In which Yun tries to maintain some semblance of order in Thomas's absence, and Juan has opinions that raise questions.
The contents of this chapter aren't based on anything. The original posts never involved a decision-making council. Rather than strictly adhere to those events, I chose to explore a different "what if" scenario.
These were still our wild-west days, after all.
"Hold up… what was this for again?"
"I'm looking for signatures," Yun offered a friendly nod and smile. Both gestures were practically reflexive at this point. "Do you have a moment?"
Juan cracked his neck, then leaned against the outer wall of his dojo with folded arms. His aura was prickly, rolling off him in slow, lazy waves. She couldn't sense any ill-will, but his eyebrow still twitched. "Signatures? Sorry, I'm not really following… I was asleep only a moment ago, you know. Takes a bit to get up to speed."
Yun cleared her throat and prepared to deliver the same speech that was now committed to memory. "I'm gathering signatures on behalf of an appeal I'll be presenting for the prisoner in the sublevel jail—"
"Wow, we're actually imprisoning someone?"
"Y… you didn't know?"
The bujutsu teacher shrugged. "Do I look like a prison warden? If it's not in the castle newspaper, I'm uninformed. So who's the unlucky sucker who got their dessert privileges suspended?"
"I'm sorry," Yun said. "What are you talking about?"
"If someone's in prison, I figure Cecile probably put them there. And revoking dessert privileges is her go-to for discipline. Trust me on this one."
"Oh dear," she sighed. "Not quite. I can go into the details if you wish."
"Details?" Juan yawned. The stalk of grass dangling from the corner of his mouth bobbed along. "Not really. Sounds like too much work for me to care. So what do you want me to do again?"
Spirits, grant me patience…
Her eyes darted back to the list of names running down the sheet clipped to her board. The division cleanly split down the middle. With her own name withheld, they were close to a tie. The entire endeavor thus far was a curious experience. Some people recognized Luca and were horrified by her request, while others were unfamiliar and easily swayed. She was starting to question adding a 'no' column instead of simply collecting only 'yes' names. But it felt like the right thing to do, and she was eager to keep things as fair and just, especially in light of Thomas's departure. If they were to govern themselves, it was only right to provide fair representation of both sides.
Yun offered up her clipboard and a small quill. "I'm looking to make a case in favor of Luca's release," she said. "I believe he's had time to reflect on his misdemeanors and is ready to be reintroduced as a productive member of the castle. We should all strive to get along, don't you agree?"
"Luca…" he frowned. "Why's that name sound familiar?"
Oh no, how much does he know?
She drew a slow breath, sensing the rising disdain of the spirits as they whispered to her. Like several castle residents, they too seemed keen to keep Luca in jail. Yun knew they would vote 'no' in a heartbeat.
I want to see what fate has in store for him. I refuse to believe he's destined to remain in a jail cell indefinitely. There must be a reason why we've both come here, right?
"Oh shoot," Juan suddenly pounded his fist into his palm. "I remember now. He's that fellow Viki was all torn up over, wasn't he?"
"Was she?"
"Yeah, the dead guy, right?"
"Luca? Y… yes, I suppose so."
"Like you," Juan added, catching her eye. Any trace of his earlier drowsy lull was nowhere to be found, and his aura was sharp and clear. She couldn't help but feel guilty under his gaze. "Funny how that works out, huh? People comin' back and all that, yeah?"
She stared back, trying to discern the meaning behind his words. The man was Budehuc's bujutsu instructor, so it was no surprise he was perceptive, even if it didn't exactly suit her needs at the moment. Yun swallowed. This was for a good cause, but why did it feel so guilty?
"You know, there are a few people I can think of I'd really rather not see come back here, Yun. It'd be a lot of trouble for Budehuc… if you catch my drift."
His aura darkened. It wasn't meant to be a threat, but the meaning behind his words was clear. A flicker of shame burned hot in her stomach. Was it really for Luca's benefit that she was working so hard to clear his name and grant him approval for release?
Juan yawned, as if his brief moment of clarity never happened. He rumpled a hand through his close-cut hair with another sigh. "Lemme check out that petition of yours. Who's signing?"
"Anyone is free to sign. With Master Thomas leaving… well, I'm trying to maintain some semblance of governance in his absence."
The stalk of grass in Juan's mouth stuck out at an irritable angle as he clenched his jaw. His aura prickled again. It was clearly a sore topic. Yun winced and regretted bringing it up.
"Let's see," he ran a finger down the list, "looks like Fred's a big old bleeding heart and signed yes, an angry NO from Clive, a yes from Cecile, but she's never been a good judge of character, and Viki—" he paused, "what's going on here?"
Yun peered over the clipboard. Viki's name was in tidy cursive stradling between the 'yes' and 'no' columns. The dot over her i streamed across the paper in a long, unbroken line. "Ah," Yun said. "She sneezed partway through writing her name, and then..."
"Oh."
"I'm honestly not sure which column she was planning to sign under."
"Well… I guess since she was so torn up about it, that'd make sense. She seems to think it's her fault he's here. But she's just blaming herself for something out of her control. I think this is bigger than just Viki."
"Really?" Yun leaned in, "Then what do you believe it could be?"
Curiosity seized her in an unshakable grip. Yun knew there was no way Viki was responsible for her own resurrection. It was completely impossible. A teleportation sneeze wasn't about to bring someone back from the dead, nor could it restore a soul sent off during the ritual… at least, not to her knowledge. And with Luca's case, Yun knew even less about his circumstances, but it was undeniable by the imprint on his aura that the man died once before. Her mind raced with possibilities as she tried to make sense of any possible connections tying them together.
Juan shrugged. "What do I believe? I got nothing."
"Ah." Her shoulders slumped. "I see."
"I just don't think Viki's doing anything on purpose," he continued, "so if it makes her feel better to let the guy out and 'redeem' himself or whatever you're suggesting…" Juan scrawled across the parchment, then handed the clipboard back to Yun, "consider my signature a 'yes'. 'Sides, Thomas was always about giving people a chance. We're self-governing now, aren't we?"
Yun took the clipboard, eagerly scanning through the list as Juan watched her with a satisfied grin. She paused again at the newest signature. "'Schtolteheim Reinbach the Third'?"
"Heh. You didn't say it had to be my name."
"As in The Rose Swordsman? That Schtolteheim Reinbach the Third?"
She couldn't help but smile to herself. Chris Lightfellow's cheeky use of the legendary literary hero's name during her undercover trip to the Alma Kinan village was a fond memory. Yun managed to track down the same book at the Budehuc library during her stay and read the entire story cover-to-cover in her eagerness to learn more about the man who bore the name Chris chose for her codename. She hoped if the captain of the Zexen Knights ever came back to Budehuc, they could discuss the book together.
Juan laid back across a nearby bale of hay and stretched out like a sunbathing cat. "Look. You got your 'yes'. Are you really gonna complain? I've got an important nap to get back to."
"Thank you, Juan—er, Schtolteheim Reinbach the Third."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
She bowed, clutching the clipboard to her chest. Juan was right; there was nothing to be gained by questioning his goodwill, and with the collection of signatures nearly full, it was just enough to warrant a proper release.
Yun strolled across the courtyard, the voices of the spirits tugging at her each step of the way. They were eager to grab her attention, to dissuade her from her efforts, to question her motivations and make her second guess her resolve. She stifled them and focused on the sound of her footsteps until she reached the door to her room.
A small bed sat tucked in the corner adorned with a thick quilt in a patchwork of colors. In the other corner was a modest desk, and a pair of dark green wingback chairs stood in front of the window. Her copy of The Rose Swordsman from the Budehuc library sat atop the cushion of the nearest chair, as if wordlessly beckoning a repeat reading. The sight reminded her of Juan's comments again.
Funny how that works out… like me...
The memory of the Highland prince's rough grip closing around her fingers and his uncomfortable, dark stare from beneath his heavy brows floated to the surface of her mind. Yun sighed and laid across her bed, closing her eyes. The spirits continued to whisper to her.
"I know," she murmured aloud, "I know you are disappointed in me…"
The spirits' voices grew soft and muffled. Slumber's warm, safe embrace wrapped her in its arms, and the voices fell silent. As the last vestiges of her consciousness surrendered to sleep, one final thought took form, but she already knew the answer.
This isn't really about Luca, is it?