Due to the large disturbance back at the temple many possible escape routes were cut off so Sonoa suggested checking the main gate again, "I think Mai Mai and I would be able to convinze the gatekeeper to let us out..." The turan's agents strode back to the gate, all growing ready to approach the guard. As they turned the corner a shocking sight met their eyes. The six soldiers and the gatekeeper lay outside the gatehouse in a pool of blood. Falina buried her face in Kiisan's tunic and Kiisan looked away. Rizu examined the bodies. They had been slashed by a very sharp, fine blade, "Someone is a very accomplished swordsman," Junsuke noted. A tall, unearthly looking figure in black armor with a black horned helmet covering most of his face placed a heavy hand on top of Kiisan's head. The blond man smiled, "I see you are skilled enough to recognize a master's work. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Yuber."

Murasaki Fuji no Shita ni Kuni

"The Country Under the Purple Wisteria"

Chapter 5- The Black Knight and Portents of the Ominous Martyr

Falina let go of Kiisan long enough to step away from Yuber in fear and grasp Rizu's arm tightly. Although she was trained somewhat to fight with daggers she had grown up under the influence of the idea that women needed to be protected by men and it still held sway over her when she was afraid. Kiisan felt a tremor run through his whole body as the man's hand lay on his head. Was this feeling terror? Or was it more like morbid curiosity?

Sonoa nodded stone-faced to Yuber, "I have heard o'f you. You are chaos, aren't you?" Yuber grinned, "Ah...so I'm better known than I previously believed. I'm not truly chaos...but if that's what you want to believe...I seek out chaos. There's war on the horizon." Sonoa nodded once again, "You catch on 'ast. The revolution is coming." Yuber took his heavy hand off Kiisan's head and placed his hands on his hips, "I'm more than ready. The world's too quiet lately." He turned his head towards the gate, seeming to glance at the bodies of the men who had been assigned to watch the gate, "I have to go. I seek more than this..." Junsuke eyed him cautiously and was about to carefully form a reply to the black knight, but Kiisan caught everyone off guard by offering his own statement, "You could travel with us for now. We came here to stir up a revolution, so I'm sure there'll be some trouble now and with your skill you could be of invaluable aid to us Sir Yuber." Yuber turned back to face Kiisan, but most of his face was hidden by his helmet, making his expression unreadable. Suddenly he smiled, "I like the emotion I feel from you. I'll come along, this should be interesting." Yuber and Kiisan walked through the open city gates side by side while the others followed some distance behind. Falina glanced nervously over her shoulder back into Ablin City as they headed back towards Serif City. She knew that more people were going to die because of what happened there. The vicious cycle had begun again. She was scared it would go through all its stages like usual. From high hopes and ideals to blood and useless violence that would be brought down with iron blades and more violence. No previous revolution that she had ever heard of in the Kingdom of Aronia had freed even the smallest portion of the country, or given the people the tiniest new freedom. Now Yuber was leading Kiisan back down that same path...or so she thought, "Kiisan might be the one leading Yuber down that path..."

When the silent group reached Serif City Yuber quickly volunteered to wait outside the gates for their return. Sonoa gave this suggestion an odd look, but Kiisan didn't question him and with Mai Mai at his heels, entered the city. With Yuber's presence gone Rizu felt a huge weight lifted from his mind and he murmured this feeling to Junsuke who responded in like. Kiisan overheard and offered his own thoughts, "I don't think you understand. Sir Yuber has very good reasons for doing what he does and we shouldn't criticize him." Falina gaped, "Kiisan! Can you hear yourself! He's a murderer! And you think he has good reasons- what's happening to you?" Kiisan looked at her and shrugged, "I don't know, I didn't know anything had changed." Falina blinked forlornly and followed her companions back to see the turan without another word.

Turan Magno awaited them in his office his secretary and receptionist, Amarilla, and Father Carlos. Upon their arrival Sonoa explained to the turan that things had gone mostly as planned and that she had carried out her mission. He commended her on such a good, quick job and handed her a rather heavy-looking pouch that contained her payment. Turan Magno then turned his attention to Kiisan and the young men who had accompanied him. "Did the people listen to you? You were able to make some extra trouble to go along with the assassination I hope." Rizu nodded and summarized the events that had transpired in Ablin City, including their meeting with Yuber. At the mention of the black knight's name Turan Magno's face grew pale, "Was it really that Yuber person? ...You're sure?" Junsuke reaffirmed the turan of Yuber's presence while Father Carlos fussed with the talisman he wore around his neck, which had become tangled in his slightly past shoulder length hair. Distractedly Falina stepped over to help him with his slight problem. "Yuber...hmm...things must be serious then. -And not just here. That means the nation really is in turmoil now. He never showed himself before." Rizu shook his head in disgust; "He creeps me out. Where does he come from? He just shows up out of nowhere...like a plague..."

Amarilla flipped through the papers on her clipboard, "Magno, don't forget who you wanted to introduce them to...and the next mission..." The turan smiled thankfully at his aide, "Yes, thank you for bringing it up." He turned his attention back to the young man standing directly in front of him. "Kiisan, I'd like you to meet Lucien and Captain Louis Abdul." An old man, with light gray hair and a well-trimmed mustache took off his black beret and bowed low, revealing the young, narrow-eyed commander standing behind him. Kiisan's mouth dropped open, "Captain Louis Abdul?! Is that you?" The lithe man raised an eyebrow contemplatively, "Hmm...Am I?" The older man jabbed him in the side with his umbrella and coughed, "Yes, he is Louis Abdul. I'm Lucien Lashistle, and we will be joining your little expedition."

Kiisan turned to Turan Magno, "Why would they need to join me? And why is the Captain leaving his military post for this? What do you have in mind?" Amarilla frowned and turned away. The turan nodded appreciatively, "It makes me feel all the more justified in my decision when I hear you asking me that. Kiisan, you will be a catalyst for this rebellion. Aronia holds lands from the southern end of what is natively called the Grasslands to the region around Toran Lake. They govern terribly; treating many peoples as slaves and letting their officials throw around power as if they themselves were kings. The only organization in this country with enough power to even try and take on the monarchy is the Church." Kiisan tipped his head in confusion, "The Church? I didn't think they had nearly any power..." The turan looked at him with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, "But they do. Just like government officials there are members of the Church in all parts of this nation and they have much greater organization and are significantly more respectable people. ...And many people have faith. Faith will hold them to our cause if they can be convinced that this is the will of Heaven. You need to go to the Crystal Valley. I don't care how you do it, who you have to bribe or who you have to kill, but you need to approach the Chief Bishop Hirano and receive his blessing for this uprising. Father Carlos will come to try and help you convince him. Meanwhile I will work on putting together a force worth noticing here and I'll fight with Medina. Mayor Gurenne is supporting us; the pieces are falling into place. Good luck Kiisan. I have nothing left to tell you."

Amarilla ushered Kiisan and his companions out of the turan's office into the hall where they were left in slight confusion. Rizu and Junsuke were urked at being dumped onto the forthcoming conflict. Falina was thoroughly upset with the situation and had decided she didn't want Kiisan to work for the turan. "Kiisan, can't you say 'no'?" she asked. Kiisan didn't respond, but simply walked down the passage into the main hall. In the wider space Louis Abdul gave Kiisan his report, "Commander, Lucien and I have a horses, supplies, and a couple of soldiers ready to accompany us North. We await your word for departure." Kiisan took a deep breath and sighed, "I think we should wait until tomorrow morning to go. It's been a kinda long day... You go tell your soldiers to take a break and I'll go see what Yuber is doing. Come on Falina." Kiisan and Falina walked down the cobblestone path through the center of the city to the open gates. Falina glanced around quickly, "Nope, don't see him, let's go back now!" She turned and started back towards the others, but Kiisan grabbed her sleeve, "Falina, cut it out," he moaned in exasperation. Yuber had shown up while they were speaking and he smirked at them, "You're back. What's the plan, leader?" Kiisan felt himself droop under the weight of Yuber's presence, "We're going to spend the night here. Do you want to come to the inn with us?" The black knight shook his head, "No thanks, I'll look out for myself. Shall I meet you all here in the morning?" Kiisan waved at him pleasantly as Falina dragged him away, "Yeah that'd be great. Good night Sir Yuber."