Sita and Sanada were ushered into the dim home of the military engineer and escorted to a wooden table that, like the fence outside, appeared to be made of some sort of driftwood.

Tiro sat down across from them and wobbled uneasily on the chair's uneven legs.

"Well," Celan muttered, "Who in all Aronia are you and what, in the name of all the saints, do you want from me?" He brushed his dirty hands off on the front of the apron and looked down at the women impatiently.

Seeing the man's stubborn resolution to see them out as quickly as possible, Sanada decided to take charge of the situation. "I'm the former Imperial strategist Sanada Morin, and I've come to offer you a job. The rebel army could use your talents in building siege engines for our upcoming assault on Rupanda. You'll be paid well. Will you take the job?"

The chestnut-haired man laughed. The cocky tone of his laughter appeared to be his greatest similarity to his younger brother. "I'm not building weapons anymore," he declared, almost proudly, "If you want that kind of thing you'll have to go talk to somebody else! Nowadays I'm called Machiu and I don't do any work at all!"

Sita glanced at Tiro, who rolled his eyes and feigned mock agony over his brother's predicament.

"Well, why not?" Sanada snapped back, "A man with your skills is going to sit around and let himself go to waste?!"

Machiu, nee Celan, was taken aback by the strategist's rough treatment, "I-you-" he gasped.

"How much did Emperor Leo Maximillian pay you after the T'Rumours were thoroughly destroyed? ...It was obviously enough to retire on. People like you and I can't afford to waste away baking bread, building furniture, and digging in the yard! Mr. Leblanc, open up your eyes! The world is changing and you're like a turtle hiding in it's shell!"

Tiro snickered, enjoying his older brother's scolding in a way only a younger child could. Sita watched silently, waiting to see what the engineer would say in reply. Sanada's forcefulness could win allies sometimes, but other times it caused near to absolute war.

It appeared that Machiu had recovered from the shock of Sanada's attack and was preparing himself for his return offensive. "Lady Sanada Morin, you traitor to Aronia- who do you think you are to talk to me like that?! What of your talents, used to prop up Hirano's puppet in the current incarnation of the clash between the Imperial government and the church? Have you found religion?" he sneered.

The strategist's fury grew and so did her resolve. This man would be working for her before the day was out whether he had agreed to her terms or she had forcefully dragged him back to Jao-Nyang herself.

Murasaki Fuji no Shita ni Kuni

"The Country Under the Purple Wisteria"

Chapter 68- A Personal Declaration of War

"For your information, you misguided fool, I have not ,'found religion,'"Sanada spat back, "That too, would be a waste of my time! I continue to hone my skills, taking the side of those formerly greatly disadvantaged in this conflict! Without me, it's likely that all the rebels would have been crushed months ago!" She stopped for a moment, losing some fire. If the rebels had lost their battle...Mio Silverberg would likely have been executed. "Why am I thinking about Mio at a time like this?" she wondered. Kiisan and the other leaders would certainly have been lost as well, but only the timid strategist had come to mind. That was something to consider, these thoughts of Mio Silverberg.

"Cat got your tongue?" quipped Machiu.

"Shut your mouth," she replied, "Take the chance that General K'aan and Mitsu Riyahd took. Place your bets. Have some faith." She stood up from her chair and looked him in the eye, "And if you refuse, when we take Rupanda, I'll make you sorry that you did."

The two resolute individuals glared at each other viciously. Neither gaze faltered as Tiro and Sita watched anxiously. "Do you think she might kill him?" Tiro inquired, still fairly cheerful.

"I honestly don't know," the duchess replied, "It's not a wise thing to keep Lady Sanada from having her way."

"It's actually kind of scary," the younger Leblanc chuckled.

The three ships had come within sight of land. Not just any land, but their destination: the state of Aurel. Even before the vessels were anchored, Ayu, Zajan, and Mibari hopped into a row boat and made for the shore. The pirates laughed uproariously as their captain waded through the shallow water, helping Ayu drag the small craft onto the beach while Zajan stood in it, staying dry and looking triumphant as a conqueror. Haneh ventured a smile. Lucien was finally beginning to believe the whole trip had been worth it.

Once ashore, Jirobane and Captain Zajan did their best to give some semblance of order to the assorted rabble, but the pirates were not keen on listening to the men from Crona after having been so long at sea. Despite Zajan's protesting, Mibari led his men off to the nearest town, presumably also the location of the nearest tavern, with Ayu at his side.

This left the more responsible rebels who had not chosen to tag along with Ayu and Mibari to discuss the next course of action. "I suppose we'll head further along into the state towards Rupanda," Jirobane shrugged, "We'll need to contact Kiisan and Sanada. They might want to keep our force a surprise and I don't want to ruin their plans."

"That seems like the best thing to do to me," Lucien agreed.

"I'll go on ahead then," Haneh volunteered, "I've been here many times to watch my brother. I was always following him, waiting for the right moment to attack."

"Are you sure, Haneh?" Lucien asked, squeezing his beret between his hands, "I'm not certain if I can handle all of this without you..."

The blond woman smiled, "You'll be fine, Lucien. You can always take care of things. I'm no help at all."

"Then that's settled," Meiyar added, concluding the discussion.

Haneh T'Rumour polished her dirk and returned it to it's sheath. With a quick flash of her ivory teeth she sped off into the cold sunset to carry what news she could.

"Carlos? What are you doing?" Captain Fairwind asked, entering the kitchen. Liyuin, who had been sitting at one of the long tables, looked nervously at the Zexen man, and remembering the spicy curry, promptly left the room.

Carlos giggled, "Don't let this out, but I'm making a cake!"

"What's it for?" Fairwind queried, coming around the counter to take a better look. Naith, perched on his shoulder, gave a short call of irritation and adjusted himself to get a better grip on his perch.

"Today is Yuki's birthday," the small priest declared happily, "That's what Sonoa told me, and so this cake will be for him."

"I see..." Fairwind eyed the batter mournfully, it would be too hard to have a quick taste with his leather gloves on, "Do need any assistance?"

"Not really," Carlos answered, "But if you'd really like to...I wouldn't mind. It actually might be fun."

"I'd love to!" Captain Fairwind replied, pulling off his gloves and rolling up his sleeves. He looked at the hawk on his shoulder and shooed him off, "Naith, the kitchen is no place for you. Go on, why don't you get some exercise?" The hawk spread his wings and swooped off of Fairwind's shoulder and out the window. "Okay, I'm ready!" he smiled.

Astel from Kaimei, whose duty it was to guard the gate at this hour, watched incredulously as two rebels who had gone out that morning returned. Sita Katyana and Sanada Morin strode towards the gate with accomplished looks on their faces. Behind them marched a rough-looking man wearing a bandanna. And over his shoulder was slung an unconscious man, wearing an apron.

"Good evening, Ladies," he called, "How'd everything go in Kirov?"

"It went just fine, Astel," the strategist purred, "It took a bit of work, but my objective was completed as hoped for."

He opened the gate and watched as they passed. When dealing with the head strategist it was probably safer not to ask anymore questions.