Fate of the Empires

Densetsu. The small coastal village of Jinwu. The waters just off the coast are filled with small fishing boats. Fishermen pull in nets filled with tuna, swordfish, and the Densetsun firefish. Children play on the docks awaiting their fathers’ returns to shore. Women tend to the rice fields and day-to-day chores of their households. A fence made of tightly woven bamboo surrounds the entire village filled with one-story homes all with gabled rooftops. Other than the thin fence nothing protects Jinwu from the outside. Perhaps there is no need for protection. It’s so peaceful here. It makes it hard to believe that the people of Densetsu are planning to wage war on Athusia.

The architecture suggests a society built on trust. The houses are made of wood and bamboo with sliding doors made of paper. Unwanted visitors must not be a problem in Densetsu. It seems so strange to me. Their homes are so basic yet there is an elegance that is not seen in Athusia. Athusian homes are built for stability. They are designed with the intention of keeping things out. I truly envy these people if their apparent harmony is for real.

As this is a fishing village the people here dress very plainly in earthy colors. Not all that different from the way our own Athusian farmers dress. Thin cotton material to keep them cool while they work. One of the notable differences is the large, round straw hats the fishermen wear to keep the sun out of their eyes. The villagers do not where boots either. Instead they wear an open-toed sandal that is made of wood on the bottom and rope to fasten it.

Jun and I walk along the beach while we wait for Draccus and Magnus to return from Windfall. He and I haven’t spoken much since we left Cove. It is in part because he is preoccupied with something that he shares with no one. He has been off in his own world for much of the time we have spent sailing to here. Of course I haven’t been making an active attempt to speak to him either. He is the most complicated individual I have ever met. He seems gentle and caring one minute then cold and unfeeling the next. He confounds me and it is infuriating!

I’m not even entirely sure how much I can trust him. His honesty has fallen into question on more than one occasion. I want to believe him when he speaks, but I can’t tell where his motivations are coming from on this mission. I don’t believe he would ever intentionally put the rest of us in harms way, but secrets have a way of hurting people.

Jun stops walking. He stares blankly at the playing children. I can’t keep this silence up any longer. “What are you thinking about?” I ask.

“My parents,” Jun looks down as he answers, “I wish I could’ve known them.”

Of course! I should have realized. It makes sense that he has been distant; we are in his father’s homeland. I wonder if his father is still alive. He’s probably asking himself the same question inside. Perhaps he already knows the answer. “Do you know if your father is still alive?”

“I’m not sure,” I can’t tell if he is lying to me.

“Are you even curious?”

“I may have questions with no answers, but now is not the time to go looking for them. My thoughts were of my parents for only a moment. It is our task here in Densetsu that is really bothering me. Nothing more.”

He always uses the mission as a defense. He doesn’t want anyone getting too close to him. Perhaps I am wrong to care about him. He probably cares nothing for me or the others. “I’m sorry,” I say, “I didn’t mean to pry.”

The thought of Jun finding his father reminds me of the longing I have for my own parents. The dreams of my father are becoming more frequent with my emotional unrest. I can never see him, but I feel him. He is strong. He is a warrior. He always has such a presence yet he always feels so far away. Why am I haunted by these visions?

“Please don’t apologize,” Jun answers, “If anyone should apologize it is me.”

“For what?”

“I was harsh with you back in Cove and while I don’t apologize for why I did it, I am sorry that I had to do it. You and I were both blaming ourselves for what happened to Draccus. If anyone should be at fault, it’s me. I am in charge and that responsibility falls on my shoulders. There was nothing you could’ve done to prevent what happened. I was simply trying to…”

“I know why you said what you said. And you were right.”

And I do know what he was trying to do. His words enraged me and I in turn took that rage out on the slavers. I think I knew it the moment he did it, but I was too angry to see it. I’ll admit I feel weak as a result of it. I allowed him to control my emotions.

“No, I wasn’t right. I manipulated you to get the reaction I wanted. I was not right and neither were you. Being a woman does not make you weak. Valuing life is not a weakness either. That side is what separates you from murderous barbarians like me. Yes, I need the warrior, but I also need the woman.”

It feels so genuine. If it were any other man I would probably believe it without question, but Jun knows exactly what to say to get what he wants. I want to believe him, but I can’t right now. I give a small smile in an attempt to avoid responding to what he said. Jun smiles back. He sees right through me, but he doesn’t push the issue any further.

A young boy runs up to us. He has dark hair that is tied into a single tail that hangs down just above his shoulders. He has been either working or playing in the dirt and has some of it smeared on his face. He bows before looking up at Jun. He says something to him in Densetsun. Jun chuckles and replies to him in the same language. They speak back and forth for a minute. Jun turns to me. “He wants to know why we look differently than they do,” Jun translates to me, “I told him we have traveled from far away to see his legendary village.”

“Legendary?” I ask.

“Yes, I said that we heard Jinwu has the best tea in all of Densetsu.”

“What did he say to that?”

“He invited us to have some.”

“Oh.”

“Would you like to try some?”

“Right now?”

“No, it would be improper to drink tea without his mother and father at home. He has invited all four of us to dine with his family this evening. What do you think?”

“That is very generous. I would be honored.”

Jun turns back to the boy. He speaks to him in Densetsun again. He makes a fist with his right hand and cups his left hand over it. Jun then bows and the little boy does the same before running back into the village. “That was unusual,” I say to Jun.

“Not really. We have not given these people any reason to fear us. The child was just being hospitable as is the way of these people.”

“Is all of Densetsu so trusting?”

“You will find that Jinsei is more like home than these small outer villages.”

“I’m not in any hurry to find out.”

It is not much longer before Draccus and Magnus return from Windfall. There is something different about Draccus now. It’s in the way he carries himself. He seems almost sad. I know that Emily looked up to him a great deal, but I didn’t realize until now just how much he cared for her. There is a lot of spirit in that little girl. She grew on all of us and as difficult as it was to see her go, she is much safer at home where she belongs.

Draccus and Magnus meet us on the beach. “How did it go?” I ask.

“She is safe with her family,” Draccus replies.

“That is good to hear,” I say, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Draccus answers solemnly.

“Magnus, I need to ask a favor of you,” Jun interjects.

“Yes?” Magnus looks to Jun.

“Do you have a spell that will allow the three of you to comprehend and speak the Densetsun language?”

“That’s a first-year spell,” Magnus boasts, “Of course I do.”

“Then I need you to cast it,” Jun says.

“Alright, but I need you to speak the language as I speak the incantation.”

Jun begins to speak in Densetsun while Magnus moves his hands in very specific motions. “Comprendere lingua,” he says to cast his spell.

Slowly, the foreign sounds emerging from Jun’s mouth become familiar. I can understand him as though he were speaking Athusian! “Can you all understand me?” Jun asks in Densetsun.

“Yes, I can,” without even thinking, my response comes out in Densetsun.

“I can also understand you,” Draccus says.

“Seems that all is in order then,” Magnus gloats, “What’s next?”

“A local family has invited us to have tea with them this evening,” Jun answers.

“Tea?” Magnus sounds put off, “How about dinner? I’m starving and all we’ve had to eat for the past three and a half weeks is dried rations!”

“Magnus, in Densetsu if you are invited to tea you can expect a meal along with it,” Jun’s reassurance brings a smile to Magnus’ face.

“Then what are we waiting for?” Magnus eagerly inquires.

“One hour after the men return from the bay a bell will sound to indicate it is time to dine,” Jun answers.

“Well, what are we going to do until then?”

“Something we haven’t had the chance to do in quite a while.”

“What’s that?”

“Relax.”

It is dusk before the village bells toll for dinner. The young boy finds us on the beach. Now that I can speak to him I find out that his name is Toshi. He introduces himself to Draccus and Magnus before he escorts the four of us to his home.

Toshi tells us that his father is one of the more prominent fishermen in the village and it shows as his home is larger than many of the others in Jinwu. The front doors of Toshi’s house are very decorative. They are made of bamboo and rice paper with Densetsun calligraphy painted on them. The doors do not open in or out, but instead slide from side to side. While these doors are nice to look at they seem to have no practical purpose. Doors made of paper wouldn’t even be able to keep out the elements let alone unwanted guests.

We are asked to remove our boots before we are allowed to enter Toshi’s home. Just inside the front door we are greeted by Aiko, Toshi’s mother. “Welcome,” the exhausted woman says as she bows her head.

Standing a step behind Aiko is Toshi’s older sister, Sumiko. The young girl looks as tired as her mother. It would seem that Sumiko does household chores with her mother while Toshi gets the freedom to play outside all day. This society is clearly a male-dominated one like our own, but to more of an extreme. It is so sad to see. Sumiko bows her head, but remains silent. “This is my daughter, Sumiko,” Aiko says motioning to her daughter, who does not look up at us.

Sumiko raises her head but keeps her eyes down. I notice that Aiko seems to do the same. In Athusia people of lesser stations are not allowed to make eye contact with those of high status, such as nobles, unless they are first given permission. From what I have seen here it seems as though only the women follow this submissive behavior. If the men of this country expect me to cower before them, they are going to be quite insulted!

Both women dress in robe-like outfits that go all the way to the ground. You cannot even see their feet. The material of the clothing is not expensive, but each has tried to make the best of it by sewing their own flowered designs into the cloth. The detail of the embroidery tells me that both women enjoy doing it. It is a hobby they can share with each other when no one else is around.

The interior of the home is very simple, yet regal in its own way. Everything is very clean and orderly. In Athusia only houses of nobility are this clean. We are led into what I assume is the dining room. There is a small fire pit with a kettle hanging over it. In the center of the room is a table that sits very close to the ground. There are no chairs around it but instead flat pillows that sit on the ground. Toshi’s father sits on the pillow at the head of the table. “You’re joking, right?” Magnus says upon seeing the seating arrangement.

“Is there a problem?” Toshi’s father starts to stand.

Jun elbows Magnus. “No, please do not get up. There is nothing wrong. My companion is just not accustomed to such hospitality.” Jun glares at Magnus as he lies to our host to cover.

Jun bows to Toshi’s father. “Please, sit,” Toshi’s father motions to the table, “I am Toru.”

“I am Jun and these are my companions Leaia, Magnus, and Draccus.”

Jun sits at the foot of the table. Magnus and I sit on one side of Jun while Draccus sits on the other. Toshi sits next to Draccus. He looks excited to be in the presence of an Orrock warrior. Sumiko sits on the other side of Toshi, near her father. Aiko removes the kettle from the fire and serves tea before she takes her place near her husband at the table.

The tea is served in very small, decorative glass cups. Each place setting has a small bowl of steaming hot white rice and a plate of cooked fish. There are no utensils, but instead two short, thin sticks. Magnus looks perplexed as he scans the table. “Everything is so small,” he whispers to me.

It is true that the portions are much smaller than we are used to, but I have also noticed that the people of this village are much thinner than the denizens of Athusia. “Perhaps the food is more filling here,” I whisper back to Magnus.

Toru takes up his cup of tea. “Let us drink to the plentiful harvests we have had this season. It is the grace of Kyo that makes this meal possible.”

Kyo must be one of the gods in the Densetsun pantheon. I wonder what he holds dominion over. I take up my cup along with everyone else. We all drink in honor of Kyo, which makes me mildly uncomfortable seeing as I follow another. I am certain Arus will overlook my praising another deity as it is part of my mission for the glory of Athusia.

After we drink some tea Toru and his family seem to wait for something. Jun picks up the sticks at his setting and illustrates how to use them. Jun uses the sticks with great skill. He takes a bite of the white rice. “This is very good, Aiko,” Jun says, “Thank you all for your kindness.”

At this acknowledgement Toru and his family begin to eat. Magnus and I struggle at first with the sticks, but we manage to eat. Draccus avoids the sticks altogether and eats with his hands. Toshi is captivated by the way the gigantic warrior eats and attempts to mimic him until his father corrects him. “Do not dishonor our guest,” Toru sternly chastises Toshi.

“It is okay,” Draccus interrupts, “The boy is only curious.”

“Of course, Master Orrock,” Toru says.

The rice doesn’t have much flavor. The fish on the other hand is very spicy. It is the Densetsun firefish. It needs no seasoning as it lives up to its name. It’s good, but you really have to wash it down with something! We eat quietly for a while.

“Toru-san, has Jinwu received any news from the Imperial City recently?” Jun breaks the silence.

“It is not often that we get word from so far inland. The last time was about six months ago when an Imperial scout came looking for candidates for the Imperial Army. He took no one from Jinwu though.”

“Is that a routine process for the army?” I question.

Toru looks confused that I spoke without him first addressing me. He looks to Jun for approval. “Please treat my companions with the same respect that you have shown me,” Jun defends me, “The fact that she is a woman makes her no lesser than you or I.”

Toru bows to Jun. He looks to me. “My apologies. The Imperial Army will occasionally search the outskirts to fill spots on their roster, but very rarely. It did not seem unusual, however.”

“Has your village been endangered at all by any outsiders?” Draccus asks.

“No. In fact, you are the first outsiders I have seen in Jinwu for many years. We did nurse a warrior back to health a month ago. He wouldn’t speak much, but I believe he was from the Imperial City. It is most curious how he ended up half-dead on our peaceful shores.”

“Why do you think he was from the Imperial City?” Jun asks.

“My wife discovered a strange marking on his back when she was tending to his wounds. Aiko, tell him.”

“It was a brand, I think,” Aiko nervously says, “It looked like a serpent or a dragon.”

“Kodasai,” Jun responds quietly, but not quietly enough.

“Ninja?!” Toru exclaims in shock, “That is impossible!”

“What is a ninja?” Magnus questions Jun.

“They are assassins, not to be taken lightly. The Kodasai clan work directly for the Emperor. The only reason one would be this far from Jinsei is a mission and I’m willing to wager that mission was not on this coastline.”

“Cove?” I ask.

“It’s possible,” Jun turns his attention to Toru, “Did this warrior return to the Imperial City?”

“Yes, weeks ago,” Toru seems suspicious, “Why exactly have you come to Jinwu?”

“We are mercenaries hired by the Imperial Army to investigate a string of attacks on the coastal cities,” Jun responds smoothly, “We are making sure that Jinwu is not a potential target.”

“Wow!” Toshi is in awe.

“Quiet, boy!” Toru silences his son, “Are we a target?”

“Not that I can see. We will leave for Jinsei in the morning and when we arrive there I will file a full report to my superiors about the Kodasai that was discovered here. Rest assured that your village will be safe.”

“Thank you, honorable Jun.”

I greatly admire Jun’s ability to convince anyone of anything, but at the same time, the more I see it the more I question whether he is truthful to us. I suppose that is the danger you run for being a liar by trade. How do you gain the trust of those that know what you really are? And do you ever really trust them? What kind of life is that to lead? I almost pity him.

It is late in the evening by the time we leave Toru’s house. We set up camp on the edge of the village just outside of the bamboo forest. The conversation with Toru left many questions unanswered. Why would Densetsun assassins go to Cove? Is there a trap waiting for us in Jinsei? The anxiety is on each one of our faces and it doesn’t go unnoticed by Jun. “I know you all have questions and I will try to answer them.”

“Good, I’ll go first,” Magnus jumps at the opportunity, “These ninja you spoke of-“

“The Kodasai.”

“Yes. Are they a threat to us?”

“Possibly.”

“You thought they might have gone to Cove,” I interject, “Why?”

“I am only speculating at this point, but I believe the Kodasai may have the same mission as we do, but for their own country. If that is the case then they may be on the lookout for us.”

“Why do you never have good news for us?” Magnus sarcastically asks.

“Are we changing our course of action based on this speculation?” Draccus asks.

“No. We carry on as planned, but we do need to be on the lookout for two different things. The first is a man named Slade. He is very close to Ethan and may be part of the attempts on our lives. He is originally from Densetsu and has connections in the Kodasai. You’ll know Slade by the three large scars across his face. He also wears a patch over his left eye. If you see him do not confront him.”

“Is he the reason the Kodasai may be looking for us?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“What is the other danger we must keep watch for?” Draccus questions.

“Deacon Amberlin. Magnus discovered that Deacon will be coming to Densetsu to meet with Slade. We do not know the purpose of this meeting, but it cannot be good for us.”

“So the odds are against us as usual,” Magnus sighs.

“Does anyone have any further questions?” Jun looks to each one of us.

“Are we still trusting Ethan at this point?” I ask.

“I have no solid evidence not to, but the more I learn the more I question his loyalty to the crown.”

Jun knows something is not right with Ethan yet he refuses to completely believe that Ethan is capable of such betrayal. I know this is not an easy place for him to be in. If I had to turn on the man who raised me I’m not sure I could do it either. It is always easier to pass judgment when you are on the outside looking in.

“If there are no other questions we should all get some sleep,” Jun says.

“Yes, it has been a very long day,” Magnus yawns.

While the others go to sleep I decide to sit up and gaze at the stars. It helps me center myself. Amazing how the night sky looks the same no matter where you are. Do the gods ever look down from Caeleum with the same wonder as when we look up there? “Trouble sleeping?” I hear Jun’s voice from behind me.

“No, just looking at the stars,” I answer.

Jun sits down next to me. His company is welcome, but I can’t ignore the voice in the back of my head telling me not to trust him. I can’t work with him like this. I need to put my reservations out in the open. “Jun.”

“Yes?”

“I don’t trust you.”

“And you are right not to. I have given you all every reason not to believe me. You know, you meet many people in my line of work, but most of them you are using or they are using you. It is rare to find anyone who is genuine. It’s refreshing that you are. I only wish there were a way you could trust me.”

“I think there is,” I touch Jun on the forehead, “Sight of Arus, show me truth.”

My hand glows for a moment as the spell takes effect. I can see everything in Jun’s mind that is truthful. It all happens so quickly. So much information is absorbed. So many thoughts. His past. His parents. His sadness. His doubts about Ethan. The mission. He doesn’t mean to betray us. In fact, he really does care about us…especially me. This would be less complicated if I didn’t feel the same about him.

“I didn’t expect you to do that,” Jun says, “You know a lot more about me now than I would like.”

“You have feelings for me.”

Why did I just bring that up?! This is hardly the time or place for such foolish matters of the heart. Life was so much easier when I didn’t have these kinds of thoughts and emotions.

Jun looks down for a moment. “Leaia, I’ve been drawn to you since the moment I saw you, but…”

“But nothing can come of it.”

The sorrow of those words weighs heavy on my soul for they are true. How could the two of us ever be together?

“You’re a good person. You’re pure. I’m not and I never will be.”

“Don’t give me that. I know who you are now. You have a good heart whether you want to admit it or not.”

“I just don’t want this to get in the way of our mission.”

There is the mission coming up as a defense again! I understand why he would avoid this though. The same reason I should. It can’t work between us. My duty to Arus comes before my own desires. Why did finding out how he felt have to enhance my own feelings? I hate this!

“You’re right. I probably should have asked you before casting that spell, but I needed to know I could trust you…and now I do. We’ll leave it at that.”

“Leaia, I…for the first time in my life I am at a loss for words.”

“Maybe its better that way.”

There is a long, awkward silence. I turn my thoughts to what I have learned about Ethan through Jun’s mind. I have underestimated what Ethan is capable of in order to get what he wants. And until now I didn’t realize how much Jun mistrusts him. Jun is completely dedicated to this mission. He is also determined to find out the truth about his parents. “The contents of my life are a lot to take in,” Jun interrupts my thoughts.

“You’ve had to rely on deception just to survive.”

“Yes, but now that you know the truth I have nothing more to hide from you.”

“I want to help you uncover the truth about Ethan and your parents.”

“Why?”

“I would give anything to find out what happened to my own parents and I’m not going to let someone else miss out on that chance.”

“Thank you, but there are many obstacles on the road to the truth.”

“Ethan.”

“Yes. I don’t fully know what he’s planning, but I believe the treachery involves someone of high status in the Imperial City.”

“They create a war to cripple both countries and seize power at the opportune moment.”

“And we take the fall for it.”

“Why would Ethan do that to you? He raised you.”

“He hates Densetsu and it is in my blood. He didn’t take me in as an act of kindness. He raised me for this sole purpose. I’ve never had any delusions about my upbringing. Ethan made me a weapon to further his own greed. The only mistake he made was underestimating the Densetsun in me.”

“He made you a weapon to do what?”

“That I don’t know.”

“He has to be stopped. All this time I thought we were fighting for justice when we were simply carrying out a plot that would cause suffering for countless innocent people. I can’t let that happen.”

“And we won’t. I promise you we will stop this war before it begins.”

I can see the sincerity in his eyes without reading his thoughts. Strange that the peril before us is about to get much worse and yet I feel I can rest easier now. I don’t know what fate awaits the four of us, but I do know that the sword of justice will find Ethan wherever he may hide and strike him down.

My dreams keep me restless the entire night. In them I find myself surrounded by light. I feel the presence of my father and…my mother! I see my mother! She’s beautiful! Her hair is not red; it is light brown, but I have her eyes. She looks like a proper lady. She smiles at me, but it quickly fades. She disappears as I reach for her!

The outline of my father appears in her place. He stares at me. Speak to me! “What happened to you two?! Why have I had to live without you?! Where did you go?!”

“Soon, child, it will be your time and all will be revealed,” his commanding voice seems to come from everywhere.

I reach for him, but he vanishes like my mother did and with him goes the light. I am left in darkness…alone.

Toru and Toshi find us before dawn. Toru gives us four horses for our journey to the Imperial City. One of the horses is a very large war-horse that I assume is meant for Draccus. Toru seems somewhat relieved that we are leaving his village. Toshi on the other hand is very disappointed. For some reason Draccus has the most profound effect on children. They don’t shy away from him like most do. I suppose the prejudices and fears of adulthood are taught as you grow into it.

Toshi has fashioned a mask out of leaves and fish scales to resemble an Orrock. He has a short stick of bamboo stuck in his rope-belt like a sword. Toru is annoyed by his son’s antics, but the four of us take delight in the boy’s imagination. “I am Toshi the Orrock warrior!” he shouts as he pulls out his bamboo stick and swings it around.

“Now you need to work on getting a tail,” Magnus jokes.

“Oh, you’re right!” Toshi runs off in a fit of excitement to make himself a tail.

“Thank you Toru-san for the graciousness of your village,” Jun bows to Toru, “We have enjoyed our stay here.”

“Have a safe journey to the Imperial City,” Toru bows to each of us.

The four of us climb atop our mounts. Draccus and the large horse don’t seem to keen on each other, but they manage. We ride out of Jinwu on a trail through the bamboo forest. Our next stop is Jinsei. I pray that we are prepared for what ever we find there.