Chapter 6
The following morning was hectic for Duran to say the least of the least. Most of the pirates that attacked the village had been killed in the fighting, with three wounded and six captured. Lord Akuma and the rest of his officers spent the rest of the night in the Village Elder's home arguing with Knight Duran on whether or not they should execute the prisoners.
"We could get information about the rest of the pirates," the Jedi Knight reasoned, "Where their base is, how many troops they have, and other sorts of information."
"What happens once we're done with them?" Miyamoto asked.
"Seeing as they broke Republic law," Duran stated, "They will go through the justice system, be found guilty and imprisoned for they crimes."
"What would happen to them in prison?" Mura questioned.
"If I remember correctly, the punishment for piracy is life in prison during hard labor," the Arkanian replied.
Before any of them could continue, Ry'ven and Malcom returned from watching the prisoners.
"We found something interesting from the pirates Master," the Padawan stated. He was looking rather exhausted from the fighting and lack of sleep but still moved with purpose and coordination. The Human dropped a pauldron from one of the dead pirates. A design was present on the piece of armor, a red humanoid skill with a knife sticking out the top.
"So," Duran pondered, "the Red Reavers are the ones behind these attacks,"
"Who are these Red Reavers?" Lord Akuma asked.
"A group of pirates," Knight Jeth explained, "Been harassing the frontier territory of the Republic for years. They disappeared two years ago."
"How does your Republic a pirate group that notorious?" asked one of the Akuma Samurai.
"They must have escaped in the chaos of the final battle," the Arkanian Jedi reasoned, "The Republic Forces managed to destroy many of the Reaver's allies that day. It was probably reasoned they were among the casualties, not to mention it's difficult to keep track of our type of ships that leave an area."
This caused the entourage to murmur and Duran Jeth felt an uneasiness wash over them. He knew his answer didn't sit well with them.
"I take it you don't like this course of action?" the Jedi asked Wakai.
"With your people taking these pirates, it doesn't feel like they're facing punishment," the young Oni stated. Duran thought about this. This could be a pivotal moment for the relations of the Galactic Republic and the Oni people. Perhaps he could play this right and gain a possible ally.
"I understand that," the Jedi replied, "Perhaps we could allow you to take one or two of the hostages to face the justice of your people."
The young Daimyo and his staff thought of this for a moment and agreed to the terms. This brought some to the Arkanian Jedi some hope for the situation.
"So, what is our next move?" Duran asked.
"If I may suggest my lord," Mura said, "Perhaps we should reach your uncle's castle before we discuss waging war with these pirates."
"Your uncle the Daimyo?" Duran asked remembering the discussion he had with Lord Akuma yesterday.
"The same one," the Oni stated, "Hopefully we can recover from our journey and figure out how to fix this mess."
"That might out best option," the Jedi replied as he and everyone present hashed out a plan.
After a day of planning, it was decided that Duran and Ry'ven would ride with the Akuma court, refugees and soldiers. Once there, the Jedi would meet with the Akuma sibling's uncle, the Daimyo Inazuma Yari. Once the two had established talks with the Oni leader, Duran would contact the Antarian Rangers to bring the ships to the Daimyo's castle. From there, the group would work on finding the Red Reaver's base of operation.
Duran is taken out of his musing by his young apprentice's somewhat unprotected thoughts as the two rode with Miyamoto and the rest of the Samurai on their red elk mounts. The Human's thoughts seemed to drift back to Lord Akuma's sister.
"You seemed troubled about something," he told the boy as he rode at pace with him.
The Padawan looked around a bit and motioned for him to slow down, a little bit behind the Samurai.
"There is something on my mind Master," Ry'ven said in a rather embarrassed tone, "It involves Lady Akuma."
"Let me guess," Duran deduced, "You're in love with her and that was part of the reason you were late for the battle at the village?"
"How did you guess?" Ry'ven asked, shocked that he was so easy to read.
"We were all young once my young Padawan," the Arkanian explained, "These sorts of things are normal for beings your age and given how she looks at you, she feels the same way about you."
"Doesn't the Jedi Code forbid attachments and all that?" the apprentice questioned.
"It's a part life for any sentient being, regardless of what the Jedi High Council says," Duran grumbled, "As much as I respect the Council Masters, they've implemented rules that separates us from the rest of the Galaxy's inhabitants."
Ry'ven rolled his eyes at his Master's statement that he heard countless times before. Duran Jeth and other masters like Djinn Altis had debated long hours that the Jedi Order was failing its members with the rule of no attachments, stating that handling attachments in a healthy manner was better than banning them. It seemed to fall on deaf ears as the Council just ignored the notion.
"Attachments aside," Ry'ven continued, "I don't think we could work out as a couple. I have a sneaking suspicion that her brother doesn't like me that much."
"I'm sure he will warm up to you eventually," Duran countered, "Perhaps fighting together in battle will change his mind."
The Human apprentice thought about this as his master spurred his mount to match pace with the Samurai, himself following suit.
"To change the subject," his master said as the two had caught up with the rest of the Samurai, "I've discovered something interesting about one of the refuge children."
"Interesting how," Ry'ven asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I believe that the boy is Force Sensitive."
The Padawan's eyes widened in surprise with this statement. The Samurai listening in on the discussion seemed to gain an interest.
"What does Force Sensitive mean?" one of the younger members asked.
"It means an individual has potential to be Jedi like us two," Duran said as he pointed to himself and Ry'ven, "if we take him with us back to the Temple."
"Can't you just train the boy here?" Kensei asked.
"In my opinion it be ideal," Duran explained, "My superiors on the Jedi High Council would disagree and would want him to be taken with us when we leave."
"And what of the boy's mother?" Miyamoto asked sounding a bit perturbed.
"She can't come with us," Duran explained, "And I'll have to explain to her why she has to give up her kid."
"How would you convince a mother to do that?" a Samurai asked.
Ry'ven zoned as his master continued telling the Samurai how the Force could be dangerous in untrained and untempered individuals. His mind drifted back to the subject of Josei and how he was supposed to handle this sort of situation.
"Something is bothering you, isn't it?" Wakai said to his sister as he rode beside the cart.
"I don't know what you mean?" Josei stated as she sat the cart driver seat. Mura Kashikoi snoozed in the seat next to her as the cart plodded with the rest of the caravan.
"Certainly, has nothing to do with a certain outsider you kissed before he ran off into battle," the older sibling stated in a smug tone. This caused the young Oni girl's eyes to go wide with shock and face to blush a light pink.
"You saw that?" Josei blurted in surprise.
"I did," the older sibling answered, "I figured you were sweet on him after you met him."
"I was that easy to figure out?"
"I was the only one who really paid attention," Wakai answered, "Might not be a bad thing in this situation."
This took the younger sibling aback somewhat by that statement.
"Wait, really?" Wakai was known for being very opinionated as an older sibling.
"Surprisingly, not this time," the brother stated, "Considering how he fights and how he's acted, I've started to respect him. That and if what the Jedi told me about the Republic they serve, it might be advantageous to have connections."
"You're thinking of an alliance, aren't you?" Josei said sardonically. The Oni wasn't very fond of the idea of being used as a bargaining chip in a political game, regardless of how necessary it was.
"Just an idea," Wakai stated, "Plus with how much you like him, it might work in your favor."
"We'll see," the sister replied in a pondering tone, "This might work out in our favor." This answer seemed to please the older brother as he rode away.
"I take it you're not as big of a fan that idea," the voice of Mura said next to her. The younger Akuma looked to the kenzou to see that the old Oni was awake.
"I heard most of the discussion between you and Wakai," Mura said, as if to answer her next question, "What he said would be a good idea though from what I've gathered from talking to Ry'ven and Duran, they're not fond of the Republic."
"What makes you say that?"
"A get the feeling they want to do better for people and the Republic seems to prevent them from doing their tasks," the old man stated.
"I wonder what Wakai would think of that statement?" Josei asked.
"I don't think he's considered that line of thought," Mura answered, "He probably thinks the Republic will help him project his power to other Daimyos."
"But I do love spending time with Ry'ven," Josei said, "If it were done in that way, then I wouldn't be criticized as much."
"It's good you're using some of the scene I've been teaching you," the kenzou replied, "I however, would wait until these pirates are dealt with before deciding anything."
"Why?"
"I have a feeling that things are going to change for us," the old man said, "Things may change to the point that we don't need an alliance."
Josei thought about that as they continued to ride toward her uncle's castle, thinking of how her future play out.
