General Keiichi T'Rumor looked impassively at the walls of Serif City. "We will take this city and quell this rebellion before it is out of our control. That will not be too hard. ...Am I correct, Kusa, Kurin?" The thin woman and short man at his side said nothing. The man straightened his round, dark glasses thoughtfully. "I know, you only came for loot. And I know you have no loyalty to anyone, but I'd like to think you're still on my side at this moment." The woman flipped a strand of ebony hair out of her eyes and met his gaze.
"The two of us go where we wan' to an' fight who we wan' to. I'd like a helmet like yours someday General." It was a cold threat. Keiichi turned and left his dark companions standing alone. He had a siege to take care of, after all.
Murasaki Fuji no Shita ni Kuni
"The Country Under the Purple Wisteria"
Chapter 14- The Siege of Serif City and the Awkward Reunion
Captain Hai-Yong Pavlen, caught by surprise at the sentry's call, dropped his heavy, metal helmet on his left foot. He cringed in pain and bit his lip. "I must not be so jumpy!" he thought to himself. He kicked the helmet angrily with his other foot as he rushed out of his tent, half-armored, and unarmed. The sentry had stopped Kiisan, Ocha, and Sasshalai and was busy trying to make them wait for his commanding officer to make an appearance. Ocha shoved the sentry out of the way; "We need to enter Serif City immediately. We don't have the time to chitchat with your commander." The guard anxiously grasped at Kiisan's sleeve, "Please Father, just a moment, just a word with the captain!" Kiisan paused, considering the man's request. Although the sentry seemed sincere enough, the Imperial Army's movement to just outside Serif City made him hesitate. The troops could only be here because of the budding revolution. And if they were here about the revolution, they could very well know of and recognize him as one of its culprits. Sasshalai grasped Kiisan's free hand tightly, whispering harshly, "We've gotta go! He suspects you! Big Brother!" By the time Kiisan understood the child's warning it was too late. Captain Hai-Yong delicately pulled back his long red-brown hair with a piece of yarn, and stood sternly looking at Kiisan, "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm known as Captain Hai-Yong Pavlan of the eighth division of the Aronian Imperial Army. Now now, no need to introduce yourself. I already know who you are, Father Kiisan. And I've come here to meet you, and, on charges of high treason, to arrest you."
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Turan Magno drummed his fingers on his desk, "If Kiisan were here we would be all set to put our plan into action!" Amarilla rustled through some papers anxiously, "Oh, sir, I'm so sorry that your plan isn't working out." Yuber, finally convinced to come inside the government building, chuckled grimly, "I think the plan is working out just fine." Han Li looked up in irritation from the tear he was mending in his cloak, "Chaos is "just fine" with you, Yuber, but peace is in the best interests of some of the rest of us. How about a little less slobbering about the battle ahead."
Yuber sighed angrily, "You're not any fun. And besides, I know you're miserable. I could always save you a little pain." The mysterious man tied a knot on the end of his thread; "I scoff at the very idea. You're a nuisance." Falina looked at the two unhappily. The waiting was making everyone tense, but Han Li and Yuber were both dangerous men and letting them fight could bring the city down from the inside out. She was just about to try and convince Han Li to go into the library with her to keep him away from Yuber when a loud, firm knock rang throughout the room.
Jirobane hopped up expectantly and opened the door, "Yes?" Junsuke stood in the doorway with two young women both clad in bright colored kimono. The swordsman scratched his head, "Jun, who're they?" The ninja laughed idiotically, "I don't really know. They showed up in front of the government building and babbled incoherently in some other language until I asked them what they wanted. The whole thing was Father Kiisan this and Father Kiisan that, so I brought them in. I thought maybe Falina or someone would know what they're talking about."
The older woman smiled and bowed politely while the younger one grinned. Jirobane nodded to them and smiled back, "Why don't you come in and I'll see what I can do for you two." They followed Jirobane into the office as Junsuke returned to his post. The others looked up curiously at the new arrivals who seemed in no bit uncomfortable, despite the stares. "Hello..." said the cheerful girl, whose shoulder length hair was a shade of hazel. After the shaky greeting the older woman took over, "My name is Hyoko and this is my younger sister, Hittoko. We came here to find Father Kiisan. Is he here now?" The Turan shook his head, "We all wish he was."
Falina got up and came closer to Hyoko and Hittoko, "You know Kiisan? How did you meet him? Was he alright when you last saw him? Did he say where he was going?" She rang her hands frantically, "Please tell me whatever you know!" Hyoko shook her head gently, "Patience--don't worry, I'll explain. My sister met him in our fields on a stormy night and he rested at our home for a few days. He left suddenly and without telling us where he was going. There is danger ahead of him so we decided to come and fight with Father Kiisan, I hoped we could protect him... Has he not rejoined you yet?" Falina looked down in disappointment, "No, he's not here...Thank you though...thank you, both of you. You can stay with us and wait for him though..." Hyoko nodded, acknowledging her sadly.
"Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt you, ladies, but there's one thing I'd like to know. Lady Hyoko, how did the two of you make it past the Imperial soldiers into the city?" the turan asked. "We came in one of the side gates after a patrol passed by. A priest let us in after we mentioned Kiisan." The turan narrowed his eyes in speculation, "A priest, eh?" Han Li, having finished mending his cloak, wrapped it back around himself, "Probably Father Carlos. Where did he go anyway?"
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After letting the two young women into the city Father Carlos had abandoned the side gate to observe the Imperial Army's formation from atop the wall. Some archers attempted to use his large hat as a target, but after a few failed shots they gave up. Carlos was fairly unperturbed, knowing that it would take at least a fairly tough crossbow to reach someone standing on the wall. The wind ruffled his now oddly cut hair and threatened to lift his hat off his head. He placed a hand on top of it, holding it down somewhat, or at least reassuring himself that he could catch it quickly if it blew off.
The Imperial troops seemed rather calm for besieging a city known to be supporting revolution. Watching the soldiers mill about below soothed Carlos' troubled mind just a bit. They reminded him of ants swarming over an anthill, each performing their own task at their own speed. After a few minutes, however, the excitement picked up. Something was causing quite a fuss. "What could that be all about?"
The armored general stood in the midst of a growing crowd facing two smaller figures not clothed like Imperial soldiers. Carlos squinted and leaned out dangerously, hoping to get a better view of the people causing so much excitement. As his eyes focused one feature leapt out at him--a round, blue hat. "K-Kiisan?! Is that you?!"
It was, of course, exactly who the lonely man feared it was. Kiisan stared, stone-faced, at General T'Rumor and Captain Pavlan, "Yes, my name is Kiisan. What do you want, general?" The heavily armored man leaned down and looked him in the eye, "I want to make an example out of you, you unfortunate little wretch." The tall general grabbed Kiisan by the arm and dragged him up to the main gate along with Sasshalai. Both had their hands tied behind their backs. Kiisan glanced around frantically for some way out of his present situation. Ocha had escaped in the confusion before the general had been summoned. He hoped that she could save them, but her loyalty still seemed questionable at that point. Kiisan turned to Sasshalai, hoping the child would have a solution, but the tan-skinned boy was frowning down at his feet, the dandelions on his head drooping sadly. The discouraged young man thought of the Circle Rune on his hand, but he knew nothing of what it could do or how to make it listen--he was still just a walking case for the True Rune. With no escape in sight Kiisan returned his attention to General Keiichi, who had addressed the guards above the gate, hoping to have Turan Magno turn out to see his prisoner's execution.
"Turan Magno! So glad you could make it! I was really surprised--your Father Kiisan is little more than a baby! This revolution really doesn't stand a chance!"
The turan glanced at his nemesis nonchalantly, "Yeah? Go ahead. Do your worst."
Even the cruel general appeared startled by this statement. Kiisan felt his throat tighten. The state of Serif had just given him up. He would be executed by the enemy. Out of the corner of his eye Kiisan made eye contact with Sasshalai, "Sassha--what's that about?" The mind reader shook his head; "He's not bluffing. He really doesn't care what happens to you now." Kiisan flinched, "That's just the turan...not my friends..." he thought firmly.
General Keiichi flung Kiisan down and drew his blade, raising it high above his head. The young man, with eyes half closed in fear, looked up at the wall, to see Falina by the turan, her green eyes wide and mouth agape, "K-Kiisan!"