The red-tailed hawk glided easily on the cool morning breeze above the forests of Rugcnul and the fortress of Jao-Nyang. He watched with a sharp eye as something moved among the trees, then quickly grew still again. Although the forest was nearly silent, the fortress was buzzing with activity. The whole garrison was gearing up in the process of readying for the possibility of a rebel offensive.

Heading northward along the old Wood Path the hawk could see a relatively small group of revolutionary forces buckling on armor and calming their few horses, making their last preparations before their advance towards Jao-Nyang.

The hawk wheeled around suddenly, catching an updraft. He had seen enough. He would return soon enough, though.

This information would likely please Fairwind.

Murasaki Fuji no Shita ni Kuni

"The Country Under the Purple Wisteria"

Chapter 58- Mist-laced Operations

Liyuin entered Kiyon de Silverburg's office boldly, without so much as a knock. "Lord Kiyon, I have that information you wanted so dreadfully badly just a few days ago," he announced with a smile. The red-haired strategist quickly pulled his attention away from the papers he had been studying to look intently at the court magician. With a slight nod he prompted the dark-haired man to continue.

"We have come to conclude that the reason for their magical advantage is the number of True Runes they have at their disposal," Liyuin explained.

Kiyon raised an eyebrow somewhat skeptically, "How many?"

The magician counted the runes off quickly on his fingers as he listed their names, "The Circle Rune, obviously, Eightfold Rune, True Wind and True Earth, if I am not mistaken. That's four. All we have is the Beast Rune and...Well, never mind that, ...and as you should be aware the Beast Rune is not a completely reliable one..."

"I'm not concerned with its track record, you dolt. It's powerful enough that I think it can do the job if we can't push them back now. They've come far too close to Rupanda and the state of Aurel as it is. I don't want them reaching Farin and inciting Father Chico into joining them either. He's only assisting our side due to his proximity to the capital," Kiyon complained. He cracked his knuckles softly, taking another glance at one of the papers on his desk and then changed the topic back to True Runes. "Regardless of your obvious apprehension over both runes we are holding onto I think you should move the releasing of the Beast Rune into the final stages and take our other friend out from wherever you might have hidden her. ...And that Kanna of yours has artistic talent, correct? Make up a couple drawings of the appropriate members of the rebel army and tack them up around the fortress. I want their capture, or if necessary, death to be a priority."

Liyuin groaned and shook his head, "I don't like it much, but, Lord Kiyon, I have been instructed by the emperor himself to follow your instructions. I will be off then to begin the aforementioned tasks." He bowed slightly, "If you'll excuse me," before heading out of the strategist's office with a touch of sarcasm in his expression.

Yuber reached over and tipped the large priestly hat Tiko was wearing at a jaunty angle. "That doesn't look too bad," he chuckled.

Restraining his irritation with the black knight, Tiko adjusted the hat back into its previous position. "I have to look like Kiisan, and Kiisan wears his hat like this."

"I didn't know you had so much fashion sense," Rizu laughed, testing the edge of his spear with a finger.

"He does wear all black," Junsuke pointed out, good-naturedly, "It's his sort of coordination."

Sasshalai, who had snuck off at the last minute to join the advance force, smiled at his friend, "I think they're attempting to compliment you, Sir Yuber."

"I thank them for the effort," the blond being replied.

General Sasaki's horse stomped at the ground anxiously. "How much longer are we going to wait like this?" The scarred man inquired.

"The gates are opening," Sasshalai shouted, "That's what we were waiting for! Let's go! Let's go!"

Tiko rode calmly at the head of their column as they traveled down the road toward Jao-Nyang, past their companions hidden among the trees.

Sanada instructed the soldiers around her in a soft voice, "Don't move a muscle into you can look the enemy in the eyes."

Each man who heard her gripped his weapon a little tighter, body tensing, watching their comrades' pass on the road.

Mio began to feel a little faint. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder steadying him. He turned to see Sanada looking very intently at him. "Mio, if you're not up to this, you can go with Jeiku. As soon as we have their main force out, he's going to close up the fortress so they can't withdraw inside and take care of anyone they may have left behind."

The orange-haired young man looked at Jeiku, who winked at him, and then back at Sanada's serious face. "No, I can do this. I'm staying with you, Lady Sanada."

"You heard him, Jeiku," the dark-haired woman smiled, "It's just you now. I know that's nothing to worry about. You've done so much more for me in the past all on your own."

"As you command, my lady..." he assented, turning off into the dark forest.

They passed by Kiisan. He felt his stomach churning with anxiety. He shivered violently. "I have to take this in stride like everything else!" he mentally ordered himself. He turned to his right, but Sonoa and Hai-Yong were no longer beside him. A dark-haired man with a golden cloak had taken their place.

"Hey- who are you?" Kiisan whispered frantically, reaching for his staff.

The man turned to face him and Kiisan found himself looking into a pair of familiar eyes, one gold and one silverish, both flecked with brown.

"Matataki?! Sensei?!" he gasped.

"The same," the man said softly.

"How? Why do you look like this now?" Kiisan demanded.

The wizard shrugged nonchalantly, "The city is not the only thing that changes. My appearance within the walls of Klikk is entirely of my own choosing. Someday you will be an enemy of change, but now, while you still accept it, accept me and my aid."

"Step aside Imperial scum!" Tiko shouted at the soldiers beginning to form their ranks on the relatively narrow battlefield of the Wood Path.

Kotsu raised his sword and pointed at the revolutionaries, "You've sealed your fate, Kiisan of Serif!"

"Don't make me laugh!" the boy yelled back.