The dry Aronian summer dragged on in the central states, and in the place the Cyndar had called "Slalain" ("hill city") and the Aronians had later dubbed "Wanyan" ("silent place") the rebels worked. The dark-haired woman looked out of the recently cleaned window at the fields of corn in the distance. There was peace lying like a wool blanket over the farm landscape. Although Sanada knew that the lack of Imperial activity meant something was brewing in the capital, the female strategist kept her concerns to herself while secretly writing to the second-in-command Imperial strategist, Mitsu Riyahd.
"Sir Riyahd,
I have recently chosen to aid the rebellion in the central part of the nation. I believe you have already heard of the events conspiring in the state of Serif and other "Wheat Field States." I still look often at my looming doubts, but the young leader does have the charisma they say he does. And he really does have the Circle Rune upon his right hand. That is truly a sight to remember, I must note. If you recall our pack from the past I am obligated to inform you of my self-made assignments and you to tell me what you can of what I ask.
My curiosity has arisen over the silent situation here and I want to know where the movements are occurring. I have some informants, but so far I have received no word. Sir Riyahd, the rebels would gladly accept you if you chose to change sides. I feel that I can foresee Imperial losses. I cannot tell if these revolutionaries will defeat the nation of Aronia, but they have already come so far... Forgive my wandering words.
Thank you for your time,
-Sanada Morin"
Occasionally a messenger came from Giku or even Serif City with a package for one of the revolutionaries. Turan Magno still aided the rebels in small ways, sending a little money and redirecting any letters sent to his former agents. That bright morning Kiisan carried the small bundle of mail up to the tiny library that they were beginning to accumulate to sort the incoming letters. For Kiisan it was a depressing task. Louis Abdul received letters from his family on a weekly basis and Lucien paid Loen, a boy from the closest village, to bring him a newspaper from Geshi at the beginning of each week. Kiisan had never been sent a single letter. That seemed to make four of them. Nothing ever came for Falina, Sanada, Hai-Yong, or himself. However, this day was different. A letter had come in a small white envelope. The envelope was closed with a pink wax seal, and it was addressed to, "Miss Sanada Morin, care of Ceru, Back Room Tea Shop, Geshi, State of Onwya."
"Whoever wrote this address does beautiful calligraphy..." Kiisan mused, scanning the letters. He wondered why Sanada used the address of a teashop, but assumed she had her reasons. As he set the envelope aside to hand to her, Kiisan glanced at the return address and paused in shock. "Mitsu Riyahd, White Hall Box 2, Rupanda, State of Aurel."
Murasaki Fuji no Shita ni Kuni
"The Country Under the Purple Wisteria"
Chapter 30- Militant Sunflowers and Risky Correspondence
Louis Abdul though they should open the letter. "That Sanada is known for playing both sides of battles. That's how she pulled of the Massacre at Lone Hawk Peak. I think we have good reason to suspect her. I mean...after the events of the first skirmish here I trust Hai-Yong more than that sly woman."
Mio was insistent on respecting and trusting Sanada, "If we open her mail and it turns out to be nothing more than a friendly letter, won't you be ashamed of yourselves? We can't afford to lose her! Finding someone like that is a blessing!"
"Do you know what that woman does Mio?! You are just a little child to her! Do you want to know why she gets her mail sent to a teashop?!" Louis Abdul shouted, banging his fist on the table.
He was unable to say more due to Sanada's sudden entrance. She stood in the doorway, arms akimbo, glaring at the black-haired man. "You really have no restraint Captain. Sir Silverberg beats you in the maturity category any day of the week." She strolled over to Kiisan and took the letter out of his trembling hands. "Thank you, Father."
She dropped into one of the empty chairs remaining around the table and opened the letter, laying the envelope down on the table as she read. It was only a few awkward, silent moments later that she looked up at the three men. "I'll read you the letter, you silly geese. Really, Father, a little less snooping will decrease your stress. Or if you really want I can give you a massage sometime," Sanada said.
Louis Abdul jumped up out of his chair and pushed it in. "I'm not interested in reading your love letter from the Imperial's invalid strategist. I hope he know that he's not the only one in your life." He strode out of the library angrily, his olive green cape flowing behind him.
Sanada flipped some hair over her shoulder and rolled her eyes before beginning to read aloud to Mio and Kiisan,
"Miss Sanada,
Major Ko-Wen, General K'aan, and General Raecliff will all be involved in the next offense, assuming you turn towards Dunan next. Please move ahead with your plans as if you know nothing. I have not yet played my ace. I will orchestrate a rebel victory in the state of Ririm. Don't underestimate the King of Cards. I suppose I will have to wait and see you then.
Sincerely,
Mitsu."
Mio grinned excitedly; "He's going to help you! That means he's helping us! Kiisan! Do you understand what this can do for us?! We have aid inside the capital!"
"Yeah...it sounds good, Mio," Kiisan murmured in response. Turning to look at the smug-faced Sanada he started to speak, "I'm sorry for any doubt I might've had...I've learned the hard way to trust you I guess..."
Sanada stood up, letter in hand and left before Kiisan could continue. He spoke more for a few moments before seeing the blank look on Mio's face and realizing she had gone. "I hate it when I do stupid things like that..." Kiisan complained to his friend.
"You're not alone in that..." Mio responded, "I think I take the cake..."
*********
Falina looked down from the eastern tower into the large courtyard where Hai-Yong and Lucien were busy training some new recruits who had come from the surrounding countryside of Onwya to join the rebels. Lucien was very patient and good at helping those who did not understand the proper way to hold their weapons or had other troubles, but Hai-Yong was hot-tempered and she could often hear his every word, due to his constant shouting.
"I've shown you three times already! Don't you get it yet?!" the red-haired man yelled.
Falina could not help but giggle. Hai-Yong sounded like he was starting to loose his voice. She watched Kichitsu take him by the arm and lead him out of the courtyard to do some work that involved less contact with people.
"That man is a ball of fire," a cool voice stated from behind her. Falina turned to look up at Haneh T'Rumour, who had been following the rebels, keeping a low profile since the siege of Serif City had been won.
"Hello..." the dark-haired girl began before trailing off into an uncomfortable silence. She did not know what to speak with the blond woman about, so the girl hoped that Haneh would pick up the failing conversation. Her hopes were fortunately realized.
"Do you like sunflowers?"
Falina smiled, "Yes, I like them a lot." The peasant girl was happy to find something she had in common with the serious woman.
Haneh was not very good at carrying on conversations anymore. It had taken years to get over the trauma of seeing her parents and siblings, all but Keiichi killed and she had never been able to regain the talkativeness of her youth. Not many things seemed worth being spoken about. She hoped that the girl would accept her invitation despite her awkwardness. "Would you like to go for a walk with me? I saw some lovely sunflowers yesterday."
"That sounds nice, I'd love to come," Falina responded.
Haneh's reply was a slight small that put a tinge of color into her usually pale face.
When Father Carlos saw the two leave the citadel together he was pleasantly surprised not to see Hai-Yong trailing Falina. "That soldier follows her like a child clings to their mother's apron," he noted to Hyoko, who was assisting him with the laundry.
"That man is like duck," she said. Carlos was puzzled by her reply, but decided not to question what sounded like solid wisdom to Hyoko.
"Maybe it's a cultural thing..." he thought.
********
Kiisan snuck quietly out of the wooden church. Father Shiku had decided to give him a lecture about his duties as a priest, and the young rebel was not sure that he was in the mood for it. Kiisan always tried his utmost, but as he had not gone to the seminary or anything, "Father" was really more of an honorary title to command respect at the moment. As he hurried out of sight from the church he walked right into the back of a thin, blond-haired person. "I-I'm sorry..." he mumbled, recovering from the slight shock. The figure turned around to face him and Kiisan received a much stronger surprise. The man with the loosely tied blond hair was Yuber, who was wearing some mismatched borrowed clothing in place of his armor. "Yuber?!"
The bloodthirsty warrior held a colorful paper ball in his hands and had a large garland of wildflowers on his head, helping to obscure his features. It was a sight unlike anything that Kiisan had ever confronted. He stood unmoving with his mouth hanging open while Sasshalai ran up to the two laughing happily. "Big Brother! Are you okay?" he giggled.
Yuber tossed the paper ball to Sasshalai and picked up a large sunflower he had left sitting with his helmet and blades. He handed the vibrantly colored flower to Kiisan, "Falina asked us to give that to you. The moment I stop cutting down humans, your friend starts cutting down flowers." The chaotic being threw back his head and laughed at his own joke.
Kiisan blinked agitatedly and looked at the flower. Sasshalai shook his head at Yuber, "Sir Yuber, your jokes are too much for us."
********
"There's an old saying Falina's father once told me... "When sunflowers go to battle they fall like wheat in autumn." What does it mean?" Kiisan asked Father Izador.
"It's sort of silly. It's about women going off to fight. ...sort of something like they don't have a chance. I have no idea who came up with it..." the pony-tailed man responded, trying his hardest to explain something that was somewhat unclear to him.
"Thanks..." Kiisan said. He looked at the sunflower that now lit up the room from a glass vase. He knew some exceptional female warriors... Sonoa...and Haneh...Was there any truth to the old saying?
"Coincidences Kiisan..." Han Li assured him, "I bet that girl doesn't even remember that her father said that. You're thinking about nothing."
Kiisan took off his hat and shook his head, tossing his hair around like leaves in the wind. "Yeah, you're right..."