Chapter 66 – Take Action

In Solis 460, Earthsdei, the 19th of Aujet:

Dear Diary,

Shu says that today Riou should be up and around. I'm grateful for that. Seeing him in Nanami's arms like that, I was sure he was dead. No one was truly happy about our victory until we learned from Huan that he would be okay. Once he's back on his feet, we can begin thinking about securing the peace.

The Highland Army continues to fall back, with most of their units heading for the port of Kuskus. Only a few men remained behind to receive the body of their former king. In exchange for Luca's body, the Highland Army agreed to the release of all the prisoners they had captured. Hopefully, this will provide the firm ground to begin negotiations.

I'm sure that Riou desires peace more than anyone. I only hope that Luca's successor shares that desire.

Riou, supported by his sister, walked into the great hall to the thunderous applause of the generals. Flik was glad to see that his color was good, but was also shocked to see how tired their leader looked. Riou let Nanami guide him to a chair that had been placed at the foot of the dais, where he sat down.

"Thank you, all of you," he said. At least his voice sounded strong, and his eyes were attentive, taking in the whole room.

"It's good that you're feeling better," Flik replied. He chose his next words carefully, not wanting to offend. "A lot has happened, but the most important thing is for you to maintain your health."

Viktor was less tactful. "Yeah, you really gave us a scare, collapsing like that. Both Nanami and Eilie were absolutely white with fear." Nanami shot Viktor a harsh look, then turned away when Riou glanced at her.

"I'm all right," Riou answered, smiling. "I may be a little tired, but there's nothing wrong with me. Even Doctor Huan says so."

Ridley cleared his throat. "If that is the case, then allow me to congratulate you on your performance. That last battle was glorious. You have impressed me deeply, Lord Riou." He hesitated, then spoke again in a slightly more subdued tone. "If only my son were so brave."

Shu stepped forward, hands raised to forestall any more praise. "I'm sure that we all agree with Lord Ridley's words, but allowing each of you to express that sentiment would take all day and waste time that I'd rather not lose."

"So what if we waste time?" Sheena asked. He was lounging against the far wall. "We defeated Luca Blight, this whole war is nearly over."

"All the more reason why we can't let our guard down," Shu responded, clasping his hands behind his back. "While the new king of Highland may not want to conquer Jowston completely, he may well desire to hold on to much of the territory that Luca Blight took. We must not think that there will be no further need for fighting."

"Hear, hear!" Ridley shouted. "The lord strategist is correct in this regard. Who knows what the Highlanders are scheming?"

"Not to be bold, but my belief is that the next king of Highland will be Lady Jillia Blight," Kiba commented. "She has always opposed war with Jowston. I don't see any reason why the war will continue if she is on the throne."

"Yet we must plan for all possible…permutations," Shu countered. "Even if Lady Jillia is the logical candidate to succeed, we must be prepared if she doesn't."

"Thank you for your opinions," Riou said. "I'm sure we'll be ready, no matter what happens. It has always been my intention to bring peace to all of Jowston. Indeed, to both nations, if possible. Our first goal should be the end of immediate hostilities."

"The Highland Army has shown some interest in sending an ambassador to Dunan Castle," Shu added. "With your permission, I'd like to explore that possibility. If nothing else, we would learn something of their intentions."

"Agreed." Riou got up from his chair, waving off Nanami's help. "Unless there are any further concerns, I think we've covered everything. We must continue to be vigilant, but I also believe there is some hope for peace. This meeting is adjourned."

"What do you think?" Flik asked, as he and Viktor were heading for Hai Yo's restaurant later that day.

"Riou looks pretty good. Whatever it was that hit him, I think it's passed." Viktor wiped his forehead, which glistened with sweat. The day had turned hot, and they'd been practicing with their men.

"Yeah, he does." Flik looked down the corridor, watching a group of children rolling hoops along the floor. The two of them split to let the hoops and children past. Once they were out of earshot, he lowered his voice and said, "I was wondering what you thought about the possibility for peace."

Viktor's eyebrows jumped up. His response was in a normal tone of voice. "I'm all for it, of course. Why would you ask a question like that?"

Flik hated being evasive where his friend was concerned, but he still picked his words carefully when he replied, "I'm just concerned, that's all. We all say we want peace, but there's no agreement as to how to achieve it. Lately I feel as though we're dividing into two camps. One camp wants to negotiate now to end the war and the other wants to follow up our victory by driving the Highlanders out and then negotiating."

Viktor stopped in the middle of the hall, crossing his arms. "Are you saying there's something wrong with that? I want the Highlanders out of all of Jowston, not just a part."

Flik shook his head. "I'm not saying there is, but what if Riou decides differently? What if he decides to trade land for peace?"

"He won't do that!" Viktor argued, raising his voice. "He's not the type to leave something half-finished, you know that. This war isn't over until all of Jowston is liberated."

Flik nodded. "Of course. I'm just saying that Riou will continue to need our support. We can't let silly things like factions weaken us if we're to succeed."

"Gah! It's not like I'm a part of any faction, Flik. You know how much I hate politics. I just want this war to be over and Jowston to be whole and at peace."

"It's no problem." Flik put on his best smile to cover his concerns. "Look, here we are at Hai Yo's. I just hope we don't have to wait long for a table." The problem of factions did worry him, though. Not all of the generals had staked out positions, but the opinions of some, like Kiba and Ridley, were obvious. Flik didn't like politics either, and he dreaded coming up on the opposite side of this issue from Viktor. He wondered, would he favor trading land for peace, especially if it was something marginal, like Ryube Village?

The real questions were where Shu and Riou stood, especially Shu. Everyone knew that he had a huge amount of influence over Riou. His opinion might decide Riou's. Yet Riou had become somewhat more forceful of late. Suppose the two of them clashed? Flik rubbed his forehead. There were too many possibilities, and many of them were bad. Why did peace have to be so difficult?

"Yo, Flik, stop daydreaming," Viktor said. "They're ready to take us to a table."

Flik snapped back into the present. "Right, sorry."

About half way to the table, a commotion suddenly broke out by the entrance to the kitchen. Flik glanced over and noted a man in a salmon colored chef's outfit being restrained by several of the staff.

"Where is Hai Yo?" he shouted. "I'll have my revenge for what he did to my brother!"

"Why does stuff like this happen when we're here?" Viktor groused. He gestured to his sword. "So, should we go break this up?"

Before the two of them could move, Hai Yo emerged from his kitchen. He took one look at the intruder and waved the staff away. "Listen Ryuko, I didn't kill your brother. He took his own life after I defeated him, that's all."

"Liar! My brother was a great chef. He wouldn't lose to a coward like you in a fair match. I'll prove it to you and avenge his death."

Hai Yo shook his head. "No, Ryuko. You're not in my league. I am one of the Four Masters of the Clan. If your brother couldn't defeat me, you have no chance."

Ryuko bristled at the comment, his face turning nearly the same shade as his outfit. "I don't care! My brother is dead because of you. Grand Master Hai Yo, I challenge you under the laws of the Black Dragon Clan. Accept my challenge, or hand over the 'Blue Moon Bird' that you stole."

"Did the other masters put you up to this, Ryuko?" Hai Yo sighed, but the hesitation dropped out of his face. "Fine, I will take up your challenge. Let us prepare for the cook-off."

During the conversation, Viktor and Flik had drifted closer to the two chefs, in case Hai Yo needed any help. As the staff began to rearrange the tables, Flik felt his stomach growl. "Damn, just what I needed. Everything's going to be delayed because of this. Come on, Viktor, let's see if we can beg Leona for some sandwiches."

Hai Yo appeared to hear the remark and turned to scrutinize Flik. "Actually, I was wondering if you'd do us the honor of judging this contest, sir Flik. You too, sir Viktor. I believe that both of you would make excellent judges."

Flik backed up a step, saying, "Actually, I think we'd better-"

"We'll do it," Viktor interrupted, grabbing Flik by the arm and yanking him back into place. "It'll be fun and it'll get us fed, so I'm all for it."

"That's not really how I wanted to-"

"Very good, very good," Hai Yo said, smiling at the two of them. "Over here, I will introduce you to the challenger."

Flik sighed. There was nothing to do but participate in this insane contest. Following Hai Yo, he got a closer look at Ryuko. Smaller than Flik, he had a thin mustache that curled up at the ends, much like Hai Yo's. He'd produced a long, wooden spoon from somewhere and was regarding the preparations with a sneer.

"These are two of the judges," Hai Yo said without preamble, "Viktor and Flik."

"Names are nothing." He jabbed Viktor in the stomach with the spoon. "This one can certainly pack it away. He's acceptable."

"You do that again and I'll snap that spoon in half!" Viktor growled. "Wait, what did you say about my eating habits?"

Ryuko had already moved on to Flik, who found something in his gaze unnerving. It was as if Ryuko didn't see him as human, but simply an object to be categorized. When the spoon jabbed out, Flik slapped it aside with a backhand. One eyebrow on Ryuko's face twitched, but nothing more. "Warrior's Village trained. He has a high sense of honor and fair play. He's acceptable. Now I'll shall find two more." He walked off, poking and prodding at various customers with his spoon.

Flik rolled his eyes and turned to Hai Yo. "I don't understand why this is so important. You're losing a lot of money by stopping everything for this silly contest. Is the recipe that important?"

"Perhaps you don't understand because of your background," Hai Yo replied. He swept off his hat, revealing thinning hair. "I've spent my entire life working my way up through the Black Dragon Clan. Kings and nobles, even Harmonian Bishops, they all pay vast sums for the honor of having a member of the clan at the head of their kitchens. Do you not see the potential for trouble there, if the clan became unscrupulous? Whole governments could be toppled in a single night. Or worse, there are some foods that can be used to control the minds of people, to turn them into puppets. It is exactly that kind of thinking that the other Grand Masters are endorsing."

"They could do that?" Viktor asked, wide-eyed.

Hai Yo put his hat back on. "With the 'Blue Moon Bird' they might. That is why I do this. That is my mission." He bustled off to help with the preparations.

"What a story," Flik said, wiping his forehead.

Viktor leaned in close. "So…should we rig the scoring?"

"Of course not!" Flik took a step away, checking to see if anyone had overheard. "We wouldn't want Hai Yo disqualified, especially if what he says is true."

"You believe him?"

Flik watched Hai Yo and Ryuko arguing over the placement of the tables before answering, "Better safe than sorry." The two chefs continued their argument, wok and spoon clashing as if they were swords.

Eventually all the preparations were made, and Flik found himself sitting at one end of a long table with Viktor next to him. The other two judges, Vincent and a bald, monocle wearing appraiser named Lebrante, were further down. The crowd of customers had been augmented by curious onlookers from all over the castle, so that the restaurant was filled nearly to bursting. Flik spotted Riou and Nanami, Humphrey, Futch, and the ever-roomless Zamza. Even Shu had come down from pondering strategies to enjoy the spectacle.

From somewhere, possibly a storage closet, someone had produced an announcer, who was introducing the judges. Flik barely managed not to blush when he was described as "a man with good common sense." He was still beaming when the two opposing chefs were brought out and the rules explained. The loud boom of a gong startled him, and the two combatants settled down into the process of cooking up their dishes.

Sitting in his chair, Flik felt the excitement of the introduction wear off, replaced by hunger. He still hadn't had lunch, and the smells from various bubbling pots were trying his discipline. Using all the restraint he could muster, he swallowed his saliva and didn't leap at the cooks.

"Go Flik, go!" Nina shouted from the audience.

"Idiot," Meg countered, "Flik isn't competing. He's just a judge."

"So what? He's still my Flik!"

Flik slouched down into the yellow collar of his shirt and tried to ignore the snickering from the onlookers. His stomach growled in displeasure.

He was so distracted that he almost didn't notice when the first appetizer was set before him. He didn't even know if this was Hai Yo's or Ryuko's. It was fried calamari served with a spicy tomato sauce. Flik didn't have a particular love of seafood, but hungry as he was, he started popping squid rings into his mouth. In truth, he hardly tasted them, hardly even chewed them, so eager was he to sate his hunger.

"Whoa!" Viktor shouted. "Slow down there, Flik. Save some for the other judges."

"Seems like one of the judges really likes the challenger's appetizer," the announcer commented.

Abashed, Flik passed the plate over to Viktor and tried to think of how he was going to judge this. In the end, he gave it a three of five. He was too busy anticipating the next dishes to keep track of the scoring, but he got the feeling that Ryuko did well with his appetizer. More courses followed; next was a garden salad with a sweet, pinkish Harmonia style dressing. There were Karayan barbecued ribs and the Zexen delicacy, stuffed heart of stag. These earned scores of three, four, and five, respectively.

Flik was feeling very satisfied by the time the dessert course rolled around. The announcer was updating the scoring before the next dish was brought out. Apparently, Hai Yo was only ahead by two points. Ryuko had a confident grin on his face, while Hai Yo looked subdued.

"The challenger seems very happy, given that he is behind," the announcer said. "What dessert has he prepared, that he thinks he's won already?"

"It's an old family secret," Ryuko responded. "I give you…the amazing tempura!"

Flik scratched his head, wondering why he would serve battered, fried shrimp for dessert, but when the dish arrived and he took his first bite, he was amazed. There were no shrimp anywhere, but instead it was battered, fried…vanilla ice cream. The combination of flavors and textures was unusual, but not bad. He gave it a four. When the scoring was tabulated, Ryuko was now ahead by thirteen points, with only Hai Yo's dessert to go.

The pudding was brought out, chocolate goodness with perfectly sculpted whipped cream on top. The tension built as each judge finished his allotted portion. Flik decided to give this a five, and held up the card with that number. He couldn't see any of the other cards, but he heard the audience give a gasp.

"It appears that our champion has won this cook-off, by one point."

Hai Yo nodded, the smile back on his face. "Well cooked, Ryuko. You have shown yourself equal to any chef today, and shown that I mustn't grow complacent in my own cooking." He stepped forward to shake the hand of his opponent.

Before he got there, Ryuko pulled out a long, slender dagger. "I failed, just as my brother did. For three hundred years, my family has practiced this glorious art, only to be defeated by an upstart with no history."

Hai Yo lunged to try and stop the dagger. "Don't do that! Don't waste your life!" Flik jumped up, kicking out his chair, and leapt the table. Viktor, more directly, pushed his section aside.

All three men were too late. The dagger pointed at his chest, Ryuko calmly said, "What future is there for me and my family, to be defeated so?" With a grunt, he drove the blade home, even as Hai Yo reached his side. Flik couldn't help but turn aside. Blood on the battlefield didn't bother him, but this was different. He heard several people in the audience scream.

Order was restored quickly. Shu stood up and suggested that people ought to head for the exits, and the restaurant cleared out. Someone, probably some unlucky soldiers, was tasked with removing Ryuko's body. Viktor and Flik remained behind, helping to clean up the mess. Hai Yo stood motionless in the midst of this, staring hard at the spot where Ryuko had killed himself.

Eventually, as Viktor was setting the last table into its right location, the chef shook himself and quietly said, "I didn't want him to do that. Why did he?"

Flik put his hand on Hai Yo's shoulder. "It's not your fault."

"But it is." Hai Yo pulled off his hat, wiping at his eyes with his other hand. "I should leave here. If they don't know where to find me, then maybe tragedies like this can be avoided."

"No!" Viktor and Flik looked at each other. They'd both shouted the same exclamation at the same time.

"What good would that do?" Viktor added, scooting a chair into place.

"Well, at least people wouldn't die." He glanced at Viktor before continuing, "You two are soldiers, so it probably doesn't bother you, but I can't stand seeing someone die right before my eyes."

"You're wrong there," Viktor countered. "I don't like having to kill people." He sighed heavily, adjusting the position of the chair. "If you believe what you're doing is right, then you've got to stand up to them, these other Grand Chefs-"

"Grand Masters," Hai Yo corrected.

"Whatever." Viktor jammed the chair hard against the table and finally let go. "The point is, if you believe in something, you've got to take action, not run away. Otherwise, you're just spouting empty words."

Hai Yo looked very sour at the lecture. "I'll have to give it some thought. It's so difficult to fight when you're alone."

"But you're not alone," Flik answered. "You've got lots of support within the army. Not only that, but I'm sure there are other Black Dragon chefs who share your point of view. They're all simply waiting for someone to take a stand. You're one of the four highest; shouldn't that someone be you?"

Footsteps echoed from the entrance of the restaurant, interrupting the conversation. A messenger stood in the doorway, and his face brightened when he saw Viktor and Flik. "Lord Riou is convening a council in the great hall, and he would like you two to be present."

Viktor clicked his tongue. "Business calls. Cheer up, Hai Yo. It never does anyone any good to be down all the time. Let's go, Flik."

Leaving Hai Yo behind, Flik felt the excitement growing in his stomach. Something important must've happened for Riou to call them before tomorrow's briefing. He and Viktor practically jogged through the halls of Dunan Castle, but still were the last to arrive.

"I should've guessed that you'd remain behind to clean up," Shu said as the two of them entered. Besides the strategist, Riou and Nanami were there, as were Kiba, Ridley, Freed, Fitcher, Apple, and Teresa.

"Guessed?" Viktor quipped, panting. "I thought you knew everything, o great strategist."

Shu's eyebrow twitched. "Even I can be discomforted at the sight of blood. You'll have to forgive me for not thinking properly."

"Can we not talk about that?" Nanami asked, shifting uncomfortably as she sat on the steps of the dais.

"Of course. Now that we are all here, I will relate the news. My negotiations with the Highland Army have borne fruit; they wish to send an emissary to Dunan Castle to lay the groundwork for a peace conference."

Flik swallowed. No one said anything for a moment, as they were all absorbing the news. Finally, Kiba smiled and said, "This is great news, Lord Riou. I believe you should accept at once."

Ridley growled, baring his fangs. "And I say we should be cautious. Who knows what sort of scheme they are preparing?"

"It's just an envoy," Fitcher pleaded, hands outstretched, stepping between the two men. "It can't hurt to listen to his words."

Ridley barked in displeasure, making Fitcher cringe. "It would be a waste of all the lives lost if we don't liberate all of Jowston!"

Riou walked down from the dais to stand in front of the three men. "Wouldn't it also be a waste to lose more lives for land that we might win back through words? I've always said that I'm fighting to bring peace back to this land. Now that the opportunity for peace is before me, I must be brave and take action on my beliefs. Don't you think so, Ridley?"

Flik wondered if the kobold would storm from the room, but Ridley held his peace, mulling Riou's question. Finally, he replied, "There is honor in lives saved, but you must be careful, my lord. The Highlanders were duplicitous even before Luca Blight came to power."

"I understand your concerns," Riou said. "Still, can we afford to lose this chance for peace because we were afraid? Ridley, I know that you are no coward." The kobold blinked heavily in surprise at the implication, but Riou continued speaking. "Now is the time for us to be bold."

Ridley nodded slowly. "Yes, it is better to be brave and seize the initiative when you can. Very well, I have no more objections, Lord Riou."

Riou scanned the room. "Does anyone else have anything to say on this matter?" No one spoke, but Flik, out of the corner of his eye, saw a look of deep concern on Shu's face. It was so astonishing that Flik was about to remark, but the strategist's expression changed so quickly back to neutral that he wondered if he'd only imagined it.

Riou climbed back up the dais, turning slightly to face Shu. "Shu, tell the Highlanders that I will meet with their envoy."

Shu's smile was slight. "I will convey your desire. The emissary should arrive tomorrow morning, so let us all be prepared."