Story of the Past Part 3

The air was so thick that it could be cut with a knife. All the Generals of the army sat around the tent of meeting, eyeing each other down. Hearts were pounding, breaths were heavy, and tensions were high.

General Kirin entered the tent. The other Generals stood to attention and saluted. Kirin saluted them then took a seat.

"Kayura…" Sekhmet looked up "Is she alive?"

Kirin nodded. "Yes, she is well. Her fever has broken. No infection should set it."

Dais sighed. "What are we going to do? We've lost so many men yesterday, and Kayura almost died…"

"Who cares about Kayura?" Anubis crossed his arms. "She's nothing but a…"

"Talpa cares about her!" Sekhmet barked. "If we go back to the Dynasty without Kayura, you know it's our heads that'll take the blame!"

"She is his favorite." Dais crossed his arms. "You know that."

"Besides that," Kirin firmly interrupted the bickering. "She is an asset to this army that we cannot afford to loose." He looked over everyone. "I know that you're all just as worried as I am about our numbers. A crushing defeat fell upon us, but if we change our strategy…"

"And why should we listen to you?" Anubis asked. "You're the one who got us into this mess!"

Kale jumped up out of his seat and grabbed Anubis by the collar. "You're the one who broke rank yesterday and allowed the enemy to break out lines, you fool!" He threw Anubis across the room, sending him flying into other generals.

Anubis quickly jumped up ready for a fight, but he was subdued by Dais and Sekhmet. Kirin leapt in-between the fight and ordered peace. Anubis pulled away from his captors and brushed the dirt off his clothing. "If I am not wanted here, then perhaps I should go back to the Dynasty?"

"Finally, you have a good idea!" Kale hollered.

Anubis charged out of the tent.

The rest of the Generals stayed quiet as Anubis hastily left the tent. They looked around at each other quietly for a moment then continued to business.

Kirin sighed, looking at the map in the tent. "We've got to split their attention to divide their forces."

"How can we do that?" Dais asked. "We can't split our forces either."

"If I recall, Talpa has a large navy base to the north."

Sekhmet nodded. "Yes, Master Talpa, does, but it would take two weeks for them to arrive."

"If we call down the navy to attack the city while we keep putting pressure on the plains, they will have two fronts to fight on," Dais said.

"Right," Kirin nodded.

"It could work, that is, if we can hold out for two weeks," Kale said. "If not…"

Kirin nodded again, studying the map.

After a long and tiresome meeting, Kirin left the tent and headed immediately towards the edge of the camp where Lady Kayura's tent was. He gingerly pulled back the flap and stepped inside, greeting Kayura's servant girl.

"Lord Kirin," Reiko bowed.

"Has she awaken?"

Reiko shook her head. "No, my Lord, she has not."

Kirin looked over at bed. Lady Kayura lay peacefully under a soft blanket. Her breathing was quiet and gentle compared to the rough night she endured the night before. "She looks much better,"

"Yes, my Lord, very much." Reiko walked over to the door. "Perhaps if you come back later, my Lord, she might be awake."

"I will wait for her,"

"But you waited all last night," Reiko said, confused.

"I will wait," Kirin insisted.

Reiko bowed her head. "As you wish, my Lord." She left the tent.

There was a chair next to the bed. Kirin walked around to the other side of the bed and sat down. He waited all afternoon. As the hours passed, Kirin leaned back into the chair and closed his eyes, falling asleep. Dusk came and swept over the land, darkening the tent. Reiko, coming in to check on her mistress, lit the candles within the tent to light. She noticed Kirin asleep in the chair, but she said nothing, letting him sleep.

As the night passed on, Kayura began to stir. Soft moans escaped her lips as her body started to shift in the bed. Kirin's eyes flew open at the sound, and he immediately sat up in his chair. Kayura fluttered her deep blue eyes open and looked around, only seeing Kirin. She tried to sit up, but pain shot through her arm.

"Don't move!" Kirin exclaimed, jumping up to help her. He helped her sit up in her bed then sat back down in his chair.

"What happened?"

"You were shot in the arm."

"I can feel that," She winced. "What about my back?"

"Sword," He said.

Kayura glanced around. "Where is Reiko?"

"I don't know." He looked around the dark tent then got out of the chair. He walked over to the exit and opened the flap, sticking his head out to look around. The servants were gathered around a campfire eating. "It's dinner time." He turned back into the tent. "Are you hungry?"

"No."

"Thirsty?"

"No."

With a smirk, Kirin stood at her side and looked down at her. "I suppose that I will leave you alone now."

"That would be a good idea," She said, tartly.

"Rest well," He left the tent. As he stepped out, Reiko looked up from her dinner. "Lord Kirin, is she…"

"Yes, she is."

Reiko put her plate down on the wooden log she sat on and left the other servants to tend to Kayura. She rushed into the tent and immediately surveyed her Mistress. "Lady Kayura, are you well? Do you need anything?"

"No, Reiko," Kayura hissed as she turned over. "Where were you?" Kayura snapped. "And what was that General doing in my tent?"

"Lord Kirin?" Reiko asked. "He's been at your side all day and night."

"He has?" Kayura jerked her head towards Reiko.

"Yes, my Lady, he has." The tent was quiet for a few moments. "He saved your life, my Lady."

"I don't need him," Kayura spat. "I'm just fine on my own."

"Yes, my Lady," Reiko bowed.

As they had hoped, the Dynasty forces were able to hold out until the Dynasty Navy arrived. They anchored a miles to the south, hopefully out of the sight of the Kingdom of Sung, and sent a message to the Generals of the Dynasty. The next plan was to sent the navy up to attack the city, sweep the costal plains with chariots, and lay siege to the city with the ground forces. The three attacks to divide their attentions, the Kingdom of Sung would be overwhelmed. Kirin laid out his plan to the other Generals as they sat around the tent of meeting. As they listened, they seemed in support of such a plan.

"We're going to have to split up our personnel for such an adventure," Dais said. "What do you propose?"

Kirin nodded. "Yes, that is correct." He looked to Sekhmet. "If I am not mistaken, Sekhmet, you have experience in naval warfare?"

"That is correct." Sekhmet nodded.

"I will send Sekhmet and Dais to lead the naval attack while Kale and Anubis will stay behind to lead the siege on the city."

Kale looked up at Kirin, clearly frustrated that he had to work with Anubis. Kirin only flashed Kale a smirk when nobody was looking.

Kirin looked over the room, locking eyes on the young woman in the back sitting with her handmaiden. "And Kayura will lead the costal plain attack with me."

She looked up.

The bells began to ring wildly, signaling the time for lunch. Kirin dismissed the Generals for lunch, but as the Generals and the other warriors exited, Kale and Kayura stayed behind. Kale managed to get to Kirin first while Kayura and her handmaiden lingered in the back.

"General…" Kale uttered.

"Yes, I know." Kirin said with a smirk.

"But why?" Kale said, almost whining, for out of all the Warlords, he hated Anubis the most. "Why him?"

"I need someone to keep him in line." Kirin looked at Kale. "If he disobeys his orders and does what he wants, I can count on you to do your duty."

"Yes, General, I will do my duty."

Kirin nodded. "I know you will. You're a good man, Kale." He padded Kale's shoulder.

A small smile crossed the Warlord's face. Rarely was he ever called good or encouraged for his abilities. He stood up straight, filled with pride, and saluted the General. He then left the tent.

Kayura stood up from her seat in the back of the tent while her handmaiden remained seated. She walked straight up to Kirin with an angry look on her face.

"Yes?" He asked as she approached.

"Is there any particular reason why you have made such a dumb decision?"

"What do you mean?"

"I should have been left here to siege the city."

Kirin shook his head. "No, I need you on the costal plain. We need speed, not brute strength."

"Well, maybe I don't want to go," She said, putting her hands on her hips.

He smirked. "You're sounding like Anubis."

She shot him a dirty look.

"Kayura, listen to me," Kirin said. "You're one of the best warriors here. I need you with me to strike quick and effectively to take the coast." He looked her straight in the eye. "Why don't you get your lunch and then rest for the afternoon?"

"I'm not weak!"

"I know you're not."

Kayura turned around looking at her servant. "Reiko, let's go!"

"Yes, my Lady." Reiko stood up and immediately came to her mistress' side.

The two left the tent.

Kirin smirked as he followed behind them.

Kayura walked around the camp inspecting the construction of the chariots. She stopped for a moment, taking a closer look at the wheel of one of the chariots. She nodded in approval to the builder then continued moving. They had traveled further down the plains to the coast and set up a new camp to build chariots. After quick assembly, they would storm up the coast to wipe out the enemy forces. As she moved through the camp, she stopped for a moment.

"Look here, the axel is loose," Kirin said, lying underneath a chariot.

The soldier bent over and looked at the axe. "Yes, General, I'll fix that right away."

"Otherwise, it looks good," Kirin came out from under the chariot and looked up. "Kayura."

"General." She nodded.

He stood up from off the ground then looked up into the sky. "I think it should be about lunch time. Would you care to join me?"

"Actually, I…"

"I have some battle strategy I'd like to discuss."

"I suppose then."

The general wiped his dirty hands on a handkerchief as he escorted Kayura into the meeting tent of the camp. He pulled back the large flap of the tent and motioned for her to go first. The servant finished setting up as they entered.

"Thank you, Jiro." Kirin nodded towards the servant.

"Yes, Master." The servant bowed.

Kayura glanced over at Kirin, finding it strange that he thanked his servants for doing their job. As she sat down, she tried to remember if she ever thanked Reiko for anything, but she could think of nothing.

Kirin sat down across the table from her. "Would you like some rice?" He asked.

She nodded.

He passed her the rice bowl before taking any for himself. She awkwardly smiled at his kindness and took the bowl. He watched as she filled her own bowl, making her feel uncomfortable. When she was finished, she passed it to him.

"Is that all you're eating?" He asked.

"Yes," she said.

He continued to fill his bowl, much more than Kayura did.

"You're eating all that?" She asked.

"Yes," He said.

"Aren't you worried about getting fat?" She asked, marveling at all the rice he was eating.

Kirin burst out into laughter.

She nervously looked around for a moment then began to faintly smile at his laughter.

"I just have a big appetite," He smiled before starting to eat. "I've always been like that."

"What—a bottomless pit?"

Kirin smirked. "That's what my mother called me."

"Mother?" Kayura looked up from her rice bowl. It had many years since she thought about the concept of mother, and as she tried to remember, she found that she could not remember the image of her own mother. "You have a family?"

"Had a family," Kirin said. "I had a father, mother, and three sisters…"

"A wife? Children?" Kayura asked.

Kirin shook his head. "No."

"Where is your family now?"

"Dead." He said solemnly.

She figured out why by putting the pieces of the mystery together. This was why he was part of the Dynasty—as a prisoner. Conversation stopped between them for a few moments as they continued eating, but she continually would glance up for brief moments to look at his sub-armor.

"Where did your armor come from?" Kayura finally broke the silence.

He looked up from his lunch, surprised she actually wanted to talk to him. "From my father."

"How did he get it?"

"It has been passed down through the generations. Supposedly, my great-great-great...no wait…great-great grandfather found the orb of the armor embedded in the trunk of a large tree." Kirin took a drink then continued, "We've used the armor to protect our village from bandits."

"Oh," Kayura turned back to her lunch.

Just then, a soldier entered the tent and saluted the General. "General Kirin, your personal chariot has been assembled. It is waiting for your inspection."

"Personal chariot?" Kirin looked confused. He rose from the table and headed towards the door. Kayura followed. The soldier led them out of the tent. They walked a short distance through the camp until they came upon a large golden chariot lined with gemstones and ornate designs.

"This is it?" Kirin asked. "Don't you think it's a bit extreme?" He put his hand on the edge of the golden chariot. "Gold?"

Kayura smirked. "It's Anubis' chariot."

He looked at her. "Why am I not surprised?"

"It is ready for your inspection, General," The soldier said.

"Well, I suppose I better take it for a spin to see if it'll handle well in battle." Kirin stepped up into the chariot and grabbed the reigns. He looked back to Kayura. "Lady Kayura, would you care to join me?"

"Not really," She crossed her arms.

"My Lady, this will also be your chariot for the upcoming battle," The soldier said.

Kayura sighed while rolling her eyes and stepped into the chariot next to Kirin.

"Servants! Tie up the horses!" The soldier yelled at the nearby servants. Immediately the servants rushed over and began to hook the horses up to the chariot.

Kirin stared down at the gold chariot. "It must blind his enemies in battle."

"That or it's a bribe gift when he's captured," Kayura said.

Kirin chuckled.

One of the servants kneeled down on the ground, trying to hook up the horses, but as he was in the grass, a toad leapt out at him. He screamed and jerked back, causing the horses to real up. The chariot jerked forward, sending Kayura into Kirin's arms.

Immediately the soldier began yelling at the servants, but in the chariot, Kirin helped Kayura up, still holding onto her.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay then."

Her face flushed a bright red. "You can let go of me now."

"Oh," His face flushed. He removed his hands from her waist. He turned forward and cleared his throat. "Tell me when we're ready," He said to the soldier.

"Yes, General."

The storm through the costal plains swept across the enemy kingdom, destroying thousands of soldiers in their path. They pushed forward in record timing to the capital city to be met by a naval attack on the harbor and a siege on the city gates. The plan that Kirin had devised was a success. The naval forces created a blockade, creating an impregnable barrier around the city. None could escape the siege from all sides.

It would be only a matter of days before the Kingdom of Sung would surrender. Messengers were sent back to Talpa to share the good news, and material signs of his favor were brought back in the form of gold, silver, and other possessions of wealth. These were all laid before the feet of the generals, but most of the share was designated to General Kirin.

As the Generals lined up around the meeting tent to receive their share, Kirin was presented with a personal message from Lord Talpa along with his share of the treasure. Kirin dismissed the servant and turned his attention to the scroll. While the other Generals marveled over the exotic treasures, Kirin broke off the clay seal to the scroll and began to read quietly.

The Warlords pushed and shoved one another trying to open the trunk and dig through it to find the most precious items. Anubis was at the front, digging through a pile of gold coins—he personally liked to find the gemstones due to their value. Dais slipped his hands around Anubis' arm and stared pulling out handfuls of treasure.

"Ugh…It's a book! Kale, you take it!" Dais handed up the book to a standing Kale.

The quiet man took the book and opened it, walking off to read by himself. However, Sekhmet got down on his hands and knees and stuck his head into the chest. "Is there anything for me?"

"I don't think we're going to find a snake in here," Dais said. "Oh, wait, I'm wrong." He pulled out a golden snake statue. "Must be some tribal idol or something."

"Let me see that!" Sekhmet grabbed it from Dais' hands. "It's an idol of Jainan, the snake god. I think it's from the Duran Empire."

"Well, they're dead! So let's enjoy their stuff while it's here!" Anubis said. He smiled as his hands clasped onto a ruby. "This one is mine."

Kayura watched as those Generals made fools out of themselves. They graveled and humiliated themselves for the sake of wealth, which truly, was only an illusion of power. She shook her head as she watched them from the corner of the tent, but as something caught her eye, she quickly looked up. Kirin, apparently angry from what he read in Lord Talpa's letter, quietly stormed out of the tent. Kayura looked back to the Generals then quietly headed towards the exit.

"Hey, Kayura, what'd you get in your trunk?" Dais looked up.

Kayura looked back towards the small treasure chest that Lord Talpa had sent for her. The lock was still unbroken. She shrugged. "I don't know."

"Open it! Find out what Master Talpa sent you!" Sekhmet said.

"Yeah, he probably sent you something nice because you almost died this time." Dais smiled.

Kayura shrugged again. "I don't really care. Here." She threw the key to Dais. "You find out for me."

Dais caught the key. "Hey, thanks."

Kayura left the meeting tent. Curious, she walked through the campgrounds towards Kirin's tent. Her mind wandered over the possible messages that could have been in the letter, but none of her guesses satisfied her. Most of the soldiers were eating around their campfires at this moment, but they still saluted her as she passed through the camp. Finally, she arrived at the other side of the camp and headed towards Kirin's tent.

She stood outside the door for a moment, listening, but she didn't hear anything at first. After standing there for a few moments, she began to hear conversation.

"Master Kirin, I am very sorry to hear about this. I can understand why you are upset." Kirin's personal servant, Jiro, answered. "Is there anything I can do for you, Master?"

"No, you may be dismissed for the night. I need to be alone for a while."

"Thank you, Master."

Quicker than Kayura thought, the door to the tent flew open and the servant named Jiro stepped out.

"Lady Kayura, you startled me. May I be of service to you?"

"No…thank you…Jiro." Kayura said, awkwardly, her first time being polite to a servant.

Kirin stepped out of the tent. "Lady Kayura."

"Kirin," She blurted out in surprise. "I didn't mean to bother you. I will be going now."

"No," He stepped back into the tent. "Why don't you join me for a cup of tea?"

"Well, I…"

"Come on." He motioned her to come inside.

"Alright," She nodded, curious about the contents of the letter.

"Master, would you like me to prepare Lady Kayura and your Lordship the tea?"

Kirin put his hand on Jiro's shoulder. "No thank you, Jiro, I dismissed you for the night. Now go—have some dinner, get some sleep."

"Yes, Master," Jiro bowed then headed off into the night.

Kirin held his arm out, motioning her into the tent. "Make yourself comfortable while I prepare the tea."

Kayura stepped into the tent. She had never been in Kirin's personal tent before. The surroundings were comfortable—wooden furniture, soft bed, bearskin blanket, handmade oak chairs. It felt more like a home than quarters on a battlefield. She took a seat on one of the oak chairs and watched as he started to prepare the tea.

"We should be home soon—within a month I bet."

Kirin sighed, hating to think the Dynasty could ever be home. "Yes."

"Going home after battle is always exciting. Master Talpa is always very pleased when we return from battle."

"Yes, clearly," Kirin muttered.

"Is something wrong?"

"It's not important." Kirin walked over with two cups of tea. He handed one to Kayura then took a seat in the oak chair across from her.

Kayura glanced over to the table in Kirin's tent. It served as a place Kirin took his meals and a place we worked on paperwork. The scroll Talpa sent was sitting right there. "What did Master Talpa have to say to us? I cannot read so I need you to tell me what it said."

"It was to me," He said solemnly before taking a drink.

"What did it say?" She asked, clearly seeing that the matter upset Kirin.

The warrior paused for a moment, staring into his tea. After a while, he took a deep breath and spoke, "Talpa thinks that he will be able to entice me to serve his evil purposes."

"Master Talpa is the ruler of the Dynasty. He does what he must to rule this world."

"Why does this world need to be ruled by one man—man? What I am talking about? Talpa is a monster!"

"Master Talpa is our Lord. He is the most powerful being in all the Netherworld. It is his right to subdue and conquer."

"At what price?" Kirin leapt out of his chair. "How many people must die for Talpa to be happy? How many families ripped apart? How many orphans? How many widows? How many burnt villages? How many cities lying in ruins?" He put his hand over his head. "My heart cannot take this anymore. I don't want to be here."

Kayura set her tea down on the end table and stood up. "Then what do you want?"

"I…" He paused for a moment, staring into her deep blue eyes. He slowly took a step forward. His hands slowly came up, and his fingers gently grazed against her flushed cheeks as he leaned in.

"Kirin?" She breathed out, their warm breaths against each others faces.

"I want you," He said, just before leaning forward. Gingerly, his hands rested against her head. He slowly moved in, gently pressing against the sweet treasure of her virgin lips.

Her eyes closed as she received her first kiss. Captured at the age of five and raised by Master Talpa to be a merciless warrior, there was no opportunity for experiences with the opposite gender, but here in this moment, after over 400 years of existence, she experienced her first kiss.

After regaining her thoughts, she pulled back, frightened. Torrents of emotions and thoughts swirled within her heart and mind. Everything she had ever been taught screamed out against her in this moment, but something deep down, called out for more.
A forgotten piece of her soul had awakened—her heart. It started to beat wildly as the two stared each other down.

"Kayura?" He breathed. He stood up straight and regained his composure. "Lady Kayura, I apologize for my behavior. I should not have done such a thing."

Kayura stood up straight too. She continued to stare him down for a few moments, but then she took a slow step forward, approval and fear washing over her face. Quickly, Kirin stepped forward, embracing the young woman. She immediately buried her head into his chest while he stroked her long blue hair. It was her first embrace from a man, and it felt wonderful.

They stayed like that for a few moments, just silent, but as the time passed, Kayura excused herself from his presence, leaving the tent with a smile. Kirin stood alone in the tent, feeling himself smile on the inside for the first time in many months. He turned back to the table and looked at the letter. He picked it up and tore it to shreds.

Nothing Talpa could offer him would ever compare to the delights and joy of loving another person. At this moment, Kayura was the one who controlled his heart, not Talpa. The mysterious Lady Kayura had become Kirin's treasure.