Chapter 28 – A Friend Is A Friend Indeed
Time & Again – The Temple of Time
' Times Change and People Move On
But A True Friend Will Always
Remember You'
The rain pounded on the rooftop of the small river boat as it bounded through the water. A conflation of ripples dotted the surface of the water and branched out around them. On the bank the wind bowed the trees and made their leave flicker in a fluttering dance. The air was heavy and humid and added fuel to the storm. In fact, steam hissed up in some places where the cool rain hit the hot earth.
Sakura lifted her hair from the back of her neck and then rolled her shoulders in agitation. She let the short strands fall and then gave into the temptation. She stepped out onto the deck of the small river barge and let the rain soak her.
Within seconds she was drenched. Her hair lay plastered to the side of her face and neck and her clothes hugged her tightly as rivets of water rolled down her heated skin. She sighed in bliss and closed her eyes and raised her head to the sky.
Keno, the silent warrior, and she had been on this boat for a week. After they had arrived back at the temple, they had set out on the same path that she herself had taken over ten years ago but this time there was no wolf beside her.
She saw the forest from the small village where she had first met him and she smiled secretly to herself. But from there the journey had taken a different turn. She remembered back to the day that Keno had looked at her with his now serious and dark gaze and told her:
"..... this land has become an empire. King Li has called allegiance with many clans and secured our future. Much is, as you are finding, different since your time here. Up ahead there is a river ferry that will cut weeks off our journey. The sooner that we get to Fukkatsu the better. "
" Fukkatsu? " Sakura had inquired curiously.
" The fields where you and king Li fought and defeated Jacousta. It is the name of the great empire. " Keno had replied monotonously as they headed into the river-side village.
" Oh, I see. " Sakura replied as she stepped out of an old man's path.
" Once we are on board and we are alone I will explain to you the reason why I was sent to reclaim you….. "
Sakura sighed and wiped the rain drops clinging to her eyelashes away. She turned and started walking around the small deck. Her boots splashed in puddles and her image, reflected in them, was distorted.
" … Keno why am I here? " Sakura had asked that long ago night.
" The king is in danger. " was all he said. He stared out at the moon as they sailed along and then turned to her his face half in light and shadow. " Sir Oswaine is dying. "
" Wait – What? " Sakura shook her head to clear it. " How can Li be in danger if Oswaine is dying? And wait, how do you know Oswaine is dying? "
" Use your head. " Keno had fired back. " Li is surrounded by guards but they are all under Sir Oswaine. To get to Li you have to get the guards out of the way and what better way to do it than to knock the head guard out of the way and send his men into confusion and calamity? "
" I understand all that but what makes you think Oswaine is sick? " Sakura had persisted.
" It doesn't take a genius to see that someone has gotten to the old fool. Reports are that he was healthy as a horse one day and then almost dead the next. " Keno had shifted and rested his head back against the cabin wall. " No trace of what caused his illness can be found. It's a mystery. But nothing is unexplained. It just means that whoever it is knows how to hide their tracks. "
" So this is why you came to find me? " Sakura asked swallowing the lump in her throat. " To help Oswaine? "
" And to stop whoever it is from getting to king Li. " Keno replied.
" I see…. " Sakura had looked away out into the night and wondered why she wanted to cry.
She felt, rather than saw, Keno studying her in the weak moonlight. She had heard him sigh and the he shifted so he was crouched down in front of her and she felt his hand grab her chin gently and force her to look at him.
" Sakura I have seen a great many of things that have disturbed me. Yes there are reasons why I brought you back here but you have to remember that you are outside the cloth. No matter what happens you must remember that. "
" You sound just like Allendra. " Sakura murmured.
" Good, make sure you remember it. " and with that he had sat back and let her go.
" Tell me Keno. " Sakura had stood and gone to stand in front of the small window and turned to look over at him. " What have you been doing since I last saw you? "
" Surviving. " came the curt reply.
" You left the farm. Why? "
" Because I wanted adventure. I wanted to be like you and that damn wolf. But if I had known what I do now I would not have left. Because of you Sakura, my life is destroyed. "
Sakura had balked like he had slapped her. His words were so cold and certain. She tried to find something to say and found nothing. She felt the hurt and shook her head to clear it. She turned to face him.
" That is a harsh thing to say Keno. How can you blame me for something that I never made you do? "
" And like the hands of time… " Keno continued as if she had not spoken. " You are about to lead me along to places I do not wish to go. "
" Then leave. " Sakura snarled. " There is the God-damn door. Don't let it hit you on the way out. " she turned around and seethed furiously.
" It is not that easy. " he replied after a few moments of silence.
" Let me guess, " Sakura snarled sarcastically. " I'm the one forcing you to stay here. "
" No. " Keno replied in the darkness as a cloud passed over the moon. " Allous is. "
" Oh please. " Sakura snorted in disbelief. " Don't try and tell me that. "
" You do not believe any more? " Keno asked carefully becoming very still in the twilight.
" How do you expect me to believe in something that never touched me? Never spoke to me? All that fuss over me seven years ago was a ploy Keno. I was never touched by Allous. A stupid incense burner fell from the wall and I was beneath it. I used people's faith shamelessly all those years ago to give them strength when they had none in the face of fear. "
" So you have no faith? " he asked again.
" Keno how could I after all these years? I sat in that ruin almost everyday that I was discharged out of the hospital and begged and sobbed until I was hoarse but still no Divine Entity came to me and allowed me to pass back over. Nothing Keno. I was completely and utterly…. alone. "
" You cannot tell me that. " Keno stood up and glared at her. " You cannot believe that everything that has ever happened to you has been a lie. You were brought here in the first place. There are no coincidences Sakura, only inevitabilities. Do you think that the wolf just strayed into your path by accident? Do you think you survived just because you were lucky? " he slashed at the air angrily. " You are a fool. "
" Then why couldn't Allendra see what Hektabah had done? " Sakura demanded her voice rising. " If Allous is so damn powerful why didn't her favorite tell her what was happening to me?!! "
The slap echoed and Sakura held her cheek as she glared angrily at Keno. Tears clung to her lashes and her eyes promised retribution.
" How dare you. " she muttered.
" You think you have had it bad? " Keno sounded nothing like the young man she had come to get used to. Now he sounded exactly what he was – a Shadow Warrior. " Living your life in comfort and wealth. Spare a thought for all of us who have had to live through the years after the war. You think everything just ended up Happily Ever After? " he clenched his fists and snarled.
" We have all had to fight to survive. Do things that we are not proud of but when you don't have food and no where to sleep you make what skills you have useful. Families who were torn apart then are still torn apart now. You've seen the poor fools lining the docks begging for food. Perhaps you were sent away so you could survive. But looking at what you have done to yourself in selfish self pity makes me wonder whether I should have brought you back here at all. How the hell are you going to protect yourself? "
Sakura hugged herself self consciously. She knew that she was skinny more so than what was claimed healthy but to admit that the pain that she had lived with every day was nothing but her spoilt and selfish feelings was completely untrue.
" Keno… you are wrong. " Sakura forced herself to step closer to him and look up at him. " You have no idea what it feels like to loose the other half of yourself. You forget to feel anything other than the emotional and physical pain of being away from the one you love. " she looked down at the ring she wore.
" Nothing mattered but remembering his face. I became a shadow walking through life not because I chose to live that way but because I had no choice. I drowned Keno. I was drowning. "
" And you think you have him now? " Keno had demanded clasping her shoulders and shaking her. " You are a mere peasant to him now. You think you can waltz in there and before you know it you'll be married? " he pushed her away and laughed coldly. " You really are living in a fantasy. "
" There's something I want to know Keno. " Sakura asked and her tone made him pause. He looked up and found that tears were streaming down her face highlighted by the moonlight as it drifted out from behind the clouds.
" When did you become so cruel? " and with that she push passed him and was outside on the deck.
They hadn't really talked much after that. What could be said? They had both been changed by the passage of time and choices that they had made. She shivered as the cool rain slipped under her collar and slid down her skin. Thunder rumbled in the distance but she wasn't worried. They were docking in the next few hours and from there they were hiring horses and riding the rest of the way to Fukkatsu.
" We won't be going to the palace outright. " Keno stepped out behind her getting as wet as she.
" Oh? "
" No. We have to remain unseen; blend in. It is out mission to flush out the traitor and expose them. Until that is accomplished Li cannot know that you have returned. "
" Very well. " Sakura replied stiffly. " What are we going to do to remain unseen? "
" I am going to pretend that I am a soldier. My sources say that Lord Tori and Lord Julian are recruiting. I can slip in amongst their ranks and watch and learn. You on the other hand I am sure of what to do with you. "
" I could be a kitchen maid. I mean you already said that I was mere peasant so why not play the part? But you are going to have to get your sources to get me inside. "
Keno nodded behind her in thought though she didn't turn to look at him. The thought of being around everyone and not being able to greet them pained her but she knew that Oswaine's life came first.
" When we dock we will go to the local inn and see if they can spare you some clothes. We are going to have to really work to get this to go ahead without fault. "
" Don't worry about me. " Sakura murmured and promised herself that she would do her best to outdo Keno in everything.
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Keno paced back and forth in front of the small lean too and muttered under his breath. " What the hell is taking her so long? " They had bought the second hand clothes from the owner of the last inn. The clothes had certainly seen better days but for their guise it was perfect.
Sakura had insisted on buying some herbs from the market and already itching with impatience, Keno had gone and hired the horses that would take them to the castle. They had galloped for a few miles out of town before Keno had urged his mount to slow when he saw the lean too.
Sakura had gone inside and already half and hour had passed. He turned and glared at the lean too. " If you don't come out of there in five minutes I am coming in there to get you. " he called over the rising wind.
" Excuse me sir? " a timid voice came from behind him and Keno turned not sparing the dirt stained vagrant a second glance. " Are ye a talkin' to someone? "
" Yes, " Keno muttered still glaring at the lean too. " But she is taking up too much of our time. "
" Oh that is too bad. " came the sad voice and Keno sighed and turned to look at the latest interruption.
The girl wasn't too tall but then she was hunched like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her face and clothes were covered in dirt like most of the farmers' daughters of the area and her hair was black and damp like she had just had a bath.
When that registered his gaze narrowed and he looked the young woman up and down. She smiled and as she did the wind blew her hair away from her face and he saw the familiar emerald eyes and the scar on her fore head. He stepped back like he had been slapped and the smile on Sakura's face disappeared into a worried frown.
" Do ye think ye can get me work at the castle? " she mimicked the more common narrative of the lesser folk and wrung her hands worriedly. " I need the work to keep us going right? "
" How the - ? " Keno stuttered.
" Come on ye are wasting time. " Sakura him a meaningful look as she walked past him and mounted her mare.
Keno shook his head and walked slowly to his horse watching her. It was remarkable. He gave her credit that was for sure. No one could have pulled it off more effectively. He swung up into the saddle and together they galloped towards Fukkatsu.
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After that initial surprise Keno wasn't at all surprise that they slipped into their new roles easily and without mishap. He enrolled as a new recruit and Sakura managed to secure a place in the castle kitchens as one of the maids.
They both worked ridiculous hours and when they retired to their small run-down cottage that Keno had found they were both too exhausted to talk.
They both woke early and headed their separate ways. When they were asked why they shared a house together they simply replied that they were cousins and had no one else to turn to. It was a simple excuse but one that was common enough to be understood.
And so the days passed and turned into weeks and before either knew it, a month had passed and neither of them were any closer to finding any information on the traitor. Whoever it were was very clever indeed.
Sir Oswaine's health had not improved and these days he seemed to be slipping further away every day.
Sakura was furious with herself. She had been determined to come here and find out all she could but so far she had done nothing but learn her new role as a kitchen maid. She roamed the castle grounds when she was free and kept out of the way but nothing caught her attention. Nothing untoward seemed to be happening.
Determined to speak to Keno about her fears and frustrations she went to the training field where all the new recruits were training. She rounded a corner and then looked up. She gaped and then backed up until her back hit the stone wall and she slid back around where no one could see her.
Her heart up in her throat and pounding furiously Sakura edged her self around the corner and peeked at the one person she had yet to lay eyes on. No matter how easy she thought she could handle it still didn't prepare her for the reality of seeing him.
Syao – King Li stood with his back to her as he looked at the men on the training field. He was much taller than she had remembered him and he looked – her breath caught when he turned his profile to her and she could see the man he had become. He was still a boy when she had left but here before her was a man in his prime.
He was not broad but neither was he thin. He lifted his sword easily and walked onto the training field and beckoned one of the soldier's to face him. She was so busy watching Li that it took her a little longer to notice who he was training against.
She almost called out when she saw Keno go up against Li. She knew how he fought and knew Keno didn't stand chance. She watched them warm up and get the gist of each other's measure. The Keno struck and Sakura swallowed the lump in her throat.
They clashed time and time again but neither fell nor was injured. It was, in a bizarre way, like a dance between them. Sweat poured off them but still they continued on. Then Keno stuck his leg behind Li's and Li tumbled to the ground. Keno struck and many voices called out as the soldiers gathered around them closer trying to watch.
Sakura stepped out from the safety of the wall and watched in horror.
Keno's muscles rippled across his back as he struck again and again in quick succession to keep Li down on the ground. Li kicked out and nearly got Keno's sword in his side. He rolled and snarled at his opponent.
Li used his sword to block Keno while his wrapped his legs around Keno's knee and twisted to the side taking Keno with him. Keno lost his sword but decided to use his fists instead. Sakura stared horrified at the display that they were putting on. Children of the maids and squires to be raced to the fray to watch the violence as the two men grabbled around on the ground using fists and feet any way they could.
Fleeing to the well Sakura hauled up the back breaking bucket and carried it as fast as she could to the barracks that were beside the training field. No one noticed her as she climbed the stairs sloshing water every where. She heard one of them give a bellow and frowned even more.
She sat the bucket on top of the stone wall and looked down angrily at the men who rolled around in the dirt like pups. This had gone beyond training. She grabbed the bucket and dumped the cold contents on the two men below.
Mud sputtered everywhere and broke the two men apart instantly. Li jumped to his feet heaving in breath and looked around the now silent crowd. Keno stared up at the barracks with blood covering his chin from his split lip as did several others and Li raised his head to see the young maid glaring down at them.
" Shame on ye then for fighting like a pups in front of the young'uns. " she snarled and set the bucket on the wall with a click. " Ye should be setting an example like for them and not thinkin' it be aright to be using fists to settle a score. " and with that she turned on her heel and disappeared from view.
" Who was that? " Li looked around the crowd but none to seem to know who she was. Keno let a calm mask fall into place and pretended ignorance while inside he seethed. Sakura risked much with that little display. He'd have a word with her later. But for now he needed to clean up. He bowed to Li and walked away.
Li watched the young man go away and his face revealed nothing, even as he turned and raised his head to look where the young maid had been.
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The light was fading from the sky leaving the day faded and washed out. The trill of the night birds called across the forest and the castle grounds. The guards called the changed watch and the bell, high in one of the towers, announced that dinner was served.
Hidden away far behind the castle, smoke curled from the chimney of a small hunting lodge. It hadn't been used in years and was slowly being claimed once again by the forest. Inside, Sakura gathered up the soap and her towel, a mere scrap of rough linen, and opened the door. She stepped back as Keno stalked inside and slammed the door glaring at her.
" What in seven hells were you thinking? " he demanded furious. " Do you want this mission to fail? "
" And you think pounding the blood out of each other is not making a public spectacle of yourself either? " Sakura retorted angrily.
" If I didn't train I would be excused. I need to keep this position even if I have to pound on your beloved. " he snarled.
" This is not about me is it? " Sakura asked stepping past him and opening the door. " You are not angry at me for what I did. No you are miffed because I broke up the one chance you had for pounding the hell out of Li and getting away with it. You wanted to put all the blame on me and Li for making your life so hard but you forget the simplest thing Keno. "
" And what is that? " he demanded.
" Li and I may have put ideas into your head about grand adventures and such, " she took hold of the door and looked over her shoulder at him. " But it was you who took that first step along the road. Li and I never made you do that. " and with that she closed the door and he was left seething in silence.
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Sakura walked along the path that would lead her to the river. The evening was still light enough that she could see her way clearly but she stopped and watched the huge, bright moon rise slowly above the mountains in the distance.
She said the small prayer that she was taught to honor Allous and then turned and went on her way to the river. She found her secret spot were no one would find her at all and quickly removed her clothes.
She slipped into the cool water and sighed in sheer delight. Hiding in amongst the maids and footmen meant that she didn't get to bathe as often as she would have liked. While she hated that she knew she couldn't risk being too clean all the time and getting everyone's attention.
She ducked under the water and grabbed the small cake of soap she had bought from the markets. She lathered her hair and scrubbed until her scalp hurt. Then she rinsed and then lathered it again. While she let that soak she waded to the shore and grabbed her clothes and dunked them. She lathered the soap into them and scrubbed all the dirt and kitchen stains out of them the best she could.
She rinsed her hair and then set to the task of cleaning the dirt and grime from her skin. She grit her teeth and remembered why she was doing this.
When she was clean she paddled and swam up and down the river and watched the moon float higher and higher. She sat on a rock and let the warm breeze dry her off. She lifted her hand to brush her hair off her neck and saw the flash of the silver ring as it caught the moonlight.
She paused and stared down at the silver band thinking. She had made a promise and she had broken it. Keno was right; she did need to set him free. She dressed in her damp clothes and walked back. But she didn't return to the lodge.
She went to the castle….
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Sakura snuck around the corner and listened. No one stirred and she couldn't hear anyone coming. She ducked into the servants' stairs and ran all the way up where she paused once more. She stuck her head around the corner and waited while a few maids walked past carrying trays of food.
When it was clear she darted down the hall way and then passed the door she knew to be the one she wanted. She couldn't just enter; she had to make sure it was clear. She darted down another hallway and then out to a small balcony. She and Keno both had learnt the scope of the castle in the first week that they had come.
She sat of the edge of the stone wall and turning around, slid into the other balcony. She snuck forward and rounded the corner and then stopped when she came to open doors. They had been open to obviously let the cool night air into the hot room. The wind lifted the wet strands of her hair off the back of her neck and she shivered.
Light from inside the room lit the patch of stone in front of her but she inched forward and listened. She heard a maid asking if that was all and heard her be dismissed and waited. The moon was a bright light and Sakura almost wished it was completely dark for this task.
She crept forward and stared into the room. She saw the man lying in his bed and she swallowed the lump in her throat. Taking a deep breath she edged into the room and clutching her skirts in tight fists, she moved into the patch of moonlight and spoke:
" Hello Oswaine… "
The man in the bed jerked and turned his head to stare at her. Though his movements were slow and she could see how badly affected he was by his illness.
" Who are ye?!! " he demanded trying to sit up.
" Please. I mean you no harm. " Sakura spoke softly as if trying to comfort a frightened puppy. She stepped forward slowly and made her way to the side of the bed. She leant forward and took Oswaine's frail hand in her own and held it close. " I am so sorry that this is happening to you old friend. " she said softly. " I wish I knew how I could help you. "
" Who are ye? " Oswaine whispered watching her with amazing clear eyes despite the frail body.
" You wouldn't believe me even if I were to tell you. " she smiled trying to ease his fear but she could feel his pulse leap under her soft touch.
" Then why are ye here? " he demanded. " Are ye here to finish me off? "
" Finish you- " her eyes widened and she shook her head. " Gods no. I would never do anything to hurt you. If anything I am hear to try and help you. " she let go of his hands and sat gently on the edge of the bed. " I take it from your reaction that you know that someone here is poisoning you? "
" And that they are succeeding. " Oswaine rasped and Sakura leant forward and poured him a cup of water and helped him drink it.
" Yes. I cannot tell you too much but I am here to help you if I can. I need you to tell me everything you know. That way I can try and discover who is doing this vile deed. "
" And why should I trust ye? "
" Because I wouldn't expect anything less from you. " Sakura smiled and he blinked watching her. She was about to speak when his gaze narrowed and with surprising speed given his illness, grasped her hand and lifted it.
" Where did ye get this? " he demanded staring at the small silver band on her finger.
" I cannot say. " Sakura shook her head and tried to pull her hand free but he tightened his hold and she raised her eyes to meet his.
" Cannot or won't? " Oswaine shot back.
" Both. " Sakura replied quietly.
" Hmm… " he let her hand drop and then looked at her once more. " All right. I have nothing else to loose so I will tell ye all I know and then ye can see if something can be done. I guess I am not to be sayin' anything to anyone else? "
" That would be appreciated. "
" Verra well then. " Oswaine sighed and settled back his mind racing. " It all began… "
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" …and so as the alliance meeting draws closer Oswaine finds that he is getting weaker and weaker and no time to recover. " Sakura finished and watched Keno's face for any kind of reaction.
He stood and walked to the window and clasped his hands behind his back. Finally he spoke:
" Did you always disobey Li and cause trouble? Or does it just naturally follow you along? "
" Well ah.. " Sakura turned away and heard him laugh softly.
" I yell at you it doesn't faze you. I lecture you I get the same result and I try and reason with you and you go and do it anyway. Allous be damned you are a pain. "
" Do you always compliment women you meet that way? " Sakura retorted dryly.
" No, only stubborn and selfishly willful ones. " Keno replied.
" I am not selfish. " Sakura shot back and she heard him hmmph in disagreement. " I'm not. When it concerns those that gave their all to protect me and were friends with me before, " Sakura stated eying Keno's back. " then I will do anything to return the favor and I can't let Oswaine die. I just can't. "
" Putting all that aside, " Keno turned to face her. " We need to focus all our resources on the Alliance Council. "
" Keno we can't even hope to achieve that all on our own. " Sakura retorted shaking her head.
" We can .." Keno began but she cut him off.
" No we can't. " Sakura stated firmly standing up. " We need more than just the two of us. As it is I am going to be doing everything I can to help stop whoever is poisoning Oswaine. I am going to have to be his servant to get him strong enough. "
" What you suggest in unreasonable. " Keno began.
" Keno will you just listen to me for once?! " Sakura snapped her eyes flashing in the low light. Keno frowned, crossing his arms but raised his brow arrogantly for her to continue. " Just use your head and think. " Sakura seethed. " If Oswaine appears at the Alliance Ceremony healthy, if not a hale, then whoever is trying to kill him will be forced to step forward. They will have no choice. They need him dead to succeed. "
" If what you say is true, " Keno replied. " Then we are going to have to watch that room like a hawk. "
" No. We are going to need all the help we can get. "
" And who do you think we can call in for this? " he demanded. " We can't just post a note on the wall and hope soldiers will come. For one, how the seven hells are we supposed to trust them Sakura? "
" Keno you are forgetting one important thing. " Sakura shook her head and sighed tiredly.
" Oh and what is that? " Keno retorted sarcastically.
" I have friends in very high places. "
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The wind was chill and Sakura shivered beneath her cloak. Beside her, Keno shot her a look, but she pretended to ignore it. She looked around the small clearing and looked up at the sky that promised rain.
Keno shifted restlessly and she knew he kept his hand close to his dagger. Allous only knew what else he had on him but at least she knew she would be safe with him. Despite the fact that Keno blamed her for his life falling apart he was inclined to protect her no questions asked.
A shiver went up her spine and she knew instantly that they were being watched. She shifted looking around and Keno was instantly alert beside her. Nothing stirred but she knew he was there.
" What is it? " Keno hissed beneath his breath. " I don't hear anything. "
" Come out Devil. " Sakura called from inside the hood of her cloak. " I know you are there. "
The clearing around them was still but Sakura turned around and saw the shadow behind her. Keno whirled around but her hand stayed him. The dark shape stepped forward and Sakura saw Tori's dark frown.
" You too Angel. " Sakura called smiling to herself. " No point in hiding. I know you are there."
" How did you -? " Tori asked looking around him suspiciously.
" I know that one cannot exist without the other and that is the way it has always been. You do not go anywhere without your companion. " she turned and smiled at Julian as he stepped out from the bushes knowing that the deep hood prevented him from seeing it.
" We got your note. " Julian said frowning as he looked around him warily.
" And I thank you both for coming. " Sakura bowed her head towards them. " Understand that this is a matter of great delicacy and I did not want unnecessary ears hearing it. "
" You are from the new regiment. " Tori stated matter-of-factly looking at Keno. He in turn, remained silent glaring at the two.
" Yes he is. " Sakura said for him and had two sets of eyes looking at her. She swallowed the lump in her throat and began. " I have something to tell you and I ask that you listen. You can ask questions later. " and so she told them. She told them about Oswaine and what they suspected.
" …And so I ask you that you help us. I ask that you and those that you trust without question will help us protect the king and sir Oswaine and help us flush out the traitor. "
The clearing was silent. Her cloak swirled around her feet and danced in the cold air. Rain started to fall hitting the dirt in small spots until in blanketed the ground and the quartet standing under the cover of the trees.
A dark scowl came over Tori's face and without warning he marched forward and grabbed the hood of her cloak and threw it backwards. Keno withdrew his dagger and pushed Tori away from her but needn't have bothered for Tori was staring at her in shock.
Emerald green eyes stared back at him calmly.
" I know you. " Tori muttered confused. Julian stepped up beside and his head tilted to the side looking at her with a frown.
" It has been an awfully long time but yes, you do know me. " Sakura replied softly, a tinge of sadness in her voice. Thunder rumbled overhead and her black hair swirled around her.
Keno snarled and reached out and grabbed her shoulder. " This was a waste of time Sakura. These two can't help us. " he backed away not trusting either of the silent men and didn't miss the startled look that passed across their faces as he dragged Sakura away with him.
" Wait! " Julian stepped forward and held up his hands placating. " Sakura? " he queried looking at Sakura who stared back at them calmly. " We have not heard that name in years. "
" I'd hoped you hadn't forgotten me. " Sakura replied smiling even though Keno's hand was bruising her. Then tension thrumming through him was enough to match the sky above them.
" After all how can you forget the only one who managed to defeat you Tori? " she sent him a haughtily smug look and watched the latter straighten in shock.
Thunder boomed above them and leaves fluttered around them as the rain danced all around them.
" Allous above. " Tori muttered and his face was pale in the faint light. " It can't be. " he took his eyes of the two before them and turned to Julian. " She's supposed to be dead. "
" Just who the hell told you I was dead?! " Sakura demanded hotly her hands on her hips glaring at them.
Tori blinked and then threw his head back and laughed. Sakura frowned and Julian looked at his friend with concern as Tori's chest heaved as he bellowed with laughter. He clapped Julian on the back and chuckled hysterically.
" I thought you said that he was supposed to remember you? " Keno asked dryly. " Not become demented. " he nodded his head towards the man who was leaning on his best friend still laughing.
" Hmm… " Sakura stepped forward shrugging off Keno's hand and walked up to the two men. She looked up at the tall, dark man in front of her and reached up and gently cupped Tori's rough, shaved face. He calmed and looked down into her face. She smiled warmly her eyes twinking in the faint light.
" It's ok…. I'm here… "
Tori reached for her hesitantly and watching her smiling face gently wrapped his arms around her small fall and rested his head on her shoulder. Sakura closed her eyes and smiled contentedly. She suspected the heaving of his back was no longer laughter. She patted his back and hugged him back.
She eventually looked over his back to Julian and noticed with a start of alarm that tears ran down Julian's face but he was smiling at her. She held out her hand towards him and Julian lost his smile and she beckoned him once more and he stepped forward and wrapped her in his embrace.
Keno stood back and watched the three of them standing in the middle of the rain holding each other like all was right in their small world once more. His chest burnt and he clutched his shirt tightly trying to ease the pain.
Allous had shown him much and he a mission to fulfill but no where in her revelations did she show him what he wanted most….
TBC
Author's Note
Sorry for the long delay; hope that this makes up for it. I will try and get the other one out soon. Someone asked me who Allous was and this is what I say to you:
Who is God?
Does anyone really know?
That is all you will get from me. Till next time.
