Secret of the Princess
Chapter 14
A week after Ashitaka had told San about his past, and Iron Town was making good progress against the samurai. Asano was now down to a third of his original number, even with Iron Town under siege. Jigo had made a surprise return, and was lending aid to the beleaguered villagers with his riflemen. Asano had Iron Town cut off, but still the villagers kept on attacking, trying desperately to force a gap in the samurai's ranks.
Chrysaetos stretched his wings as the sun rose. For nearly a week now, San and Ashitaka had done little in the way of fighting, and had spent nearly all their time relaxing. The tigers had slunk away into the forest to harass the samurai, and for now at least, peace reigned over the forest.
San sighed as she lowered herself carefully into the grass of the lush meadow she had often visited to hunt. Rich in wildflowers and untouched by other humans, it was a veritable paradise. Compared to the last few weeks, which had involved losing her right hand, discovering who she really was, and fighting against huge odds, this was as good as things got. She smiled as she lay in the meadow, looking up at the deep blue sky. Yakkuru was feeding on the edge of the meadow, and all around her, butterflies, bees and other insects flew from flower to flower. Crickets chirruped, and bird song from the forest made her feel drowsy, even after a full night's rest. Ashitaka came up to her and quietly lay beside her, smiling. San looked up at him, and caressed his cheek with her only hand.
"Isn't it lovely here Ashitaka?"
"Yes San, it certainly is. This is exactly what we're fighting for."
San nodded, but her smile faded ever so slightly.
"You know what happens tomorrow don't you?"
"Yes San, I do."
"We visit the pool of the Forest Spirit and see if the time is ripe yet to attack."
Ashitaka nodded and leant in towards her. San reached up and met him as he kissed her. San broke contact and looked into Ashitaka's dark eyes.
"I hope things will work out as best as possible."
Ashitaka nodded.
"They will San. I'll guarantee that."
San smiled and brushed herself down. Whilst she normally wore a white cloth tabard and a purple dress, today she was wearing something else altogether. Ashitaka had brought a faded red kimono for her during the winter months, but she hadn't seen fit to wear it yet. Somewhat hesitantly, she had agreed to try wearing it, and it was perfect for her small, somewhat skinny frame. It was decorated with bright pink and purple flowers, and green leafy vines ran all over the kimono. She wore a bright cyan obi around her waist, and she still wore her deer hide shoes. The crystal dagger still hung around her neck, and her knife was tucked away inside her obi. Ashitaka left her briefly to get her a drink, since lately, her wounded arm had been tormenting her. As he left the meadow, he felt a presence approaching him. The Forest Spirit approached him, and a flash of light lit the area. Ashitaka rubbed his eyes, but already the Forest Spirit was gone. He knew however, that he had to reach the pool that night, as the full moon came up.
On a dusty track, a young girl was making weary but steady progress towards Iron Town. Her brown hair was smeared with dirt, as was her face, and her clothes were ragged and torn even more than San's. She looked over her shoulder, praying that she wasn't still being followed. When she saw no signs of pursuit, she carried on towards the town, whose characteristic spire of smoke was now split into four.