Chapter 12 – Shadow – Sabotage

My traveling companion is still sleeping so I suppose I'll write to pass the time. I found his previous entries by himself and his friends so I shall add this entry as well, although I don't consider myself a friend. I didn't bother to read all of the entries that are here but I assume they tell the tales of the day and the tales of yesteryear. I shall not tell my tales of yesteryear like everyone else. I'm not afraid to do so…I'd just prefer not to draw unwanted, negative attention to myself. In fact, I'd prefer to not draw ANY attention to myself whatsoever. That being said, I suppose Mash can chalk that up as another reason I'm "dressed the way I am."

I don't know exactly what today will bring but the spirit winds tell me it shall be full of events. I may have to be extra careful with our toils today. My companion is strong willed indeed. He may have thought I was toying with him last evening in our struggle but I was actually giving my all. If there are more companioned warriors like him in this world then perhaps there's hope yet. I suppose it wouldn't hurt for me to explain my words, after all, I have nothing else to do until Mash wakes up.

The last several years of my life I've been jumping from job to job as a hired mercenary. Apparently, I do very good work; I haven't had one customer ask for a refund yet. It's rather funny. When I look at the Empire, which I despise, and then I look at myself, I see few differences. The Empire has a tendency to travel to faraway lands and destroy the cities they find to take them as their own. I, on the same note, have a tendency to leave a path of destruction in my wake simply for the money to continue wandering for another place to pave my next path. The only bit of righteousness I feel is from believing the destruction I cause makes the Empire raise an eyebrow. Although, I know that one man's work certainly couldn't achieve such an honor from Gastrah. It is fun to believe that one is righteous, even if no one else would agree with you. Then again, I have a feeling that today, traveling with this man, I will finally get my chance to strike down the Empire and give them a momentary wake up call. It does feel rather good to write down my feelings. Perhaps if I may find myself traveling with another bright eyed individual with a diary, I may find the nerve to tell my tale………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………...

Mash has awoken and we have planned our day. He's dead set on finding his friends, admirably loyal. We shall head south towards the Empire's base I spoke to him of before. I hope his mind and body are in sync; otherwise he won't last long in the camp. He has already proven to me that his bodily reflexes are worthy enough to earn him protection. A man's mind is not so easy to test. The Empire is going to take Doma soon. I don't know if this is a priority to Mash yet, but we shall find out sooner or later I suppose. Once we get through the base and the forest south of it, Mash can use the Baren Falls to reach a land where the citizens may be able to help him more than I. As for me, I won't be going that far. If he can reach Baren Falls then I believe he'll make the rest of his journey just fine. Besides, I have more work to be done, professionally and spiritually, in this realm so I shall opt to stay behind.

South we traveled, Mash seems much more lively and powerful today. The wet clothes he had on were a heavy handicap indeed. He's much stronger than I predicted, perhaps we actually could slip into the Empire's little base and wave around a few fingers and still be able to get away with all our ligaments. When we got close I gave Mash a caution. Seems for a king's brother he knows very little of the geography. Then again, a member of royalty doesn't usually take up the martial arts so seriously. We lightly treaded our way into the camp with no notice of the watchmen; apparently the watchmen weren't paying much attention as it is so this may actually be….easy. Not only were the watchmen not paying a lot of attention, they were conversing. Cefca, as much as he's hated outside of the Empire, he may very well be hated just as much within the Empire. I found that little tidbit a bit amusing, rather shocking, but not at all surprising. Then, we actually saw Cefca walking out of a tent and approach a guardsman. I've personally never seen him in real life. I've secretly hated the Empire so I've never made strides to publicly appose or affiliate with them. Mash, as it would seem, has been close to him at least a couple times. I looked long at Cefca, his clownish face and vibrant colored robes not at all hinting to his malevolence. Then I turned to glance at Mash and saw a facial expression I'd never imagine him to have. His twinkling, tireless eyes burned with a mask of pure hatred. I was intrigued to hear what the story was between Mash and Cefca but I'll save that conversation for a day less full.

Cefca moved on and so we treaded further into the camp. Luckily, the guards that had been in our path were ordered to leave camp immediately and head towards Doma for the assault on the castle. I'm a wanderer following the spirits' and winds' directions laid out for me. So, I've spent a little time in Doma, like every place else on the map. Doma's famous both for being honorable and powerful. They're legions have been dwindling as of late due to many of them joining up with the Returners. Doma, as you may have guessed, actually gave rise to the Returners. I haven't met their leader before, but my guess would be he came from Doma. If I'm wrong, well, I never said I was always right. The Returners are gathering a decent sized number for a group of radicals, with all if not most of their soldiers being from Doma. Even then, Doma has always had the smallest number of soldiers. The key is that Doma's soldiers are the strongest in the world, save those Magic-Based armors the Empire has been manufacturing. I fear, however, that the sheer numbers of the Empire will eventually overtake Doma. One Doma soldier, I'd say, could be as strong as three to five Empirial soldiers. The Empirial forces stationed here, however, have numbers comparable to what they'd need based on that estimate.

General Leo is here as well. He's seems to be the man in charge of this operation to take Doma. Now, I haven't met or seen Leo either, but I've read of his acts as well as the acts of all the other big names within the Empire. Leo, Celes, Cefca, and the mysterious 'witch' are the Empire's main forces. Although, word has spread that the 'witch' has been 'misplaced' and Celes has had a change of heart and is now to be executed for treason. Of them all, only Leo has the kind of track record that any honorable human being could be proud of, affiliated with the Empire or not. Hmm, perhaps Leo is from Doma? If so, that could and would explain why he's playing the waiting game against Doma's forces and taking things easy on the land itself. I know from the reports I've heard that Celes would just as well torch Doma like she did the fair city of Maranda. The 'witch' would probably do something similar. Who knows what Cefca would do! Leo, on the other hand, wants to honorably defeat Doma with as little bloodshed as possible. It's almost like it's not even a takeover to Leo, it's like it's a business merger. Leo's a good man, and I could tell Mash was thinking the same thing. I could also tell that Mash was thinking "what the hell! There's a good guy in the Empire!"

Then, as if it were a subtle sabotage, Leo got a carrier pigeon summoning him to return home to Vector. With that, Cefca would soon take Leo's place as head of the operation being he's the highest ranking soldier present after Leo's departure. We were spying on the conversations the whole time and we overheard something rather ghastly. Cefca planned on turning the waterways of Doma into a river of poison. It was then I could tell that this day wouldn't end without Mash and I becoming involved in some way…..

Author's Note: my computer is up in my new home so now i'm back to this fanfic..hopefully i can finish it...but i'm planning on getting a job this week...so who knows if i'll have time (but then again this is all personal matters ;;) thanx for the reviews everyone!

japanese/american

Mash/Sabin
Cefca/Kefka
Gastrah/Gestahl