Samurai 2.0 - Destiny: A Harem Fantasy Adventure

by April O'Malley

  Suddenly, from behind, Asas appeared and placed two fingers on Ratnakar's shoulder. With a slight pinch in a specific pressure point, the boy's arm dropped to the table, limp. Ratnakar was boiling with anger. “Let me go old man,” he hissed through clenched teeth.

  “I have had enough of this today,” Asas said, and he moved his hand swiftly to a different point on the young man's neck, pressing in a specific way. Right then, Ratnakar’s whole body went limp and his eyes rolled back. Asas caught his head before he fell all the way off the seat. He motioned for two monks next to them to grab Ratnakar. Then, he looked over at the fork sticking out of the young monk's hand. “Come on. Let's get you patched up and make sure there's no lasting damage.”

  The group headed to the infirmary, where Asas removed the fork and tended to the wounds, sewing the holes up neatly. He had the other monks place Ratnakar on a bed and stay until he was finished dressing the wounded. When he was finished, he pulled the trio together to give them assignments for the next day.

  At dawn, Ratnakar awoke in the infirmary, unsure where he was at. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, scanning the room. He realized that he was in the infirmary and swung his legs over the side of the bed quickly, bolting to his feet when he saw he was alone. Not stopping at his room or anywhere else, he moved toward the large loose stone in the wall. He looked around cautiously, making sure he wasn't watched. Somewhere nearby, a lone bird called out. Ratnakar felt just like the bird's call, all alone.

  He pushed the stone and followed it through the wall, returning the stone to its place when he was through. Then, he straightened himself up and took off toward town, jogging the path he'd taken hundreds of times now. The woods swallowed up the sounds that he made as he ran across the soft leaves and grasses. After a few minutes, he reached the road into town and slowed down to a brisk walk. He turned and looked behind him, making sure he wasn't followed.

  He was so proud of himself for leaving that he didn't notice the monk who barely missed being detected when Ratnakar turned around. One of the monks who had carried him to the infirmary that previous evening had been stationed outside the wall, waiting for the signal that Ratnakar was coming. The lone bird call had come, alerting the monk outside the wall to be on alert and ready to give chase.

  Ratnakar headed into the town below, whistling as he walked along the packed dirt road. He knew where he was headed. He'd already befriended a few of the local boys who had no homes and lived on the streets. They were impressed with Ratnakar's knowledge and skills with a blade. After a few lessons on how to steal without being noticed, the boys pledged their loyalty to Ratnakar. He was headed to them, to his small band of friends who understood what it was like to be alone and on your own.

  In town, he made quick twists and turns throughout the streets. He was almost positive that he had seen one of the monks in town and was determined to lose anyone who might try to follow him. Finally, he ended up at his destination, the back of a filthy tavern were several boys were milling around in the dank alleyway. They let out a cheer at his appearance and he greeted them.

  At the corner of the building, the monk stopped and took mental notes of where the tavern was located and some of the conversation between Ratnakar and the boys that he could overhear. As he turned around to head back, he found himself face to face with a large barrel of a man who was finishing a swig of ale from a huge mug.

  “What are you doing here monk? Come for a drink?” the man asked, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

  The monk was silent for a moment. “No, thank you. I am lost and need to find my way back to the main square.”

  The man let out a hearty laugh. “Lost? Lost?” He continued to laugh. “I doubt that one bit. I watched you following that boy. What is it you want with him?”

  “What boy?” the monk tried to play stupid, but he was not a good liar.

  A massive hand shot out and punched him square in the stomach. With a yelp, the monk went down onto the dirt street, coughing and sputtering. The boys in the alley were alerted by the sound the monk made and came around the corner to see what the fuss was all about. Ratnakar immediately recognized the monk and stopped the man from hitting him again.

  “Stop. I know him,” Ratnakar said, holding up a hand.

  “You know this monk?” the man asked, spitting on the ground in front of the monk's face.

  “Yes. He's with the monastery where I've been staying.” Ratnakar rounded the man lying on the dirt and knelt down so he could see his face better. “Did they tell you to follow me? Or were you already down here and saw me? Tell me.”

  The monk shook his head. “I just got lost down here. I... I was trying to buy... wheat,” he stammered as he started to get up to his knees.

  Ratnakar stayed squatted in front of him, studying his face and movements for a moment. “Wheat. You were buying wheat.” The monk nodded. “Okay, I believe you. If you say you were buying wheat, then that's what you were doing. After all, monks don't lie right?” Ratnakar helped the man to his feet. “Sorry about that, he was just looking out for my boys here.” He dusted some dirt off the monk's robes. “So, uh, where's your bag?”

  “Bag? What bag?”

  “Well, if you were buying wheat, where's your bag? Where's your money?” Ratnakar asked, one hand still on the monk's shoulder.

  The monk looked confused for a moment.

  “That's what I thought.” Ratnakar's face shifted from a kind boy into something else entirely. “You are boldly lying to my face. There is no wheat. You were sent to spy on me. How long have they known I've been coming down here? Weeks? Months? More?”

  The monk was amazed that Ratnakar was admitting to leaving the monastery multiple times.

  “Well, no more,” Ratnakar said, straightening up, “I'm through with you, I'm through with the monastery, and I'm through with Asas. You can take this message to him when you return.” Ratnakar kneed the monk in the gut as hard as he could. “I...” Another knee to the stomach. “Am...” And another. “Done.” A final knee to the groin put the monk back on the ground. “I'm not going back. My home is here. Don't follow me. Don't look for me. Or I WILL come back and it won't be for a friendly visit. Now get the hell out of here and don't ever let me catch a glimpse of a robe in this part of town again.” He kicked the man as he was curled up on the ground, holding himself.

  With that, Ratnakar gathered up the boys who had been watching and they headed down the street, deeper into the darker part of town. The monk lay in the street as the other man went back inside the tavern. Passersby walked around the monk, no one stopping to help him. Finally, he could breathe enough to get up and begin to make his way toward the center of town, where the other monks would be waiting for him.

  As he neared the town square, a young woman saw him and gasped. She rushed over to help him, and he refused to lean on her. He simply asked if he could hold her arm as they walked through to his destination. Once there, two other monks took one look and knew what had happened. The young lady bowed to him and the other monks, and then she left them on their way. The monk glanced back, certain that Ratnakar was watching him, but no one was there.

  The trio of monks made their way back to the monastery and relayed what had happened to Asas. The elder monk simply sighed with a heavy heart and retreated to the advanced library to study and meditate. The others gave him a wide berth. They knew that Ratnakar was like a son to him, and while he did not show it, this was a deep blow that would leave scars.

  That same evening, in town, Ratnakar and his band of boys had found an abandoned farm house near the edge of town that they had taken over. One boy started a fire and others emptied the sacks of food they had stolen that day. They ate like kings in their own castle and then huddled up close to the fire to sleep. Ratnakar couldn't bring himself to lie down on the cold, hard floor. He had been spoiled by sleeping in a bed for so many years. So, he searched the house to check if there was anything left by the previous owners. He c
ame across an old bed mat that still had a little fluff left to it.

  As he dragged the mat to the living room, and the warmth of the fire, the other boys looked startled and a little irritated that they had not thought to search for a mat. But none dared to defy Ratnakar for it. In fact, he paused and looked at them all, one by one, silently challenging them for the mat. No one stepped up. Instead, each boy looked down or away, giving in to the older boy. Ratnakar set up the mat in the prime spot, between the fire and the corner, a good defensive position. It also meant that the boys had to lie all around the other areas, covering the space between him and the door.

  He lay there awake for a long time, watching the others fall asleep. One was left on guard duty, staring out one of the front windows into the dark. Ratnakar watched the guarding boy, who wasn't more than ten, and considered if he had left the monastery too soon. He decided that it was a thought best left for in the morning light, and so he closed his eyes to sleep.

  Chapter Four

  He stared off into the ornately decorated pond with its beautiful golden fish as he contemplated what was about to happen. Tomorrow, he would be officially named the leader, or daimyo, of the lands his family had ruled over for centuries. He still was reeling from the loss of his father. Beside him, on the mat, lay the Hi No Tamashi. The sword gleamed in the moonlight with an unearthly glow that seemed to defy the very darkness itself. He had always been fascinated with it, but now that it was his, he found he was not prepared to wield it.

  “My lord,” came a voice from behind him. It was Aso Nakanori, his top adviser. “It is time to finish some things before the ceremony tomorrow.”

  Akio sighed. “I'll be right there.” When he did not hear Nakanori leave, he said, “I promise.” Finally, the other man left and he stood up, carefully replacing the Hi No Tamashi at his side. The sword felt like a pulse against his thigh, reminding him of the losses that he had incurred to get it. He took one last look at the golden fish, dancing through the waters without a care, and then turned to the manor house. Inside, there were at least a dozen men waiting, all with papers, documents, scrolls, demands, tributes, and whatnot. He did not want to deal with any of this. He simply wanted to sit out here alone. Why couldn't he do that?

  He took a deep breath. Because he was the daimyo. That's why. And he had duties.

  Walking softly toward the house, he heard another noise in the dark to his right. Someone was trying to sneak up on him. Poised for action, but not giving away that he had heard the noise, he waited for the right moment to pull his sword on the intruder. It was at the man's throat before the other knew it.

  “Damn it, Akio. That's not fair,” came a familiar voice. “How do you always know I am here?”

  “Because you are a clumsy ninja,” he replied and replaced his sword at his side. Kiso's face appeared finally in the dim light, smiling at him. They hugged quickly, as they normally did when they were alone. “You are a good ninja,” he said, “I only tease you because I can hear you coming a mile away. We've known each other too long to sneak up on the other well.”

  She laughed. “True.” She paused, and he knew that she was working up the courage to tell him why she was really there.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “Well, about earlier...” she began.

  He raised a hand to stop her. “It's fine. Nothing needs to be said.” She looked a little lost for a moment. “I mean, unless you want to.”

  She thought for a moment, then carefully shook her head. “No, it's nothing.” She shifted uncomfortably. “So, tomorrow, huh?”

  “Yeah. Everything will be finalized tomorrow. I'm not sure I'm ready.”

  She smiled at him. “You are ready. You know you are. You've been training for so long. There is no way that you are not ready.”

  “I just wish I didn't have to take over this way. I wish my father was still here and he would sign over the leader position to me when he was too old to walk.” He looked back at the fish, lazily swimming in the pond.

  Kiso moved slightly and took his hand. “Fate had its own plans, Akio. There is nothing we can do about it.” Then she dropped his hand and put her own hands behind her back as if she wasn't sure what to do with them. “I wish I could trade you places and it was my father that was killed instead,” she said. “But that bastard will never die. Meanness will keep him alive.”

  Akio felt horrible for Kiso. He knew she actually meant that and would happily accept the deal if she could. “Well, I probably should get inside,” he said. “I have a bunch of paperwork and things to go over before the big day.”

  “Ooo, exciting.” She faked excitement at his tasks and brought a small laugh from him.

  “I'll see you tomorrow, right? You'll be at the ceremony?” he asked, looking in her eyes.

  She straightened and smiled. “I would not miss it for the world.” He nodded and smiled back at her, then turned and walked toward the house. She watched until he disappeared inside and then turned to the fish in the pond. “And I love you,” she whispered.

  ***

  When the monks recounted the tale of what had happened in town, Asas was furious inside. How dare that boy lay another hand on one of the monks he had lived beside for over ten years! But he could not let his emotions show; he could not let the other monks know that he was rattled. He remembered all the times throughout the years that the boy had given him the chills or premonitions that he had about Ratnakar's later years. He shuddered.

  One of the monks was asking what to do next. Asas paused for a moment and then said, “Seal up that boulder so he cannot get back inside.”

  Two of the monks nodded and headed off immediately to perform the task before the sun set. The other remained in place. He had been beaten badly. Asas took him to the infirmary and looked him over.

  After making sure everything was okay, he sent the monk on his way. But first, he had a request. “Before you sleep tonight, will you send over the two fixing the wall? I shall be in the ancient library. I have a mission for them.” The monk acquiesced and went on his way.

  After dusk, there was a knock on the library door and Asas told them to enter. The two younger monks appeared, still sweaty from patching the wall. “Yes Asas?” one said, “You wanted to see us?”

  “Yes, yes I did,” Asas said, putting down the pen he was writing with. “I have a letter that I wish you to deliver tomorrow to a weaponsmith in town. I trust this man and I have a job for him. However, you are not to read the letter nor discuss it with the man. He will know what to do.” Asas folded the paper and sealed it with a wax blob and the monastery's seal. He then extended his arm and one of the men stepped forward to take the letter.

  As he tucked it away in his robes, he asked, “What about Ratnakar? What if he tries to come back tonight?

  “He will not come,” Asas answered. “The boy is lost to us now and will never return until it is too late.”

  Neither of the younger monks knew what this meant, so they bowed and left the room, shutting the door behind them.

  The next morning, the two got up and headed into town very early. They found the weaponsmith and delivered the note from Asas. The man read it and nodded at them, never saying a word. They left and headed back to the monastery and their routine daily lives.

  ***

  Once they were up, Ratnakar organized the boys into different positions, such as leader of the thieves, weapons, food, clothing, and so on. The boys finally felt important to have a job that they must do. Once he had organized them and sent them on their way, he posted two of the other boys on guard duty there at the house and headed to the door. One of them asked where he would be going and the other asked when he would be back. He just replied that he had business to attend to.

  He headed into town, whistling as he walked, happy with his choices. The idea from the night before that he had maybe made the wrong decision was now far from his mind. He knew this was where he was supposed to be. As
he walked, he made mental notes of the surrounding area, for both defense and escape means. This was a good area that they had found.

  In town, he headed back to the tavern where the monk had tracked him to. Inside, no one even budged to look at him as he came into the door. That was fine with him. He moved to the back, where an empty table sat waiting for him. As he took the spot, a chubby maid came over to ask what he needed. He waved her away. “Nothing!” he said as she asked again. He was waiting for someone.

  Finally, he appeared in the doorway. The man from the afternoon before, who had caught the monk spying on him. As the man glanced around the tavern, he spotted the boy and smiled. He headed to a table filled with a rough group of men and sat down for a bit, facing the table where Ratnakar was watching him. They laughed and drank a bit. After he had gotten his third mug of ale, he walked right over and sat down with Ratnakar.

  “Well, boy, I see that you are ready to enjoy the tavern life at such a tender age?” The man snickered lightly and took a long swig of ale.

  Ratnakar forced a smile, but his eyes said otherwise. “Oh no, I despise this place. But it was key to meeting you once again.”

  The man's ears perked up and he raised an eyebrow. “Me? Why me?”

  Ratnakar looked at him for a moment. “Are you not Atagi? One of the greatest swordsmen in the country? The man who has been in a thousand battles and always lived to tell the tale? The man who would chop another down before his heart could beat?”

  The other man took another swig and paused. “You know a lot for a boy from the monastery. What do you want?”

  “I only want to train with you.”

  The man roared with laughter, which caused a few other patrons to take notice of the odd pair sitting at a table in the corner. “Train you?” He continued to laugh through sips of ale. “Not likely. You look like you haven't trained a day in your life. I would strike you down on accident.” He waved his hand at the boy as if shooing away a fly.