Chapter 3: Travel
They were treading east at a steady pace with Jocelyn leading the way and the two sisters trailing her while Tetsujin took up the rear. The birds whistled through the trees and the trees swayed letting the wind take their leaves to places afar. It was a beautiful day, the clouds were nice, the sun was smiling down upon them, and the skies blessed them with a slight cool breeze. The winds graced their shoulders while the animals gave their companionship to the four.
It was lonely and silent, only the occasional call of the birds broke the silence. They were unsure of each other, who to trust and who not to so they shared.
Jocelyn said that her family was backing home in a village near the mountains and that they lived in a relatively large house. Admitting it made her blush and she assured them that she knew her own wits. She shared some times of travels and the others listened in anticipation. Aishou and Ketsurui turned out to be twin sisters. Sadly, they told of the terrible fate that befell their once peaceful village. The two reminisced the old times and shared sad laughter and happy memories. The two were very heartening. Last came Tetsujin who traveled from place to place to learn more about the world. He was smart and mused over many things and the trio thought they had lost him while he recollected the many things that he learned. All in all, they were a pretty vulnerable group, according to Tetsujin. The others could only agree with him.
The next location that they were headed to was an area near the ocean. There was suppose to be a small fishing village there. The four could not decide where they were journeying to though. Jocelyn said that she wished to just tag along and Tetsujin professed that he was traveling for more wisdom. Aishou and Ketsurui wished to find a new home and uncover what had destroyed their beloved village, friends and family. But lingering in their minds was the desire to know what had happened during that night with the bandits and they pondered whether it was a connection to the same event that happened with Aishou and Ketsurui's village.
Light flickered and played across the wall of the cave sending shadows racing and the light dancing. The source of the display was a single small candle that stood on a hardwood desk. A large map was beside the candle where a pencil wrote nosily onto it. The cave was small in size but served its purpose. A man sat in the chair and wrote upon the parchment of paper. He was scarred and was missing an eye. The bandages and blood caked clothes gave indication of his state of life. His eyes seem to stare into space and his face was blank, clear of emotion.
A sharp pain blasted his nervous system, making his writing falter. Trying to regain control of his senses, he fought hard against the pain. During the night, horrible scenes, and crimes committed came back to him. Fire, smoke, screaming, killing, and blood. How he lived through with this was beyond him. He had an organization of mercenaries at his beck and call. They were fierce and had a lust for killing.
A laugh escaped his lips and echoed loudly throughout the cave, the sound bouncing off the walls, the laughter was mocking him. He cut himself off and looked over the information he had received. Yes, his plan will be fulfilled and he would finally have his vengeance!