Secret of the Princess
Chapter 10
San walked tiredly through the forest. From time to time she could hear the sounds of samurai out looking for her, but none ever found her. She felt beaten and utterly deflated, and also ashamed of herself for what had happened. She prayed that Ashitaka would still love her, but felt she couldn't blame him if he didn't. Doggedly she pushed on through the vegetation, her fiery spirit refusing to allow her to rest or give up.
At the cave, Ashitaka was honing new edges on his sword blade. The latest conflict had tired him out a lot, and he was seeking to perfect his weapon before he fell asleep. The eagles had all been searching for San, apart from the one incubating eggs. He held the sword up to the sunlight, satisfied it was now sharpened perfectly. He laid his weapon down and picked up an apple. The eagles had been gone for a long time now, but it was a matter of no concern. If half a score of giant golden eagles couldn't look after themselves, who could? The three wolves were asleep near the entrance. Ashitaka gave a sigh and was about to bed down when Chrysaetos appeared at the ledge. Although it was hard for an eagle to look worried, Ashitaka could tell something was wrong.
San dragged herself through one of the many rivers that wound its way through the forest. She had come across one of Iron Town's small logging camps, and noted that for every four trees they cut down, seven new ones were planted. She'd found no supplies there, and a lack of food and water was tiring her out. Worse still, she had no idea where she was going. She could feel the boils in her mouth going down, which was something to be thankful for. However, she was still bound in iron cuffs that no amount of shaking would loosen, and speech was beyond her capabilities. San then had an idea. If she followed the river upstream, she might just come to the waterfall where she had battled Asano. Once there, the way home would be familiar enough. She walked on through the water, unaware of the eagle soaring high above her.
Asano had sent out patrols of two dozen men to track down his daughter. The samurai who had attempted to rape her had been made an example of, and the killing had shaken even the most hardened soldier. Asano's horde was now just over three hundred and fifty. With four patrols of twenty-four gone, he was confident that his daughter would be in his hands again by nightfall.
Chrysaetos perched on the ledge as Ashitaka scrambled up to him.
"What is it?"
"The samurai lord has sent out sizable patrols to locate San. If we split up accordingly, we can keep track of them. If the patrols find San, we attack."
The golden eagle lord flared his feathers as he finished his sentence, implying that his attack would be nothing short of devastating. Ashitaka sheathed his sword.
"Can I come with you?"
Chrysaetos seemed to smile.
"I was going to ask you to. You know these woods better than me, Ashitaka."
Ashitaka mounted the giant eagle. Chrysaetos spread his 20 foot wings and flapped off over the forest. Ashitaka looked at the forest far below, marvelling at it. Chrysaetos flew towards the other nine eagles.
"Split three ways and follow a patrol each. Give a cry when you've found Princess Mononoke."
The eagles peeled away in three groups of three. Chrysaetos and Ashitaka headed towards the distant waterfall where San had been crippled.
San ran through the water. Her samurai pursuers were in no rush to fight her. They had already stated that if she didn't surrender, they would make her stop. The thought of giving up so easily made her blood boil, and she ran for the waterfall. The samurai matched her pace easily, and followed her to the plunge pool. Mentally San prayed for a miracle to save her from impending recapture.
Ashitaka and Chrysaetos were soon joined by the rest of the eagles. Even as they flew towards the waterfall, a chill descended over the land. Ashitaka looked around, the mystery only heightened when he saw it was a clear sky. He could also swear it was getting darker, but the sun was at its' highest point in the sky. He shrugged. Right now, he had to worry about rescuing San, never mind a little darkness. The eagles flew in low to attack the samurai. As they got lower, Ashitaka noticed the light was dropping, and that the originally cyan blue sky was now a mixture of navy blue and purple. Also, the Sun seemed different somehow. Ashitaka focused his thoughts on rescuing his beloved, and watched as they neared the forest floor.
San fell into one of the pools before the plunge pool, out of breath. She sucked in water around her gag, but instead of revitalising her, it made her feel worse. She realised the water was still here, so was probably scummy. Trying to get a hold of herself and force some strength into her beaten legs, she stumbled to the largest plunge pool, the water looking pure and fresh. She lowered herself into it and tried to drink. The water tasted lovely, and at long last, she felt new life seep into her. She then stood up in the pool, and began to notice that her surroundings were getting darker, losing their very colour rather than the way darkness seeped in at dusk. Afraid she was losing consciousness, she splashed water over herself, but still nothing happened. Everything seemed drained of colour. Also, it looked like a premature night was dawning over the land. She had little time to think as the samurai came up. They were smiling, as if they were planning something. One stepped forward.
"Ok San, here's the deal. Say 'No' clearly and you can go free."
San glared at them, ready to go down fighting. She tried to speak, but her mouth was still gagged and hurting from the nettles. She fished out a rock shard from the depths of the pool. Her heart beat fast as she prepared to fight to the death. Suddenly, from behind her came a huge splash, which soaked her afresh. She gave a muffled cry of surprise when she saw it was the Great Forest Spirit. She felt something happen to her severed hand, and the two iron bands that encircled her wrists rusted and fell into dust. Suddenly, the samurai began yelling in agony as the eagles attacked. In less than half a minute, not one samurai was left alive. Ashitaka ran to San, who was stood in the plunge pool all by herself; the Forest Spirit having vanished. Her hand was still missing, but she looked to be slightly better. He took the gag off her and threw it aside. Only then did San react. She flung herself on him with such force they were both knocked over. San smiled warmly at him as she ran her hand over his chest, and then up to his face. She whispered two words, more full of love than Ashitaka had ever heard her use before.
"My hero."
Her lips touched Ashitaka's, surprisingly passionate and full of human emotion, compared to her previous kisses which were often fleeting. She embraced him tenderly, relishing the feel of his body against hers. After they broke contact, she laid her head on his chest, snuggling up close. Ashitaka caressed the back of her head, making her smile. At long last, after days of pain and humiliating defeat, San's near-future was looking brighter. Ashitaka pointed up at the sky. San followed where he was indicating. Where the Sun had been a few minutes before there was now a faintly illuminated ring, and a vibrant point of light on one limb. Both of them kissed under the eclipsed sun, feeling that no matter what the next few days held in store, soon everything would be back to normal. San vowed she would make it up to Ashitaka for yelling at him. She loved him more than she cherished the forest.
Chapter 10
San walked tiredly through the forest. From time to time she could hear the sounds of samurai out looking for her, but none ever found her. She felt beaten and utterly deflated, and also ashamed of herself for what had happened. She prayed that Ashitaka would still love her, but felt she couldn't blame him if he didn't. Doggedly she pushed on through the vegetation, her fiery spirit refusing to allow her to rest or give up.
At the cave, Ashitaka was honing new edges on his sword blade. The latest conflict had tired him out a lot, and he was seeking to perfect his weapon before he fell asleep. The eagles had all been searching for San, apart from the one incubating eggs. He held the sword up to the sunlight, satisfied it was now sharpened perfectly. He laid his weapon down and picked up an apple. The eagles had been gone for a long time now, but it was a matter of no concern. If half a score of giant golden eagles couldn't look after themselves, who could? The three wolves were asleep near the entrance. Ashitaka gave a sigh and was about to bed down when Chrysaetos appeared at the ledge. Although it was hard for an eagle to look worried, Ashitaka could tell something was wrong.
San dragged herself through one of the many rivers that wound its way through the forest. She had come across one of Iron Town's small logging camps, and noted that for every four trees they cut down, seven new ones were planted. She'd found no supplies there, and a lack of food and water was tiring her out. Worse still, she had no idea where she was going. She could feel the boils in her mouth going down, which was something to be thankful for. However, she was still bound in iron cuffs that no amount of shaking would loosen, and speech was beyond her capabilities. San then had an idea. If she followed the river upstream, she might just come to the waterfall where she had battled Asano. Once there, the way home would be familiar enough. She walked on through the water, unaware of the eagle soaring high above her.
Asano had sent out patrols of two dozen men to track down his daughter. The samurai who had attempted to rape her had been made an example of, and the killing had shaken even the most hardened soldier. Asano's horde was now just over three hundred and fifty. With four patrols of twenty-four gone, he was confident that his daughter would be in his hands again by nightfall.
Chrysaetos perched on the ledge as Ashitaka scrambled up to him.
"What is it?"
"The samurai lord has sent out sizable patrols to locate San. If we split up accordingly, we can keep track of them. If the patrols find San, we attack."
The golden eagle lord flared his feathers as he finished his sentence, implying that his attack would be nothing short of devastating. Ashitaka sheathed his sword.
"Can I come with you?"
Chrysaetos seemed to smile.
"I was going to ask you to. You know these woods better than me, Ashitaka."
Ashitaka mounted the giant eagle. Chrysaetos spread his 20 foot wings and flapped off over the forest. Ashitaka looked at the forest far below, marvelling at it. Chrysaetos flew towards the other nine eagles.
"Split three ways and follow a patrol each. Give a cry when you've found Princess Mononoke."
The eagles peeled away in three groups of three. Chrysaetos and Ashitaka headed towards the distant waterfall where San had been crippled.
San ran through the water. Her samurai pursuers were in no rush to fight her. They had already stated that if she didn't surrender, they would make her stop. The thought of giving up so easily made her blood boil, and she ran for the waterfall. The samurai matched her pace easily, and followed her to the plunge pool. Mentally San prayed for a miracle to save her from impending recapture.
Ashitaka and Chrysaetos were soon joined by the rest of the eagles. Even as they flew towards the waterfall, a chill descended over the land. Ashitaka looked around, the mystery only heightened when he saw it was a clear sky. He could also swear it was getting darker, but the sun was at its' highest point in the sky. He shrugged. Right now, he had to worry about rescuing San, never mind a little darkness. The eagles flew in low to attack the samurai. As they got lower, Ashitaka noticed the light was dropping, and that the originally cyan blue sky was now a mixture of navy blue and purple. Also, the Sun seemed different somehow. Ashitaka focused his thoughts on rescuing his beloved, and watched as they neared the forest floor.
San fell into one of the pools before the plunge pool, out of breath. She sucked in water around her gag, but instead of revitalising her, it made her feel worse. She realised the water was still here, so was probably scummy. Trying to get a hold of herself and force some strength into her beaten legs, she stumbled to the largest plunge pool, the water looking pure and fresh. She lowered herself into it and tried to drink. The water tasted lovely, and at long last, she felt new life seep into her. She then stood up in the pool, and began to notice that her surroundings were getting darker, losing their very colour rather than the way darkness seeped in at dusk. Afraid she was losing consciousness, she splashed water over herself, but still nothing happened. Everything seemed drained of colour. Also, it looked like a premature night was dawning over the land. She had little time to think as the samurai came up. They were smiling, as if they were planning something. One stepped forward.
"Ok San, here's the deal. Say 'No' clearly and you can go free."
San glared at them, ready to go down fighting. She tried to speak, but her mouth was still gagged and hurting from the nettles. She fished out a rock shard from the depths of the pool. Her heart beat fast as she prepared to fight to the death. Suddenly, from behind her came a huge splash, which soaked her afresh. She gave a muffled cry of surprise when she saw it was the Great Forest Spirit. She felt something happen to her severed hand, and the two iron bands that encircled her wrists rusted and fell into dust. Suddenly, the samurai began yelling in agony as the eagles attacked. In less than half a minute, not one samurai was left alive. Ashitaka ran to San, who was stood in the plunge pool all by herself; the Forest Spirit having vanished. Her hand was still missing, but she looked to be slightly better. He took the gag off her and threw it aside. Only then did San react. She flung herself on him with such force they were both knocked over. San smiled warmly at him as she ran her hand over his chest, and then up to his face. She whispered two words, more full of love than Ashitaka had ever heard her use before.
"My hero."
Her lips touched Ashitaka's, surprisingly passionate and full of human emotion, compared to her previous kisses which were often fleeting. She embraced him tenderly, relishing the feel of his body against hers. After they broke contact, she laid her head on his chest, snuggling up close. Ashitaka caressed the back of her head, making her smile. At long last, after days of pain and humiliating defeat, San's near-future was looking brighter. Ashitaka pointed up at the sky. San followed where he was indicating. Where the Sun had been a few minutes before there was now a faintly illuminated ring, and a vibrant point of light on one limb. Both of them kissed under the eclipsed sun, feeling that no matter what the next few days held in store, soon everything would be back to normal. San vowed she would make it up to Ashitaka for yelling at him. She loved him more than she cherished the forest.