Chapter 17:
Part 2:
Ukano peered into room. She carried a small tray in her hands. It was laden with a beautiful teapot and the steam curled up from the snout of the elegantly carved teapot .It was her mother's best china. For many years her family had run a rather respectable establishment in the capital of Konon. But then one day her father sold his inn and came here to the remote reaches of Konon and put up an inn in this sleepy hamlet. Ukano hardly remembered the life she had in the city, but she assumed that her life had been more interesting .At least, more than it was here, surely.
There were hardly any visitors whose steps graced their inn and the very few who came hardly gave any occasion to bring out the special utensils .So, it had been quite sometime since her mother's favorite utensils had been taken out from the iron trunk they were safely encased in .Her mother upon returning from the field had immediately fallen to the charm of Suzano's smile and her graceful manners. And her father was rather impressed by Fahon's extensive knowledge in horses. But, They were most impressed with Kenji.
Ukano thought Kenji was a stuck up pig .Her parents thought that he was indeed a nobleman of high birth and that his snobbishness, or as her mother put it ' high bred air' was a sign of his esteemed position. That he treated everybody else like bugs somehow managed to impress her parents more than Suzano's gentle smile. Ukano failed to understand her parents' logic. Well if that logic was correct then the richer they are, the more stuck-up they become!
Ukano did not like that idea at all. Because if it was true, then the Emperor was a real snob, a thousand times worse than Kenji .She refused to believe it .Her idea of a prince, fueled largely by the fairy tales her mother told her, was that of a rather handsome dashing sword wielding hero type person .He was always kind and well mannered, coming to the rescue of the weak and the downtrodden, rescuing the damsel in distress, dispatching the villains with a swish of his blade.
Ukano sighed .She cleared her throat."Please may I come in?"
Suzano was sitting by the windowsill, brushing her hair with long graceful brush strokes. Upon hearing Ukano's words she turned around.
"Yes, come in Ukano."
Ukano pushed the door in and came in gracefully balancing the laden tray on her hand. She deposited her load on the low table at a side of the small but cozy room.
"I brought your tea my Lady."
"Thank you."Suzano smiled as she got up from the windowsill and came towards the table.
Ukano watched in fascination as the light danced on Suzano's hair, its golden tips shining like embedded jewels. Unbound her hair was straight and long and it fell way past her waist and reached almost to her knees.
"Is there anything on my face Ukano?"Suzano's voice held a tinge of laughter.
Ukano flushed in embarrassment to be caught staring "I.I am sorry my lady ...It's just that..Your hair is so pretty."
Suzano burst out laughing. "So I have been told."
She sat down on the cushion by the table "Come Ukano, have some tea with me."
Hesitating Ukano sat down on the other cushion. Suzano poured them some tea.
"So.."Ukano could no longer control her curiosity "Have you seen the prince?"
"Prince Hotohori?"
"Yes "Ukano's eyes were starry "Is he brave and powerful?"
"I suppose he is powerful.."
"I bet he is!"Ukano squealed happily "He will defeat the black warrior for sure!"
"I am sure he will."Suzano's voice was placid, but if Ukano were a little more experienced she would have recognized the deep mockery in her eyes.
"So you are a real lady?"
"I was certainly trained to be one."
"So did you ever have an adventure?"
"That depends..But I assure you that I was never kidnapped by an evil man and no prince ever came to save me."
"Oh..."
"But I did fall into the pond in our backyard and nearly drowned ...Does that qualify as an adventure?"
Ukano giggled, "I don't think so."
"Then what does?"Suzano asked, her indigo eyes twinkling.
"I don't know."Ukano had to admit, "Nothing ever happens in this village."She pouted, "My brother joined the army this year .I bet he is having a grand adventure."
Suzano's eyes held a sad cryptic gleam "Of course."
"I want to go on a journey "Ukano's eyes were dreamy "I want to sea the world and visit the realm of the fairies and ride on flying horses.."She stopped blushing vividly "Forgive me my lady, I did not wish to bore you..."
"You are not boring me Ukano "
"But..Hitoshi says that flying horses..Are..just stories ..and I am a fool to believe in them ."
There was a strange gleam in Suzano's eyes and the smile on her lips was surprisingly gentle "I never saw any flying horses in my life..But sometimes ...when I look at the sky..."
"You see a horse?"Ukano's eyes shone.
"I think I see ...a mighty horse with wings that are like the clouds..."Suzano smiled "And when I was young my grandma used to tell me that on stormy nights when no mortal ventured outside in the blinding rain and raging winds, it is then that the horses play among the clouds, their hoofbeats sounding like thunder to mortal ears.."
"Really?"Ukano was eager to know more.
"I think you have bored my sister long enough."Kenji's voice cut through her happy mood "Don't you have other duties to attend?"
Ukano glared at Kenji, but bowed and left.
"Kenji "Suzano sighed, "Must you be so rude?"
"I don't want to be rude "Kenji said glumly sitting down "But my..The sooner we get out of here the better. I tire of this..charade .."
He looked at Suzano "You look happy."
"I am "Suzano admitted, "Ukano gave me hope..."
"Hope?"
"Yes, that even now, in this land torn apart by war, some children are still allowed to be children."
Suzano stiffened."Did you feel that?"
Kenji looked around "What?"
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Fahon was sitting in the parlor of the inn, his legs hoisted up on a table, watching the flames cast weird patterns on the wooden walls.
He sat up straight when he saw Suzano and Kenji come down the stairs. Suzano's face was grim and set and he saw that her hand rested quite innocently on the jeweled hilt of the poisoned dragger hidden in her sash.
He silently eyed Kenji who shrugged his shoulders and indicated that he was just as confused.
"Open the door" Suzano's voice was quiet and set.
Fahon walked towards the door and opened it. It was dark outside the perimeter of the faint light that came from the doorway.
He turned towards Suzano "What?"
"Wait "came the calm reply.
A figure stumbled into the light .It was clear that the person was having trouble walking .The hood slipped from the figures head to reveal a pale rather stained looking girl .For a moment she swayed and then toppled like a felled tree.
Fahon was instantly by her side catching her frail body in his arms.
"Bring her inside."Kenji's internal doctor kicked in.
Fahon obliged. Picking up the girl he carried her inside. Suzano stayed a while watching the darkness with sharp eyes. Then she shook her head and closed the door.
Outside in the darkness a shadow waited. When Suzano closed the door, it floated up trying to get inside.
"Wait "Came the cold voice from the hooded figure in the shadows "Not yet..Not yet.."
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Fahon had laid the girl on one of the wooden benches in the room. Kenji was holding one of her thin hands and occasionally shaking his head.
At lat Fahon could not contain himself "What the hell is the problem with this..Woman?"
"I don't know."Kenji admitted, "She is not sick."
"Right."Fahon's voice was sarcastic "So why is she like this?"
"Good question "Kenji frowned "Perhaps we should take her to a room."
At this instant Ukano's mother a kind, plump woman named Yuka came into the room to announce that dinner was ready and it would be served soon .On seeing the unconscious woman on the bench her rosy cheeks paled and she let out a strangled cry.
"Oh Suzaku ..Chulivey?"
Her three guests turned to look at her."You know..her ?"Fahon asked.
Yuka nodded, bustling over to them "Yes, this is my niece Chulivey."She poured over Chulivey wringing her hands "Oh..What happened to my poor child?"
"Oh stop wailing woman "Kenji snapped "Go get your husband .We need to move the girl to a warm room first."
Ukano had appeared behind her mother in all this confusion .Now she added to the general noise by joining in "Cousin Chulivey? What happened to her?"
"Nothing yet."Suzano said gently "Why don't you warm some water and bring it up to my room."
"Bring some warm, dry clothes also "Kenji said bossily "And you "He pointed a finger at Yuka "Quit you're caterwauling. Warm some milk and bring it up as well. Fahon you carry her up to Cousin Suzano's room."
"Why me?"
"Because I said so "Kenji snapped irritatibly "Now, get to work."
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Chulivey was laid on the bed upstairs .Her tattered brown cloak had been removed .The tunic she wore was frayed and dusty .It was as if she had walked for days without stopping for food or rest .Her brown hair was a tangled mess and there were dark circles around her eyes. Ukano and her mother had changed her into a fresh robe and cleaned her face with warm moist cloth.
Still Chulivey lay motionless, her breaths coming in pants and gasps, her face whiter than the sheets that covered her.
Kenji had send Ukano and her mother downstairs to prepare a light broth for Chulivey. Ukano's father decided to travel to the next village to get the healer. But that was nearly a day's journey from here. Naturally, neither he nor the healer would be able to reach here before noon on the following day.
Now that they were alone, Kenji looked up at Fahon "The door Fahon."
Fahon stood near the door, silently keeping watch.
Kenji was now sure that they were alone and dropped all formalities "Princess "He addressed Suzano "I have something to show you."
Keeah decided to drop the disguise as well "What Sotisku?"
Sotisku grimly held up Chulivey's arm and gently removed a bit of cloth. There was a sign on her arm, a sign that flashed a dull red...
"Wings "Keeah muttered "A Suzaku Seishi!"
"What?"Fahon was distracted "We are helping a Suzaku seishi?"
"I am a doctor Suraco "Sotisku addressed Fahon, his mouth pursed in a thin line "It is my ethical responsibility to aid a ailing person ...Suzaku seishi or no Suzaku seishi."
"Whatever "Suraco shrugged.
"However "Sotisku took a deep breath " I also realize that this ..is a Suzaku seishi ..and a potential threat to me and my country ...If you .."He looked at Keeah "If you decide to ...exterminate ..this particular threat ...then ..I ..will not stop you .."
'But I will not like it '
Suraco looked at Keeah .His green eyes were calm and stoic as he observed Keeah..' Don't do it Princess. The world can accuse us of many things ..But let no one accuse us of cowardice."
Keeah looked at the prone figure, a strange gleam in her eyes .It would be so easy to kill Chulivey..A flick of her wrist ..And everything would be over ..It would be such a terrible blow to Konon and to their ambition of summoning Suzaku..Fate had delivered this gift to her ..Would she be a sentimental fool to ignore it?
Keeah turned away from Chulivey "Some other time Sotisku, some other time."
Sotisku's lips curved into a small smile. Suraco's tense shoulders slackened a bit.
"So now that, that is clear, let us see what ails our friend "Sotisku began.
"My prey "Keeah corrected him.
"Yes "Sotisku continued "Whatever ...Now you see there is no sickness in her body, but due to some reason, she is constantly loosing her life force."
"Life force?"
"You know ..Chi "Sotisku said quietly "Something is draining her chi. So, I was wondering if you would check her and see if she has been cursed..."
Keeah stepped forward and concentrated .At first she could feel nothing..And then she could feel it..Chulivey's life force was passing away right under her hands like flowing water...
Gasping she pulled her hand off "Something is very wrong here Sotisku..Very wrong .."
Sotisku's mouth curved into a wry smile "So you felt it too.."
"What the hell are both of you speaking about? "Suraco snapped "Oh by the way..The girl and her mother are coming upstairs."
"No "Keeah exclaimed, "They must not come here. Tell them to go elsewhere."
"Why?"
"Just freaking do it Suraco "Sotisku snapped "Just get them out of the house!"
Suraco turned to go "Fine "
"Be careful "Keeah said quietly.
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Ukano and her mother were both worried. Cousin Chulivey was strong and brave .To see her laid down like that send something like dread through Ukano's heart. Apparently, Kenji had some knowledge as a healer, but Ukano couldn't wait till her father came with the actual healer.
'What could have happened?'
Fahon greeted them at the top of the stairs .His green eyes grim.
"Come let me help you."
Quickly he took the load off her and her mother's hand and put them on the landing. Then he firmly took her mother and her arms and led them to the kitchen.
"My Lord "Yuka was confused "What?"
"Do you have any other place to stay?"His question was urgent.
"Well..We do have a barn .."Yuka began.
"Good "Fahon took a lamp from the table "Have you eaten?"
Dumbly Yuka nodded "No."
"Well then grab some bread and lets go!"
"Where?"
"To the barn of course."
"Wait "Ukano stamped her foot "I demand to know what is going on here .We can't leave Cousin Chulivey like that... alone."
"She is not alone. Suzano and Kenji are with her."
"Pardon me sir "Yuka had finally gathered her wits "But you cannot expect us to follow you without any explanation."
"If I..Had an explanation ..I would certainly tell you..But "Fahon was very serious "Please ..just ..trust us ."
"You are asking the impossible my Lord."Yuka snapped, "We do not know you."
"Fine."Fahon yelled, "It is a vampire."
Yuka's eyes widened "What?"
"A vampire who has been sent by the black warrior to kill your niece."
"What? Why!"
"Because, Cousin Chulivey is a star warrior, and all the seven seishis are needed to summon Suzaku!" Ukano exclaimed.
"You daughter is very intelligent!"Fahon's eyes held an appreciative gleam.
"So, who are you?"Ukano asked .All her life she had waited for an adventure and now it was there, right in front of her.
"Well we are..Soilders. Lord Hotohori sent us to assist Lady Chulivey "
"But you said it was a vampire .."
"We have done it before "Fahon's voice was solemn "The black warrior has many dark servants..The people don't know much about these attacks ...That is where we come in ...The prince does not want the common people to panic."
"Look Ukano "Fahon knelt before the girl "I know you itch for adventure..but ..we will work better if you are safe ..after all vampires have no conscience ..We can't protect both Chulivey and you at the same time."
"We ..Understand "Yuka was very pale."Come Ukano."
"I will accompany you to the barn. "Fahon picked up the lantern "You will stay in there. Under no circumstances you will come out."
Ukano nodded "Okay."
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The hooded figure that commanded the shadow watched the inn, hidden in the darkness from the top of the hill that overlooked the village. He watched Suraco accompany the two females to the barn.
He watched Suraco return nervously glancing around him, yet unable to locate his servant floating above the inn.
He felt another figure materialize beside him .He smirked "What fair wind brings you here Taiskun?"
"It has been a long time friend."
"Cut to the chase dear Taiskun. Have you come to interfere in my affairs?"
Taiskun sighed, "You know I cannot do that."
"But you want to."
"Yes."
"Too bad."
"I know "
"So what do you intend to do?"
"Observe "
"Good. Very good "
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