Falina ran up to Kiisan and threw her arms around him from behind. "You dummy! What're you doing over here? I was so worried about you!" Kiisan merely looked at her over his shoulder. She was followed closely by Father Carlos who also hugged Kiisan, much to the younger man's embarrassment. Russ and Lucien watched the scene in amusement. "Kiisan, why is your hat on the ground?" Russ picked up the cat-eared hat and brushed it off. Kiisan pushed Carlos and Falina away, finally regaining his voice; "It got blown off. Didn't you feel the big gust of wind?" Falina nodded emphatically, "That was like a storm wind! It made all the tents shake!" Lucien scratched his head thoughtfully; "Do you know what caused a sudden gust like that, young man?" Kiisan took a deep breath before answering, "You're not going to believe me...but it was this really strange guy. It was magic." Lucien narrowed his eyes, "A Rune?" "Yeah, the True Wind Rune he said." Carlos smiled, "Yep. I thought so. ...Yuber told us you were chasing a True Rune, but we didn't have the slightest clue as to what he was talking about." Falina tugged on Kiisan's sleeve, "So tell us what happened! We still don't know what you were doing!"
"Okay, so I was going to try and get some sleep because all this traveling is hard, but I was afraid that Ma-...nevermind that..." Falina stared at him inquisitively, but she received no further explanation on whatever Kiisan had considered saying. "Well, I couldn't get to sleep so I decided to take a short walk to distract myself and then I saw an interesting looking person walking in the grass a little ways off. I told Sir Yuber I was going to check something out, but he didn't respond so I thought he probably wasn't listening to me. I walked across the field, trying to be casual so the guy stopped and waited for me. When I got close he started laughing and then he ran this way. I don't really know what I was thinking, but I wanted to follow him and when I finally caught up he laughed and me and told me some weird stuff. ...but he showed me the True Wind Rune and he knew my name. ...Yeah, I know you're all thinking I'm crazy now, right?" Kiisan looked at his four companion's faces expecting to see the telltale signs of disbelief, but none were apparent. Falina gaped, "Wow...Kiisan, some really amazing stuff happens to you, doesn't it?" Russ handed Kiisan back his hat noting, "You're a special guy Commander." Carlos shrugged, "That's strange, but not nothing beyond belief. ...maybe it's a sign?" The final question came from Lucien, "Where did that man go, Kiisan?" Kiisan stopped smiling in relief to fall into confusion. "Um...I don't know..." "Do you remember him leaving then?" He looked up at the stars and then down at his boots, "...I don't quite recall...Oh! I know! He teleported or something... there was this bright flash and he was gone...this is so bizarre..." Lucien grinned, "Just as I suspected then. ...It's late and cold and I think it's going to drizzle some more before the night is over. Let's go back to the camp and get some sleep."
Murasaki Fuji no Shita ni Kuni
"The Country Under the Purple Wisteria"
Chapter 7- The Glass Hope is Forged and an Ideal is Born
Kiisan and his entourage got off to an early start the next day under a cloudy sky. Despite the cool weather Kiisan was relieved that no rain was falling, he didn't appreciate traveling with his damp clothes stuck to him. It made his skin crawl. Captain Louis Abdul was quite pleased with himself. He was managing to keep the odd group of stragglers going at a fairly decent pace. He had barely hoped it was possible when he saw Lucien and Father Carlos, but the old man was able to keep up and the young priest didn't complain even though he was always trailing about a quarter of a mile behind the others. The captain scanned his map and calculated that if they kept the pace up they would arrive in Crystal Valley in approximately four and a half hours. Just in time for lunch.
Kiisan continued to glance over his shoulder past Falina every so often to see if he could catch a glimpse of the odd vagabond, but the man was no where in sight and was probably long gone. He had become somewhat accustomed to the presence of Mai Mai; at least enough so as not to fear for his life if he feel from his horse. Junsuke had assured him that the one to be afraid of was Yuber. Kiisan was still undecided on that topic. Meanwhile Falina harbored thoughts of her own, wishing that Kiisan would stop turning around and staring like every speck of reason had left his brain, and that they would arrive in Crystal Valley soon.
They passed by farmhouses with fields of rice, wheat, strawberries, and other assorted crops and through tiny hamlets full of colorfully dressed peasants, indicating that they were coming gradually closer to the largest city in the region. Eventually the spires of the Circle Temple rose above the horizon beckoning them onward. Kiisan felt himself growing enthusiastic. The man he had met the previous night had said he could create or destroy the future there and of course he meant entirely to create it. His excitement was such that it never crossed his mind that what he considered "creating" the future, might be exactly the opposite to others and to generations yet to come. Louis Abdul began to pick up the pace and everyone but Father Carlos did the same. The clumsy priest only managed to fall farther behind until he decided to dismount and scramble after his companions on foot leading his horse along after him. Yuber glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and shook his head, uttering one word, "Hopeless."
Louis Abdul dismounted as the neared the city and encouraged the others to behave similarly. He continued to lead the way as they pushed through the crowd of people fluttering about the marketplace just past the gates like a myriad of exotic butterflies. Kiisan and Falina gaped at everything in sight, neither of them had traveled to such a large, diverse city before and so many things they observed were new to them. Merchants from all corners of the empire displayed their goods, people spoke languages they had never heard before and wore ethnic costumes as distinct and different as wildflowers. Eventually Rizu had to grab Falina by the wrist and drag her along while Yuber ushered Kiisan towards the center of the city. Father Carlos still struggled to keep up after starting so far behind and being picked as an easy and likely target by nearly every salesman in the area. Sonoa noticed him being held up by a southern man trying to sell parrots and hurried over, shouting rudely that they were not interested and forcing him to walk at her pace.
The architecture of the entire city had a very clean look having all been planned and built at once many years ago and since then undergoing few changes except an occasional new white-wash job. The whole city seemed to be painted in pastel tones and all the larger buildings had elaborate glass windows uncharacteristic of most Aronian architecture. This city had been established by an earlier nation that was conquered by the Aronians who had arrived from the Toran Lake region centuries ago. It was a very impressive place that reminded Kiisan somewhat of an oddly shaped cake covered in white frosting. The crowning glory of the ancient citadel was the Crystal Palace and Circle Temple. From a distance one could see the viridian leaves of a large tree hanging over the outer wall of the palace and overshadowing a portion of the roof. The building itself was immaculate. The large glass windows sparkled like diamonds in the sun. "I wouldn't want to be their window washer," declared Falina as she took in the sight. Lucien laughed heartily, "You're a really practical kid, aren't you, Missy?" Falina turned up her nose at him, which only succeeded in making the older man laugh harder.
Louis Abdul spoke quickly with the guards outside the palace who allowed the group through the gates and escorted the revolutionaries to the temple so they could speak with Chief Bishop Hirano. As they walked down a hall, making what Falina considered far too much noise to seem very reverent since so many of them were wearing boots, Kiisan suddenly stopped. Junsuke barely stopped himself from walking into the chestnut haired teenager. "What's wrong Kiisan?" He looked back with a confused expression plastered clearly across his face, "Where did Sir Yuber go?" Each person looked to the others expecting someone else to come up with an explanation. Lucien went so far as to turn somewhat green at the thought of the black knight sneaking through the temple. After a long uncomfortable pause in which no one said a word, but merely tried not to look like it was their fault Kiisan broke the silence with a firm decision; "He's waiting outside. He'll look after our horses with Russ and the others. Sir Yuber isn't a fan of the temple." With that he continued on his way leaving a stunned, confused, and worried group of people standing in the hall behind him.
******
Chief Bishop Hirano was a middle-aged man with deep laughter wrinkles worn into his face and graying wheat-colored hair. He appeared quite pleased to give an audience to the travelers from Serif. He began by greeting Father Carlos and introducing himself very politely in a soft, peaceful voice, "I am Chief Bishop Hirano Ausglean, would you all be so kind as to introduce yourselves to me?" Kiisan stepped forward and bowed deeply, "My name is Kiisan, your Holiness. I come from Finnel Village in the state of Serif. My good friend Falina also comes from Finnel Village." The Chief Bishop nodded, "I heard that the whole place was burned to the ground. I'm very sorry. I'm glad that both of you were able to escape unharmed." Kiisan thanked the clergyman for his concern while feeling rather in awe of how quickly this man had been informed of something that happened to a small village in another state. The Church was as connected as Turan Magno had said it was. "I am Louis Abdul of Serif's State Army. I am an agent of Turan Magno as are Rizu L'Ryong and Junsuke Hidetoyo." Lucien took off his beret and also bowed, "Your Holiness, I'm just an old man, no one special, I'm known as Lucien the Kite." Hirano raised an eyebrow knowingly. The nickname was obviously something he was familiar with. "This is Mai Mai. I am Sonoa, and we both come 'rom the Shensa Clan in the north." The Chief Bishop seemed pleased with the diversity of the people confronting him, "Ahh, yes. I believe that is everyone. Now, please, can you explain to me what your business is with the me and the Church, my friends?" Kiisan was ready to rise and explain the situation when Louis Abdul stepped forward and began.
"We have been sent by Turan Magno to receive your approval to set up a resistance force and fight against the tyrannical rule of King Leo Maximillian. While I am our spokesperson, Kiisan is our leader and he would like your blessing." Chief Bishop Hirano turned to Kiisan and looked him in the eyes; "Do you believe in your cause? Are you ready to put your life on the line for what you believe is right? Is this justice, Kiisan?" "I-I...uh...I believe in the cause...I-I...um...I..." Carlos broke in, his usually small, weak voice sounding uncharacteristically firm and resolute, "Kiisan holds this cause deeper in his heart than he himself knows. He wants to become a priest." Kiisan looked at Carlos like the older man was out of his mind. "What are you saying?!" He mouthed at his friend, but Carlos ignored him, "However, Kiisan doesn't have the courage to say so himself. So I decided to speak up for him. He's going to travel and spread the faith and this revolution." Falina was nearly ready to knock Carlos down to shut him up. She tugged on his sleeve urgently. He knelt back down with his head bowed, "Please take him under your wing, Father." The Chief Bishop seemed intrigued at the notion. Kiisan thought he had made the wrong decision coming to the Circle Temple with Carlos. "What sort of idiot friend sets you up to be anointed as a priest?!"
Hirano smiled gently at Kiisan; "Somewhere in this temple rests a great power. The Circle Rune. I believe it is waiting for someone like you, young man. If you can find it and it will have you as its master than you will receive all the support we of the church can muster." Kiisan glanced around the inside of the main temple in wonder, "...the Circle Rune?"