Chapter 10
Mid Autumn, 1236 – Lion Lands - Guest Author Kakita Harun!
The only thing good about a frustrating day on the battlefield, Harun knew, was that it ended. As the sun was setting, the Kyoujin Platoon patched up their minor wounds and saw to their horses. It was nightfall when Harun finally made it to the fire, by then Shinjo Sayaka had put on a pot of rice to boil as well enough yakatori skewers for everyone. And as it was her night to cook, that meant there would also be flat bread.
Harun sat down to wait, pulling a small piece of paper from inside his kimono and unfolding it carefully. He had ready the words many times, he knew them by heart by now. But still he liked to read them.
Dear Harun,
I am writing to let you know I made it safely to Second City. I only just arrived, and this is the last boat back to the Empire before summer begins and all the ships stop.
I’m sorry that I was angry that you were late. I am sure you had good reasons for it. You never go back on your word, ever, and I know you tried your best.
I wish I could have waited, but when Lord Ayumu gives an order, it is my place, just as it is yours, to serve as best we can.
This city looks so strange and wonderful. I am sure it is full of adventure. I will have so many good stories to tell you when I get home. And you can tell me of the life with the Unicorn. Of what it is like to ride freely across the plains.
I cannot wait to share all these stories with you some day. That would be enough for me.
Fondly,
Kakita Arahime.
In his mind, Harun could see Arahime serving the Clan in Zogeku, the white-haired grey-eyed Crane girl no doubt causing a stir amongst the darker-skinned Zogeki.
“Still reading that thing, Harun?”
Harun looked up, the Gunso Koharu was looking at him sceptically. The Kyoujin were a close group. It was hard to keep secrets. They knew about Arahime, way more than Harun had intended to tell them after an evening when Sayaka had passed around some kumis she had made.
“Have I told you it’s a hopeless case?” Koharu asked. She came from a peasant background and had an extremely practical mind.
“You have, Gunso,” said Harun with a nod.
“Well, it’s clear you haven’t listened, as you’re still mooning over that Crane girl,” Koharu said. “Might as well wish for the moon itself.”
Utaku Asuna’s words came back to him. You know it’s not going to happen, Harun…she’s Crane and she’s kuge…she’s never going to marry you…she’s going to be traded away like a sack of rice…
“No, I think it’s romantic,” said Daidoji Akemi, smiling at Harun. “This is war, and it’s been going on longer than we’ve been alive. Sometimes I want to take a rest from cold, hard realities.” She touched the pistol that hung from a holster on her obi.
The food was ready then, Harun put the paper away. He looked around at the rest of the Kyoujin while they ate. He would go with them anywhere, and before the year was out they would be marching on Toshi Ranbo.
Mid Autumn, 1236 – Lion Lands - Guest Author Kakita Harun!
The only thing good about a frustrating day on the battlefield, Harun knew, was that it ended. As the sun was setting, the Kyoujin Platoon patched up their minor wounds and saw to their horses. It was nightfall when Harun finally made it to the fire, by then Shinjo Sayaka had put on a pot of rice to boil as well enough yakatori skewers for everyone. And as it was her night to cook, that meant there would also be flat bread.
Harun sat down to wait, pulling a small piece of paper from inside his kimono and unfolding it carefully. He had ready the words many times, he knew them by heart by now. But still he liked to read them.
Dear Harun,
I am writing to let you know I made it safely to Second City. I only just arrived, and this is the last boat back to the Empire before summer begins and all the ships stop.
I’m sorry that I was angry that you were late. I am sure you had good reasons for it. You never go back on your word, ever, and I know you tried your best.
I wish I could have waited, but when Lord Ayumu gives an order, it is my place, just as it is yours, to serve as best we can.
This city looks so strange and wonderful. I am sure it is full of adventure. I will have so many good stories to tell you when I get home. And you can tell me of the life with the Unicorn. Of what it is like to ride freely across the plains.
I cannot wait to share all these stories with you some day. That would be enough for me.
Fondly,
Kakita Arahime.
In his mind, Harun could see Arahime serving the Clan in Zogeku, the white-haired grey-eyed Crane girl no doubt causing a stir amongst the darker-skinned Zogeki.
“Still reading that thing, Harun?”
Harun looked up, the Gunso Koharu was looking at him sceptically. The Kyoujin were a close group. It was hard to keep secrets. They knew about Arahime, way more than Harun had intended to tell them after an evening when Sayaka had passed around some kumis she had made.
“Have I told you it’s a hopeless case?” Koharu asked. She came from a peasant background and had an extremely practical mind.
“You have, Gunso,” said Harun with a nod.
“Well, it’s clear you haven’t listened, as you’re still mooning over that Crane girl,” Koharu said. “Might as well wish for the moon itself.”
Utaku Asuna’s words came back to him. You know it’s not going to happen, Harun…she’s Crane and she’s kuge…she’s never going to marry you…she’s going to be traded away like a sack of rice…
“No, I think it’s romantic,” said Daidoji Akemi, smiling at Harun. “This is war, and it’s been going on longer than we’ve been alive. Sometimes I want to take a rest from cold, hard realities.” She touched the pistol that hung from a holster on her obi.
The food was ready then, Harun put the paper away. He looked around at the rest of the Kyoujin while they ate. He would go with them anywhere, and before the year was out they would be marching on Toshi Ranbo.
