by Samuel Small
Something whizzed past Leal’s head, then came promptly into view. It was a condensed ball of Pure Sol, which smashed into his attacker’s chest and burst into particles of light, slamming them onto their back. Leal didn’t know who this new person was, but he saw that they were powerful based on the drained faces of the Purists in front of him. The friends of Leal’s attacker didn’t even attempt to help him up, staring awestruck at this new person while they slowly lowered their outstretched hands. Afraid of what he might see, Leal hesitantly turned his head.
Walking down the stone steps that led to the building was a woman who could only be a few years older than Leal, although her commanding aura made him feel like a child. Her dark hair the Purists were known for was long, tied into a braid that swayed along her hips with each clumping step she took downward. Her jaded eyes scanned across the plaza, seeming to assess whether anyone else would dare to attack Leal in her presence. Those eyes rested on him briefly and his heart seemed to stop in his chest. They radiated with the same hate he’d seen throughout this village, hell even more, despite the fact that she’d just saved him from almost certain death.
When she reached the bottom step, she swept a scowl across the area then brought her attention to the boy she’d hit. He was just getting to his feet with the help of his comrades and looked up to see her finger pointed across the way.
“Begone,” she said, her voice so powerful that it seemed to echo across the entire plaza. Her eyes then fixated on the spectators who’d stopped to watch. “All of you.”
This woman had to be the leader, as the villagers unquestionably obeyed her order. No one asked her why, no one even paused. They all just turned around and walked away, despite the fact that many must have had legitimate reasons to be there. As the lady watched them all go with a commanding look on her face, Leal slowly walked to her. “Thank yo-“
“What business do you have here?” she cut off. Her brown eyes flicked down and up his uniform. “A Major, huh? I can’t imagine this is going to be good.”
Leal opened his mouth to explain but the lady held a hand up. “Not here. There are too many...open ears. Follow,” she said, then began up the stairs without checking to see if Leal followed. She didn’t have to. Sticking with her was the only thing that would keep him alive right now, so it didn’t matter how stern she acted. Besides, it seemed she was willing to listen, which was a lot better than what he’d gotten out there.
She opened the two oak doors which led into a traditional room. Cushions lined the walkway and a dresser with a statue of a dragon resting on top sat against the far wall. The woman opened a sliding door on the left side of the room, peeked inside, then did the same with the one on the right. Seeming to understand that there were no visitors, she came to the dresser and leaned against it casually, staring at Leal in silence. It seemed this was his cue to speak.
“Major Leal Miles,” he said, coming to her and extending a hand out. She looked at his palm like he’d just spit into it, then flicked her eyes to his face. “Hikawa,” she said dryly.
That was to be expected, considering the history between their nations, but at least he got a name. Leal cleared his throat, hoping the action would do something about the tense atmosphere in the room, then continued. “Right. Ms. Hikawa, I assume you’re the leader of the Purists?”
“I’m the current acting leader. The real leader recently left the village, so I’m in charge for now,” she said.
“There’ve been a few murders in the Republic over the past week and the injuries are consistent with a Purist.” Despite the revelation of Leal’s words, Hikawa’s eyes did not waver from their narrow position, even as he continued, “I was wondering if you keep a record of citizens who leave. Or possibly know somebody with a particular vendetta against the Republic who-”
“Mr. Miles, that’s a large undertaking. There are countless Purists who would wish to attack the Republic due to the actions of your military over a decade ago and we don’t keep track of who comes and goes, although few rarely do. I can only think of one citizen who leaves the village regularly and…” she looked off to the side and those cold eyes froze over, reflecting on this person with even more hatred than Leal. “That person isn’t a Pure Sol user.”
“Right. Well, if you could-”
“Even if I do accompany you to interview the citizens, I doubt they’ll tell you anything. Tensions against the Republic are still high, especially considering the recent disappearances.”
That’s right, Leal thought, they’ve got their own things to deal with. It didn’t seem like this woman was lying to him about having no idea who did it. He’d done all he could here and should head off to the Republic. He was about ready to thank her and be on his way when their eyes locked. She stared at him intently, like there was something important she really wanted to say.
“Are there bodies?”
“Well of course there are-”
“But you have access to them?”
“Yes.”
Hikawa looked at the wooden strips that made up the flooring for a few seconds, her brow creased in deep thought, before she raised her head. “I can come back to the Republic with you and check the injuries. Based on the severity and spread of the burns, I can determine what level of power the Sol user possesses. With that information I might be able to create a list of suspects.”
His mouth slightly agape, Leal was in a bit of awe for a moment. He’d heard the Purist village was very primitive but this woman’s investigative skills were advanced, despite the fact that she was in a direct leadership position rather than one in law enforcement. Hikawa looked vulnerable for a moment before she got fed up with Leal’s shocked antics and the angry scowl he’d become accustomed to returned.
“Well? Does that not work for you?” she said as she crossed her arms.
“No, that’s perfect,” Leal said, then rubbed the back of his head bashfully. “Too perfect, really. I can’t imagine why you’d go so far-”
“Don’t read too much into it,” she said as she passed by, knocking into his shoulder with her own. The force led him to spin in the direction she now walked and he stared at her firm back as she paced a few more steps, then stopped. “Well? Are you coming?”
Despite the fact that Leal had been a Major for several years now and commanded dozens of guards, he stuttered “Y-yes ma’am!” then followed in her wake.
7
“How many rooms’ll that be?” the innkeeper said.
“Just one,” Hikawa said, then turned to a blushing Leal. “Pay the man. I’d imagine the Republic gave you money to finance this trip.”
“R-right, they did. But it wouldn’t be a problem to give you your own room, really. Why, I’d pay for it myse-”
“I don’t care to ride off of the coattails of the Republic or their soldiers. If I’m going to be here, I’m not going to cost that country a single dime. Likewise, I’m not going to spend my own to help them.” She said the words with such cold conviction that all the fight left Leal’s body like a balloon that had sprung a leak. With a nod and an affirmation, he reached into his wallet and paid the innkeeper, who took it with a raised eyebrow.
“It’s got two beds so you don’t gotta be worried. You can always push ‘em-”
“That’ll be all,” Leal said quickly, then rushed up the steps before the innkeeper could continue. As he reached the top he checked the key and the piece of white paper that had been tied to it via a flimsy string. “3” was scribbled on it in pencil. The room was just at the beginning of the hall so Leal unlocked it, flung the door open, then entered. He held it open briefly to see if anyone was there and Hikawa was, apparently having kept up when he rushed here. She grasped it without a word and followed him inside.
There were two beds aligned parallel with a few feet between them. Leal took the one closest to the window and sat down, then removed his boot. It took a bit of effort to get the dang thing off of him, but when he managed he let it drop to the floor, wh
ere it hit with a heavy sound. Probably the crappy flooring in this place.
It was then that Leal became aware of something standing eerily still in his peripheral vision. He looked up, where Hikawa stood in front of the shut door. She hadn’t made her way to her bed, nor did she have much to unpack. Like Leal, she’d only brought a few changes of clothes and some money. Despite this she stared at Leal as if entranced. Trying to break the ice, Leal spoke up as he dropped his second boot to the floor where it hit with another loud sound, bounced into the other, then wobbled to a rest upright.
“Don’t look at me. You’re the one who insisted on this arrangement.”
“It isn’t that,” she said, then tilted her head just as Leal sat up. With his feet free he felt more relaxed and took in the room, just as Hikawa seemed to be doing. It was old and decrepit, the walls filled with strange stains and the wood warped in places. But it was dirt cheap, so Leal didn’t mind, and if Hikawa did her cool stare didn’t show it. Leal brought a hand to his belt and unclipped his rapier, then began to set it down next to his bed.
“How long have you served with the military, Major?”
As he bent to place the rapier down, Leal said, “‘Bout fifteen years.” He needed to be curt with his responses, although he thought he knew where the conversation was going anyway. He sat up fully, placing his hands on his thighs. Still in the entryway, Hikawa focused her gaze on him intently and he knew full well why. It was the question she wanted to ask, but was afraid to.
“And did you… serve in the conflict?”
“Yes.”
Hikawa’s intense gaze was no longer focused on him. Rather it faced the floor, staring at a tiny hole. Light filtered into the room from it, leaving a sparkling circle on her cheek. After a few moments of unbearable silence, Leal felt the need to explain further.
“That was the previous government. The members of the military who were forced to fight in that conflict led a revolution and-”
“And you think that makes a difference?”
“I think it’s the start of change. What was done can’t be-”
“How are you so sure that your current government is any different? Because they claimed to have a moral aim when they launched their revolution? Tell me, has anything changed in the Republic since then?”
“What do you mean ‘changed’? Plenty has changed.”
“Does this ‘Republic’ hold elections?”
“No-”
“So it’s a Republic in name only. Really it’s a dictatorship.”
“We’re working on it. Social change like elections don’t happen overnight.”
“What about 13 years? Surely you could have had something available by then.”
Leal was left awestruck and grasping the sheet of the bed. This woman had an answer for everything he threw at her and she offered it so simply, like it was fact. How was he supposed to converse with someone so casually against the Republic? And if she was…
“Then why go through with this? Why help me or the Republic at all?” Leal said, unable to keep his attention focused on her.
Hikawa took sturdy steps toward him and he felt himself shrink down with each advance. Her feet stopped just before him and he could feel her standing over him. She looked down coldly with her arms folded, a figure intimidating to even the Major Leal.
“To confirm if that is the case. I lost my sister and my husband in that conflict and I don’t care to lose my daughter too. If things really are different in the Republic, then I’ll stay-”
“And if they aren’t?”
“Then the Purists will defend themselves from this threat.”
She stared down at Leal, dead serious. This woman really was intent on going to war with the Republic if the nation wasn’t to her liking and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. She must’ve known that too, as she stared for a few seconds as if to accentuate the point, then went to her bed. He watched her pull the covers over her head before he turned away and did the same.
7
“Have you heard about General Bellator?”
“What about him?”
“That he’s been sneaking into the Purist village late at night.”
“That sly dog! He’s probably negotiating peace!”
“Or getting some Purist pootang!”
The table behind Leal erupted into laughter, filling the tiny mess hall with the sound of their reverberating breath. Leal pretended to be more interested in the brown gruel that was in his spoon, taking a bite and finding it devoid of any taste whatsoever. His attempt to keep cool must’ve kept him too cool, however, as Leal felt smug eyes bearing into him. He glanced up to see Jason and Charlie, both leaning in incredibly far. He swallowed the mess of meal that was caught in his mouth.
“What?” Leal said.
“You’re interested in what the General is up to, eh?” Jason said while pressing his arm against the table and leaning in further. Ever at his side, Charlie did the same.
“Of course, isn’t everyone? If the rumors are true and he’s negotiating peace then we can get out of here.”
“You saying you aren’t enjoying the military life, guard Leal?” a gruff voice said from above him and Leal jerked his head fearfully upward. Major Iroh’s huge form towered over him, scowling downward in pure hatred. Leal could do nothing when met with such an intense gaze and only mumbled words that barely escaped his lips. After a few seconds of watching Leal squirm, Major Iroh’s smile returned and he sat down laughing.
“I’m just fucking with you, Leal! I don’t think there’s a single person in this tent who wants to continue the conflict, aside from these two nutcases here,” he jerked his thumb at Jason and Charlie, who both laughed. Major Iroh resituated himself, then glanced behind him, where a few guards had stopped to stare.
“Well, the fuck you starin’ at? Here I’m just a soldier trying to eat, if you can call this crap food!” The other guards seemed to take the hint that they were free to speak without fear of reprimand and got back into their conversations, although their volume was notably lowered. After glancing back and forth a few times, Iroh leaned into the table, everyone else matching him so they could hear what he had to say.
“You guys wanna hear the inside scoop of what’s going down with General Bellator?”
“Of course we do. Spill it, Major,” Jason said, pointing his fork at the guy casually.
“Yeah, spill it, Major,” Charlie echoed at his side.
“Well…” Major Iroh began, leaning in. Everyone else nodded and followed. “Word has it he isn’t negotiating peace, at least not in the traditional sense…”
“What do you mean not in the traditional sense,” Leal whispered.
“He’s creating something, but it ain’t necessarily peace. And it ain’t with the government, although ours does it to us whether we want it or not!”
Leal tilted his head down, his hands pressed on the table. It was like some kind of riddle. Something that was being created that could lead to peace, but wasn’t necessarily peace. The act of which was something the government always did. Was it money? Trade negotiations, perhaps? No, that didn’t make sense. The pieces of the riddle swirled in Leal’s brain, bashing into each other and knocking themselves every which way until, by some sort of hectic miracle, they clicked. As soon as his head wrapped around it Leal’s face got so hot that he could swear steam poured out of his ears.
“You mean the poontang thing is true!?” Leal shouted while shooting up.
Something wrapped around the back of his head then pulled it down at frightening speed. Pain burst into his skull and his head jerked up, just then catching Major Iroh’s hand grasping him and the table he’d been slammed into. As his dizzy mind tried to understand the situation Major Iroh turned to the guards who were undoubtedly watching. “Fuck off will, yuh? Unless you want some too!” There was a clamor of murmurs as the tight grip left Leal’s head and he began rubbing his injury. Major Iroh looked at him coldy, then crossed
his arms.
“Don’t look at me like that, you deserved it. Besides, if I didn’t punish you they might’ve thought what you said was true, then I’d have soldiers trying to fuck instead of fight tomorrow.”
“B-but,” Leal began then trailed off, feeling a dangerous presence radiating from across him. He turned to it, where Charlie and Jason had their heads angled low. Leal could not see their true features, but as their bodies twitched and convulsed, he became suddenly terrified. It was like something straight out of mythology, demonic possession or hypnosis. Just as Leal was rising out of his seat to prepare for a getaway the two jerked their heads up in sync, each holding their hands under their chins with smiles so wide it was creepy.
“Ooooooooh how romantic!” Charlie shouted, coming to her feet and wriggling her hips with excitement.
“I agree, a true story of star-crossed lovers!” Jason said, mimicking Charlie’s strange movements.
From his awestruck standing position, Leal could only watch as the ridiculous scene unfolded.
Jason hung his head in an exaggerated manner. “A General and a citizen of the people he is sworn to kill.”
“How tragic!” Charlie echoed behind him, bringing her forearm over her eyes for emphasis.
“Could it be their love is the only thing that can end this war?”
“Could it?”
Fed up with everything, Leal turned and walked away. He could feel the eyes of everyone in the tent on him as Jason and Charlie put on their dramatic show and he didn’t want to be known as more of a freak than he already was for interacting with them regularly. He was only a few steps away, however, when something abnormally sweaty clasped his forearm.
“Come on, Leal, don’t you think it’s romantic?” Jason said. With a groan Leal turned around and answered.
“Hardly, it sounds like the story of Niflheim and Magnum Undo.”
“Which is incredibly romantic!”
“They both died!”
“Details, details.”
Then Leal began to explain himself, but the words were muffled and indistinct. He knew he was telling Jason about how ridiculous that was, but that was only because of his own memory of the incident, not what was playing back in his mind. The images of Jason and Charlie began to blur like paint dropped into a bucket of water. As their image swirled into an amelioration of colors Leal felt his consciousness drift back.