Disclaimer: It has come to my attention that I forgot the very obvious disclaimer that should have been posted on the other two chapters. So consider this one to encompass those as well. I do not own Fushigi Yuugi, for that is a gift Taiitsu-kun herself cannot give me. All original characters in this story are mine. (Some of you may have picked up Meru; she's really a character from the game Legends of Dragoon. I love that game and the plot will sound a tad bit like that for a while. For all those who know Meru, consider her out of character. ^-^)

Chapter 3

Horiko sighed as the wagon came to a stop outside the walls of Briddidon. He heard a brief exchange of words between Chulin-san and a low-grade officer before that officer's superior came to speak.

"Good morning, Officer," Chulin-san said in bright tone that belied his massive form. "Just bringing the shipment of rice requested. You boys go through it almost faster than I can bring it."

The officer awarded Chulin-san with a small smile before continuing with procedure, "Just you and the little one I suppose."

"Actually, I brought a young man with me this time," Chulin-san said, "I hurt my back before the trip started and I thought I'd bring him to make sure I can get this thing unloaded. That isn't a problem is it?"

"He in the back of the wagon?"

"Yes, sir."

"Check the wagon and make sure he's the only one in there."

Horiko turned as the flap on the back flipped up and gave a small wave to the young officer peering in, "Just me, sir."

The flap fell back down and the officer told him to go on through to where he always went and the three of them were safely inside. Meru hopped back into Horiko's part of the wagon and sat beside him.

"You have to help Tousan unload since the guards will come in every once in a while to check on us," Meru said, "After that we linger around for the rest of the day and I go dance for the officer's club. We leave tomorrow morning."

"I'll be long gone by morning," Horiko said, "What will your father say when the gatekeeper asks him bout me?"

"He'll tell him that you wondered off and he couldn't find you. If someone manages to identify you and suspect us, Tousan will tell him or her he had no idea of your intents to do any wrongdoing. Konan rice is hard to come by. They'll let us do business here, even if they suspect that we helped you."

Horiko nodded, "Thank you for all your help. You are both mighty generous."

Meru just gave him a smile, "You know, I can't explain why I wanted to help you either. Something about you told me to do so. Maybe I saw a kind heart in there or something."

Meru rose and lifted the back flap as the wagon came to a stop. The light caught the blue gem sewn into the front of her skirt and all the crates sown blue for a moment before she dropped out of sight.

Horiko turned and started pushing crates toward the back of the wagon and jumped down when Chulin-san reached him.

"I'll take them from you when you bring them to the edge," Horiko said.

Chulin-san smiled at him, "Are you sure you can lift them by yourself? You look awfully small there, boy."

Horiko just nodded, "I've unpacked a wagon before. I think I can handle it."

An hour or so later, Horiko was sitting on one of the crates panting heavily as Chulin-san laughed at him, "At least we're finished."

"You worked hard, boy," Chulin-san smiled, "but it isn't hard to see this isn't the line of work you should be in."

Horiko nodded as he stood, "Now all I need is feeling to return to my arms and I can go rescue Krin."

"Good luck, boy," Chulin-san said, all serious now, "I'd hate to find out you got yourself killed after the trouble I took to get in you in here."

"I'll be gone long before you will, old man," Horiko smiled, "Trust me."

~*~

After leaving Chulin-san and Meru in the officer's club, Horiko clung to the walls as swiftly avoided the guards making rounds. It seemed odd to him that no guard stood at designated posts, but decided that if Sister Luck was going to bless him, he wouldn't question.

Horiko reached the detainment area and had just check to first corridor of cells, when a commotion came from the next hallway.

"I will not falter to you pathetic Druin!" A loud and bolstering voice shouted from around the corner. "Stand down to a true knight!"

Horiko peered down the hallway to see several guards standing around a large gentleman who somehow managed to get his hands on a pole arm, the sharp tip pointed at his enemies. The man was smaller than the massive Chulin-san, but a great deal bigger than he was. He wore want looked like the underclothes that went beneath Konan armor, and he had found a dirty brown kesa and wrapped it about himself.

"Drop your weapon, Konan dung!" One of the officers shouted, "We don't need you alive!"

Instead of dropping the weapon, the man spun it and Horiko noted that what look like a lance was actually a simply swallow, for the other end held a crescent shaped blade. He laughed at them before he spoke, "You should surrender to me! I will not be easily defeated!"

The man then swung and cleaning took off the head of the closest guard. The rest of the men leapt forward in an attempt to but the large man down. Horiko wasn't stupid and he didn't think the swallow-wielder was either. It was obvious that the guards would get the better of him for he was outnumbered seven to one. Horiko drew his sword and decided that if he saved this man, he might be of some use to him.

The guards had been startled when the man had broke from his cell, but were down right astonished to find another man loose in the compound. Horiko took out two of the guard before the guards pulled back to regroup.

"More Konan scum loose! How can they be escaping those cells so easy?!" One of them said as three turned to face the prisoner, while two trained the sights on the newcomer.

The man with the pole arm laughed, "Because you are imcompatent!" And with that he took out another guard. The four remaining men took cautious steps back as the eyed their two foes warily. Horiko realized that with this prison break started, getting to Krin would be even harder to do. He decided that he needed to get a move on.

He leapt forward and two of the younger guards stumbled back. The older two brought swords to bear as Horiko swung at them with startling speed. A moment later one was cleaved in half by the crescent blade of the swallow while that other fell beneath Noriko's sword. The two remain soldiers ran for reinforcement.

Mere moments past before the two men turned on each other.

"Alright, boy," the man said, holding the swallow at ready, "I don't know who you are, but you better convince me quick that you are a threat to me."

Horiko slowly lowered his sword to appear non-threatening; "I'm Chang Horiko from the town of Nod, Northern Konan. I'm here to rescue a friend. You looked like you could use a little help."

The man sighed and slowly stood the pole arm on the lance end, "I am Yule Tokaroi, and a knight in Emperor Boushin's service. You were right in aiding me. I may have sounded cocky, but I knew I was in trouble. I am in your debt. Allow me to aid you in rescuing your friend and the three of us can escape together."

Horiko gave him a smile of reassurance, "Then what are we waiting for?"