Chapter 16
A ghost of the past...
Gerald hurried to the spot Ox King had instructed him to wait for the tailor. However he didn't see anyone and he wondered if something had gone wrong. He looked around and walked over to the large tree for shade while he'd wait for the tailor. He leaned against the tree, crossed his legs and folded his arms over his chest.
His eyes started to close with every second that passed and when they were nearly closed he heard a rustle. Before he could brace himself for an attack a blade stopped inches from his neck holding him in place. "Who do you look for?" came the raspy voice Gerald could feel the person breathing against his skin.
Gerald's heart was racing and he was certain he met his end. The traitor had found out about the king's plan and surely sent someone to take his life. "Tailor"
Blade withdrawn from Gerald the assailant flipped over Gerald's head landing gracefully before him. The assailant was dressed in all black from head to toe with only a slit revealing two onyx eyes and the sword now nestled into its scabbard. The assailant stood with their arms crossed over their chest as Gerald kept feeling at his neck in freight. "You have your tailor shall we go? Or will you be groping yourself all day?"
Gerald growled at the assailant's remark but quickly dismissed it as he remembered the more pressing matters. "I think we shall go. I don't understand why you had to put on such a show?"
"Maybe I was testing my reflexes to see how good I still was. Don't be too hard on yourself it could happen to anyone that sleeps at their post."
"What's your name? And why are you dressed in all black?" asked Gerald, annoyed.
"My name? Um… Raven. This is just my regular look" said Raven, imperturbably.
"Well raven we have a three days journey ahead of us on foot" informed Gerald as he started.
Raven walked behind the large tree pulling the reins of the beautiful black stallion from its hiding spot. Hooking one foot in the stirrup Raven pulled up and sat comfortable on the saddle. With a firm pat the horse begun to walk forward to Gerald. "So I think that will be a day's journey by horse."
"I think I'm going to hate you" said Gerald, sarcastically as Raven help him up and they took off.
Goku had seen enough death in one town to last him a life time! David had all the soldiers digging graves for all the decease to be buried. Kids, women, men there was truly no discrimination in the murders that happen and as he buried body after body he grew sick. He had seen one girl she looked to be around his age with long flowing ebony hair untouched by fire but with a hole through her heart and it made him think of ChiChi.
He wondered if she was well. He hoped that she was still fighting through the illness. The rumble in Goku's stomach sped him up in his work and as soon as he dumped the last bit of dirt he hurried to the camp. They had made camp only two miles from the burnt town where there was a river. Some men would stay and cook while the others would help as best they could to clean up the town.
Krillen was among one of the cooks of the camp and one of the worse in Goku's opinion. It was dark when Goku and the other soldiers made it back to the camp and food was already being served. If Goku could fly he would have to the front of the line.
It was fish soup nothing fabulous but well enough to eat. Goku scarfed the soup down and was back for his second, third, fourth and when he returned for his fifth Krillen wasn't happy. The short man placed his hand on his hip and looked into nearly empty pot. "Where are you from? Not everyone has even had a second bowl and you've already emptied the pot!"
"Can't you make more?" asked Goku innocently still peering to see if there was any left.
"Make more? Are you kidding! It took me nearly the entire day to make a pot this big and in only minutes you swallowed it whole like some kind of black hole!" Shouted Krillen heated.
"Maybe you should have just made a lot the first time and there would have still been some left" countered Goku holding his empty bowl.
"Why you" Krillen growled as he dropped the spoon into the pot and launch at Goku.
"Soldiers" interjected David as he pushed Krillen back. "Since it seems you two are quite close to each other I think you two should have the honor of clean up. Also first watch tonight so I suggest you get started."
Krillen cursed under his breath as he continued to shoot daggers at Goku. He would love nothing more than to wipe the carefree smile off of Goku's face. Since the first time they met he had done nothing but teased him and tried to push his buttons. Now he had to spend his first night to relax; cleaning and holding first watch it fueled his anger towards Goku all the more.
Goku gathered all the empty bowls and spoons from the soldiers and piled them inside the large pot. Then he took the large pot down to the river Krillen in tow with the thick cleaning cloth. Goku surveyed the area before setting the large pot down. It was a beautiful night and the moon hung high glistening upon the river and Goku could only imagine how good it would feel to hop in.
"Are you going to stand there all night or help?" Said Krillen, annoyed.
Goku shook away the idea and helped Krillen clean the inside of the empty pot and dishes one after the other. Goku was cleaning the last dish when a thought slithered into his mind and scooping up some fresh water he tossed it at Krillen. He was overcome with laughter at the sulking solider drenched with water.
Krillen launched at Goku catching him off balance and knocking them both into the river. They struggled splashing each other with greater force until all their strengths had left them. Goku splashed one last time at his shorter counterpart catching him off guard and Krillen fell back into the river's current. He struggled hard to catch his footing back but the more he struggled the river would take him under. "Help" he shouted between gasps.
Goku was quick to his feet and frantically looking for a way to help. A wheel turned in his head when he seen a willow tree branch hanging nearby and quickly he made a dashed for it. Grabbing onto the flexible branch he jumped forward grabbing hold of krillen just before he was caught in the depths of the river and drown.
"Please hold this branch together" exclaimed Goku into the air as he pulled himself from the tugging current. Just as he made it to the still water of the river the branch popped and he fall backward thankful. After a moment he remembered Krillen and hurried out of the water and laid him on his back. He placed his hand over's Krillen's heart and when he felt nothing he remembered how Grands saved Raditz.
"Hands on chest, push" he said aloud as he began to push down on his chest. Time had frozen as he continued to push against Krillen's chest until water spewed from Krillen's mouth and he shot up.
"Wha…wa" slurred Krillen as he looked around anxiously in a daze.
Goku hugged Krillen tightly in sheer joy. "You're alive! Thank God!"
Krillen gasped for air desperately until Goku loosen his hold. He sat still for a moment still daze from all that had just happened. One minute he and Goku were at an all-out water battle and the next thing he remembered he was being pulled under and then nothing. Goku had saved his life; he owed him his life now. "Thanks. How- How did you know what to do?"
"When my brother was twelve we were all bathing and my Grands always told us to steer clear of the river's current. We would always play around getting a little closer each time and my brother got caught away. My grands raced down the river with a rope and final caught him and when she pulled him out he wasn't breathing. She just kept pumping his heart until he woke up." Goku stood up extending a hand to Krillen and he gladly accepted.
"My apologies for the way I've been acting towards you. Do you mind if we start over?" asked Krillen as they made their way back to the forgotten pots and dishes.
"Sounds good to me" said Goku a smile plastered on his face. His mind drifted back to the moment he held on to the branch and for a moment he wondered if it had been that voice that kept them. After all it wasn't the sturdiest branch in the world. Was their truth to this protector his father spoke of? 'Who are you?'
"We haven't much longer to get there" said Gerald.
The sun had long since fallen and Gerald hadn't found walking to the castle as frightening as he did returning to camp. Had it been the sound of the horse's huffs against the fallen leaves or the few howls he heard as they pressed on? He tightened his hold on the lit torch.
Pulling the horse's rein to an abrupt stop Raven nearly sent Gerald tumbling off the saddle torch and all. "Someone is following us" whispered Raven.
"I think it's just a wolf. We should press on" instructed Gerald.
Raven didn't budge there was something out there aside from the wolves and running could only lead to the end of the Ox Kingdom if they led them to the camp. Raven's ears heighten at the shuffling of nearby leaves.
"Did you hear me?" question Gerald who was overcome with fear. He had undergone intensive training but he was no fool and knew wolves could easily tear them apart for they came in packs. He wanted Raven to press forward but instead they stood planted in the same place.
Raven freed from Gerald's grip and climbed off the horse. Raven heard the shuffle again and quickly ran in the direction of the shuffling branches.
"Are you mad? You're a tailor not a solider! Your holding up-" Gerald fell short of words as he heard a loud thump nearby. Then he heard grunts and wrestling and he hurried off the horse with the torch still lit and in hand to Raven's aide.
Gerald spun around franticly trying to find where they could be but they were fast. Did the person following them over power Raven? "Raven!" shouted Gerald.
No reply, but then he heard the wrestling of leaves and quickly he turned and caught a glimpse of two persons fist to fist, kick to kick in a tree. Gerald couldn't keep up with the two fighters at their speed he only hoped Raven was the one victorious.
Raven dodged a high kick from the assailant and grabbed hold of the branch overhead and used it to swing forward kicking the assailant in the chest, hard. Swiftly Raven descended the tree to continue attacking the assailant only to be knocked down with a sweep kick.
Raven jump back up just as the assailant did and launched with a fist anticipating the block that came and followed with a knee it was blocked as well. The assailant gave Raven a hard kick to the abdomen and Raven flew backwards hitting into a tree. Raven cough up blood and struggled to stand back up using the tree for support.
"Who are you? How do you know the silent moon?" asked the assailant rushing over to Raven.
Gerald had made his way over to Raven and the assailant; the light from the torch revealing the mystery assailant. Gerald gasped in surprise at the man who stood towering over the fallen tailor with arms crossed over his chest. Instantly he bowed before the man in complete respect.
"General Radditz!" exclaimed Gerald.
Radditz looked over to the bowing solider and instantly all his defense drain and he looked back to Raven. "You're with the Ox army?"
"Yes. We are the last resources for the army we received word that every solider had died by the hands of an unknown army. Ox King gathered together all he could of the people to search for that army" informed Gerald.
"We weren't attacked by an unknown army, but by Terioken army. They came out of nowhere dressed as us" said Radditz, bemused. Raven gasped at the revelation and Gerald was just as winded at the news.
"But why?" said Gerald, confused. "They said they wanted to make a treaty and the prince has taken the princess' hand in marriage."
"He is a low life! That has been what the Teriok kingdom has been known to do leeches!" seethed Raven between gasps of breath.
Radiditz hurried over to Raven hooking his arm around Raven's waist and placing one hand over his shoulder to help hoist up the tailor. The moment he begun to help up the fallen solider he felt something unexpected and Raven pulled away from his grasp instantly. "You're a woman!"
So I cheated and read the reviews! :P Thanks everyone...thank you for all your support!