Chapter 25:
Hotohori looked at the boy's outstretched hand .He paused for a while before answering, "Shinwa .My name is Shinwa."
Liang grinned broadly grasping Hotohori's hand "Shinwa huh .Now lets get that sake."He thrust a friendly arm around Hotohori's shoulders "Yer paying of course."
Hotohori's lips twitched "Of course."
' I am lost anyway.' He reasoned ' And due to some weird reason I like this boy .Its almost like I can trust him.'
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From her concealed position Keeah watched Liang lead Hotohori away .She saw him cast a last look around, his sharp eyes scanning the abandoned building before being led away by Liang .She let Hotohori's ki move far away before she let the concealment spell she had wove around herself melt away.
' What is this demon? Are you so easily distracted from your goal?'
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"Me thinks ya and me will get along great."Liang declared leading Hotohori through the winding streets "As long ya know who the boss is."
Hotohori was finding it hard to control his laughter "Right boss."He tried to get into character.
"Hah!" Liang slapped him on his back making Hotohori stumble a little "Yer a wise guy .I like yer style."
"Thank you."
"Nah-uh. What'd I say? No manners."
"Well then .How about ...Whatever bub."
Liang was pleased "Good .Its a start."
Hotohori who had known nothing but stress and anxiety during these past few days was beginning to enjoy this light hearted banter when he remembered that he had rushed out without informing anybody.
' Menesku will be terribly angry ...No, he will be furious .Of course since I am the Prince he will not yell at me.' Hotohori smiled wryly ' He will just give me the silent treatment which I swear is much worse.'
"Excuse me."He addressed Liang, casting a look around "Do you know where we are?"He had to know how far he was from the inn where he was staying.
Liang looked around "Damme if I know."
"I beg your pardon!"
"I am new here ya know."Liang dropped his voice to a whisper "But we can't let them bastards know. Them assholes will rip the clothes off yer back if ya are not careful."He added knowingly.
' Great. This fellow is just as lost as I am.' Hotohori sighed "So how exactly are you going to find a bar if you have no idea where you are going."
' Okay. Stupid question. This place has more bars than houses.'
Liang looked at Hotohori "Yer new at this."
"Huh?"
"Yer new at being a pirate."
"What?"
"Did ya ever go to jail? "
"What! No !"
"Meself never went to jail either .None of me family did .Me self was a bandit till I told my Pa that we gotta expand our horizon ...we gotta get our dibs in the sea ."
"Good for you .What did your father say ?"
"Me Pa cuffed me !"Liang bristled with righteous indignation "He said ' Liang you know no swimming .Pirate ...Wife your son got maggots for brain .' "Liang did the perfect imitation of a gruff old man "Me old man said a lot many more insulting things which ..."He paused "In front of me entire family no less ...So meself told him that so what if I knew no swimming, meself is gonna be a pirate, in his face ..."
"What happened ?"
"He turned me out !"
Hotohori could not help the hearty chuckle that rose to his lips .Liang turned angry amber eyes towards him .
" Yer laughing ! "
Hotohori squashed his laughter and raised his hand in a placatory gesture "Sorry .I did not mean to offend you .Its just that you do not know how to swim ,yet you have the aspirations to be a pirate .It is kind of funny ..."
Liang took a moment to process that .Then he lifted his chin in the air "Well meself is a man with vision .If ya don't wish to be a part of it ..."
"Actually "Hotohori cut in "I do want to be a part of it and what's more ,I know swimming ,so ,if you are washed aboard I'll pull you back .What do you say ?"
Liang's anger disappeared ,his face brightened up "Excellent idea ."He steered Hotohori inside a bar "Now lets get that sake ."
Hotohori felt revolted by the dingy environment of the room but he allowed Liang to push him into one of the cushions piled in one corner of the room .The room was illuminated poorly by some oil lamps that hung from a sooty ceiling .There was a poorly ventilated fireplace provided some heat to the room ,the air heavy with smoke and the smell of opium and sake .A couple of buxom maids passed among the people serving them ,the air full of drunken comments and lewd suggestions when they passed by .
Liang observed this and gave a derisive snort before turning towards Hotohori ."Yer not used to this ."
"No ."Hotohori admitted "So what do you know about ships ?"
"Nothing ."Liang admitted "But meself won a sweet boat ."
"Won ...a boat ?you have a boat ?"
"Them crooks you fought earlier ,I won the ship from 'em in a game of cards ."Liang grinned "But now they are not ready to uphold their end of the bargain ."
Hotohori was thinking furiously ' He has a ship .And we need a ship to sail to Fa Sang .He looks honest enough ...'
"Yo wench ."He heard Liang call a waitress "Come're ."
The waitress sashayed over to them " Well what do ya want ?"She had a passably pretty face but the indolent lifestyle had left a mark on her face that made her appear older than she actually was .
"Give us some of yer best sake and roast meat ."
The waitress turned towards Hotohori "And what'll ya have honey ?"
"Same as me wench "Liang snapped irritatibly "And he ain't no honey of yours ."
The waitress flipped her hair and walked away .Liang turned towards Hotohori to see that he was in deep in thought .
"What are ya thinking about ?"
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Two figures watched the duo from behind the tattered curtains that led to a dark room at the back of the bar .
"Is that them ?"A silky voice asked .
"Yes boss ."The other voice said .
"Hmm." The man chuckled "They look strong .They will fetch a good price in the Turanian slave market .You know what to do ."
"Yes Boss ."
"Good ."The man turned to go "I will leave now .Do not fail me Loki ."
Loki bowed "No ,No sir ."
He watched his master disappear through the door at the back of the bar before turning to call out softly "Lehana .Come here ."
Lehana walked towards Loki "What 'd ya want ?Speak quickly .I have customers waiting ."
"About that ."Loki's lips curled into a small smile as he pressed a gold coin into Lehana's palm "Take your customers our special sake and our specially dressed meat ."
Lehana's eyes widened a little "Of course ."She walked out .
A pair of startlingly green eyes followed her as she carried the tray towards the duo before leaning towards his companion "By Seiryuu .This will be most interesting ."
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"You see the main reason I am here is because I am searching for something ."Hotohori delicately bit into a roast "Hey ,this is actually good ."
"Told ya so "Liang gulped down some sake "Now what are ya searching for ?"
"An island ...Fa Sang ."
"Never heard of it .Is there treasure involved ?"
' You have no idea what is involved Liang .' Hotohori nodded slowly "Perhaps ..."He suddenly felt something creep down his spine .He stiffened .All his senses were screaming at him to be alert and it seemed that the air was heavy with the smell of treachery .He rubbed his eyes .The world seemed a little blurry .
"Hey "He heard Liang's voice "This sake is good .I swear only a cup and my world is all ...spinning ."
' A cup ...' Hotohori felt his arms grow heavy and his head felt like lead ' The damn food was drugged.' He desperately tried to stand up when his eyes fell at the back of the room .A man with green eyes raised his glass mockingly toasting him .
Hotohori rubbed his eyes .And somehow those green eyes made sense in his fuzzy mind .'Green eyes ...Green eyes ...Suraco ...The food was drugged .By Suzaku ,this is treachery .'
He had the faint sensation of men bearing down on him like that in a nightmare ,their laughter sinister and ghastly .Hotohori swung his hand desperately forcing his limbs to obey as the ring closed in around him one face after another appearing in the gap he had created ...And then the world went black .
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"The fellow is strong ."Loki rubbed his bloodied nose watching Hotohori "He will do good in the Killing Fields of Ishak .Take them away ."
Hotohori and Liang's limp bodies were carried outside .Loki turned towards the now quiet bar ."You all know who I work for .If you want your safety in Nobu you will forget what you saw ."
The men turned back towards their sake cups and Loki turned towards their seat . A gleaming hilt of a sword lay half hidden under the cushion .Loki's eyes widened .He bend a little to touch the jeweled hilt. It was as if a thousands bolts ran through his body .He stumbled back holding his smoking hand . The flesh was burnt and scarred .
A small laugh made him turn around .A girl was smiling at him "Sir ,you should not desire that what is not yours ."
He tried to sneer but the girl scared him .He felt as if her bottomless eyes was looking into his very soul .He felt his hand being held up and a small bag being pressed into his unharmed palm .
"Perhaps Sir ."Her voice was calm "It would be better for you to forget about this article ."Her voice was harmless yet her eyes held a veiled threat and somehow Loki felt that this was not one female he would like to tangle with .
He mumbled something affirmative before running out .
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Keeah watched Loki run out of the bar with a contemptuous smile on her face .Then she turned towards the hilt that poked from under the cushions an inscrutable expression in her eyes .She knelt on the cushions bending towards the sword .
' Ah .So this is the legendary sword of Suzaku .' Keeah's lips bend into a small smirk .' Oh how the mighty fall ...'
"Princess ."
"Hello Suraco ."Keeah remarked without turning back "Where's Sotisku ?"
"I am right here ."Another voice replied "Seiryuu ,I was so scared .When he walked in here ...I almost had a heart attack .I thought he had sensed us ."
Keeah stood up and faced Sotisku. His red hair was bundled inside a fur cap and a muffler obscured most of his face .
"You should have faith in my concealment spell ."Keeah's voice was no more than a whisper "Now put this joint to sleep ."
Suraco's green eyes widened under his hood .He was aware that they were attracting quite a number of stares .Loki was apparently ,a person of consequence in Nobu and apparently he was not that easily intimidated ,especially by a woman .
' Loki looked like a bully to me .And like all bullies he is a coward. He is like a dog that barks too much ,but take out the whip and he will slink back to his kennel with his tail between his legs .' He looked at Keeah ' But what are you planning Princess? We really do not need this attention here .'
"Here "Sotisku handed them three handkerchiefs that were soaked in something that smelt slightly of lemons .Suraco and Keeah covered their faces as Sotisku hurled a small phial on the floor .There was a sound of breaking glass ,along with surprised curses and the sound of daggers being loosened from their sheath as a blue fog spread over the room .
Soon the air cleared .Keeah uncovered her face and looked at the still room ."Good work Sotisku ."
Suraco had moved to the door "What do you intend to do ?"
Keeah smirked .She concentrated .A white bubble seemed to envelop the sword and lift it slowly in the air . Keeah transferred the sword inside a thick cloth bag and magically tied its mouth shut .Then she moved forward and hoisted the cloth bag .
"Lets go ."
Sotisku stared "I don't understand ...how were you able to touch the sword of Suzaku ?It burned Loki's hand ..."
"I do not direct skin contact with the sword Sotisku "Keeah explained "But enough of that .Come ."
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"What happened ?"Keeah asked .
They were standing inside one of the abandoned warehouses that dotted the sea coast of Nobu .Chilly salty air came in through the broken rafters making them shiver a little .
"We were waiting for you as you had instructed us ."Suraco drew the cloak closer around him ."Then we saw Hotohori enter with another boy .At first we thought he had sensed us ,but he was talking to the other boy .Meanwhile ,we saw a waitress take drugged food to them ."
"Why ?"
Sotisku shrugged "I don't know .But we did overhear Loki taking about the Turanian slave markets ...and the Killing Fields of Ishak ...whatever that is ."
"They must have been taken to a strong house in the city ."Suraco observed "Good riddance ."
"Or ..."Keeah's eyes were unreadable "They could have been taken to the docks and held prisoners on the ships ."
"Why the hell should we bother ?"Suraco frowned "We should bother about how to reach Fa Sang ."
"Hmm..."Keeah ran a hand over the bag that held the sword of Suzaku .
"What do you intend to do with that ?"Suraco eyed the sword .
"Return it to its owner naturally ."
"What ! "
"Seriously Suraco, do you wish a jackal to have the lion's prey ?"She picked up the bag and walked out .
"What is wrong with her ?" Suraco sputtered "First that Chulivey woman and now Hotohori ? Why are the hell are we doing this ?"
Sotisku shrugged "She is a woman Suraco .We are not supposed to understand her ."
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Hotohori blinked .His head was feeling heavy and it seemed like that somebody was pounding inside his head .His limbs were feeling like lead and he tried to move it .Only then he became aware of the shackles in his hand and feet .
' What the hell ?' He turned a bleary eye around the room .
Slowly his eyes adjusted to the dim light of the room that taunted him mockingly from the narrow window almost near the ceiling of the damp room .He suddenly became aware that he was very chilled, the threadbare rug that had been thrown over his body hardly did anything to lessen the cold that cut into his exposed skin like cold daggers .At one side of the room a narrow flight of stairs led upwards ,presumably to an exit .
The incidents at the bar seemed to come back to him ' the food was drugged ...Suraco ...' He felt rage fill him .' By Suzaku when I get my hands on that witch ...'
It seemed that rage had somehow increased his headache .Hotohori grabbed his head .Though the shackles had not completely immobilized him ,it had made movement quite difficult and the truth was his limbs felt weak .
' It must be the drug .'
He looked around .He found another figure slumped on the wet floor of the room .He tried to move towards the prone figure but his shackles hindered him .
"Liang ."He called desperately hoping that the figure was Liang .
The lump groaned ."Me head hurts ."
Hotohori felt relieved ."Liang .Thank Suzaku ."
Liang turned a bleary amber eye toward Hotohori "Those lying cheating scumbags ."His normally loud voice was weak "Me thinks I am gonna be sick ."
"Go ahead "Hotohori chuckled "I won't tell anybody ."
"Ya better not ."Even the warning lacked its usual vigor .
Suddenly there was a commotion outside .Liang clutched his head "If they wanna kill us they can kill us .Just make 'em stop that infernal racket ."
The noise had intensified Hotohori's headache and so he couldn't agree more with Liang when he became aware that the noise had ceased .He squinted his eyes .The door at the top of the stairs opened. Hotohori stiffened .
"Witch ."He growled softly under his breath.
"Shinwa do you know the wench ?"Liang eyed the solitary female figure that seemed to glide down the stairs towards them .
"Too well ."
She applied the torch she was holding to the brazier and the room was lit in a dull yellow glow ..She lifted her hand and removed the hood from her face .In the dim yellow light her eyes appeared more mysterious and unreadable than usual .The smile on her face was full of mockery and something that Hotohori couldn't identify .Again he felt that unpleasant sensation at the bottom of his stomach .
"Demon , are you so easily chained ?"Her voice was taunting .
Hotohori could feel the rage rise in him "Have you sunk so low Princess ?Are you so afraid of a direct confrontation ?"He tried to sound calm .
Keeah laughed ."Has the drug addled your brain Demon ? Do you think I kennel with mercenaries ? " Her voice dripped with mockery "Come ,Come ,you must have more sense than that ."
' She did not arrange this !' Hotohori frowned ' Then what is she doing here ?'
"And to think that I actually lost my sleep over you .To think that I thought that you were a major obstacle in my path ."Her voice was contemptuous as the unreadable look in her eyes intensified "Yet here you are ,captured so easily by these lowlifes ..."
"Do not toy with me ."Hotohori's voice was glacial as he felt rage fill his veins.
"You are caged demon ."Keeah chuckled "But are you are demon at all ,that you are so easily tamed?"
Hotohori felt something inside him clawing to get out as rage consumed him .He had the vague sensation of seeing through a red veil .It was almost as if there was a beast inside him straining , banging at its cage to break free and answer her taunt .Hotohori saw her eyes widen and something played in their depths only for a second before they became unreadable again .
"I have something that belongs to you ."She gave the same cryptic smile lifting the brown bag and hurling it down where it hit the floor with a muffled metallic clang .The mouth opened and the gleaming hilt poked through the drab bag .
"My sword ."Hotohori frowned .' How the hell did she get it ? And why is she returning it to me ?'
"Yes." She turned to go "Maybe we will meet again later demon ."
"We will meet Princess ."Hotohori said coldly .
She chuckled " Oh I am counting on it ."
Then she was gone .
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Keeah let the door close behind her . There was a small cryptic smile on her unreadable lips as she surveyed the in front of her dispassionately .Twenty men lay sprawled on the ground in a heavy drug induced slumber .Sake bottles and meat remained strewn on the floor and a very agitated Suraco paced lightly in front of the only door that led outside .
"Are you done Princess ?"Suraco's voice was strained "Can we now look for Fa Sang ?"
"Suraco "Keeah smirked "You worry too much ."
"I ...worry too much ?"Suraco sputtered at a loss for words.
They exited the seedy building to enter the narrow winding lanes of the Nobu dock area .Sotisku joined them .
"Hey!" He rubbed his gloved fingers "Took you long enough .I swear my leg has gone numb ."
They walked silently through the dirty streets towards the dockyard negotiating their way through the crowd .
"We will need a ship ."Keeah said finally "A nice serviceable ship that can be easily handled .Fa Sang is an island accessible only by sea ."
"Great ."Suraco sighed "Do you know anything of sailing Sotisku ?"
"No .And frankly I am not so confident about my swimming skills either ."
"We'll improvise ."Keeah chuckled .
A pair of eyes followed the trio .' Fa Sang ? They wish to go to Fa Sang ?This I must see .'
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"That female "Liang broke the silence that has descended on them when Keeah left. "Is she yer friend?"
"No "Hotohori growled reverting his smoldering eyes from the now closed .
"Hey.Hey .Hey." Liang held up his hand "No need to get worked up .As my pa said ,them female , nothing but trouble .Can't live with 'em .Can't live without 'em." He paused and then added as an afterthought "He never said it in front of my ma though ."
Hotohori felt some of his anger from earlier simmer down "Your father is very wise ."
"I know .Now 'ere's a trick meself learned from me ma .Very useful ."
Hotohori's eyes widened as he saw the shackles that held Liang fall open .Liang smirked holding up a crooked piece of wire .
"Elementary art of lock picking .Me ma used to be a pickpocketer before she married me pa ."He worked quickly on Hotohori's chains "Their .All done ."
"Your family is very illustrious ."Hotohori's lips twitched as he rubbed his arm .
Surprisingly Liang's face turned grim at this comment . "Well yeah ."His smile had somehow lost its sparkle "And its a damn pain .Well lets get outta 'ere shall we ?"He smiled sunnily and it was apparent to Hotohori that he was faking that smile .
"Very well ."
He bend down to pick up the sword .
"That's a fancy weapon you got their bro ."Liang looked at the sword "Is that gold ?"
Hotohori felt glad to have the sword in his grip ."I think so ."He swung the sword watching the light dance on the blade "Lets go ."
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Loki looked around with some trepidation .' What happened here ?' He looked at the prone men who were just beginning to wake up .
"I thought that you said you had some fine specimens for me ."The raspy voice made Loki turn around "It seems your security is not as it used to be ."
"Azuma "Loki licked his lips "You know this has never happened before ."
Azuma smiled ,the scars that disfigured his face made his smile terrifying "Well ,there is a first time for everything .I am sure your master will be pleased with your inaptetitude."
Loki paled "Come now Azuma ,there is no need to tell Master Sung about this .They will not have gotten far .We will capture them again ."
"For your sake ..."Azuma's face broke into another hideous smile "I believe they were not able to escape after all .Let my men take care of them ."
The door at the back of the room swung open violently .
"Oops ."Liang froze "Me thinks we are in deep shit ."
"That you are ."Azuma agreed looking over them "They are indeed fine specimens .Especially him ." He ran a critical eye over Hotohori "Be careful ,don't spoil his pretty face ."He chuckled .
"Sir ."Hotohori's voice was cold "I would advise you to let us pass ."
"What ? You ? Advise us ?"Azuma let out a loud guffaw "Hear that Loki .Have you ever heard of anything more funny ?"
"Har ,Har .Get a grip bozo ."Liang 's voice was angry "Move or we are kicking your butt ugly ass to hell and back ."
"Ah you are spirited ..."Azuma's words died at his throat .His eyes widened a little before looking downwards to see the blade that impaled him .Hotohori twisted the blade viciously before pulling it out .Azuma stumbled back grasping his stomach as if desperately trying to close the gaping wound .
"I told you to move ."Hotohori said calmly watching him fall heavily in the dark pool of his own blood. He looked up, his black eyes were tinged with red "And what of you Sir "He fixed his unwavering gaze on Loki "Will you attempt to stay us as well ?"
"Bloody hell !"Liang gulped a little "I didn't even see ya move !"
Loki mind reflected that thought .He looked around to see many of his men had come to their senses and were now forming a ring around him ."You have no idea what you have done slave ."He tried to sound indifferent but he knew his voice was unsteady "You are Master Sung's property and once you are in our net there is no getting away ."
"Look here asshole ,I ain't nobody's property ."Liang's eyes were the color of molten gold as the house shook a little "Now where did you keep the stuff you flinched from me ?"
"Perhaps you were not listening ..."
"Look 'ere you yellow bellied pile of codswallop ,you ain't the one who is listening . "The house shook a little more "I want my stuff ."
Hotohori looked at Liang .He had a hunch that it was Liang who was causing the house to shake . 'How did he do it ?Never mind ,at the rate he is going ,we'll be buried under the rubble if he doesn't calm down .'
"Liang ."He hissed "Calm down ."
"Calm down ?"Liang's eyes blazed "He flinched my tessen .It's been in the family for years ."
Hotohori cast his eye around .Their belongings had been pooled on the floor and several dice and inverted sake cups lay near it .He spotted the edge of an iron fan under the heavy cloaks .
"Liang .Look .Is that it ?"
Liang's anger seemed to cool a little bit "Yep ,that's it ."
Loki gulped nervously gesturing the men to form a circle around the duo obstructing the door . Hotohori rolled his eyes "Seriously .Let us take our stuff and leave .I have no intention of getting blood all over my really expensive fur cloak ."
"Well aren't you a pansy ."A thug sneered gripping his club .It was an ill-timed remark considering how Hotohori's eyes were flashing red .
"And then again "Hotohori smirked as he glided forward ,his blade gleamed wickedly .
It was as if a malevolent breeze swept through the room .Soon the floor was slick with blood as was Hotohori's sword .
"Well ,well Master Loki "Hotohori's sword bit deeply into the soft flesh of his neck ,leaving a trail of blood "What do you say now ?"
Loki looked up at pitiless red eyes "Mercy ."He pleaded desperately "H...Have mercy ..."
Hotohori's mouth parted into a smile "Very well .But remember this day and never cross my path again ."
Loki gulped barely able to nod .
He turned at Liang who was looking ashen "Well let's go ."
Liang nodded before gathering up their stuff and following him .
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