of soldiers was seen arriving at the Garlean embassy."
A large detachment of soldiers? He supposed he shouldn't be surprised to hear that there would still be a Garlean embassy stationed here in Kugane. But still, he highly doubted that they would wish to cause any unnecessary trouble after all that has happened. He had been hoping that things between them and the Garleans would remain quiet for a little longer before they would have to face them again. But it was what Hancock said that really got his attention.
"This seemed to me most unusual, as no personages of note are due to visit for a matter of months," Hancock informed them, "So I made a few inquiries, whereupon I learned of a most curious rumor. Apparently, the soldiers were dispatched to Kugane to investigate recent sightings of a certain individual. The late acting imperial viceroy of Doma ─ Yotsuyu!"
They stared at him and Alphinaud took a step back as his jaw fell open.
"I beg your pardon!?" he asked, just making sure he heard him right. While he had not met the acting viceroy of Doma, he had been informed that she had been killed inside Doma Castle during the rebellion. And after seeing the keep collapse like that? There wasn't much left of it… he found it hard to believe that anyone could have survived it.
"I, too, am loath to believe it," Yugiri confessed as she looked down, "I saw the keep come down on top of her. We all did."
She looked to Claire for support, who nodded in agreement, both having been the only ones apart from Hien who escaped the keep alive that day.
"I would not presume to question your eyewitness accounts, nor am I one to take rumors at face value," Hancock reassured them calmly, "The fact is, the Garleans have no knowledge of what took place at Doma Castle ─ they may well be chasing after a woman who merely resembles Yotsuyu."
That did seem more likely. But there was still the fact that they were putting a lot of effort into a rumor. The Garleans must have had some kind of proof that it was her, surely?
Hancock had paused before admitting, "But a woman who resembles Yotsuyu in the company of a grizzled Roegadyn samurai? I daresay that thickens the plot."
"…Gosetsu? He's alive!?" Alisaie gasped as they all stared at him, unable to believe what they heard.
"While I've no conclusive proof, I thought that such a possibility warranted your attention," Hancock finished with a shrug.
Well, he was right about that.
"Have you informed Lord Hien?" Alisaie asked Yugiri, who nodded back, an unreadable look in her face as Alisaie added, "Well, I think we'd all like to believe the old bear survived."
Yugiri looked down at his words and he was half certain that she would break down… either in joy or in grief. But when she spoke, it was in a voice that remained strong.
"Indeed," Yugiri agreed, "While I dare not give myself wholly to hope, I will not deny that I have prayed for such a miracle ever since that fateful day." She looked up where they could see the hope clearly there despite her words, and said, "But regardless of my personal feelings, if the Empire has seen fit to pursue these rumors so vigorously, we can scarce afford to ignore them."
That was true. While they had no proof yet that these two were the real Gosetsu and Yotsuyu… but if there was even the slightest chance that their friend could still be alive… they owed it to him to at least try and find out the truth.
Yugiri closed her eyes for a moment before humbly asking, "I am bound by duty to ascertain the truth of the matter. Will you join me in this quest?"
She had her eyes focused mostly on Claire as she said that and Alphinaud couldn't help but feel that familiar ache inside him at the thought of how she was being looked too for hope once again. While he understood that feeling all too well… having been guilty of such things in the past many times… it was… it was just… painful to think of how much they relayed upon her now. Perhaps without even realizing it.
"Aye," Claire reassured her gently, "We'll find Gosetsu together."
Those words seemed to have been enough to put any fears that Yugiri had to rest and she smiled back.
"Thank you," she said gratefully, "If Gosetsu yet lives, he will need our help if he is to avoid capture."
"Gosetsu is a dear friend, and we cannot abandon him to the mercy of the Empire," Alphinaud agreed, knowing what they had to do… if only they had a place to start looking though. Rather than admit to that, he said determining, "Our course is clear."
Not a single person objected, but even with this new optimism that a friend may still live… Alphinaud couldn't help but wonder. Even if it was possible that Gosetsu had survived… why not try to get in contact with them? He had been to the Ruby Bazaar before and surly Hancock would have recognized him? And why would he be with Yotsuyu of all people?
Just what was going on here?
"Hancock, is there aught else you can tell us?" knowing that they needed as much information that they could get.
"Alas not ─ but I have taken the liberty of employing one of the finest informants money can buy," Hancock reassured him, having already guessed what would be needed here. "You shall have the latest intelligence on the Garleans' movements and more besides."
He grinned rather smugly before clearing his throat and informed them, "The informant awaits your pleasure in the back streets of Sanjo Hanamachi. From its shining facade to its dark underbelly, few know Kugane as intimately as he."
This sounded promising… but also a little foreboding. He wasn't sure if he should be grateful or not. And he wasn't the only one who seemed to feel that way.
"'One of the finest informants money can buy'…" Alisaie repeated skeptically, "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
"Permit me to assist you in your quest, my friends," Soroban offered suddenly. "The sooner your business is concluded, the sooner we may speak of mine! Should your search take you away from Kugane, my boat is at your disposal. I shall see that she is ready to sail."
He couldn't help but notice that he looked over at Claire as he said that and Alphinaud couldn't help but fear that this 'business' had something to do with him asking Claire for a favor. Still, he remained quiet, not wishing to jump to conclusions and focused on what they needed to do right now. They weren't sure who they were going to meet, and they had to be prepared for anything.
"I'll give Soroban a hand," Tataru offered, "If he's providing us a ship, the least we can do is supply the provisions. We'll be at the pier if you need us."
"A welcome offer and an excellent plan," Alphinaud said to her with a smile, "Without further ado, then, let us seek out this informant in Sanjo Hanamachi."
They all left with Hancock bowing them out and split up as soon as they were out the doors. Soroban took Tataru with him as they headed off towards the docks and the rest of them headed towards the Sanjo Hanamachi, going to the place where Hancock had marked on the map for them.
"You should consider getting a new one," Alisaie pointed out to Claire as she tucked her map away. He had to admit, she had a good point… that one was so old and worn… full of tears and marks from precious quests that she had done that it was hard to make anything out.
Claire didn't seem to mind though as she carefully folded it back up and tucked it away, waiting patiently as if they hadn't said a word.
He made a mental note to get her a new one… just so that she had it in case of emergency. Though… truth be told, she probably had the entire Far East memorized by now and didn't even need one.
"This should be the place. Now we wait and see who comes," Alisaie said, and he couldn't help but notice that her eyes seemed to be looking downwards, as if expecting someone small to come walking up to them.
He soon found out the reason for that.
"I-It has been a while, my friends," called a squeaky voice. "Yes, yes, a long while indeed."
They looked up to see a familiar face poking his head out from around a corner of the building before he shuffled his feet over towards them. The Namazu who tried to sell them out to Garleans once before… Gyodo.
"You again," Claire stated, not looking surprised, as Alisaie sighed.
"I knew it," his sister stated as she folded her arms and warned, "Gyodo ─ any funny business, and you know what will happen, I trust?"
That threat seemed to be enough for Gyodo to have violent flashbacks of his last encounter with them and he flinched horribly at her commanding voice.
"No, no!" Gyodo said quickly as he approached them, "No funny business! Only loyal service and the finest-quality information! O-Of course…such quality does not come cheap…"
He raised his eyebrows at that as Alisaie was looking deeply annoyed.
"…No. But then Hancock already paid you," she retorted harshly, "Honestly, you must think we were born yesterday. I've half a mind to call Lyse."
That got his attention and he let out a muffled scream—clearly remembering how he was kicked around by Lyse before. Alphinaud wasn't sure what Gyodo was hoping to do… if he wanted them to question his trustworthiness, he sure was succeeding.
"No, no! No Lyse, I beg you! No boots!" Gyodo cried out in panic, "I will tell you everything I know ─ free of charge! The Empire searches for Yotsuyu. High and low, far and wide. Come to enlist my help, they did, promising rich rewards for decisive information."
"And have you decisive information?" Alphinaud said, deciding on a calmer approach, deciding not to reduce to threatening the little beastman with Lyse unless he gave them no other options. And if he needed persuading, he was sure his sister was more than capable of reminding him, "Were the two individuals sighted here indeed Gosetsu and Yotsuyu?"
"Alas, see them with my own eyes, I did not," Gyodo admitted, much to Alphinaud's disappointment, "But the imperials are confident. Yes, yes, very confident indeed. Look at the size of their contingent!"
Well, that much seemed true. Like he thought before, he doubted that the Garleans would have dispatched such a large force on a mere rumor. He supposed that this only helped their claim but…? But he just wished that they had more proof to go off of.
"But here is something they do not know…" Gyodo added suddenly, "A rumor which you will find most interesting, I think. They say an elderly Roegadyn samurai appeared on Kogane Dori with a beauteous maiden, and sold his katana to a pawnbroker. 'Twas no common katana either, but one of surpassing craftsmanship."
They stared at him.
"Well, that is interesting ─ assuming it's true," Alisaie said slowly, "Did you corroborate the rumor with the pawnbroker in question?"
"Ah, er…no," Gyodo admitted, suddenly becoming timid again, "Regrettably, I do not have a working relationship with the master of Shofuku Shichiten…"
"Now why would that be, I wonder," Alisaie said doubtfully, "If I didn't know better, I'd think he'd lent you money…"
She seemed to have hit the nail on the head with that one and Gyodo let out a squeak of fear.
"Ahem!" Gyodo cleared his throat, "H-He will help you, I am certain! While you speak with him, I will make contact with my Garlean connections and learn what I can of their progress."
They all looked at each other, wondering what to do now.
"A glimpse of the blade is all I need to be sure," Yugiri declared, but she looked to Claire and added, "But is it wise to let the Namazu out of our sight?"
Alphinaud didn't think so. If he was going to meet with a Garlena connection, it would be all too easy for him to slip up and mention that they were here. It seemed that Claire thought the same thing and shook her head.
"No," she decided, "He'll betray us."
"No, no!" Gyodo cried fearfully, "No more betrayals! No more boots! To divide our forces is simply more efficient!"
That was a good point. If it did turn out to be Gosetsu, the sooner they tracked him down, the better. But still…?
"He's right," Alisaie decided, "Given the urgency, we would do well to split up. And so I will go with our friend here. Nothing improves efficiency like a little supervision."
That seemed fair enough to him. And so long as she kept to the shadows and didn't try to intervene, he didn't think that she would be in any danger.
"You ─ But ─ Er…yes," Gyodo began before wisely decided, "Yes, yes. We will go together. And there will be no boots!"
Poor Gyodo… it seemed that his past interactions with them have given him a mortal fear of boots. Still, if it kept him out of trouble, he supposed that it was a small sacrifice for the greater good. Hopefully, after today, they would be out of his hair for good… figuratively speaking since he had no hair.
"Let's be about it, then," Alisaie said before adding to the rest of them, "Good luck with the katana. Shall we reconvene at the pier later on? Fragrant as the Ruby Bazaar offices are, I prefer the fresh air."
They agreed and watched as the two of them leave.
"Think she'll be alright?" Claire asked as they left.
"I believe Alisaie has her task well in hand," Alphinaud said, though making sure to watch until the two were out of sights. "Shall we seek out the pawnbroker?"
They retraced their steps, following the road all the way back to the markets and began to look around, asking every shop keeper they found about the sword. While many of them sold katana… none of them were the ones that they were looking for. After a while though, he decided that they would go find Claire—knowing how talented she was when it came to finding lost things.
He soon found Yugiri and began to push through the crowd, trying to find their friend… and discovered her at the end of the street and speaking to a pawnbroker. He had just set a katana on display for her as she looked over it.
"Dare I hope you have found our pawnbroker?" Alphinaud asked her as they approached and she nodded silently at them, which caused him to grin.
"Excellent work, Claire," he said as he looked to the display and asked Yugiri, "And that is the katana?"
It certainly looked a great deal like Gosetsu's. The well-ornamented and elaborated detail throughout the sheath and to the handle all looked like how he remembered it. He wasn't an expert in such weapons though, so he looked to Yugiri, who got close to examine it from tip to tip.
After a moment she nodded and declared, "There can be no doubt. It is Gosetsu's blade."
So this was the proof they needed. Gosetsu was still alive… and he must have been desperate indeed to have willingly sold it.
"The craftsmanship is exquisite, is it not?" the pawnbroker asked eagerly, "And you will be pleased to know that the pledge has just expired. I should be glad to sell it to you…assuming you have the coin. This is no ordinary weapon, you understand, and it is priced accordingly. But if you are serious, I suggest you act quickly, as several noted collectors have already expressed an interest."
So… if they left it now… it would most likely be gone before they got back. Yugiri looked torn at this as she thought it all over.
"The blade represents conclusive proof of Gosetsu's survival," she discussed with herself, "I suppose this could be considered a necessary cost in securing his safe return…Yet it is not a decision I can make alone ─ least of all when our nation has scarce begun to rebuild."
Yes, he doubted very much that Doma had much coin to spend these days… they would need every coin they had go into the rebuilding effort.
"I'll pay," Claire offered kindly, but Yugiri looked back at her at once.
"Nay, my friend," Yugiri said, "Grateful though I am for the offer, I cannot ask this of you. It is enough to know that Gosetsu is alive and well."
"Yugiri wait," Alphinaud offered, "The Scions will buy the katana. Pray consider it a gift."
Again, she looked startled at the offer and shook her head.
"M-Master Alphinaud, your kindness is touching, truly," Yugiri said, and he was having a hard time trying to figure out why she was having such a hard time accepting this. "Yet, in matters of coin, would Mistress Tataru not expect to be consulted?"
"Come now," Alphinaud offered, not seeing this as something for her to feel so awkward about. How expensive could a single katana be, after all? Many of the ones he passed on his way here weren't unreasonable after all, and he was sure that this was a meaningful enough reason for Tataru to understand.
Besides… the fact that Gosetsu felt the need to surrender his weapon spoke of a great plight. He must be in a great amount of trouble if he felt compelled to sell it.
"Our friend would never have relinquished his blade were the need not great," he pointed out, knowing that they were wasting time just by standing there discussing this, "And are we not bound by honor to help a friend in need? I say we are ─ and I am sure Tataru will wholeheartedly agree."
"It's settled, then!" the master of Shofuku Shichiten cried happily, not having any problems in letting them buy the sword, "You have made a wise choice, my friend ─ such pieces are few and far between! Now, if you would be so good as to come this way, I shall prepare the necessary papers."
Alphinaud took the papers and began to sign for it without even looking at the prices while Yugiri took the sword reverently in her hands, her eyes looking a little watery as she held it like it was a precious treasure. Which, he reminded himself, it was. For they now knew that a friend they once thought was lost forever was still out there.
Once he finished signing the paperwork, the master bowed gratefully to them before Yugiri wrapped the sword up and placed it upon her back.
"If I may ask, sir, after he visited your establishment, do you perchance know where the old samurai went?" she questioned, "He is our friend, and we would return his weapon to him."
"A friend of yours, you say? I see," the master said in surprise, "Well then, I suppose there can be no harm in telling you. No sooner had I provided him with the requested sum than his pretty young companion began clamoring for dango. I duly recommended those served at the Umineko Teahouse, and thither did they set off."
Alphinaud wondered if his ears were working correctly when he heard that. Dango? Really?
"…Clamoring for dango? Can these truly be the same people?" he asked, feeling like the rug was pulled out from underneath him, "It makes no sense."
"Some manner of code, perhaps," Yugiri offered slowly, "But it avails us naught to speculate. Let us go to this teahouse and see if we can pick up their trail."
Oh, he knew where the Teahouse was… he was there just a couple days ago… and he had to admit that their dango was truly delicious. He led the way across the city, finding the busy little teahouse happily serving customers by the time they arrived and questioned her.
"But of course I remember! How could I forget a pair like that?" the shop owner admitted as she thought it over, "The most beautiful girl you'll ever see, scoffing down dango as if her life depended on it while the old samurai looked on. Not quite what he expected, I'll wager! Far be it from me to gossip about my customers, but he was planning to spirit her away across the Ruby Sea ─ out of the reach of her family, no doubt."
Alphinaud did his best not to cough out in laughter at that as the shop owner finished, "When the girl had finally had her fill, they set off in the direction of the Shiokaze Hostelry, presumably to find someone discreet with a boat."
So, they were heading across the Ruby Sea then? Then that could only mean one thing.
"So Gosetsu makes for Doma," Yugiri said firmly. "But this woman who travels with him… The more I hear about her, the more I wonder if she can truly be Yotsuyu."
Alphinaud looked over to Claire to see that she was nodding in agreement. Something about this was very strange.
"While doubts remain over the identity of Gosetsu's traveling companion, for now we can but follow the trail," Yugiri added with a shake of her head, returning back to the important matter at hand. If they could just find Gosetsu, then they were sure to get all the answers they needed. "Come, let us away to the pier, and make ready to sail. With luck, Alisaie will already have joined Master Soroban and Mistress Tataru there."
They quickly left the teashop, running straight out towards the docks to where Soroban was already there with his boat. Next to him were Tataru—who was in deep conversation with Alisaie—but they all looked up when they saw the three of them returning.
"Excellent timing, my friends," Soroban said with a wave of his scaly hand, "Mistress Alisaie arrived mere moments ago."
"All went well at my end," Alisaie added at once, "Gyodo met with an imperial officer and wheedled his way to some new information. It seems the troops who recently arrived in Kugane came directly from Garlemald. The imperials based here have been kept in the dark. And that's not all. A contingent of the aforementioned troops are preparing for deployment to the Ruby Sea. If I didn't know better, I'd say they'd picked up Gosetsu's trail."
So, it seemed that everything was lining up. Still, they were a little behind the Imperials at this point if a contingent of soldiers were ready to depart to the Ruby Sea. He hoped that since they had been able to avoid being capture so far, their luck would hold out… at least long enough for them to track them down.
"Then your information matches ours," Alphinaud said, "We are quite certain that Gosetsu seeks to cross to the mainland."
They quickly explained how they found the sword and Yugiri confirmed it was, indeed, Gosetsu's and after purchasing it, they discovered that the two were bound for the Ruby Sea. But before he could offer them any other information, Tataru's eyes grew sharp and she interrupted.
"I'm sorry—did I hear that right?" Tataru demanded, "You used Scion funds to buy Gosetsu's katana… at the asking price?"
"Aye, well, we were in some haste, and it seemed a worthwhile gesture," Alphinaud explained quickly as he pulled out the bill and rest of the paperwork for her to look over. "Speaking of which, here is the contract of sale. Pray see that the man is paid."
Tataru looked over it before he saw her eyes widen in horror.
"Thal's…beard," she hissed, "You agreed to this? Give me strength…" She seemed to be fighting within herself to keep herself from swearing. But after a long-suffering sigh, she said, "Well, it's not like the search can wait. You'd best be on your way."
But she made sure to glare at him and demanded, "But Alphinaud ─ we need to talk. I want you to come straight to the offices as soon as you get back. Promise me."
"Oh?" he questioned with his eyebrows raised, "Very well. I shall call upon you as soon as I return."
"First, let us go to the Ruby Price," Soroban said, seemingly uncomfortable all of a sudden as he led them to the boat, "If Gosetsu has already set sail, the sentries there are sure to have seen him."
Tataru waved them off, but he couldn't help but notice how she was glaring at him the whole time. He couldn't understand why, and was saying to Claire as they boarded the boat, "Tataru seemed rather vexed, did she not? Ever the melodramatist. I am sure our finances can stretch to a single sword."
To his surprise though, Claire didn't look the least bit happy with him either and he actually saw her roll her eyes at him.
"Oh, so much to learn," she said, and for some reason, he got the feeling that she was annoyed with him all of a sudden.
"Remind me to explain the value of such gestures when we next see her," Alphinaud said as he cleared his throat, not liking this uncomfortable silence between them. In fact, it would seem that Alisaie was also glaring at him… he could feel her eyes on the back of his head, and now he was really starting to wish that they were on board a larger vessels so that he could escape those eyes.
"Ah, but I digress," he said, glad to see that the small outpost had come into view, "We have work to do."
Once they docked at the outpost, Alphinaud jumped out, but as he held out a hand to Claire for her to take, she ignored it as she climbed up next to him. He was now growing irritated at everyone's attitude towards him but he knew that he couldn't let that get in the way at the moment. He had just suggested that they learn what they could from the sentries on if they had seen Gosetsu when…?
An enormous boom came out from over the water and they looked up at once. It sounded like cannonfire… and it was soon accompanied by even more explosions and the distant cries of fighting was breaking out not too far from here. They then saw the smoke rising up from the direction of the Confederacy camp and they ran to one of the guards on duty, demanding to know what was going on.
"Travelers, are you?" the guard asked as he looked back at them, "You may wish to postpone your plans. The Garleans have launched an attack on the Confederacy. We have no reason to believe they'll turn their attention here, but for your own safety I suggest you return to Kugane."
He turned back to the other guards, giving orders as the rest of them ran to the edge to get a good look. They could see more smoke rising into the sky and the smell of fire and gunpowder was upon the wind as they watched a massive airship dropping what looked to be more magitek armor down upon the camp.
"The Garleans bear no love for the Confederacy, but with Doma lost to them, why would they attack?" Yugiri asked in bewilderment before pausing as the answer came to her effortlessly, "Unless…"
"Unless Yotsuyu is on that island," Alphinaud finished for her as Alisaie strode past him, her eyes forward.
"Even if she isn't, our allies are under attack, and they need our help," she said firmly. Huh… and to think that there was a time that his sister couldn't stand the idea of helping out pirates?
"We will help them, while you remain with Soroban," Alphinaud warned her, when she glared at him he added, "Arguing will only delay us. Is that clear?"
He knew his sister was far from weak, but he didn't wish for her to fight just yet when she wasn't fully recovered. And he knew that she wasn't likely to put up much of a fight since they were so short on time. She certainly looked ready to argue, but when he saw her eyes drift back towards the battle, he knew that he had won.
"Fine," she growled out furiously with a shake of her head, "But you haven't heard the last of this."
If that was the worst he could expect out of this fight, he would be most grateful. Instead of saying that, he turned back to Soroban, already coming up with a plan as he said to him, "Soroban ─ we may need to make a swift exit. See that the boat is ready to sail at a moment's notice."
"It shall be done!" Soroban promised, his hand held up, and was already heading back to his boat.
Right… that was settled… his sister would remain behind and safe and they had a quick means of escape if they need to. He faced the water, smacking his fist into his hand before Alisaie asked, "What, and you're going to swim there, are you?"
He truly hated her sharp tongue sometimes.
He looked back to her and said, "'Tis the quickest way. And you may rest assured I've been practicing!"
He looked behind her to Claire and they shared eye contact as he remembered her lessons well. Besides… it wasn't a long swim either. He only hoped that he didn't slow them down. He turned about and with a scream, he went running straight to the edge and dove in.
While the water didn't terrify him as it once did, he still struggled to keep his head above the waves as he maladroitly swam towards the island in front of him. Alphinaud heard two splashes behind him and knew that Claire and Yugiri had joined him as they began to make for the battle. He was relieved that he managed to make it there without drowning and washed up upon the shore, finding it hard at first to get to his feet.
Alphinaud was coughing and sputtering for air before he let out a gasp, "I did it!"
"No time to rest, Master Alphinaud!" Yugiri called as they ran in to fight the Garleans and help the pirates along the shoreline. "Our allies are sorely pressed!"
He coughed out a lungful of saltwater before he reconvened to his feet and charged behind the two women, determined to aid wherever he could. The nearest pirate near them was the one who went by the name of Tansui—the second in command—and he waved them over.
"Well, look who it is. I won't say no to the help, but I'm not best pleased that we need it," he yelled at the three of them. Their first opponents weren't just the soldiers, but several mechanical rearguards who were stumbling around clumsily and seemed to get stuck in the soft sands beneath them. Claire was already at the heart of it, swinging her blade about and cutting through the metal as easily as if she was cutting paper. Yugiri was along the edge of the battle, dashing here and there, striking where you would least expect it, and oftentimes before her opponents even realized that they were in danger. He merely stood there as he casting healing spells to his allies, casting poisonous attacks upon his foes, as well as summoning out his Moonstone Carbuncle to aid in support.
But their actions were enough to cause the pirates to rally behind them as they fought viciously to take down the guards—who were the biggest threats. Once the soldiers were taken care of, it was all a matter of fighting the machines until they were broken beyond repair and were sent crashing to the ground.
"You're here for the old man, yes?" Tansui asked, "He's at the top. You'd best hurry."
At his words, they made a mad dash for the rickety stairs that took them up the top of the cliff to where they could hear more shouts and fighting above. As soon as they reached the top, they found more Garleans waiting for them… fighting the pirates as they flocked in to kick them out of their territory… there were explosions and blood was splattered on the ground with the burnt-out spots to where the damage was most obvious.
But they ran right through it all, looking for the one they were so desperate to see… and at last, they found him. Right there, was none other than Gosetsu… dressed in a brown kinmono and a rather battered katana in his hand as he knelt on one knee, struggling to get back to his feet.
In front of him was a band of Imperials with magitek armor units flanking them on either side… facing down Gosetsu while a woman cowered behind him.
"Gosetsu!" Yugiri cried, they ran in front of him, trying to shield him from the attackers.
"Damn it! We took too long," the Imperial yelled, realizing that they had some new foes to contend with, "Change of plan ─ eliminate hostiles! All forces ─ attack! Focus on the enemy! We'll see to Lady Yotsuyu when they're dead!"
"Come, let us even the odds!" Alphinaud yelled as he summoned his Moonstone Carbuncle once again and moved with the others. With Gosetsu right behind them, they charged ahead as the Imperials summoned several more armored magitek reinforcements.
"That they should still have magitek armor in reserve…" Yugiri said, all but dancing about the attacks before slashing viciously with her daggers at a weak part of the armor, "Steel yourselves!"
Easier said than done. It felt like bombs were falling about them and he was having a hard time trying to keep his balance as he moved about. Another thing that was difficult was that he needed to stay in one place for him to work his magicks and chant spells… it was hard to do so if he had to dodge every few minutes.
"Bah, we have no time for this!" the Imperial yelled, frustrated with their lack of progress.
"Watch out!" Tansui's voice yelled as he ran in to help and the rearguard they were fighting was sparking dangerously, "He means to blow it up!"
What?! Oh, like they didn't have enough problems. Still, they were able to ride out the explosion, taking minimal damage as more reinforcements answered the Imperial's commands.
"Two of them…" Yugiri said as two more rearguards appeared out of nowhere and were bearing down on them, "We shall need a strategy. Claire, draw the armor this way!"
Claire was happy to do so, and the rearguards followed after her, leading them to a little bit more open space to where their allies were able to attack from all sides and bring them down before they were able to spark and explode as well. But no sooner did they bring it down did the largest piece of magitek yet came rolling in. A Hexadrone that was built like a tank and was rolling over the ground with such force that it was leaving tracks in the stone beneath them.
"Have care!" Alphinaud yelled at the sight of it, "We know not what we face! Back! All of you!"
But the Hexadrone seemed to summon up more bomb-like magitek pieces that flocked around Claire as a laser from the airship above them came down upon her. He cried out in panic, trying to make it over to her, but not only did she take the hit from the laser, she was able to jump out of harm's way of the explosions.
"Mist and shade ─ take form and go forth!" Yugiri called as she stood back and gathered up her mudra for an attack.
"There are too many…" Alphinaud panted as four more rearguards appeared, before deciding that he wasn't going to let this go on any longer and began to gather all of his aether together.
"Draw them to me ─ I shall finish this!" he vowed to them all, not willing to let this fighting go on any longer and risk everyone's lives.
"Claire, my shadows and I shall tend to half," Yugiri called to her as Claire took on two of the rearguards, "The rest is yours!"
Both of them had two rearguards, and they were now fighting back to back as they drew the four together, waiting for Alphinaud to finish his spell…
He only hoped he didn't disappoint them.
Alphinaud stored up all of his power, ready to unleash everything he had left.
"All right ─ brace yourselves!" Alphinaud warned to his friends and they bolted out of the way as a staff of pure aether appeared in his hand and he held it up as he cried, "Stars above…rain destruction upon mine enemies!"
And his power was enough to bring down the meteor upon them… not yet strong enough to destroy them outright… but it did weaken them to a point that it was easy to break down their armor and destroy the cores before they blew up and did any more harm.
It was over… they were alive and their foes were either dead, destroyed, or had fled. Once they caught their breaths, they all turned back to Gosetsu, who was struggling to get back to his feet; and ran to him with elation in their faces. He was sure he wasn't the only one grinning from ear to ear as they reunited with him.
"Gosetsu! Thank the heavens!" Yugiri gasped joyfully, looking like she was ready to fling her arms around his neck in a hug.
"Yugiri, my friends…" Gosetsu said happily as he looked up, looking at them all with a fondness in his eyes, "The kami were kind to guide your steps this way."
Alas, their happiness was short-lived. At that moment, Tansui was walking up to them, looking well and relatively unscathed… but angry.
"It's over. The imperials are retreating. I suppose we have you to thank for that," he said before he shot a glare over at Gosetsu and added bitterly, "But they would never have come here were it not for her. I had a bad feeling the moment your samurai friend arrived with that woman in tow."
That's right. They all looked to the woman still hiding behind Gosetsu, who was looking startled and took a few steps back at the glares she was receiving. Just then, to everyone's surprise, Gosetsu looked back at her and said kindly, "Do not be afraid, Tsuyu. These people are my friends."
"Friends?" she repeated in confusion, as if she had never heard of such a word. She then looked over them all, and Alphinaud realized that she wasn't showing any signs of recognition… surely she would be showing anger… defiance? Shouldn't she? But instead, she merely took a few steps back and stood there quietly, much like how a young child would when they were told to be quiet while the grown-ups talked.
"Forgive me, but at the risk of souring the mood, I believe you owe us an explanation," Alphinaud said, wanting some answers to what was going on here, "You may start by telling us what happened at Doma Castle."
"Of course. I'll not begrudge you that," Gosetsu said, sounding tired as he explained, "As you know, we were trapped inside the keep when it collapsed. But even as the roof crumbled above us, so too did the floor below. We were swept out into the One River, where we would surely have drowned had a stout wooden door not chanced to float by, offering us a raft of sorts. Exhausted, we drifted out to sea, at the mercy of the tides…which saw fit to dispense us on a desert island."
Hearing it like that, he could almost see it happening in his mind's eye. He was told about how Gosetsu had single-handedly held up the collapsing ceiling for them… giving the others time to escape even as Yotsuyu fired bullets into him. But as soon as they managed to make it out of the castle, the rest of it caved in… but he could see the two falling through the crumbling floor as the castle continued to flood with water.
"She was with you the entire time?" Alphinaud questioned.
"Aye," he confirmed, "'Twas her kimono which saved her from Hien's blade, believe it or not. Some Garlean witchcraft in the weave. But it offered precious little protection against the fall. Though she survived, she awoke bereft of all her memories, and speaking like a child."
Alphinaud stared at him before looking back to Yotsuyu, who merely watched on sadly. She had forgotten…? Everything?
"A trick, surely?" Yugiri retorted darkly.
"That was my first thought, aye," Gosetsu confessed as Yotsuyu looked down to the ground as he added, "And I contemplated cutting her down and being done with it. Contemplated it long and hard…" He looked back to Yotsuyu and sighed, "Yet the kami saw fit to deliver us from certain death. 'Twas their will that we survive. Both of us. Together. And together we shall go before our master. He shall be the one to judge."
"Judge what…?" Yugiri asked, not understanding what he was trying to say. To be honest, Alphinaud was having a hard time figuring out his reasoning as well. What if this was a trick? Taking her back with them could serve to invite danger into their very mist. He remembered how they had allowed Lakshmi's followers right into the palace back in Ala Mhigo… he was not keen to welcome another viper.
"She's your prisoner, old man," Tansui said in annoyance, "Do with her as you will. Call her 'Tsuyu' or whatever else tickles your fancy."
"'Twas a name given out of necessity whilst on the road," Gosetsu snarled back, "Nothing more."
"As you say," Tansui said doubtfully, "But remember this: our people suffered much at that woman's hands. When the time comes, I trust you won't let emotion blind you to what needs to be done."
That was true. Yotsuyu had no shortage of people who hated her. Even if she had lost her memory, that didn't erase the crimes that she had done. Alphinaud opened his mouth, about to reassure Tansui that they wouldn't allow such a thing to happen, but Gosetsu beat him to it.
"You have my word," Gosetsu promised.
Tansui still didn't look happy about this, but he let them go after that. The rest of them decided that they should move on… for the last thing they wanted was for Yotsuyu to be spotted here. And if he knew Alisaie as well as he thought he did… she was surely waiting for them with the boat down near the pier.
And, of course, they went down to the docks to find her waiting there impatiently with Soroban… who was looking surprisingly woebegone. As soon as she saw them, she ran up, demanding to know what happened. They quickly explained to her everything that Gosetsu told them, as well as what happened in the battle—meanwhile, Gosetsu seemed to be explaining to Yotsuyu why they were going with these people.
Once he was done, Alisaie glanced up at him and smiled, "Gosetsu! Thank the gods you're safe! It was all I could do to watch the battle from afar!"
"And it was all I could do to restrain her," Soroban added with a slight huff and puff, as if he had been trying to carry around a large weight and was only now allowed to let go.
"Can you blame me for worrying?" Alisaie demanded, frightening him, "Strong as Claire is, anything could happen in the chaos. …But enough about me. We need to talk about her."
They all looked back to Yotsuyu, who was looking unnerved by the way they were staring at her.
"Um… Greetings?" she asked as Alisaie glared at her.
"They tell me you've lost your memory ─ and that's fine," Alisaie warned, "But I want you to know something: I won't be taking my eyes off you. Not for a moment."
Yotsuyu did not seem to like being treated like that and went straight up to Gosetsu and asked, "These people are strange. Are you sure they're your friends?"
Well, as convincing as this 'act' was, it sure wasn't earning her any admirers.
"I am," he reassured her, "They may behave…strangely, but I trust them with my life. You have naught to fear."
And to Alphinaud's surprise, his words seemed to be enough to calm her as she nodded and said, "All right, if you say so."
All the while, he noticed how Yugiri was watching the two with cold eyes, shaking her head, and not the least bit happy about any of this.
"R-Right!" Alphinaud called, feeling the tension between them all so heavily that you could cut through it with a knife. "'Tis past time we set sail! I for one would not keep Lord Hien waiting without due cause."
"Aye, and the longer we tarry, the more we risk inviting trouble," Soroban said at once, "Lest you forget, the Red Kojin bear no love for Yotsuyu either. I shall deliver you to familiar shores, near Isari but out of the villagers' sight."
No one said anything to each other as they set sail and began to make their way across the remainder of the Ruby Sea… coming to a small stretch of land just outside Isari. Alphinaud had heard of some of the treatment that Yotsuyu had given to the villagers here and if they were to catch sight of her there…?
He didn't want to think about it.
"Here is where we part ways, my friends. I pray the remainder of your journey passes uneventfully," Soroban said as he jumped off his ship and was waving them off. But before he left, he turned to Claire and added, "Claire, when you are not otherwise occupied, I would speak with you about my next business venture. It promises to be extremely lucrative, and I do not say so lightly. After the prodigious sum spent acquiring a certain sword, it would present a fine opportunity to refill the Scions' coffers and restore the smile to Mistress Tataru's face!"
So this 'business' he had been talking about did have something to do with Claire. Still, why were they all acting like they were in debt or something? Alphinaud shook his head though at his mention of Tataru's earlier behavior.
"Oh, come along ─ Tataru was overreacting," Alphinaud said with minor irascibility, "How much could a single katana possibly cost?"
Alright, now he knew that he was missing something here as he saw that many of them were shaking their heads and Claire was now looking like she was expecting something bad coming. He opened his mouth, about to ask, but it was his sister who answered.
"Far more than you think, plainly," Alisaie said with a roll of her eyes, "A blade like Gosetsu's is worth a fortune. Enough to buy a house and furnish it. Which you would know had you bothered to check the price."
That much? Why would that be? Suddenly understanding Tataru's anger at him, he gulped, knowing that he had made a big mistake.
"What? I-I had no idea…" he looked to Claire, "Th-This business venture of Soroban's ─ you will give it fair hearing, I trust? He has been good to us, after all! As for me, I…I think I shall look into drawing upon my personal funds…"
Claire seemed annoyed with him now and he didn't blame her. Once again, it would seem that his mistakes were costing her.
"Well, in that case," she said, turning her back to him and focusing on Soroban. "What is this business venture you have?"
"You would know more of my venture? Excellent!" Soroban cried out happily as he reached to a small sack tied to his belt and pulled out a rather worn out piece of parchment and handed it to her. "I should be glad to tell you all I know. Though perhaps it would be easier to let our anonymous client speak for his or herself. Here, their missive."
She took it and began to look over it while the others were beginning to wonder if it would be wise to cross over the rest of Yanxia to make it to the House of the Fierce right now—or wait a little longer to be on the safe side.
He focused mostly on Claire though as she read out:
"For the Ruby Sea and all who call her home, we seek the aid of the warrior who laid low the Lord of the Revel. But first, we bid her make haste to Hells' Lid and quell the oni that dwell in its deepest depths. Should she succeed in this test, we shall speak of the true endeavor and consummate reward."
"Strange proposal," she said as she handed the paper back to Soroban, who nodded.
"A strange proposal, aye, though it must be noted that they knew both of your deeds and of our part in them," Soroban agreed, "The Red have no love of trickery, so I doubt it a trap of theirs. And should this client have honest intentions, then for the sake of these waters, it may behoove us to engage them further. As for their test…?"
He then pulled out an elaborated dagger that was woven with silver and jewels in the handle.
"Enclosed with the missive was a magicked dagger, along with instructions as to how it may be used to open a hidden passage into the depths of Hells' Lid," Soroban explained, "I should mention that this dagger is old and exceedingly valuable. That our client was willing to entrust it to us without a guarantee of our cooperation bespeaks considerable wealth ─ and more importantly, considerable reward. If you are willing to undertake their trial, I shall journey to Hells' Lid and prepare to open the path. Ah ─ but given the financial incentive, I think it for the best if I went and fetched Mistress Tataru. Wait for us there, then?"
"Yes, I'm sure she will be thrilled to hear it, enough to make her forget most of her anger at Alphinaud," Claire agreed as Alphinaud flinched and Soroban went back to his ship, immediately turning the sail around and heading back to Kugane.
Claire waved him off before Yugiri approached and whispered to them that given the recent threat of the Garleans in the area, they felt that it would be for the best to wait a little longer before heading straight into Yanxia and risk being followed. They would wait and rest for a few hours… should the coast remain clear then they could continue on the rest of the way.
Claire nodded in agreement and told her that she was to keep an eye on everyone until she got back. Perhaps it was out of similar guilt out of the Scions now being out so much money for the sword that she didn't try to stop Claire going out.
"Be safe out there," Yugiri reminded her, "We will wait here for your return."
She turned around, heading back to Gosetsu and the others, her eyes never leaving Yotsuyu for long… as if she was expecting her to turn around and attack them at any moment. He looked back to Claire who was heading back towards the water and he asked, rather stupidly, "You're going to swim there?"
"It's not that far," Claire shrugged, not looking back at him. "Though, I suppose that someone has to try and put Tataru back into her good graces."
"Claire…" he began, "I didn't mean for…?"
"What is it?" she said and he knew he had messed up big time here and he flinched as if she struck him.
"Oh, you really are angry with me, aren't you?" he asked and she still kept her back to him.
"More annoyed," she confessed, not wanting to look at him. "Oh, so much you have to learn. I was almost forgetting that you are the son of a wealthy family, weren't you?"
That much was true. His parents never tried to spoil him, but he and his sister always had everything that they needed. He really didn't know the value of coin did he? At the least, he should have checked the price of the sword before making such an offer.
"You offered to pay for it as well," he pointed out and she sighed as she looked back at him.
"Because it was my money I was spending," she reminded him. "I'm no stranger to how expensive such weapons are. I've actually made a small fortune in forging katana and selling on the market. I worked hard for it and so I could do what I wanted with it."
That, only made him feel worse. The point she was silently telling him was that it wasn't someone else's money that she was spending.
She looked back and just gave him a smile and said, "I'm glad that you cared enough for such a gesture. It's just that you didn't really put it all into consideration, did you? And how you brushed off Tataru like that…?"
"I'm… I'm sorry…" he replied, looking down at his feet, feeling worse by the moment and planned to make it up to her and Tataru somehow.
Claire just shrugged and said, "Keep an eye on everyone. Hopefully, I'll be back soon."
She then continued walking out into the water until she was swimming… and then she dove under the water and out of his sights.
"Forgive me," he whispered to himself, knowing that she couldn't hear him anymore. He had wanted to prove that he had changed… but it seemed that he was still partly a spoiled lordling. He thought back to the person he was before… that smug little boy who took advantage of everyone around him…? He shook his head, not wanting to return to that.
He looked out to the water once again and thought more to the one who was swimming off to who-knows-what. She had no real gain from this… yet she held no qualms or hesitation… she just went off believing that she was making the right choice.
Yet despite how she reassured him that she wasn't angry… she must be so angry with him.
"I feel that I must apologize," said a voice and he jumped to realize that Gosetsu had joined him.
"Gosetsu?" he questioned as the old samurai shook his head.
"I used the tree upon our deserted island and some passing driftwood to make a raft," he explained. "It held up… barely. I thank the kami for allowing us to sail back to Kugane in one piece. But once there, we had nothing and I was left with no choice but to sell the one object of value that I had. I swear, I had no idea that you would discover my survival so soon. All this was over my katana?"
"Don't think like that," Alphinaud reassured him. "You are a friend and it was the least that we could do. But… forgive me, why did you not try to seek us out earlier? You could have gone to the Ruby Bazaar and informed…?"
That was when he looked back to Yotsuyu, who was now collecting shells along the coastline… with both Yugiri and Alisaie watching her every move like a hawk.
"You did not wish to be spotted?" he guessed and Gosetsu sighed.
"Perhaps it is foolish," he confessed, "But… I want to believe that there was a reason for this. I meant what I said that I thought long and hard about simply cutting her down once we washed ashore that island. But…?"
"No, I understand why you didn't," Alphinaud nodded. "It was the right thing to do." He looked to Yotsuyu again and watched as she examined the shells with a child-like wonder… as if she had never seen as shell before in her life and asked him, "Do you truly believe that she has lost her memory? Or is this an act?"
"In all honesty, I cannot say," Gosetsu confessed as he looked back. "After all that she has been through, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that she had been lying this whole time. But…?"
"Its all very convincing," Alphinaud agreed dully. He supposed that it made sense. Still though… if she was lying, why would she willing follow Gosetsu all the way to Doma when she knew that she was bound to be recognized? She was hated here… and thinking back to how the people of Ala Mhigo were so thirsty for blood that they wanted to execute Fordola… he was certain that the Doman people would be just as… eager for her execution. If nothing else, he would have thought that she would try and escape Gosetsu the moment they returned to Kugane where she would be less likely of being discovered. Or return with the Imperials the moment they found her here?
He didn't know what to think. But he would keep an eye on her and watch to see what would happen. He turned his gaze back to the ocean again and wondered what she thought about this whole thing.
"You alright, lad?" Gosetsu asked him. "I've seen her in battle plenty of times. I'm sure she will be fine. It won't be long before she returns to us."
"I know that," Alphinaud nodded. "And perhaps it would be good if she spends a little time away from me. I think that she's… mad at me."
"Is she?" he asked in surprise, "She sure doesn't seem so?"
"Oh, it's very difficult to tell her emotions," Alphinaud confessed, "But I've been with her long enough to at least have reasonable guesses to how she's feeling. I don't know how else I can describe it. Still. It seems that I have pushed my… financial problems onto her. Hopefully, this little venture can solve everything… and I will find a way to apologize to her and Tataru later."
"I wouldn't worry too much," Gosetsu said kindly. "I am sure that she's already forgiven you. If not, then I swear that I will find a way to repay every coin myself! 'Tis my fault after all."
"After all that you have done, it's the least we could do," Alphinaud said firmly. "No, I will find a way out of this myself. Somehow…?"
He thought it over for a moment before looking back up at him and asked, "Back there… that day at Doma Castle. You were willing to die to protect Hien and the others, weren't you?"
"I had not expected to survive, if that is what you mean," Gosetsu admitted. "I believe I did so out of mere force of habit. But yes. If my death was what allowed my lord Hien and the others to get out, then by all means. I was prepared to meet the kami at that moment. Why they thought spare us, I cannot say."
"Yes, but… do you ever regret walking this path?" Alphinaud asked him hurriedly. This was something that he desperately needed to know. Was it possible that one could have such a duty but still live a life of happiness? He knew Claire well enough to know that she wasn't truly happy with her life at this point. Despite how much she may deny it, he knew that this wasn't what she wanted. But, whenever she was in a place where she was happy, she felt guilty… that she felt that she was putting her needs above that of others.
They hadn't really been able to discuss their greatest fear at this point. The fact that they were both aware that Claire could meet her end at any moment. It may not have happened yet, but at some point he was all but certain that a day will come when they send her out on a mission that she will not return from.
What then?
What would become of them when that moment comes?
He would certainly never recover.
He wanted her in his life, but he was terrified that if he allowed their relationship to go forward… it would only end in heartbreak. And when that moment came… he did not think that he would be strong enough to handle the pain.
"I am not certain I understand what you mean," Gosetsu said with a frown.
"It's just that… well… I don't…?" Alphinaud stuttered before falling silent and sat down on the beach in frustration.
Gosetsu may not understand what he meant, but he seemed to realize that Alphinaud's emotions were all a turmoil inside him so he sat on the sands next to him as he waited. He didn't press him for information as Alphinaud struggled to figure out how to put this.
"If you…" he began, "Found someone you wanted to be with… but had all these responsibilities, these duties… responsibilities that could end your life at any moment. How could you make it work? To carry out your sense of duty but to also find time for happiness and… love?"
Gosetsu frowned as he thought that question over.
"It would certainly be difficult… painful even," he admitted. "But… just because you know that such a thing could very easily end in a devastating way… do you really believe that it's not worth fighting for in the first place?"
"No, that's not it!" he countered quickly, "She is worth it. She's always been and I…?"
He suddenly realized that he was blabbering and he stopped, pulling his legs up until he had his face against his knees as he sat there, trying not to die of humiliation.
"So, 'tis you who has special feelings for her?" Gosetsu smiled when he saw Alphinaud merely nod. "And does she, have feelings for you?"
"Yes," he said with his voice muffled as he spoke without raising his head. "But… we… we're stuck… we've been stuck in the same place for a long time now. We both want to try and make it work. But… how can we when we know that her duties carry her so far away? And what will become of us when the day comes that she is not able to return? I don't know… I don't know how I would…?"
He wasn't sure why he was confessing all this to Gosetsu. Perhaps, he just needed the advice of someone older and wiser… someone who walked a similar path and could give him insight to what they should do. Gosetsu had always seemed to put duty before him… did he have any regrets?
Alphinaud needed to know. He needed something to build off of.
He finally risked a glance and poked his head up just a little to see the frown on Gosetsu's face as he thought over his words.
"I can sympathize with the pain you are in," he confessed softly. "Believe me… I do understand. And I truly wish I know the right thing to say to comfort you. But I know not how to put it in a way that you will accept. May you… may you give me some time to think it over? I want to give you an answer that I know you will be satisfied with."
Alphinaud nodded. He would wait and hear what Gosetsu's answer was before he made any real decisions. Instead, he just focused on the water and wondering how she was doing out there so far. He wondered if the gods were growing tired of his prayers for them to see her safely home to him… but if they were, he was grateful that they answered his prayers every time.
(Don't worry, she won't be mad at him for long. I already came up with a good way that he was going to repay her later on ;)