Note: From now on, we'll follow Alika's adventures only. If you'd like to know Balsa's point of view, you still can read the second novel – in English only – of Moribito serie "Yami no Moribito" or "Guardian of the Darkness"; because I won't re-write all the book in my own fanfic xD. If you don't have the budget to buy it in hardcover, just let me know; I'll give you the link to read it online with big pleasure. :3
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Kurasa no Moribito
Guardian of the Darkness
Chapter 6
In Trouble!
The four days spent at Aunt Yuka's house felt like a dream that brought great joy for Balsa.
After having brought Tanda back to the traveler's gates, and back to the house of healing, Balsa asked Yuka to give her a room, usually reserved for contagious patients. It was a safety measure. She even made up an excuse that she was the daughter of an old acquaintance who suffered from a chronic ailment. Yuka complied without further protests.
On the fifth day, Alika got up in the middle of the morning, long time after Balsa was awake. Alika's hair was still tangled from her night and she'd kept her pajamas – a little white dress with long sleeves – on her back before following her mother's energy in the storage cellar.
"Where's Aunt Yuka?" her daughter asked.
"She's busy in the living room."
"And what are you doing?"
"I was taking something to eat..."
Suddenly, they heard the sound of hooves on the wind. Balsa paused in midstride as she was bringing goat's cheese up. It sounded like a large company of men was approaching on horseback. She looked out the window and saw ten riders cantering down from the village. Seven wore the badge of the Yonsa clan – the left ear of the thunder god, Yoram – on the left side of their chests. Two others wore the badge of the Musa clan – the god's right ear – on the right side. And with them rode a man who was clearly a merchant, not a warrior.
Of course, thought Balsa. The clothes merchant from Sula Lassal.
"Balsa!" Yuka came running up. "The guards are here. Hurry! The back door!"
Her niece shook her head. "It's impossible to escape them now. We're at the bottom of the valley. They'd see me at once. And besides, I don't know what story they've made up about me, but whatever it is, if I run away like that, it will seem like I've done something wrong."
Yuka frowned harshly.
"But if you get caught… who knows what they might do to you?"
"The fact that they've come means that Yuguro, Jiguro's little brother, guessed who I am, and thinks I'm in his way. Aunt Yuka, I want to know what he's planning. I want to know what was behind all this. I'm going to follow wherever this leads me. If I can't manage to find a way out in the end, I'll just have to accept it." She put her hands on her aunt's shoulder. "This past month was wonderful; like a dream from which I would've like to never wake up from... with a painful nightmare, though, but... thank you. From here on, we must become strangers again."
"What are you talking about?" Yuka retorted hotly. "Don't treat me like a fool! If you think I'm going to stand by and see my one and only niece—"
Balsa gently squeezed her shoulder. "By myself, I can handle this. Please don't make me worry about you too. It will be better for me if we are strangers. Please understand, Aunt Yuka. Moreover..."
Balsa took Alika in her arms and placed her in her aunt's.
"Eh… Mommy?" asked the little girl.
"Take care of Alika," Balsa said to Yuka. "I don't want her to get involved in this plot. She's innocent and has no connection to these issues. And if the guards ask you about the little girl with me, find an excuse to defend her. Can you do that for me? I don't want anything to happen to her. I've already lost a child; I don't want to lose another one."
"Yes, I'll do everything to protect her."
"And you Alika, you don't say a single word when the guards will be here. You'll be living with Aunt Yuka until I get back. Mum's the word."
Balsa put her index finger to her lips, and then pressed it on her daughter's. Alika nodded and leaned comfortably on her Great Aunt's shoulder before closing her eyes. Balsa went to the room given by Yuka as she asked for.
"Pretend to sleep and hide your face in my neck," Yuka suggested to Alika. "Don't show it to the guards unless I tell you."
Alika nodded. Outside, the guards dismounted from their horses. Spear in hand, they split into two groups to block the front and back entrances. Four men passed through the main gate: an imposing, heavily bearded guard from the Yonsa clan, the tall leathery merchant, and the two Musa warriors; one towering giant and the other, a young man, shorter and wearing the green head scarf of the chieftain's line. Yuka opened the door, her face hard and stern.
"Captain Soosa, what on earth do you mean by making such a commotion?"
The bearded Yonsa warrior put his fist to his chest and bowed respectfully. "Mistress Yuka, I apologize for disturbing you. This is Captain Dom, leader of the Musa clan guard, and this is Master Kahm, eldest son of Chief Kaguro. They're pursuing a criminal who has fled to Yonsa territory and appears to have taken refuge in your house of healing."
Yuka looked at him sharply. "Criminal? And just what crime is this person accused of?"
"They're after a woman who entered the cave in Musa territory to steal lyokuhaku. She's hiding here."
"That's ridiculous! There's no such woman here!"
The huge warrior named Dom tool a step forward and looked down at her.
"She probably deceived you. We'll take a look around. If she's not there, then there's no harm done. But if she is, she could be dangerous and harm the others patients if she's not handled properly. So please stay calm and cooperate."
"Mistress Yuka, please," said Soosa. "For the honor of our clan, we have to cooperate with the Musa."
Yuka looked the three men squarely in the face. The young man, Kahm, looked tense, but Dom and Soosa showed no sign of relenting as they returned her gaze. The merchant's eyes kept darting nervously from her to the other men.
"I understand," she said finally. "You may do as you wish. But please go quietly. Some of my patients are very ill."
They moved quickly and carefully in their search of the building, but to Yuka it seemed forever before they arrived at Balsa's room. There was nothing she could do anything. She must leave it in her niece's hands.
"What about this room?"
"The daughter of an old friend is staying here. She suffers from terrible headaches, and her mother told her to come to me," she replied.
She wondered if Balsa would leap out, spear in hand, to attack the men. But when the thick wooden door opened, the room was quiet. Balsa slowly sat up on the bed, as if she had only just been roused. The expression on her face gave no hint whatsoever that she was waiting to be captured. Yuka was astonished by her calm.
"What is it?" Balsa looked at them with a puzzled frown.
The warriors entered the room, blocking the window and the door; all possible escape way. They glanced at the merchant. His eyes met Balsa's and he froze.
"Th— that's her. She's the one. But she had a child with her."
"Is that true?" Dom asked.
"Yes."
"Could it be then..."
He looked at Yuka who was unconsciously rocking Alika until she noticed that the leader was looking at her curiously. Immediately, she put herself on guard and tightened her grip on the child. Alika, for her part, was literally dozing off.
"Don't start suspecting all my patients who are staying here, damn it!" she sighed.
"Can we just see the child?"
"She has just managed to fall asleep after a hard night of insomnia due to her illness."
"Who are her parents?"
"Some friends who are living near here. They came when she woke up in the middle of the night with heavy breathing and a cough like a bark... The woman staying in the room has no children, she came here alone. I swear it. Are you going to ask me who the parents of all the patients here are?" she asked in a slightly annoyed tone.
"Excuse us. It must be the wrong person."
Balsa inwardly sighed in relief, finding the acting of Yuka rather comical. The merchant was about to protest, but before he could even open up his mouth, the guards had drawn their daggers at Balsa.
"Women! You have committed a terrible crime!" Dom scolded. "We know for a fact that you unlawfully entered the caves in Musa territory to steal precious gems. Come quietly."
Balsa continued to stare at then in confusion. "What did you say? I'm not sure I understand… It's true that I know this man. He's the clothes merchant from Sula Lassal, right? But how does that prove me as a criminal?"
Dom laughed. "Nice try, woman. But we have two children who testified that they saw you deep in the caves."
"Yes, I entered the cave," she said out loud. "But I wasn't looking for jewels. I had a good reason to come from New Yogo to Musa territory. All I did was passing through the tunnels, nothing more."
As he listened to her calm responses, a puzzled frown creased Soosa's brow and he glanced uncertainly at the two men from the Musa clan. Dom and Kahm ignored him and continued to stare at Balsa. She stood up slowly, keeping both hands in plain view. Then she cast a sharp look at Dom and Kahm.
"I see," she said boldly, testing them. "So that's the kind of man sent you. Rather than suggesting we talk it over, he's playing a trick like this... but I don't suppose you want me to explain why I came in front of someone from the Yonsa clan. Let me speak with your chief instead."
Dom and Kahm flushed.
"If you're willing to come peacefully and be judged before the chief, then come," Kahm said quietly. "If you have something you wish to say, then you can say it at your trial. But be warned: my father is a strict man. He won't be fooled by your excuses."
Balsa let them bind her hands behind her back and they led her from the room. Dom grasped the rope and led her away while Kahm retrieved her spear and bag from under the bed. The captain of the Yonsa guard looked dissatisfied but he also seemed relieved that Balsa had been taken without a fight.
Patients lined both sides of the hallway, staring at Balsa with frightened faces as she walked past. She bowed slightly to Yuka, who was waiting at the front door, Alika still in her arms.
"Mistress Yuka, I'm sorry to have caused you trouble. These men are mistaken. I'll return when I've cleared my name and pay for my treatment then."
Yuka looked into her eyes, wondering what words of encouragement she could, only to be startled by what she saw there. But nothing came out of her mouth. Although Balsa's hands were bound and she was held captive, Balsa's eyes were filled with a fierce light, like a fighter ready to enter the ring.
The guards left and the patients returned to their rooms, smiling at Alika. She raised her head and gave Yuka a triumphant look.
"Am I a good actress?" she asked.
"A very good actress." Her great aunt smiled, putting her on the ground. "I promised your mom that I'll take care of you until she returns."
"She'll be back," Alika reassured her. "I already know that. I've often seen her leaving like that and I know she will come back. I'm keeping her alive."
"I believe you.
"But I'm... eh, scared?"
"What are you afraid of?"
"... I'm alone here... Daddy went back to New Yogo and Mommy was arrested. You're the only person I know here."
"Don't worry. I'll take care of you."
"Promise?"
"I promise. Come on, get dressed, now."
Alika nodded and went to get dressed. She came back a few moments later, holding her hairbrush in her hands with her two hair clips.
"Um... Aunt Yuka?"
"Yes, sweetie belle?"
"... do you want to comb my hair?... Mommy's not here..."
"Sit on the chair. I'll comb your hair with a big pleasure."
The child sat on a bench and let Yuka comb her hair. The feeling was different from what she was used to, but she took the chance to discover and analyze the energy of her great aunt deeper. Alika tapped discreetly with her luisha necklace. Yuka noticed it. Well, she noticed it before but at this very moment, she realized the value of this jewel.
"Is that... a luisha?" she asked.
"Yes... it's a gift from my Niisan..."
"Um... you shouldn't show it in public."
"Why?"
"Sweetie belle... the luisha haven't been seen here for over twenty years in Kanbal. If people see you with it, they will wonder and try to steal it from you."
"But it's a gift! I never take it off even to sleep..."
"I know dear, but I don't want you to get in trouble... Balsa's already in trouble right now."
"If I don't go out with, I'll be fine..."
"Okay, let's do it that way, then." Yuka sighed.
"What am I going to do today?" Alika asked.
"Do you go to school, in New Yogo?"
"No... well, I have school at home."
"Would you like to try school? A real one; with teachers and students who could become your friends?"
The young girl shrugged as she pursed her lips.
"But I'm going to leave in spring with Mommy... if I don't come back, I don't see the goal to attend to class…"
"To learn Kanbal history and make new friends. And I reassure you about your Kanbalese. You're totally bilingual."
"Is that true?" she asked.
"Yes. I think Balsa taught you Kanbalese since you were born. Your little accent gives you a certain charm."
There was a short silence.
"So?" Yuka resumed the conversation. "What do you think? Can we try school?"
"... Okay. I can try."
Yuka spent the rest of her day with her great-niece. Alika was cheerful, optimistic and full of life. She was respectful and generally did whatever was asked of her. When Yuka started making medicine, she was surprised to see that Alika knew the basics and seemed curious about everything. She possessed the same energy as Balsa at her age.
Ever since Kassa and Gina had left Balsa and Alika on their way out of the cave, Motoko had been haunted by a bad feeling as a spiritual guardian. She felt suspicious even though the children had told them they would keep it a secret.
When Motoko heard the sound of hooves that morning, she understood that she couldn't continue to fulfill the task Jiguro had delegated to her until his return; the one about watching over Alika. Understanding the issue of this situation, she reluctantly asked Yuka's guardian, Nahoko, to take care of her. Alika had been following their conversation between spirits, while Balsa told her aunt the plan when the guards would be there.
"As soon as I can, and if Balsa doesn't get more into trouble, I'll be back from time to time to check in and make sure Alika is okay," Motoko told Nahoko.
"I understand."
"I feel bad... Jiguro trusted me, and then I give his protégée to another spiritual guardian..."
Motoko ruffled Alika's hair with a sad little smile.
"I'm sorry to have to leave you, Alika," she apologized.
"No, I understand," said the child by telepathy with a smile.
"The situation is urgent," answered Nahoko. "Jiguro will understand."
"Jiguro gives no sign of life, and even though I tried to follow his energy ribbon, I couldn't reach him. It worries me a bit..."
"Don't be afraid, Motoko. Alika is in good hands."
Right after, Motoko had followed Balsa when her protégée was taken away.
The news that the Chieftain's son, Kahm, from the Musa clan, and the captain of the guard, Dom, had returned badly wounded had swept through the Musa and Yonsa territories on the day that Balsa had been arrested faster than galloping horses.
Yuka's gardener, Masato, had heard it from the Herders, and was quick to tell Yuka about it. Inadvertently, one of the patients overheard Yuka discussing it and made it a personal duty to talk about it with the other patients. Alika, who was sitting in the living room folding origami, knew immediately that it was her mother. She laughed silently: sure her Mom was a talented warrior who always managed to keep the control in such situations. And Alika was still so confident in Balsa's fighting skills. This time, it only reinforced her sense of pride via her mother.
Two days later after her niece's arrest, in the early hours of morning, Yuka woke up Alika – who was now sleeping with her – for her first day of school.
"Aunt Yuka?" her great-niece asked.
"Yes?"
"My stomach hurts..."
"It's nervousness; it will pass with a good breakfast."
"What do I say if the students ask me about my parents?"
"Hum... You could tell them that you live with Mistress Yuka because your Dad fulfills a very important duty in Kanbal. He comes from the New Yogo Empire but has Kanbalese roots – which would explain your last name. As for your Mom, she's staying with me until the birth of a little sibling. I'm therefore your tutor."
"Wow... are you sure they'll believe me?"
"Everything will be fine. I promise."
Alika, convinced, got up and got dressed. Yuka gave her small leather pouch with the Yonsa clan motif embroidered on it, so that she could take off her necklace and it could be in a safe place.
She ate a light breakfast – pancakes with goat's milk – and took the small bag her great aunt handed to her. For the first few days, Yuka would accompany her great-niece to drive her to school, so that she could know the way and memorizes it over the time. Arriving a bit earlier, Yuka told the same story to the school teacher who understood. The latter brought Alika inside the classroom to familiarize with the small school built in the stone of the mountain. A lump of anguish took place in the pit of her stomach.
"Don't worry, Alika, the students are respectful and if there is any problems, come and talk to me about it."
Soon, all the other students entered the class. The mistress introduced Alika.
"Be nice to her. She's new, and I don't think you'd like to be treated badly when you're new. Alika, you will be placed alongside Amaya and Akiro."
"Okay," she said shyly as the twenty pair of eyes watched her, intrigued and fascinated.
Amaya had mi-length brown hair and brown eyes as well. She was a year older than Alika and half a head taller. Her navy blue Kanbalese dress was tied with an orange-pink colored belt. Akiro had brown hair as well, but had water blue eyes. He was the same age as his friend Amaya.
"Hello," Amaya greeted her.
"Hello."
"Can I nickname you Alichoue?"
"Already a nickname?" Alika surprised herself. "We just met..."
"It's a habit that Amaya has." Akiro smiled. "You shouldn't feel upset about it. Amaya's very respectful; she doesn't do that meanly with bad intentions to hurt."
"Ah, all right. You can." Alika smiled. "As long as you remember about my name."
"Okay!" Amaya answered cheerfully. "And Akiro's right. Here, everyone has one from me. Akiro, his nickname is Akki."
"I'll nickname you Ali' only" Akira said. "Can I?"
"Yes, no problem," Alika concluded.
At recreation, all the students surrounded Alika to question her about almost every part of her life; why was she here? What did her parents do for a living? Did she have siblings? Why was Yuka Yonsa her tutor?
And to each question, she found a concrete and realistic answer. She even says that she had an older brother, her Chagum-Niisan, and cheated on his age by saying he was sixteen and worked at Yogo. Alika was loved by everyone and no one dared to make her feel uncomfortable. No one except one: Shozen.
With his naturally messy and wavy golden blond hair, big brown eyes, he was the boy who was generally respected and popular. He was also the tallest of his class. All the students listened to him with more or less a deserved respect when he spoke of his anecdotes. But since the arrival of the new student, he felt left out and dethroned from the attention he had before. He probably wouldn't let her do more damage to his reputation!
Yuka picked up her great-niece after school. Alika introduced her to Amaya and Akiro, her new friends.
"Well, it wasn't that bad, was it?" Yuka asked with a smile.
"No. It was fine. I'm happy! I'll have lots of things to tell to Mommy!" Alika cheered.
"So, do you like school?"
"Yes, a lot. I'm already looking forward to tomorrow!"
"Already?"
"Yes!"
"So, it was a very good choice."
The wait for the next day seemed to be endless for Alika who was impatient by nature. She put her collar back on when she got home and would take it off the next morning before leaving for school.
Yuka went to drive her grand-niece back to school, delighted to see that Alika was integrating well into her new environment.
During the physical education class, the students did endurance tests. There was an exercise called "the chair". And of all the students, Alika was the only girl still sitting against the wall and competing with Shozen; who didn't seem thrilled about this new budding rivalry. As soon as the recreation started, he wanted to show who was the most popular and the strongest in the class. He pushed Alika who was talking with Amaya and ordered her to kneel in front of him, which, of course, she didn't do at all.
"I don't come from here. So, I have no obligation towards you," she retorted to the surprise of all the young students.
"How dare you?!"
"Yes, I dare. You aren't my father nor my mother!"
"You'll see; I'll be one of the King's Spears when I'm older, because I'm from the Chieftain's line. I represent the future of the Yonsa clan. And you'll regret disrespecting me."
"Oh yeah? Show me that, and I'll judge if you're worth it."
"Pffft! Listen to her bragging herself. So, if you're that good, I'll challenge you in two days for a fight... but girls aren't allowed to carry spears and practice martial arts, normally. You're going to get beat up!"
"Perfect! Challenge accepted!"
"Alika, you don't know what you're getting yourself into," Amaya squeaked, taking her arm.
"No, I know what I'm doing."
She gave her friends a reassuring wink and, for a moment, both of Akiro and Amaya were reassured. In the evening, back at Yuka's, Alika talked about her confrontation with Shozen and informed her about the challenge that will take place in two days.
"Be careful to not make too much noise. Rumors run fast here. They are said they run faster than galloping horses."
"But... can I take up the challenge?"
"I don't see any problem; but only if it's after school."
"All right!..." She paused. "Do you want to come and see me?"
"I don't know if I'll have time for, because I have patients to treat."
"You don't have to, you know," Alika reassured her. "I know the way by heart, now."
Yuka smiled. Alika had a tremendous ability to adapt herself and she was neither fearful nor shy.
