The mid-afternoon sun prompted Makoto to remind Ren of the need for shelter. Apparently, he had a destination in mind for their night camp and was headed there with all due haste. So, Makoto's next worry became food. Ren had his vials and his ample store of fresh water, but Makoto couldn't use the vials. And after riding all day on just two small, river fish, she was quite hungry.
With all her carefully selected supplies lost, a meal became something of a problem. Makoto wasn't sure what to do about that. There seemed to be no river in the region, so fish wasn't an option. Perhaps they could shoot some animal? And then Makoto would have to figure out how to cook it or else go hungry for another day and more.
Makoto retrieved her father's pistol from her hidden pouch and told Ren to steer the horse toward any large animal they might come across. They had seen a few deer and some sort of dog-like animal today. If she had thought of it, she would have shot one of them. But perhaps they would find more.
As for bullets, she had perhaps thirty rounds embedded in various places on her boiled leather armor, which she had consolidated into the gunpouch which hung inside her poncho. Another twenty were in the gunbelt itself, which she also hid, strapped around her body. No telling how many of the rounds were fatally wet from the dunking in the river- but Iwai, back in Tock-Yo, had made all of them himself and he knew what he was doing. Makoto hoped most of them were airtight and operational.
A good meal was worth a bullet, and when they stumbled upon another group of deer as they crested a small hill, Makoto didn't miss her chance. She dropped one with a shot to the rear while Ren rode them both up to where the animal fell and used his sword to lop off the deer's head as it tried to stand and flee. The corpse collapsed onto the grass, its truncated neck flopping down wetly.
"I don't think you generally decapitate deer," said Makoto.
"Oh," said Ren. "Force of habit."
Ren eased himself off the saddle while Makoto perched near the rear of their mechanical horse. He looked down at his handiwork at his feet, bloody sword in hand.
"Do you eat the head?"
"No!" said Makoto, slightly scandalized by the idea.
"Oh, then no problem."
Makoto looked down at the headless deer with apprehension. She really didn't know what to do with the thing, now that they had it. But it couldn't be that complex, could it? Remove the skin on the side, cut the flesh off the bones, cook it in fire. Not too different than the kitchen maids plucking a hen, right? Right. But what part to have Ren hack off? She would have to carry the bleeding thing in her lap, and on her only clean clothing…
But then Ren simply picked up the deer corpse by a back leg, and remounted the horse. The weight seemed of no significance to Ren, who simply dangled the deer off the side of the horse with his left arm and manipulated the reins with his right arm. Dhampir strength was sure useful in all sorts of situations.
As they rode, Makoto eyed the dangling deer and worked out a plan to carve the deer with Ren's sword-catcher knife. Ahead of them, some long ruin sat in the grassy plain. It seemed a sequence of collapsed stone towers, all in a line. The top of each column generally had some sort of platform on it, and in some places, the platform of one column linked to the next one in line- but most had gaps and the ground below was littered with old rubble, half consumed by the growth of wild grasses.
After a moment of consideration, Makoto realized there were similar ruins throughout Tock-Yo, though very few of the capping platforms remained. This was some sort of elevated roadway, and judging by how it ran up to the now distant border of the bonelands and just stopped- it seemed clear to Makoto that it had once been a road that led to whatever Imperial city that had existed there before the Empire's fall. A smaller sequence of ruins seemed to offer a way up from the ground. Ren made for that incline. Which had a rather large gap in it.
A very large gap.
"...Ren?!"
"Hang on!"
He was going to jump it! Makoto latched around Ren's waist as he kicked the horse into full gallop and the mechanical beast clopped up the smooth stone and leapt into the air. Makoto felt butterflies flutter in her gut as they crested the arc of their leap, and then her face bashed into Ren's back as the horse landed hard onto stone and came skidding to a stop. Makoto's heart was beating very quickly as she took stock of where they were.
All told, they were perhaps twenty feet off the ground, atop of a square of ruinstone isolated from all its neighbors by gaps of ten feet or more. Two of the sides had a sort of half wall, making an attractive wind break. Makoto immediately understood Ren's thinking in coming to this place. No ghoul was getting up here or making that jump.
Ren dropped the deer to the ground and turned the horse to gaze around the landscape. After two full circles, he seemed satisfied and tapped on Makoto's calf to indicate she should dismount. Then he followed after.
"What are you looking for?" said Makoto, once they were both down.
Ren gave her a serious look. "We're a half-day from the trading port. This isn't the wilderness anymore, Makoto. We are in the imperial frontier, and there's a good chance that we are not the only ones out here. We might see slavers or loggers or hunters. From the island."
"Nobles?" asked Makoto, feeling suddenly very exposed. For the last few days, she'd felt like her and Ren were the only sentient people in the entire universe. That illusion was evaporating in the late afternoon sunlight.
Ren gave a small shrug. "Possibly. But dhampires are more likely. So from here on, we are not safe during the day. Okay?"
Makoto was shocked briefly, then nodded. She hadn't considered that. Ren was not the only dhampire in the world. She had forgotten that, a little. There were probably hundreds of dhampires. If not thousands. And mostly on the Island. Their use to vampire society was immediately obvious: like Ren, they could move around in the daylight with only minor discomfort.
"They don't generally poach from one another, so if you see anybody, try to stay out of sight," said Ren, and he turned to Makoto and put hands on both her shoulders, looking seriously into Makoto's eyes.
"If you get seen… just stand still and make sure they can see your brand, okay? I don't intend to leave you anywhere, if I can help it- but there may be times when I need to. But the brand should be enough to tell most anybody that you're… you're mine. But- if someone takes interest in you, try not to draw your gun unless it's life or death. If they see that gun, then the facade is over. It's very important that you try to wait the situation out- for me to get back to you. Understand, Makoto?"
That was a whole lot all at once. Certainly a lot to unpack. But Makoto was moved by Ren's sudden fervor. She nodded to him. "Y- yes, I understand."
Ren nodded. "All right. What do you need to prepare the animal? I'd like to have the fire out before dark."
What Makoto needed was: a knife, some dead wood, some sticks, and a pile of dried reeds. They left the deer carcass on the platform and took the horse back out for a quick supply run, easily gathering up what was needed and returning to the platform within an hour. The deer remained undisturbed, not even a fly in evidence. Makoto and Ren made amateurish efforts at carving the animal, with Ren periodically gazing about the landscape. He never seemed to see anyone, and soon enough, they had chunks of meat on sticks roasting over a small fire.
Ren was gazing up with a frown at the smoke, but there seemed no help for it. Whatever wood they found just put out a bit of smoke as it burned. If there was a solution to that problem, neither he nor Makoto knew it. But Makoto needed to eat, and she could potentially cook extra for the next day.
The fire was cool and the cooking took some time. Makoto's mouth was beginning to water with the smell of roasted venison when she heard Ren curse.
"Makoto," said Ren, urgently. "There is a group approaching. Three dhampires and four humans."
A chill ran through Makoto's heart. She trotted to the edge of the platform and followed Ren's gaze. Still a distance away to the west, two horse riders were flanking a third horse that was pulling a small caged cart. The caged cart definitely had people in it. Small people.
"Ren, those are children!"
Ren grimaced. "Yeah. Slavers, I guess. I bet they saw the smoke and are coming here to check it out. Damn, that was a mistake."
"Do they think we are humans or something?"
Ren looked at Makoto for a moment, perhaps wondering if she was trying to make a joke. But he saw she was not.
"I doubt it. Humans stay away from this region because, well, slavers find them. My bet is this lot thinks -we- are slavers, too. They know they can't make the port before dark, and their cargo is going to attract ghouls. If we have a fire, it must mean we are slavers, too, and need to feed our captives… but- that's exactly what we want them to think. So let's play to that for now."
Makoto nodded. She could see all three dhampires were armed with swords. One had a bow. They might have other smaller weapons, too. But if she could take out one of them, it seemed likely Ren could surprise another, and then they could kill the third and free those children.
"Okay, I could offer to cook food for their captives, too. Then when they relax. We can get them."
Ren turned and looked at her, mouth open slightly in shock. "Get them? Makoto, we aren't going to murder these people."
It was Makoto's turn to open her mouth in shock. "What?! What are you talking about? They're not people! They're-" the word caught in her throat.
"Dhampires?" Ren finished for her.
Makoto felt her cheeks heat up in a blush. That was what she was going to say. She felt an impulsive need to cover up the idea: "I was going to say slavers!"
"Hmmm.." said Ren, cooly. "I wonder. But slavery is something of an institution in the Empire, Makoto."
"But Ren," said Makoto, anger beginning to flare up in her now. "They're children. Children!"
Ren was shaking his head. "They're not our concern."
"Maybe not your concern!" Makoto could feel her heart thumping in her chest. "But I'm concerned! Do you expect me to just sit by and allow-"
"Yes!" shouted Ren, his sudden anger forming ridges around his forehead and eyes, "Yes, I do!"
Makoto blinked. That was the first time Ren had ever looked like that, at least in her direction. Ren also blinked, and looked away, taking deep breaths. After a moment, he resumed in a calm, and somewhat quiet voice.
"Makoto, I said, more than once, that you are going to see things that you will not like. Well- this is one of those things. Your head is still in Tock-Yo, thinking human thoughts with human values. When those people reach us, we will be in the Empire. Those people are not monsters with children in a cage. Those are business people with their legally obtained property."
Makoto hated everything Ren just said. "Can you even hear yourself talk right now?"
Ren grimaced. "You can't save everyone, Makoto. What? We kill those dhampir and free the children and- let them run off home alone in the wilderness? To be torn apart by ghouls? Or can you get them home, assuming they have a home? Assuming they even know where their home is? With our one horse and no supplies?"
Makoto ground her teeth. Part of her wanted to rescue these captives no matter what. To order Ren to help her. And then they would.. somehow… deliver the kids back to teary-eyed mothers. The other part of her was chewing on Ren's argument: they really did not have the capacity to rescue these kids. And also: if Makoto allowed herself to be sidetracked like this, she would never make it to the Island. She would likely never learn why the world existed in such a state as to put her in this exact dilemma.
A lightning bolt of epiphany suddenly hit her. If she never learned that 'why', she would never learn how to stop it; to stop the Empire, or whatever was left of it on this mythical Island. To finish whatever thing had brought the Empire to ruin in the past. To stamp out every last vestige of vampire power in this land. And prevent all children everywhere from ever being in a caged cart like those four coming her way.
And if she didn't go to the Island. She wouldn't be able to track down Father.
And the price? She just had to look the other way…
Makoto took a shuddering breath. "W- whats going to happen to them?"
Ren sighed and looked out at the approaching group again. "I don't know. It depends on who buys them, I guess. Some nobles are economical and keep their… herd in good health. Others…"
Others were like Madarame and his insane gore arena. And maybe even worse. The thought of allowing people to go to that fate… it made her heart icy and sore, like it was going to shrivel up in her chest.
'Ren, please," said Makoto. "Isn't there anything we can do? Surely, your Mother. Your family. Is one of the better ones?"
Ren gave her a long, sad look, then began twisting his bangs in his fingers, brow furrowed in thought.
"They would be a lot better off with my clan, yes. I'll try and think of something. Just don't make a move on your own, okay? Promise me."
"I- I promise."
Makoto continued to cook venison on the fire, taking on the persona of a cowed human girl humbly making her food. Ren stood confidently at the top of the broken ramp, sure that the arriving dhampires would venture it. It was a tense silence. The fire crackled softly. The meat sizzled on the sticks. A gentle wind blew from the distant sea- though no trace of salt was on it.
After a time, Makoto saw Ren shift position and raise his arm in neutral greeting.
A gregarious voice shouted up, clear in the silence. "Hey, there! Might we join you? Don't want the ghouls getting at our goods."
"Junpei?" said Ren.
A short silence. "Amamiya?! Ren Amamiya?! Oh! Hey! REN, MAN! HEY! YUKARI! IT'S REN!"
A quieter, feminine voice piped up. "I'm standing right here! I know it's Ren!"
"Ren! It's me and Yukari!"
Meanwhile, Makoto listened with morbid fascination. These dhampires knew Ren, obviously. Which meant he, again obviously, had a network of connections in his life before he wandered into Tock-Yo alone. A mundane, likely-reality that Makoto had not really spent any time thinking about before, but began thinking about frantically in that instant: Who was Rem Amamiya in his homeland? Was he the same person that she knew now? Or did he wear a mask to hide the Ren that she had come to know. The Ren that she, perhaps, was even beginning to…?
Or, dark thought, had he been wearing a mask for her the whole time?
"Who's your third?" called down Ren.
"This is-!" began the voice labeled as Junpei.
"I can introduce myself," said another male voice. Very prim sounding. "I am Jin Shirato. Might myself, my escorts, and my cargo- shelter up there with you, tonight?"
Ren was quiet for just a moment. "By all means. There is plenty of room. My servant is cooking herself dinner. There is enough for your stock, too. If you'd like them to eat."
There was not an immediate response.
"Of course they should eat!" said the female voice again, somewhat indignantly.
"Yes. Fine," said Jin.
"Heck! We should all eat! I'm hungry!" said Junpei.
"Not the cargo," said Jin.
"Man, I'm not really into that… I got my capsules."
The first dhampir to reach the top of the ramp was a tall and lanky figure. He had a large broadsword strapped to his back and a goatee on his chin. He smiled brightly at seeing Ren, then easily leapt the gap, Ren only offering a cursory arm in aid.
There was a mild hubbub of sobbing and whimpering, but eventually two more dhampires arrived at the top with the four human children. One of them was obviously Yukari, a youngish-looking woman with short cropped hair like Makoto's, but of a much lighter brown color. She had a shortbow strung over her shoulder. And the other man wore some goggles over his eyes, was of middling height, and possessed a frowning sort of angular face topped with bluish, short hair.
The children looked like they were all girls between the ages of perhaps eight to twelve. Makoto wasn't entirely sure, but none seemed to have begun their growth spurt into adulthood. They all were in dirty clothing not too different from Makoto's cape-turned-poncho. Either they had been traveling a long time, or they were not from very wealthy families. Or maybe had no families at all.
Jin picked up one of the kids, who squealed in fright, then screamed as she was tossed across the gap to be caught by Junpei.
"Be gentle," grumbled Yukari, frowning at the process, but not stopping it. The next child flew over without a scream. The final two seemed to enjoy it.
"Where did you find these?" said Ren as the other two dhampires jumped over themselves, completing the migration to the platform.
Jin gave Ren a cold look. "I'd rather not reveal-"
"From this human gang in Hi-Sham! They'll sell anything to anybody!" said Junpei. "Even their own people!"
Jin sighted and glared at Junpei. "Yes, it's true. Humans would sell you their own sires if promised enough shiny metal."
Meanwhile, Yukari was frowning in Makoto's direction, her silvery eyes catching Makoto's curious stares. This was the first female vampire Makoto had ever seen. Well, female dhampir, anyway. And she, well, just looked like a women in the same way that Ren looked like a man. Her skin was pale. Her eyes were grayish-silver, much like Ren's. But she wore a small white earring in each pointed ear.
"That's your servant, Ren?" said Yukari, a skeptical sort of tone. A twinge of… disappointment? "I didn't think you were into… that."
"Hey! She's pretty! Nice find!" said Junpei, his eyes not too different from any other young man who had ever looked at Makoto that way.
Jin looked at her with an appraising sort of glance. It reminded Makoto of someone walking by the window of a butcher shop.
Ren didn't immediately say anything. But he caught Makoto's eye and kept a carefully placid look on his face. He held out an arm towards Makoto and the fire.
"She is smart and useful," said Ren, lamely. "Feel free to send your humans to her, and she will see them fed and cared for."
"Yes, fine," said Jin. "Go, go, creatures. That woman will feed you."
And Makoto found herself suddenly beset by four, scared-looking children wandering over with unsure steps and staring at her with wide, uncertain eyes. After a moment of hesitation, Makoto managed to plaster a smile upon her face and patted the stone ground next to her. She used her other hand to offer one of the finished sticks of venison.
"Here, sit here. Have something to eat. Everything will be okay."
And Makoto felt her face tighten as she fought off a scowl at hearing her own lie. No. These kids probably wouldn't be okay. And there did not seem to be anything she could do about it.