Emperor Leo Maximillian scowled. The instant weapons had clashed he had received the news of the rebel attack along with Liyuin's plea for permission to bring Angeline out of the dungeons for the battle. The clash was taking place as he spoke with his ministers, not far away, in a wooded region of the state of
Mitsu struggled to sit up a bit more to get a better look at the map Lady Cat held up for him. "See," she said, pointing at a road in Tawa, "This is where they're attacking the Imperials right now."
He squinted thoughtfully at the location, "Isn't that Rugcnul?"
Brown-haired Fairwind closed his eyes tightly as Naith, his hawk, squawked the news to him, "You say they're in moving in around a place full of trees?" He turned to Yukari, the youngest of his companions, and asked, "Do you sense anything? Can you guess where that might be? Is it far?"
Yukari stared blankly out across the plains, the wind blowing her two long black braids; "It is still many miles. ...The name of the place where the earth is pulsing now and the wind whistling is... Rugcnul. Rugcnul will be on the lips of many before the day is done."
Murasaki Fuji no Shita ni Kuni
"The Country Under the Purple Wisteria"
Chapter 59- On Everyone's Lips...
The first charge was strong and somewhat less coordinated than Sanada would have hoped for. Being taunted had stirred Kotsu's blood more than she had expected and he ordered his troops to pursue at such a speed that Tiko's hat blew off as he spurred his mount down the road.
Mai Mai proved to be one of the most daunting opponents the Imperial soldiers faced. The wildcat had absolutely no fear of the armed men and in true feline fashion made a game of chasing drooping banners and swatting at anyone who got in her way. At Mai Mai's size, however, a small swat could easily knock down even a large man.
Kiisan swung his staff with more ease than he had during his last battle. Each time the actual fighting grew easier for him, but the killing never did. He spun the staff around, connecting hard with the helmet of an Imperial soldier. The tremor rattled his grasp. He took a deep breath and looked around. Amidst the melee he could see Yuber slashing straight through an attacker, Hai-Yong's fist slamming into Captain Kotsu's face, and Sonoa's daggers swiftly dancing around like hummingbirds in a garden. Another man swung his sword towards Kiisan, who parried the blow without even thinking. Matataki fought the soldier back and approached the young priest both quickly and apprehensively. "Father Kiisan, don't get yourself lost right now. I know that it's easy to disconnect from the situation and start seeing only gray, but this is not the time. We all need you right here right now. The sooner we finish this here; the sooner fate will finish with its great task for you. Until then, there is not a moment to waste."
"Y-yes, Sensei," Kiisan choked out, shaking his head and trying to bring himself back from the objective view that had been taking a hold of him.
Suddenly he heard a loud blast from among the trees. "Do that again Caio!" Yuki's voice laughed.
"I've got to reload! I've got to reload!" the gunner complained as he hurriedly poured more gunpowder into his weapon.
Han Li fought his way closer to Kiisan, thrusting and slashing with his dirk as he reached into his pouch with his left hand, pulling out a vial of a green liquid. He tugged the cork out of its top with his teeth and splashed the liquid on the large man he was fighting back. The soldier screamed in pain as the solution touched his skin.
"What was that?" Kiisan wondered aloud to his friend.
The wind mage tucked the now empty vial back into his pouch, "A weak acid. It won't kill him, but it will certainly hurt until he gets washed off."
"How do you know such strange things?" the younger man inquired nervously.
"Age," Han Li replied bluntly, "By the time you're as old as me you'll know this much or perhaps more. I think you're destined to live in interesting times."
"Well," Kiisan begin, launching a renewed offensive, "I want harmony! And peace!"
The older of the two men shook his head and sighed, "Good for now, but laterAt what cost?"
A faint beam of actual sunlight began to shine on Angeline's face for the first time in over one hundred years as the doors to the deepest level of the dungeons creaked open on their rusty hinges. She sat up on the bench in her cell and pushed a few strands of loose hair back behind her ears in an attempt to look somewhat more elegant than usual for this unforeseen meeting with whoever wished to communicate with her. The pupils of her catlike eyes shrunk at the light grew brighter and more painful. Obviously it was afternoon above ground for so much light to pass so far down.
Liyuin lifted up the edge of his robe so it would not drag on the dirty stone floor as he approached the ancient prisoner. "Angeline?" he asked tentatively, drawing closer to her cell.
Angeline smirked to herself. This was the perfect chance to exercise the right to keep silent. As her eyes grew more accustomed to the light she began to ready a sullen stare to give the court magician.
"Angeline, I trust things are the same for you as always," Liyuin teased, examining the seals on the bars of the cell to make sure they were still potent before pushing the dangerous woman any further. "Do you know what's going on right now?" he inquired.
She tossed her head defiantly, "How could I possibly know about the outside world? I'm locked up here day and night."
"Oh, well, I wasn't sure if you'd overheard the guards or anything when they were tossing you some supper. Just to the west in Tawa we're fighting rebels from the Wheat Field States. However, they have a disproportionate amount of True Rune power compared to us," Liyuin continued, "So, how would you like to experience a little more daylight? If you'll fight the rebels we'll take you outside for a while. You just have to follow orders."
Angeline turned her violet eyes down to the stones and her sandal-clad feet. She had no great desire to fight for the nation that had held her captive for so long, but her longing to be outside in the sunlight with cool wind on her face was overwhelming. She looked up and locked eyes with Liyuin; "I will go. I will follow orders. Let me out."
Sasshalai and Yuber held the Imperials from leaving the forest to the north. The small boy mostly stood back and cast disruptive spells while Yuber remained a hurricane of destruction as usual. As time wore on, however, one man, stronger than his comrades made it past the black knight and charged Sasshalai head on. Despite his evasionary efforts, Sasshalai could not escape the oncoming blade and his arm was slashed deeply. The force of the blow knocked the child down to the ground. When Yuber turned to see his comrade downed by the attack he sprang into action instantly and ran the man through.
Looking up at the darkening sky, Sasshalai could see the moon rising large over the forest road. He sat up and clutched his heavily bleeding arm in pain. Yuber did not seem to notice. He had whipped himself into a frenzy. All fled from his path. In his wrath everyone became the enemy.
"Sir Yuber, stop!" Sasshalai called frantically.
The black-armored being turned back and his gaze seemed to light on the boy.
"Please stop..." Sasshalai mumbled more weakly.
Yuber stepped over and knelt beside his friend, "Are you going to be alright?"
The chestnut-haired boy smiled fearfully, "I'm not sure if I'm more afraid when you're angry or you're worried."