Fro Ninja:Hey guys! I know I've been gone a while, but I'm not gonna bore you with the details why. Let's get into the action!
A day later.
The Capital City of Esmania, Shieda
Town Ports
Jazmin's POV
I had never layed my eyes out to witness so much blue in my life before, from skies to sea that stretched out in front of me.. It was almost like one of my dreams, waiting for me to reach out to it. The wind blowing past my hair was pleasant supplement to what was to await beyond the borders of my home. Despite its intentions. I took one step closer to large crew ship that stood on the farther side of the port, decorated and lavished with the finest exterior. I would prefer if Father wouldn't provide such an obvious indication of the presence of foreign diplomat, but he will be savvy to my comfort I suppose.
Zechal rushed up to my side, seeming to carry luggage that would guarantee three lifetimes, packed onto each of his hands.
"Zechal? What are all of these things? Surely you would never think to overpack for our voyage."
"Forgive me Princess, but in truth this is actually YOUR luggage?" I felt the side of my cheeks blush bright red.
"My luggage? You would think I would be taking first class on a cruise, not a diplomatic mission to another country. Did my father put you up to this task?"
"As a matter of fact..." I saw sweat drop down in his cheek as I asked him. Father I swear...
"Well take it back. I would have no need for such over excessive baggage. Where we are going, we shall attempt to make due with the bare necessities."
"Do you think that's wise? I've heard many rumors about this Land of the Rising Sun that we visit. They have warriors that wield these oddly shaped swords, and their diet consists of nothing but rice and water. Not only that, they are very keen on their foreign arrivals. Such as us." Zechal almost sounded afraid and cautious at the same time. I thought of such things the whole time even as I slept. To visit another environment beyond your surroundings, is like journeying to another world, my mother used to say. I wonder if this is how she felt when you came here and met father. I didn't know what to expect, but surely I would have to encounter the truth sooner or later.
"I'm well aware of the unknowns that await us in these lands. All present rumors excluded of course, and it definitely behooves us to go well equipped..."
"Your highness..."
"But then again, where's the fun of adventure without the fear of the unknown to strike your heart? *giggles*"
"Of course...why did I expect any different?" I give him a tiny slap on the back as he was starting to slump in his position."Oww!"
"Shape up my bodyguard! Never forget your position, not even for a second! You musn't shirk your duties and more than I should!"
"Hmmph. All of my life has been committed to performing my duty of protecting you. That's all I've been taught ever since I was a babe. Since the day I could hold a sword, my father made time for me to learn nothing but how to wield and defend with a weapon in hand, and to fight against the opponent in front of me. To give him no breath. Everyday was filled with grueling exercise and painful discipline. I never even got to enjoy my childhood as it were."
"But you became stronger for it, didn't you?"
"Perhaps I did, but it's not like the teacher was a shining example of a good guide. Constant beatings and abusive drills. Being taught a soldier or a man for that matter must never show any weakness, no matter his situation. All on a child. One would think that someone of his respected stature would have some restraint when passing on his skills to a new generation, to not drive them away from its craft, and that's not even the worst part" As I hear Zechal ramble on for the next minute, I then see a familiar figure approach behind him, tall, muscular, bald with a bird shaped tatoo across his forehead, and armed to the head with a special silver forged sword hastened fast to his hip, wearing the special Kingsguard armor that only high ranking officials in military could wear, and have earned the respect of father. I cough leniently to try and signal him to stop his rant."Can you believe that he even tried to get rid of my overall fear by constantly scaring me out of my sleep as a child?! As if that would do any the torture continues even now. I swear, I'll be glad to leave him for at least a few days at the most."
"Ummm...Zechal." I then point past him to the giant man with the displeased face.
"He's...standing right behind me...isn't he?"
I silently nodded.
Suddenly the giant man picked Zechal off the ground and into his arms, making him drop his bags across the floor, and started giving him a bear hug.
"Well now! My son has truly think he has outgrown his own teacher, let alone his own father! Perhaps he needs a reminder on why our positions have been decided by the Gods and not the mouth of the small minded hmmm?!" The giant man gave out a hearty laugh that put slight fear into the other people walking around the sea port, even catching some stares. Not that it bothered him a tiny bit.
"I, like all father's consider it a privilege seeing their son grow up into the man that they could never be themselves, to acquire the skills they learned themselves as practice for their real world appliances such as this!"
"Practice for stuff like...what?! Breaking out...of a bear hug?!" After some struggling, Zechal finally broke free of his father's clutch. He tried to throw a few punches at him which were easily caught."Ahhh, though you're lessons were well taught, you still have much to learn young Zechal."
"Hopefully the teacher isn't you."
"Hahaha! Indeed! The greatest teacher of all, is life itself! Oh and it's lessons are harsh indeed. Why you almost wish that its toll were more rewarding than risky, at least how it fares to many!"
"Or how it fares to the few. Like yours truly!" Zechal puffed his chest out in pride, which had earned silence from the both of us."What? No standing ovation for that one?" His father then slapped his chest back into him.
"Oh stop your dribble boy. I didn't come for your delusions of grandeur and wild imaginations." He then walked past Zechal and bowed down to one knee in front of me."Your highness, it always a pleasure to see you."
"Likewise General Zahn." General Zahn. Leader of the Esmarian Military Assault and Defense Forces, and my father's personal bodyguard, and Zechal's father. Whenever my parents were away on business, he would often spend time with me as a child, telling me about his many stories of his conquests, battles, and even giving me some pointers in self defense."I imagine you've heard the news."
"Indeed I have. It saddens me that after not seeing you for so long, our reunion is so short lived. Would I have some say in the matter about this voyage you are being sent on..."
"You don't have to worry too much about it General. This journey is one of my own decision. My father has nothing do with it."
"Strong minded independence eh? I wonder you inherited that from."
"I can make a few guesses." We both began to chuckle, until we heard a sharp cough to which our laughing was cut abruptly.
"Oh hahaha. Very funny. Let's have my own bodyguard encourage my daughter of making fun of me why don't we all?" Father walked over to where we were. Mother was also with him, as was a bunch of other servants carrying what I assume is the rest of the luggage that Zechal was referring to earlier.
"It was merely a simple jest your Majesty. To downright insult you would mean to insult the very kingdom I have sworn to protect."
"Well that's good."
"Although it doesn't hurt..." He whispered to me,causing me to laugh once more.
"Hey! I heard that!" My father started to puff his cheeks out in embarrassment. My mother soon stepped in.
"Now, now. I would assume the Kings shield and the king himself wouldn't act unsightly in front of the future heir and her noble knight, would they?" As soon as she said that, both General Zahn and my father had straightened up their attitudes as well as their bodies. She then nodded in approval."Very good gentlemen." Oh to be like my mother. "We all came here to here to wish our only daughter well Tohmas. Let us not ruin it for her."
"Less luggage would definitely help." I said.
"Less luggage. How much less exactly?" My father worriedly asked.
"How about all of it for starters?"
Father's face soon turned pale as a ghost.
"But! This luggage was taken from the finest merchants and artisans in the city. The finest clothes from the seamstresses. Crafts, jewelry, pottery."
"Ideal for a recreational cruise father, not an ambassadors vessel. Even the decorations for the ship are just a tad..." I then point out to the white velvet strings hanging from the bow, and sighed."...overbearing"
"B-b-but, my daughter, The Princess! Deserves her very best attire and accessories when venturing to a foreign country. To represent peoples well!"
As I let out a silent sigh, My mother stepped in the middle of my father's desperate pandering.
"My king. If your daughter knows the luggage and belongings that she must travel with on this journey, then she knows what's best for her on all aspects. She has demonstrated her thinking is already that of a worthy heir to the throne time and time again, including her decision to being a part of this voyage. Allow her this freedom just once."
My father started to pace around us, with a clearly worried look on his face, his default expression as it were. After a minute of pondering the words of my mother, he cleared his throat before speaking.
"Very well..." He turned to me, placing his hands on my shoulder. His face had formed into one that I had only ever seen once. His eyes were focused with perfect contortion in his face, with nothing moving out of place. It was the face of a true ruler, one that once your eyes feasted upon it, all of your attention was garnered, as was mine."My daughter, I have heard both the words of you, and my Queen, and I have come to the decision of allowing you to choose for yourself on this journey. Admittedly, I am still, very, very, VERY, much against you going with very little knowledge of the outside of world, but I applaud you for stepping up and taking a duty that very few would even consider for the sake of their country. Despite my constant worrying, concern for you..."
"The bickering, don't forget the bickering." The general blurted out in my father's very seldom serious moment. Surprisingly, he didn't have a funny smirk or look in his face, rather it remained unchanged from his rare serious face.
"General Zecham. I am conversing with my daughter. I would have you hold all comments until I finish my message to her, even more so if they are merely to jest."
The general then straightened up as he heard my father's words, like a true bodyguard would to his charge, and not just him, everyone around us had stopped to take notice of the King's presence.
"In short, I only do so much, and try to provide so much is because I always want to remind you that you always have a home to come back to, and should you ever feel alone in this world, the things that I give you will serve as a continuous moniker of not only your country, nor your heritage, or your family, but who you are."
In that moment, I felt a huge wave of feelings overflow inside of me. I was left utterly speechless at my father's speech. All I could do was search for words in my head while I stood there. As he finished, I sensed this colossal force weigh me down. My heart became disquiet with fear, more fear than it had ever felt before in my life. What was sentiment that I couldn't identify?
"Father...I"
As I tried to open my mouth, the ships horns had blared out across all yards of the port.
"ALL ABOARD! ALL ABOARD! WE WILL SET OUT IN 5 MINUTES! 5 MINUTES!"
My mind was in a blank from the captain's announcement, and the response that I was thinking off had been discarded. Zechal then came to my side.
"Your highness. I'm afraid we must start to board the ship." He said as his voice broke me out of my trance.
"Huh? Oh, yes we must." I shook my head clear of all negative thoughts I was just having. I look back to my father and his usual slumpy expression, with all traces of the previous one gone, leaving only my memory of it.
"Well, then. Looks like you must be off now." He said.
"Yes...Indeed I must." My father pulled me in for a strong embrace from his arms. Though surprised, I returned it.
"I will miss you my than you know."
"I know father."
I then let go of him, and gave the same embrace in kind to my mother. I burried myself in her bosom, for it would be the last time for a while.
"Walk tall my daughter. I have grown to be so proud of you over these years. My heart is filled with sorrow watching you go like this, but I know in my deepest of hearts that not only this voyage will not only be beneficial for the kingdom, but for you as well."
"Thank you very much mother. I will make you proud."
As we disconnected, I felt my eyes swell up. They felt wet and warm, and then feeling a sensation roll down my cheek. I touched it to confirm my tears. My mother wiped my eyes with her gentle hands, and kissed my softly on my forehead, like all of the times she would wish me a good nights sleep. I then glide my eyes over, seeing the general stand in front of Zechal. Stoic and expressionless as always with him.
"Never let the princess out of your sight boy. Do you hear me?"
"Yes father. I will utilize everything that you taught me over the years, and my protection will be swift and true to the throne."
The general grunted under his breath, almost as if something were stuck in his throat, like particular words that would be said to his son.
"Yes...right. Indeed you will. Good."
"Right."
Even though they weren't saying it directly, The Oracle once told me that the hearts of men is something that cannot be explained with mere words, but through action, and sentiment alone, despite its lack of expression.
Both me and Zechal set foot on the wooden platform, leading up to the ships entrance, with him guiding my steps along the way of the rickety board. I step on the ship itself, with the entrance to the deck in front of me. Before I ventured in, I turn around to take one last look at my home. To see its golden buildings and structures sticking out overview to touch the sky. The palace in the far sight of my view, and my parents and the general looking up at me from the port. I wave out at them, with my eyes swelling up again, and my vision becoming more blurry by the second. Even fading, until...
...
"...rincess...princess...Princess! Wake up!"
My eyes slowly open up, trying to make sense of everything around me, only guided by someones voice, dragging me out of my slumber. I look to see Zechal's doting face as the first thing I lay eyes on. I then look out at the sky, as it moves continuously, almost as if it were on a reel of sorts. I then realize that we were moving on a vehicle of some nature, as I felt my body shake and turn.
"Finally, you're awake." Zechal said as I lean up from my resting place. I then take notice to our other passengers, our guardians on our mission. The master samurai. I take a better look out our six man carriage as it was being pulled by two horses, traveling down a neatly paved road passing by luscious trees and shrubbery. I felt my head looking around from my left and right in amazement at the scenery. My mouth open agape, expressing my excitement and amazement.
"Man, if this is enough to set you off princess, you ain't gonna make it very far out here." The more taller master samurai spoke. I believe his title was Black Dynamite. I wasn't sure if it was his real name, though Master Huey assures me that it is.
"Oh my. Is there truly so much more to see than this?"
He shook his head, chuckling under his breath, putting Zechal on guard.
"That's how I know you didn't get out of your royal palace much."
Zechal confronted him, taking offense on my behalf.
"Are you calling the princess ignorant of her surroundings?!"
"Did I say she was ignorant little pup? I only meant that she should look beyond what she sees in front of her is all."
"Is that so? Very well. But know this, I am watching your behavior. You are the least striking of what I like to see in a samurai."
"Yeah? I don't look like a samurai to you? Well in that case, you would be right pipsqueak. I don't consider myself a samurai. Know what means? Means I can do whatever I want, however I want without worrying about some fat ass pork eating noble lord telling me what to do. Not that I would expect you to understand."
"I serve a holy king. Ordained by the Gods that govern our way of life, and protect his heir. A calling that only a number of people can answer to, and an opportunity that offers station and reputation. You are nothing more a glorified thug that relies on vice and sin for his source of income."
"Believe me young blood. Vice and sin can mean a lot to you in the long run. You'll definitely know the intentions of everyone around you and what everything can do to you the more stay rooted at the bottom of it all. I can see it in your eyes. You ain't nowhere near the bottom. You haven't slipped in the damn barrel yet."
Zechal snorted his nose, giving no response to the master samurai.
"Ain't got nothing to say to that huh? You soft. I can tell."
"Please Dynamite-dono, we should at least try and bond with the company that we keep." The young boy called Ceasar tried to keep peace between the two. Both of them still had some ill intent within their eyes, but judging by the lack of movement by the other two of our escorts, they somehow knew it wouldn't resort to violence. Although, it hardly relaxed my fears.
"Ceasar, don't try to play that nice guy shit with me man. I can tell you don't agree with these turkeys either."
"Personal feelings aside. I'm rather focused that we shouldn't give the impression that we can easily antagonize our charges, especially when we are still a considerable distance away from our destination. You wouldn't want a bad reputation to be split on the companies name because of your reluctance to see the perspective of another's beliefs?"
Black Dynamite grunted, and turned his face to the side, as if to hide his embarrassment. I could hear some sort of incoherent mumbling under his breath as he did so.
"I thought so. If possible, do try to remember such a moniker in the future Dynamite-dono, I too have a responsibility to maintain the companies image as well as the Wuncler clan's, as much as all of you do."
"You've made that pretty clear Ceasar."
"I'm so glad that I have Huey-dono. And I trust that Dynamite-dono will as well." He then cleared his throat, and gave a formal bow to me and Zechal."My apologies Princess Jazmin, the charges that handle your escort are nowhere near the barbarians that most people make them out to be. It's simply put that being in such a line of work like theirs can make a person...how do you say...cautious of any new encounter that may come his way. I sincerely hope you or your companion weren't offended in anyway."
I put my hand out in reassurance.
"Please. No apologies are necessary. While our cultures stand on very different platforms in terms of how we see things, there is no improbable means to which that we cannot stand on common ground with each other as people."
"I am in full agreement milady. Very well put. I must say, you certainly have a talent for diplomacy. Is it a well learned skill in your country?"
"Our society has a perfect balance between political and military affairs. Children are educated in both fields in order to make for more fully functional citizens that are well versed in matters revolving the mind and the sword."
"Fascinating place, your country Esmania. I have always found interest when discovering the lifestyles of other places and countries, as it to be a a excellent way of expanding ones horizons, even for others .Wouldn't you agree Huey-dono?" Ceasar turned to the youngest samurai, who was looking out at the scenery. His face was quite intimidating to keep contact with. He turned around as Ceasar beckoned for his attention.
His raised eyebrow gave an impression of disinterest in our topic. He sighed before talking."Why are you asking me about such things?"
"I thought it would just be nice to have your input on such a topic of coming from and visiting foreign lands, as you come from one yourself."
I was taken aback in surprise.
"Master Huey. You are not originally from this land? You come from somewhere else?"
"Something like that."
"Well, where are you from, if I may ask? You are very well versed in the culture of these surroundings, I would have never inferred that you weren't from here."
"You seriously don't know where I come from? Just by looking at me?"
"I'm afraid I don't understand. How could I tell by looking at your appearance alone?"
"Not looking at me. You know where I come from. What kind of place it was. You felt it earlier didn't you?"
I started to feel a sharp sense run up and down my spine. Was he trying to familiarize with my abilities? It's true, I felt something...different about his energy, but I simply thought it was the atmosphere of the environment cycling around him. But know, I could tell it was something more. The Oracle always warned me about reading too far into a person's aura, especially if they know you are capable of such things, as they could feel threatened as a human being. To have their own essence perverted through such unnatural means. It takes a special person to see such means even more so.
"What's that all about anyway? You can see inside a person or something?" He was becoming more intriguing by second.
"I'm afraid I cannot discuss such things with...outsiders from my country."
"We're both outsiders, just as you pointed out right? So technically we have some common ground as people don't we? So what's the harm and explaining some part about yourself, as you ask the same of me." His expression was unwavering as it locked into a stare with my own eyes. An unmovable force prevented me from looking away. Huey Freeman...just who was he."So tell me...what can you see about me?"
"Hey! Mercenary! Keep such inquisitions to your own ilk. Interrogating the princess is one of the many I won't condone in my presence!" Zechal intervened as I was about to speak. I decided to hold my tongue, lest I give incentive to his intervention.
"It wasn't an inquisition. She asked me a question, and I just simply offered one in return for my answer. Don't you think you're overreacting just a bit?"
"Overreacting is a good sign in the force where I come from. It shows that no such atrocities nor signs of malice will occur, even under the guise of so called piece between two different parties."
"Yeah? Where where I come from, we have another word for that."
"Really? And what is that?"
"It's called being paranoid. Even when the situation doesn't call for it."
"Hmmph. Awfully cheeky for a young one aren't you?"
"Cheekiness is a good sign where I come from. It shows you won't take shit lying down, and you aren't afraid to question those with good intentions."
In that moment, I felt Huey's heart close even more. No, it had already been shut a considerable amount, not by my doing or presence. It was a thing that had already been well established before our meeting.
The carriage had made its way through a lush forest just outside of a clearing where we had made several alternating turns. Occasionally we would stop for breaks of water, and just stretch for a few minutes before resuming our journey. We had made a turn around a huge bend coming into what looked like a very wide road with a huge space on the leftmost side of it. Beyond the space was a large farming field of sorts, filled with a variety of fruits and other vegetables, all layed out in neat and organized rows and beds of other crops and plants. I knew better than to not expect such exemplary show of agriculture from an island nation. I felt inclined to offer we stop and take a minute to admire the fields, but the suggestion was quickly turned down by the leader Afro-sensei as Huey calls him.
We made our way across the field to a crossroads, when we started to hear disturbing noises coming from a fair distance.
"What the hell was that?!" Dynamite had yelled out and rushed out of the carriage, with the other three following suit. Zechal eventually followed in their trail. He then stopped me as I tried to make my way out as well.
"Stay here."
"But I must see what's happening!"
"Trust me, if its got brutes like them riled up, it can't be anything good."
"Zechal...I."
"Please Princess. This is a request from your bodyguard. Do as I say while I investigate the distubance." With that, Zechal left me in the safety of the carriage. It didn't take me long to grow anxious over what was happening just a few feet away from me. The driver started to grow impatient, as we almost two minutes behind schedule.
"Hey! Are your friends going to be coming back anytime soon?! I still got a good five miles to cover with you people till we get to the next village, and is promising me double on this job!"
"I'm afraid I don't know."
"Well listen. I got a route to keep, and I have to adhere to it no matter what kind of crap is happening. So if you wanna see what's the holdup, we can make this go by a lot faster girlie!"
I felt mildly swayed by the drivers words, and accumulated them with my own feelings on the matter. I almost had reasonable assurance that there was to be some danger at hand with their investigation. Feeling that I understood what was to be expected, I steeled my heart and exited the carriage.
"I will go investigate their disapperance myself then! Please watch our transportation. I will try to return shortly!"
"Do whatever you gotta do Princess! As long as I'm getting paid by someone I'll wait until the island sinks into the ocean!"
Though he was cocksure in his attempts to try and rationalize me giving him more money, I paid it no mind and made my way down the hill where the others were.
Meanwhile
Third Person POV
The gang had closed up to a nearby shrubbery and hid behind the bush to try and make out what was happening across the distance. They saw several figures moving in sudden and violent patterns, even brandishing arms.
"Well, now. If it ain't a old fashioned massacre on poor innocent farmers. How hay pecked can you get from doing all of this shit?" Black Dynamite scoffed at the event taking place. The bandits had ran across the fields, slashing up the majority of the crops and threatening the farmers, who were at their complete mercy.
"What should we do?" Ceasar asked.
"Do? Why should we have to do anything?" Black Dynamite gave a blunt response. "This kind of stuff ain't even our job. We're already in the middle of one. That we're getting paid for might I add."
"We should still at least offer our help." He added.
"Is it not in your code as samurai to offer aid to the innocent in times of crisis."
"Hate to break it you ain't samurai. We're a couple of blacks with swords that have to put bread on the table. That kind of grind don't get interrupted by nothing. Even by some broke farmers getting robbed by even more broke bandits."
"Even if you aren't by name, you must still abide by code don't you?"
"A code ain't nothing to it if you don't live by it, and that sure as hell something we have been doing lately. So if you want to change that, be my guest young blood."
Ceasar looked panicked as he searched for an answer. Turning to Huey, he pressed him for help.
"Huey-dono please! You must help them!"
Huey shook his head.
"We have a mission. We shouldn't jeopardize it for anything. We're not even halfway to our destination. We can't afford to get sidetrack now."
"You call innocents getting slaughtered sidetracked?" A voice came from behind them.
They turned around to spot Zechal coming from down the hill through the bushes."And here I thought you couldn't fall any further as wielders of the sword when you rely on passion and sin to keep you sated, now I see you barely lifting a finger to help simple people being brought down?! You disgust me!"
"I don't see you rushing into help them turkey." Black Dynamite snapped back at him.
"Only a fool would simply rush in without knowing the circumstances of the combat. A sure way to a fast death."
"You would be an expert in that regard wouldn't you?"
Zechal made space between and Huey to observe the situation, scouting for any detail in enemy formations, fighting styles, distance from one another, and the best way to finish them off quickly.
"I spot...five...no six of them. They are wielding the same swords as you are, but their grip is rather strange."
"Strange how?" Huey asked.
"They seem to be holding it in a backwards fashion, with the blade pointing towards their body instead of their targets. I have never seen such a style."
The rest of them viewed the bandits to follow up on Zechal's words, and were surprised by what they were seeing. The bandits had handled the sword in a reverse styled grip, and had been using it on the farmers as they cut them down. Though they pondered on the observation, they couldn't offer any input towards it, save for Afro, who seemed to be the least surprised by the bandit's method of fighting.
"Sensei? Do you know something about the way they fight?" Huey noticed his master's still notion toward the style.
"Only very little. It's very unorthodox. I've only seen a few people use it. It never did them any good in a fight, but from the looks of it...these ones may be different. The way they swing. It's almost they are waiting for a target to wander into their combat zone for them to take effect. "
"Waiting..." Ceasar pondered."How bizarre. I've never heard of such a fighting style in all my time observing the samurai. Extraordinary."
"Hmmph. It don't make a difference to Black Dynamite, what style they're rocking, they can't handle my style that will Chop Suey up their ass!"
"Oh! So does that mean you're going to help them?!" Ceasar exclaimed.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. We're just observing." Huey said.
"It's just like little Huey says. We should be making our way back to the carriage anyhow."
As they all stood up to leave, Zechal stood and stomped his foot to the ground in anger.
"Cowards! Even after all I said...you still wouldn't help them?!"
"When did we say we were going help 'em boy?" brushed him off.
"Even your adviser suggests we should help them! This is an act of proper swordsmen, surely you could see this!"
"Look kid. We all have jobs here to do. Ours is to make sure little miss prim and proper makes it to Edo safe and sound. Ceasar's is to advise on our best possible situation, even if we don't agree with it. And your job is to make sure that little miss prim and proper in question doesn't get filled with holes more than us. Doing this means forsaking all of that. Is that really what you want on your record? To put aside your responsibility of protecting your princess just to gut some bandits and be a local hero? Please!"
"Worrying about the well being of the princess is a matter that I will not have you take lightly! And you don't have to worry about her. She is left safe in the carriage, where no harm will come to her. All from my direction! She is perfectly immune from damage!" Zechal said with his nose high in the air, as he waited for his response, only getting silence from the others.
"Is...that why she's right there behind you?" Huey asked.
"Hmm?" Zechal peeked behind by his shoulders to spot the princess standing patiently behind him. He flinched with great fear, from her sudden appearance."PRI-PRI-PRINCESS! Wh-what are you doing here?!" Zechal's had a face that looked like his heart was going to hop out from his chest though his mouth.
"Zechal...please quiet down before you give away our position." She placed her fingers on her lips towards her bodyguard, who in the middle of his flailing around had quieted down almost like a loyal dog. Huey and the gang were all taken aback even more than Zechal.
"When the hell did she get here? I didn't even hear her coming down the hill past the bushes." said surprised.
"Yeah, no kidding." Huey agreed."I don't know how she did it, but she's no regular princess. I now know that more than ever."
Jazmin then approached the gang with focused eyes, concerned on the situation at hand.
"I am fully aware of the situation, and the details behind our assailants on the farmers. But I still see you and your company have done nothing to rectify it."
"Well, if you were listening to all that. Then you should know that it ain't in our policy to get sidetracked for bullshit like this. And don't try and pull that samurai code crap with us. We aren't hed down by that malarkey, so ain't no use try to convince us on that front Princess."
"I will not try and incite you on such grounds, rest assured. But I am apalled that you feel that you are so skilled that you don't even feel the slightest inkling to help innocents when they are clearly being terrorized. Does that not bother you in the slightest as humans, let alone warriors?" Jazmin had asked the question to all of them. She knew very well the answer that she would receive, but she did in a last minute attempt to prove her own expectations wrong.
"Hate to break it you, but that's not our job."
"Not your job you say? So your job is simply to escort me to the capital, assissting me in my mission, and hoping not to encounter any foreign events along the path? Surely you can see there is a measure of possibility that you will come into contact with conflict, even if you do not wish for it."
"Oh yeah? Whose to say that if we get involved, more conflict won't be stirred? What will we do then?" Huey asked Jazmin."Have you ever put yourself in the shoes of a combat zone? Feeling the weight of a sword as you aim it towards your enemy, clashing with him, attempting to take his life is neccessary for any reason that you see fit? And even if you do strike him down, you only have the next fight to look forward to."
Jazmin nodded in complecency towards the statement.
"I have certainly never taken a life before Master Samurai, but I have never allowed myself to let a person nor a group fall to the whims of evil. A prospect that I've spent nearly my whole life trying to uphold, even now on this mission of peace. So, the scene that is unfolding before me, I cannot in good conscience allow to occur more."
"Feel whatever you want to think little girl. But last time I checked, you ain't in the position to make demands of us, only to that lapdog of yours over there who can't even make sure you follow his orders correctly." Black Dynamite chided her."With all of that against you, what you do intend do then?"
Jazmin stayed silent for a minute, staring at the grass under her feet. Suddenly, she then grabbed Zechal's sword from his holster in a process so fast he couldn't even react in time and rushed over the bush that overlooked the farming fields.
"My intentions after all fails...Take matters into my own hands!" She yelled out as she ran out into the fields, leaving the others motionless.
"Did...she just...?" Ceasar said with his mouth hanging open.
"I believe she did..." Afro also commented.
"Princess!" Zechal trailed quickly after her without a second thought.
"Shit...now what?!" threw his arms in the air in frustration.
Huey then stood up and gripped his blade.
"Sensei. I want to go as well." He said.
"Why?"
"If either her or her bodyguard perishes, it'll make the mission redundant before it even starts. Plus it will be a good chance to put my training to good use especially against opponents that fight with unfamiliar methods, and to see if I am indeed worthy of being your apprentice. So, please, allow me to go with them."
Afro then looked at young Huey's eyes, then his body language. All of which had nothing to drive him as someone that could be depended on for such a large operation on his own, but this would indeed be a good test for the young apprentice. Not just to see if his path of the sword was one that was deftly lit before him, but to prove to himself that he was worthy of carrying such weight on his own.
"Go on then."
Receiving his position, Huey gave a quick bow before running out after the princess and her bodyguard, with his sword heavy in his hands.
"You sure 'bout this Afro?" asked him."What is this going to prove to you? The kid can hold his own in a sparring match against me or you, but he ain't ever been in anything serious. He's gonna get himself killed. You'll be okay with that?"
Afro silently nodded and crossed his arms. Ceasar cleared his throat, patting on his shoulder.
"I'm certain Afro-dono trusts his student. It's a bond that is sacred that is told with more than words. Plus he has trained him very effectively over these past few years, and he has proven very reliable on countless assignments before this one."
"This ain't no catch and grab job Cesar."
Princess Jazmin rushed towards the one of the bandits at top speed, holding the sword closely by her hip, and her hand holding the grip tightly. Zechal followed closely behind her, attempting to stop her from attacking.
"Princess! Wait!" The bandit was tall and unkempt in every regard of his appearance. She came up to his blind spot and drew the sword out of the holster, hoping to catch him off guard. At the last second, her blade came into contact with his, with sparks flying from their contact, all without him not looking in her general direction, yet offered defense perfectly.
"Impossible!" Jazmin yelled out as she came for another assault from her sword from the rightmost side of the bandits body, and met another defense as well as his unmoving head toward where his sword was pointing, held uniquely in a reverse grip. She attempted a couple more times with quick and agile strikes, but were all deftly blocked. In the middle of her attack, he used the momentum of her swing and followed up with a counter attack by knocking the sword out of her hands into the air. Seeing the bandit about to strike the now defensless Jazmin, Zechal jumped up to grab his sword in midair, coming down into contact with the bandit.
"Princess! Get back!" Zechal yelled out, while struggling in a deadlock with the bandit. Whom he noticed upon closer inspection of his tattered appearance, were the absence of one of the most vital tools of a warrior, let alone a person. His eyes. As they were completely torn out, leaving only the sockets and scar still visible across the face."He's...blind?!"
"Eyes...aren't neccessary to see to just what lies in front of you in battle!" The bandit came back with a string of counter attacks, following up with Zechal's movements. Though he tried to outpace him, Zechal fell short by just a few seconds every strike, almost as if his movements were being perfectly read no matter from what area he struck from. Feeling like he would do better better defending rather than attacking, he took a break from his onslaught and entered a defensive stance, which the bandit took immediate notice of once he noticed in the lack of aggression from him.
"Ahh...feeling for an opportunity to take advantage of my attacks eh? You won't get any of that from me you know..." The bandit attempted to lure him in with taunts. Zechal stayed focused as he circled around him, waiting for an opening.
"I know you cannot see...so you must be detecting my movements in some manner or form."
"Silly boy. Is so dependent on his two eyes that he can't see past his third!" The bandit drew his feet closer to Zechal, causing him to draw back. Their two two blades got close to each other, almost to touch. As soon as they touched, both of them sprang into action, trading blows with each other once again. Zechal was still being pressed, but not before trying find someway around his opponents seemingly defensive posture.
As he stood fighting one of the bandits, Jazmin could hear more screams in the general direction towards the east, with the rest of the bandits closing in on the last remaining farmers, with others filled up the rows with their corpses.
"Zechal, I'm going to help the rest of the farmers!" She said as she ran off .
"What?! No, Princess! Stay where I can see you!" The bandit started to press more into Zechal as he was briefly distracted, only putting his guard up at a last seconds notice.
"You best pay attention now!"
Zechal broke of the bandits hold on him,and forward with a string of attack that all ended up getting blocked or at worst parried into another counter. As he backed off of his enemy, he began to notice a strange occurence in his oppenents movement, more specifically his footwork, almost as if he were gliding around him. He also picked up on the slow weavings of his blade as it moved back in forth, as well as a constant twitching in his right ear.
"Could that be it?" Zechal thought to himself. He then moved in with a newly found plan of attack and the battle between the two continued on.
Across the field, the bandits slowly crept up to the last farmers, and old man and woman. Jazmin approached the entire scene.
"Stop! Leave them alone!" She demanded them.
"Hahaa! Do I hear a little girl now? A little girl that she thinks she can stop us?" One of the bandits spoke in a sarcastic tone. Just like the other one she encountered not that long ago, all of these bandits had their eyes gouged out, but somehow had full awareness of their surroundings."I take it your part of the calvary eh? Though I don't hear no sword on ya. You gonna try and give me and good finger wagging are you?" He then drew closer to Jazmin, chortling along the way. Suddenly held his blade to her neck, showing her own reflection within the steel."Should I take that finger of yours girlie? A daft brat like yourself doesn't look like she needs it if she thinks she can just walk up to us no problem. Maybe we should educate you on how this whole thing works."
"Hahaha! Yeah! Do that shit!"
"Trying to lecture on us what we should do huh? Maybe we should give you one in return for fucking with us!"
All of the bandits started to burst out with laughter. Despite the blade almost cutting through her skin, Jazmin's face was devoid of any fear. Instead, her eyes raced around her surroundings, observing the bandits.
"I see now...now I understand your method of fighting."
"Say what?!"
In that moment, Jazmin hastily ducked under the sword, and took the bandit down from under his legs with her hands, turning him over on his back and taking his sword, all in one swift motion. Holding it towards the other bandits who had gone on their guard from the sudden turn of events after hearing the thud of their partner.
"I was caught off guard by one of your other allies earlier, but that was mainly because I was stuck trying to figure out how he was able to intercept my attacks despite his eyes not focused on the direction on his blade, but one factor was able to clue me in on it. Everytime he attacked, he always led with his pivot inside of his striking zone, continuously moving it in every direction, almost like a scanner of sorts that senses movement from the ground up, especially from his opponents, and then uses the ears to detect and wait for his opponent to make a move so he could intercept. All of which is done, while lacking proper eyesight. Which is also why you hold the blade in a reverse grip as well, to make it easier for defensive posture and to switch to assault proportions."
All of the bandits stood there shocked as one little girl figured out the entire basis of their fighting technique.
"Though I must say, it has been some time since I have handled a sword, so I admit I am a little rusty in the martial arts. Perhahps you fiends can serve as good practice for me?"
"You little bitch!" One of the bandits charged for her, twirling his sword around in a circular motion. As she got ready to guard for the incoming attack, young Huey hopped over her,his figure blocked out by the sun giving him the guise of a shadow moving across the field. With a forward slice, he then brought the blade across the skin of the bandits throat. Within a few milliseconds, blood forcefully sprayed out of him as his now dead body drooped down in the grass as Huey made a nearly perfect landing with his sword steadily still at his hip in a drawing stance. All of the other bandits, exclaimed in shock at the unbelievable speed and agility that was displayed from one so young. He slowly stood up with a presence completely different from his usual indifferent demeanor. Princess Jazmin watched in awe at his transformation. She knew in her heart, this was Huey Freeman, the Apprentice of the Number Two.
CHAPTER 6 END
Fro Ninja; Thank you for reading, and remember, One Love!