Chapter 19:
The sky was an oppressive shade of gray .The heat today was even more stifling .The threat of a coming storm hung in the air. Three riders rode across the grassy plains at a break neck pace .The skin of their powerful steeds were shining with sweat and they left little dust storms at their wake.
Lee was not happy .The wind played with her rebellious locks as she clutched her cloak desperately, shrinking further back into the set of protective arms that held her safe. She had woken this morning with a rather unpleasant feeling .It was the kind of feeling she had before her mathematics exams .She had butterflies in her stomach. It was weird considering that there was nothing remotely romantic about what she was feeling. Apparently her three companions felt it as well...
" I had felt like it once before ...when the dragon opened its sleeping eyes and looked at me.."
"What?" It was Hotohori. He turned if possible two shades paler than before and Lee could swear that she saw his eyes turn red for a spilt second.
" I do not like this at all "Faraco's voice was a low growl .He had reverted to his human form "This is ill omen."
"Put such foolish notions out of your head Faraco " Menesku was calm. He was quickly folding up the small tent " It ill suits a solider to be superstitious."
Faraco glared at Menesku but held his peace.
"But what could it mean Menesku?" Hotohori questioned.
"I .do not know my Lord." Menesku paused "But at least now we know where our presence is required."
Lee jerked up from a reverie as Hotohori arms around her waist tightened a bit as their ride jumped gracefully over a hedge .Lee squeezed her eye shut and turned an unpleasant shade of green.
' Riding away on speeding horses with handsome men is soo overrated.' The voice in her head grumbled ' Horses are definitely not my favorite mode of transport.'
' I agree ' Lee whimpered.
The end result of the discussion they had this morning landed her in this particular predicament. Hotohori had agreed with Menesku that they should immediately depart for the source of that unusual energy flux with all haste. Hotohori, always the gentleman offered her a ride.
' And to think that I was getting all riled up and blushing.' Lee groaned ' I have learnt my lesson. Horse + Handsome man (who is also a prince)+Girl No romance + Lots of anxiety + Desire not to be thrown off horse +Soreness.'
' God..when will we stop ?'
Lee has a very childish desire to pout and ask
' Are we there yet?'
Suddenly she felt the horse come to a skidding halt .Lee opened an eye.
' Ah ..Praise to the heavens above. We have finally stopped.'
They had stopped in front of a river .It was not very wide but its water was turbulent and muddy rushing away with unbridled haste towards the ocean.
Menesku looked towards the misty outline of mountains at a distance." It must have rained in the mountains last night. That is why the river is swollen."
" The currents look dangerous "Faraco looked at the turbulent waters as they swirled in a foamy mass around the jagged rocks that reared its wicked head through the murky waters."Is there no other way across?"
"No "Menesku said grimly "This is the shortest path .We could of course try to ride along the river bed and see if we find a bridge or a boat."
"Is there a chance that the water level in this river would go down?"Hotohori questioned.
"If it doesn't rain tonight then by tomorrow morning the river's water level will be back to normal." Menesku stated, "It will be safe to cross then."
"Ah!" Hotohori swore angrily alighting from his horse and looking angrily at the river "Another delay. I think that the Gods are conspiring against us."
He turned and touched the nose of his enormous black stallion "My father once told me how North Wind's dame had carried him across the swollen River of Swords."There was a very dangerous gleam in his eyes and his lips curved into a slow somewhat deceptive lazy smile as he leaned towards his favorite steed.
"It is time to make our parents proud "He whispered.
He mounted his steed once more. Lee turned towards him a little unsettled by his smile .He adjusted her position a little so that she was seated diagonally in front of him, both her legs dangling on one side.
"Hold on tight "He grinned putting both her hands around his waist.
Lee could feel her cheeks heating up "Ho..Hotohori ..?"
"Trust me "His voice was confident and reassuring .
"Come on "Hotohori tugged the reins causing North Wind to rise on his hind legs .Lee gave a small squeak and buried her face in Hotohori's chest clutching his tunic .
"North wind and I will lead the way !"
' What ?' Lee paled ' He isn't ..He wouldn't ...'
She gasped as North Wind surged forward into the torrential waters ,the cold muddy flow coming up to his chest .
' And I Thought that Hotohori was the sane one .I am beginning to understand why Menesku and he are such good friends."
North Wind struggled against the raging current ,foam rising to his mouth ,skin shining with sweat . But he kept going ,Hotohori's hand on his reins holding him steady ,his gentle voice giving him strength . North Wind was carried a bit down stream in the current but he pulled through and scrambled onto the bank somewhat diagonal to their original position .
Hotohori turned towards Menesku and Faraco on the other bank "Come "He called to them "Will you let such a mere obstacle deter you ?"
A faint appreciative smile was hovering on Menesku's lips .He turned towards the white faced Faraco. "Come ,do you not hear our King calling ?"
"Both of you are insane ."
"Are you frightened Faraco ?"
Faraco was silent . Menesku chuckled "If you become chicken hearted at this then how do you expect to protect Lady Lee from the Black Warrior ?"
Faraco growled "You talk too much ."
"I hadn't realized "
Faraco didn't miss the sarcasm in his words .He moved his steed forward .
Hotohori smirked as he watched Menesku and Faraco endeavor to cross the stream . It was then that he became aware of how tightly Lee held him still ,her body shaking a little .
"Lady Lee ?"He put his fingers under Lee's chin and lifted her face towards him .Her face was pale and little sweat drops hung like dew drops on her forehead .Her eyes were squeezed shut .
"Lady Lee "He chuckled "Open your eyes .Look we are across ."
Lee slowly opened her eyes and looked around . Hotohori saw relief on her lovely features ,color returning to her bloodless cheeks .Then she turned her stormy blue eyes towards him .
"What were you thinking ?" Her cheeks were flushed with anger and her eyes were positively sparkling .
Hotohori chuckled "Did I tell you how beautiful you look when you are angry ?"
"Was that a compliment ?"
"No .It was the truth ."
"Oh and it is supposed to make me forget about your insane attempt to get us both killed ."
"Maybe " Hotohori's voice was teasing " So ...is it working ?"
Lee felt her anger melt away ..somewhat .She couldn't stop the laughter that bubbled up to her lips . Hotohori looked at her and smiled .He liked Lee's laughter . It was warm and pleasant .He looked up. Menesku and Faraco had already crossed the river .But he was surprised at the expression in Faraco's eyes .His face was quite expressionless but his eyes had an odd gleam in their brown depths . Comprehension dawned on Hotohori and his lips curved into a slow smile .
' So this is how it is Faraco . '
While they were crossing the river Faraco was more concerned about not getting washed away .He managed to scramble onto the bank after Menesku .A sound of laughter then caught his attention .It was Lee .She was laughing. Her laughter always managed to do funny things to his stomach . But he felt his heart clench violently when he saw exactly what had made Lee laugh .
' What is happening to me ?I have never felt this strange traitorous urge to do bodily harm to my liege before .. ' Faraco frowned consciously drawing a mask over his face to hide his turbulent feelings, desperately trying to stop the rising tide of envy when he saw Hotohori make Lee laugh
' What did he say to make her laugh like that ?' He thought resentfully ' I want to be the one to bring that lovely blush on her face ..not him ...Oh Suzaku ...' His eyes widened a little ' Do ..I ..love Lee ?'
He felt Hotohori's eyes on him and he saw the slow understanding smile that formed on his lips . Faraco paled a little .
' Suzaku ..I think he knows ...' Understanding began to dawn on Faraco .' Does he ..love her as well ?'
He frowned ' what a stupid question ..of course he loves Lee ...The real question is ..who holds Lee's heart ?'
Lee felt Faraco's gaze on her .
" Are you okay Lee ?" He asked leading his horse towards them .
"Yes ,I am ."She smiled ' God why is he looking at me like that ?'
' It gives us a strange fuzzy feeling ..not altogether unplesant ..' The voice in her head said .
Lee felt her cheeks heat up once more ' Get a grip girl .'
"Well ,now that we are all across ,I see no reason to tarry any longer ."Hotohori and Faraco's eyes met again . Hotohori smirked at the veiled challenge in Faraco's eyes "Let's move forward."
He pulled North Wind's reins "Hah !"
North Wind broke into a spirited gallop ,leaving a cloud of dust behind .Faraco frowned and then galloped after them .
Menesku's lips twitched ,his sharp gray eyes had observed the scene unfolding in front of him with slightly amused eyes .
' This is way better than a kabuki play .'
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It was nearing dusk . The sky looked gloomy and the weather was stifling . Three men were hurrying back to their village . It was quite clear that they were simple folk ,their heads covered with large straw hats .One of them held a fishing rod over his shoulders ,but the basket they carried was empty .
"This weather is terrible Wang " One of the travellers addressed one of his companions .
"Ah yes ,it is indeed Chou "Wang wiped the sweat from his forehead "And we had no luck with the fish anyway ."
"It is all an ill omen " The third villager said ominously "Did you not hear what happened in the next village ."
Wang frowned " I think ..I have heard rumors .."
"Well .."The third villager's voice fell dramatically "They say something terrible happened at the Hungry pig ."
"Hungry pig ? That's the name of the inn in the next village . "Chou said quietly "I know Tenjou . Very nice man .What happened Toki ?"
Before Toki could answer ,thundering hoof beats were heard .They tensed . Pockets of lawlessness still existed in Konon . Any stranger was looked upon suspiciously ..especially if they came on horseback .
The large black stallion skidded to a halt in front of them . They looked up at the horsemen .It was clear that they had ridden hard and fast . Their clothes were covered with dust and their boots cacked with mud .
The man on the black stallion was riding with a girl .She was swathed in a brown cloak and looked extremely sleepy .His turned his black eyes towards them .
"Pardon me sir ,but are we near a village ?"
His accent was refined and his manners graceful .He must be a man of high birth .
Toki bowed "Yes my Lord .It is but a small distance from here ."
"We have come from the capital ,hearing of an attack here ."the black-eyed man spoke again "Is there trouble in your village ?"
The three villagers shared frightened looks . Chou licked his lips "No trouble in ..this village my Lord...but .."
"But what ..speak up "
"There is a village ..just beyond that forest ..We have heard rumors that something ..happened there ."
There was a moment of silence . Then the black-eyed man smiled "Thank you my good man ."
He turned towards his other companions "Lets go then ."
The three villagers stared for sometime after the riders till they disappeared over the horizon .Then they once again proceeded towards the village finding eager to share this little tit-bit with their fellow villagers .
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Chulivey sat on a pile of hay drinking the broth Aunt Yuka had cooked . She felt much stronger . The dark shadow that had haunted her footsteps was there no longer ..She still had trouble believing that she was indeed saved ..at least for a while ..
' It only proves that there ..is some truth in what ..I have unearthed ...'
The inn was in shambles .The entire face of her bedroom was vaporized running nearly half of the inn. By some weird luck ,the kitchen was still intact ..but the house was generally uninhabitable . So , they had to move to the barn for the time being .Yuka was standing at the door her eyes searching the road for a sign of Tenjou .The daylight had suddenly gone out and the wind had picked up .
Ukano plopped down in front of Chulivey "Hey cousin ,how are you feeling now ?"
"Good "Chulivey smiled setting down the bowl .
"I am glad "Yuka sighed ,closing the barn door "I think your uncle has been held up in the storm ."
" I am sorry about the inn "
Yuka smiled "Silly girl .You are safe .That is all that really matters "She paused "Anyway ,I found this on the table in the kitchen ."
She brought out a small bag . Untying the silken thread that closed its mouth she emptied its contents on her palm .
"Rubies !" Chulivey exclaimed .
"Aren't they pretty ?"Ukano exclaimed turning the red stones in her hand as they sparkled in the firelight "And soo shiny .."
"So you see .."Yuka smiled "We can build ten inns if we so choose ."She turned "I will get you some more broth .."
"Honestly Aunt Yuka "Chulivey protested "I ..don't think I can eat any more ."
"Rubbish ."
Thoughtfully Chulivey put all the stones inside the bag .From what Ukano told her she was saved by three people ,two boys and a girl .But she did not believe the story they told Ukano ..She knew that the Black Warrior was not chasing her ..Neither could she forget what the golden haired man said ..She could still feel his mocking green eyes boring into her ...
' I assure you my Lady ,we are no friend of yours .'
"What are you thinking about Cousin ?"Ukano's voice brought her out of her reverie .
"Nothing "Chulivey said lamely "Go put these in a safe place ."Her hand froze midway .
'These designs ..they are ...not familiar ' She frowned ' But ..yes ..This design is quite popular in Kutou .This bag is definitely woven in Kutou .But ..what is it doing here ?'
"Cousin Chulivey "Ukano tugged at Chulivey's hand . Jerking up she gave Ukano the bag "Go ."
Ukano smiled and hid the bag under a loose floorboard .
Chulivey could hear the howl of the wind outside .The storm had finally arrived . The barn door creaked under the savage onslaught of the wind but held steady .There was a heavy knock on the door.
Yuka turned around from the steaming pot , a little startled .
" I think that is your father ."
Ukano ran to the door .With some difficulty she opened the heavy wooden bolt . The barn door swung open bringing in a wild gust of wind . It was raining heavily outside . Ukano felt herself gently shoved inside by a man while two other men came in leading three dripping horses .One of these horses had a small very wet figure bundled in a drab brown cloak sitting atop it . As soon as they were inside one of the men closed the door and secured the bolt . The man who had entered first helped the solitary rider to dismount .
It was a girl .She removed the wet hood from her face and looked around with wide interested eyes .
Yuka studied them with increasing surprise and fear .
"Who are you ?" Her voice shook a little .
The man turned towards her and removed his hood revealing jet-black hair that stuck to his face.
"I beg your pardon .It was not my intention to scare you ."
Chulivey's eyes widened a little as her eyes fell on the dark haired man .
"We are graced by your presence my Lord Hotohori "Her voice betrayed none of her inner turmoil as she hobbled to her feet .Her eyes rested lightly on the girl ..
"So ..the miko has come ."
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Moonchildcnb 13 : Thank you so much for reviewing .As for the pairings ..it will become clear eventually ..
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