Aichu was worn out from seeking out the one and fighting against the blocks that Tux'els had set up inside of her head already. She had to admit that Tux'els was smart in his firm takeover of minds, but that had never been her way. It had never been the Eza way.
After a bit, she felt that she was ready to reach out to Akio finally. She needed to let him know about the person who would be coming, the person who would save him. She only prayed that she could get through to him in time.
***
He was exhausted. The day had been so long and he was tired of walking. His feet were blistered and sore from the wrong shoes but he could not stop. He had heard the bells in town and had somehow managed to retreat through the streets without being caught by any of the guards who were shifting men and teenage boys toward the compound. He thanked the heavens for that.
On his way through the rougher parts of town, Asas caught bits and pieces of talk about the daimyo of the city, Suenaka, and how he had gone completely insane. This worried him. Only a crazy man indeed would attack the shogun at his own place. His face wrinkled into a deep frown as he trudged ahead. Keeping his head down within his cowl, he hoped that he would make it to the edge of the city without notice.
As the edge of the city's walls came in sight, a voice rang out. “Hey! Monk! Hey!” came the call from his right. “Stop!”
He considered taking to his heels. In fact, everything in his being told him to flee. But he found himself stopping. Approaching from his right were three of the daimyo's guards. He faked a smile.
“Hello gentlemen, what can I do for you?” he asked with a bow.
“Where are you going?” the shortest one asked.
Asas paused for a moment. “I am just heading through town towards the imperial palace. I have been called there.”
“Where are your papers if you've been called?” a different guard asked, crossing his arms.
“I have no papers. I was not called by the emperor,” he answered.
“Then who called you?” the short one inquired.
“The Heavens,” Asas replied.
All three laughed. Then the short one said, “We know you heard the bells. Head to the compound. Just because you're a monk doesn't mean that you get out of fighting. If you're in the city, you're eligible to be sworn into the army.”
Asas’ smile faded from his face. “Gentlemen,” he said, “As you can see, I am but an old man. Much too old to be fighting any physical battle.” He paused, opening his arms, showing how thin he was under his robes. “I have been a monk all my life. I cannot fight.”
“Then you can say prayers for the wounded and dying,” the third guard said and grabbed his shoulder. “Now head to the compound barracks or you’ll be fighting sooner than expected.”
Asas nodded and allowed himself to be turned around. He moved forward, back into the city. He sighed. No easy escape for him this time.
Walking toward the compound, he was swept up in the multitudes of young men headed the same way. Guards and army soldiers were everywhere, making sure no one ducked back into a house or headed back to their homes. There was no way he would get to duck out either. He allowed himself to be swallowed up in the mob and just moved along with them.
When they reached the barracks, the incoming men were sorted by age and size into groups. As the guards came to Asas, they frowned. One asked what the hell he was doing there. He replied that other guards had forced him to come. As he saw a hope that he would be let go, the guard frowned and pointed him toward a small shack. He stepped out of line and headed over.
He stood outside the door for a moment, not wanting to go in. As he raised his fist to knock, the door opened and a priest stood at the door. “Oh!” He was surprised at the other man's presence. “I did not know you were there!”
“I'm sorry to startle you,” Asas said. “I was ordered to come over here.”
The man frowned. “Me too.” Then he looked around for a moment and invited Asas inside. A few small benches were set up for prayers and candles were lit here and there. This must be the barrack's chapel. Pitiful.
“I'm not sure what they expect us to do,” the other man continued. “I feel like we are just dead weight but they don't want to let us go back to our places.”
“Where is it you come from?” Asas asked.
“I was on my way to the imperial palace to continue my training,” the man said. “I even showed them my papers.” He patted his chest where the papers must still be held. “But they laughed at me and sent me here anyway. I cannot believe I'm being treated this way. I'm not a fighter. I cannot stand bloodshed.”
“Me neither,” Asas said and sat down on a bench.
“So what are we supposed to do?”
“I have no idea,” Asas replied. “But I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.”
***
Akio sat quietly, preparing his mind for what was to come in the following hours. His mother, his wife, and the other women had left hours ago and were headed to safety. He had given his mother a few things, such as a letter that made the leader of his command, Yonezu Motokiyo, the new daimyo now that he was shogun. He also sent back an offering for Saru's father to show that he still intended to marry the girl as soon as things calmed down – even though he did not want to.
He sat quietly on a pillow, his eyes closed, his palms resting on the Hi No Tamashi in his lap. He felt safer with the sword at hand at all times lately, and he knew that Aichu and Ugai would not let him down. After all, he had been made stronger and more powerful than most of his peers. So, why should he worry? Still, even with the marks on his arms, he was but a mortal man…
As soon as he thought about Aichu, the Eza representative was in his mind, speaking to him. She knew of the battle to come. She had already been contemplating what he needed to do to prevail and who he could trust – and who he couldn't.
Imparting multiple battle plans and attacks to him, to cover all contingencies, she let him soak everything in deeply. As he absorbed it all, he realized she was concerned about him.
“Why are you anxious, Aichu?”
“Because the Nax'oix have put things in play to stop you now, before you can get strong enough. I have still so many things to show and teach you.”
“I will be fine,” he said to her. “I have so many guards and soldiers at my command now that...”
“Yet you have no idea how many you can really trust,” she interrupted. “I want you to only trust a few people in the following days,” she said to him. “Listen carefully, here are those you can depend on: Kiso, Kuninaka, the general Inagaki Ujiteru, the monk Asas… and the assassin woman Furi.”
His mouth fell open. “Asai Furi?” he said in amazement. “How am I to trust an assassin?”
“You just are,” was her reply.
Before she could tell him anything more, there was a knock at his door. One of the guards informed him that Kuninaka and a few leaders of his guard and army were there. Akio told the guard only Kuninaka and Ujiteru were allowed to enter. The other men protested outside, but were not permitted entrance.
Kuninaka and general Ujiteru walked in and bowed. Akio bowed in return. Once the door was shut, Kuninaka gave him a puzzled look. “Why only us? Why not the others?” he inquired with a wrinkled brow.
“Because I have word I am to trust only the two of you implicitly,” he replied.
The former shogun studied him carefully and took a deep breath. “Well, okay then. We have news and we need your input on what you would like done,” he said, moving toward the table with some papers in hand.
Akio followed him and watched as he unrolled the scrolls. On the top paper was a layout of the compound, the next page down was a map of the city, and finally, a map of the countryside around them—including the areas where Suenaka held sway. Akio listened as Kuninaka and Ujiteru told him where their strongholds were located. He listened as they suggested where to station troops and where they shou
ld try to pick their battles as they held tactical advantages.
He took everything in for a moment and then told them that he agreed with everything they had said.
Ujiteru looked at him. “Are you sure that this is what you want to do?”
“What do you mean?” Akio replied. “Of course, I don't want to do any of this. But I must. We must.”
Ujiteru nodded. “I understand this. But what I am asking is if you are sure you want to go along with our recommendations? This is your battle after all. You have the final say.”
Akio glanced down at the maps in front of him and considered everything once again. This time, he allowed the new knowledge that Aichu had just imparted to him to guide his eyes and help him scan the topography for any edge. Suddenly, he spotted something. “Actually,” he said, placing a finger on a small area outside of town, “what about here?” The other two men looked down.
Kuninaka’s face lightened up. “This is a bold move, but that… that would be an excellent place to defend.”
“Then this is where I want to make a stand,” Akio said. “I do not want that bastard ever reaching the city.”
Chapter Sixteen
Mist caressed the trees and rolled along the land around them. Akio stood at the center of his troops with Kuninaka and Ujiteru. He watched the haze, enthralled, as it seemed to mindfully drift along. It took him a few seconds before he realized that Kuninaka was trying to get his attention.
“Someone is approaching,” Kuninaka told him. “Our scouts have them in sight.”
“Who is it?” Akio asked. “Just one person?”
“Yes, just one person. A woman.”
Chills ran through Akio. He knew who it would be. “Bring her to me,” he said to the guards nearby, who then rushed to grab her up.
After about fifteen minutes, Akio found himself face to face with the lone woman. Furi stood before him, surrounded by several guards, their swords pointed at her. Her relaxed stature made him uneasy, but Aichu had told him he could rely on her.
“You managed to escape my compound. Yet you came back. Why?”
She looked at him and smiled. “Because I was shown the way,” she answered and bowed. “I am yours to command now.”
“I don't want to command you. I don't want to be lorded over you. I don't really want you anywhere near me,” he began, as he paced lightly in front of her, his right hand barely tapping the hilt of his sword. “But, I have to accept that you are here.” He stopped in front of her and looked directly into her eyes. “I have been told that you could be trusted.”
Again, she bowed her head lightly. “Yes,” she replied. “As I said, I am yours to command.”
He narrowed his eyes. “How do I know that I should really believe you?”
“Because we have been put together by one being,” she said. “You have probably heard of her. The name’s Aichu.”
Goose bumps ran all over his arms at her name. Just the fact that Furi knew about her was more than enough for him. He waved his hand and the guards sheathed their weapons. He turned and headed into the small tent behind them. She followed.
He sat down on a beautiful, royal blue pillow and said, “She spoke to you.” There was no question in his voice. He already knew.
“She did.”
“And what did she tell you?”
“She showed me that I had been wrong all these years,” Furi said. “She showed me that all I had thought to be true was a lie.” She moved to the right side of the tent opening. “I was led down the wrong path by another being. Even though I thought myself strong, I was weak enough to let my guard down, to let him in. I thought I was fighting for the greater good when I was in fact doing the complete opposite.”
Akio knew she spoke about the other side, the other alien race, and he shivered. “I am glad that you have seen the right way,” he said. “However, I am still unsure...”
Kuninaka interrupted their conversation as he burst through the opening in the tent. “His army approaches!” he said.
Akio jumped to his feet. “Tell the men to get ready. No one fires until I give the command, understood?”
Furi backed up slightly so Akio could exit the tent. After they had gone, she slipped out and made her way through the soldiers toward the front of the line. The soldiers there gave her odd looks, but then directed their attention to the sound of the approaching army.
She was surprised at the place they had chosen to defend. Not that it was a bad place, on the contrary. However, it was a bit far out from the city, further than she would have positioned an army for defense. Set on the sides and entrance of a slight ravine, Akio had arranged his force in positions that were well hidden from view until they either moved or stood. Soldiers were all along the top of the ridges surrounding the road and small fields below. There were also men all along the flanks around the back, so there could be no parts of the enemy army that could go around without them knowing. At the mouth of the ravine stood the bulk of Akio's army, waiting for their cue to strike.
The noise grew louder and louder as the advancing warriors drew nearer. Furi began to feel their footsteps in her chest. She breathed in the morning air and breathed out the anxiety of pre-battle. A loud bird whistled somewhere at the other end of the ravine where the fields started to get narrower. Behind her, another bird answered as the scouts were warning that the army was now in sight. Excitement tingled through her at the idea of combat. Her battles were usually in close quarters, right up next to the person. Intimate, beautiful. This was an entirely new way for her to test her skills, and she relished the chance to prove herself to her new ally.
The noise was now a cacophonous monster that drowned out every other sound. She could only hear her own heartbeat in her ears that now seemed to match the cadence of the approaching horde. Then she saw the first of their ranks.
She smiled.
No signal was given yet. The approaching army continued to march on, right past her position, right into the mouth of the ravine. Now the bulk of the force was in front of her and she was suddenly aware that the majority of the men in the middle was not wearing armor of any type. She frowned. This was not a good sign. Looking a little closer, she noticed that the men in the middle were not even men – they were teenagers. Some barely older than nine or ten. Her jaw fell open.
Those were children.
Then she realized what Suenaka had done. He had summoned all of the men, teenagers, and boys and forced them to be a part of this march. He would allow them to be sacrificed, to then put out the word that Akio was a blood-thirsty ruler who would stop at nothing to crush anyone who opposed him – someone who didn't care how many innocent people were hurt in the process. He would make Akio seem terrible in the eyes of those who were not close to the battle, thus winning support for his challenge, and becoming shogun. She saw all of this happening in the blink of an eye and knew that she had to warn Akio.
She rushed back through the ranks that surrounded her, praying that she could reach Akio in time, before he gave the orders to attack. On the ridge, she saw the lines of archers, drawing their bows, ready to unleash their deadly load into the middle of the horde.
Right into the center of the innocent people forced to be there.
Her legs ran swifter than she could ever have imagined. Dodging men and weapons, she worked her way back. The deafening sounds of the army were almost maddening. Finally, she could make out the shape of the tent. She searched the faces around to try and find Akio.
He was nowhere to be seen.
Kuninaka appeared and she jumped on him, screaming at him over the sounds, “Where is Akio?”
He pointed toward the ridge. She followed his finger and spotted Akio, moving up toward the edge of the hill, dressed in the full battle dress of a samurai. “You cannot attack the middle!” she screamed at Kuninaka. “They are kids!” A look of horror crossed his face and she realized he had understood what she meant. He nodded and yelled
back to her, “Go! Find Akio!”
She took off, praying to the heavens that she reached him in time.
***
Suenaka sat at the end of his army, riding a fat warhorse. He was pleased with himself.
Underhanded or not, his plan was perfect. The bulk of his army sat here, at the end of the procession, with him. They need not fight at all, he hoped. If Akio's forces struck down enough of the troops at the front, the bodies of children would be enough to have everyone question his legitimacy and precipitate his downfall. The young fool was rushing headlong into a trap that he had no idea was about to be sprung.
***
The hush over the lands around the city was unnerving for Ratnakar and his companions. They had spent the night in the tangle of the downed trees where they had hidden from the daimyo's guard. Now that daylight was upon them, he decided that they would continue toward the city – cautiously. They met no one on the roads and there were only three guards at the gate. He found that oddly disturbing. He and his companions walked through the gates and into the streets of the city.
The quiet that fell over them once inside was something out of nightmares. No one was around, even in the corridors where markets were normally vibrant. No children played in the streets. No young women called out for the pleasure houses. There was just no one.
He stopped and looked around as they reached the center of the city. What the hell was going on?
***
Akio surveyed the mass of approaching bodies from an outcropping of rocks. It was easy to see that there were more soldiers than he had first imagined. However, as he studied their advance, he noticed something was strange with the way they moved. They weren't organized at all. He frowned. Something was wrong, something right there, right in front of him, right on the tip of his tongue.
“Akio!” he heard someone yell his name through the sounds of the approaching army. He turned quickly to find Furi in a low crouch, running toward him.
Samurai 2.0 - Destiny: A Harem Fantasy Adventure Page 21