Raven's Quest

by Karen Hayes-Baker

  “Four hundred men you say?”

  “Yes.”

  “We are only two hundred. There are fifty pirates but we cannot expect Thom to ask his men to fight. This is not their war. They have done enough,” Karasu pondered out loud.

  “He will help you. He will be happy to if he thinks it brings him favour with Hayato,” Mizuki admitted, ashamed at even suggesting they use Devlin’s vulnerability to secure his assistance, especially when it could mean the death of his men.

  Karasu studied his sister for a moment astounded at her matter-of-fact logic. Somehow she had pushed her feelings to one side for the greater good of her people. It was a display of unselfish courage that he was not sure he possessed. He remembered how many times he had failed when required to show such ruthless strength. He nodded.

  “I will go and speak with Hayato now,” he said, climbing to his feet.

  “Karasu,” she said softly as he reached the door. He turned to face her.

  “It is you who must kill Kurohoshi,” she continued.

  He sagged and a wave of nausea passed through him.

  “But I do not understand. Why me? I could not even save my own life. Thom had to do it for me, twice now. How can I defeat such a man as Kurohoshi? Surely there is a more fitting warrior amongst us, someone who knows how to kill. Taku for instance or Hayato himself,” he oppugned.

  “Hayato is lame. He will lead from horseback, but he cannot fight on the ground. He would be killed. As for Taku, his is another fate. It has to be you Karasu. It is your destiny. I have seen it,” she chanted almost trancelike.

  “But I cannot kill another man Mizuki. I know I do not have it in me.”

  “It has to be you,” she repeated.

  FIFTY-FOUR

  It was a strange thing Stefan Marrel thought. That one could spend one’s military career trying to destroy men like Devlin, loathing without question and after a couple of days or so in their company, changing one’s mind completely. He had to admit that since meeting the Kapitan and his officers that he had found them not unlike himself. The First Mate was a faithful friend as well as a reliable and experienced first officer and the black officer, Densall, was affable and thoughtful. The Kapitan himself, reminded Stefan of his younger brother, full of fiery compassion and determined stubbornness. He liked the man, there was no questioning it. But a part of him still despised what Thom was. In the end his new found friendship for the pirate leader won out and he sought the assistance of the First Mate.

  Between them they had tried to persuade Thom that it would make no difference if he helped Hayato. The Lord would never entertain him as a brother-in-law. Aledd had even gone as far as suggesting that Devlin was putting his own selfish desires above the safety of his men and that is was irresponsible of him to do so. This had only spurred Thom into unleashing a tirade of abuse upon his first officer using some of the foulest language in his vocabulary. He had stormed away in a mean temper and had sulked obstinately for the remainder of the day. However, as the Orca arrived back in the bay where the Rose was still anchored to the cheers of the remaining pirates and the bulk of the Samurai, he sought an audience with Hayato and told of his change of plan. He asked Stefan to join him to translate, knowing that Hayato’s command of Westlandish was not great.

  They stood before the Lord in the wardroom that he had made his own, the two of them in opposition to Furuki Jun and Hiraiwa Daiki.

  “Lord Oyama, Sir, I am afraid that I cannot carry out your request as I first thought,” Thom began and paused while Stefan translated. He noted the rapid consternation and alarm pass over the eyes of the men in front of him.

  “I, myself, am willing to join with you upon your venture, but I cannot ask the same of my men. It would be wrong and selfish of me to do so. This is not their fight.”

  Furuki gasped in outrage, but Hayato placed a hand upon his arm as he made to stand and berate the pirate.

  “But he promised his help and now he backs down. He takes us for fools and it dishonours him,” the General spat.

  “No. He offered his help, not that of his men,” Hayato placated.

  “The implication was…” Jun argued but his master cut him off.

  “Only that. An implication,” Hayato turned back to Thom but directed his speech at the translator.

  “Ask Kapitan Devlin, what he actually proposes now. I see no point in his fighting with us alone, but I understand his concern for his men. Tell him he will be justly rewarded if he commits all his resources to aiding us. I can give him everything he wants,” Hayato stressed. Stefan rapidly repeated this to Thom.

  The Kapitan narrowed his eyes at Lord Oyama. Was he playing a game when he said everything he wanted? He did not know if Hayato knew of his feelings towards Mizuki. It was a gamble.

  “I will need to discuss it with my men. This is not a decision I should make alone. I will let you know by sunset,” Thom replied with a bow. He suggested to Stefan that they leave when Karasu entered the room with an expression of indignation.

  “Brother, why have you forbidden me to ride with you?” he demanded.

  Thom looked to Stefan who muttered the translation rapidly in his ear. Hayato looked affronted.

  “Because you cannot ride. You will be a liability and I have no one to spare as a nursemaid for you. Also, you are no warrior. You are a priest,” he returned hotly.

  “I am ronin. I can never be a priest now you know that. I have been touched by sin and the corruptness of men. Hayato, you cannot deny me the honour of riding with you,” Karasu’s tone dropped from angry to pleading, forefront in his mind were his sister’s words.

  “My mind is set Karasu. Do not argue with me.”

  “I will be no more a liability than you. Look at you. You can hardly walk without help. How do you expect to fight?” the ronin challenged.

  Hiraiwa sprung to his feet.

  “Shut your mouth boy! You forget to whom you speak,” he shouted.

  “I’ll take him,” Thom intervened and gesticulated at a gob smacked Stefan to interpret.

  “What?” Hiraiwa demanded.

  “I’ll take him. He can ride with me,” Thom replied and waited for his words to be repeated.

  “But...” Hiraiwa began.

  “Very well,” Hayato interrupted in Westlandish. “Thank you Kapitan.” He turned to Karasu and in his own tongue added, “That is another debt you owe this man Brother. Be sure that you reward him well.”

  Karasu bowed and followed the Westlanders from the room.

  “Thom, Thom,” he called.

  The pirate stopped and waited.

  “I cannot thank you enough. But you risk too much.”

  Thom smiled and shrugged.

  “Perhaps,” he said and continued on his way.

  The following morning Aledd broke out the armoury from the Rose and Orca and set men to work cleaning and preparing rifles and the massive guns of the frigate. Once satisfied that all was in hand he wandered down to the cabin that Devlin had declared his own. He knocked and entered when bid. Despite his anxiety he could not help but smile at his Kapitan.

  “By the Gods what do you look like?” he announced and laughed. Thom cast him a reproving glance and Karasu grinned as he finished fastening the Samurai armour in place.

  “Tis a bit tight Karasu,” Thom complained.

  “It need to be; besides you bigger than most Samurai. This Jun’s. He reluctant to let you have.”

  “Well, he could have bloody well kept it. I’d have gone without,” Thom retorted grumpily.

  “You would have been fool. Without some protection you die soon,” the ronin iterated lifting his swords from the table and placing them either side across his torso.

  “Nice swords, but I prefer a straight blade and a pistol,” Thom grinned and took the weapons that Aledd had brought for him. “Well Dafidd, you know what to do?”

  “Aye Kapitan, but are you sure about this? What can you gain? You could stay with us and help just as much,” he
tried, ever hopeful.

  “What and renege on my promise to Karasu. Do not worry about me my friend. I can take care of myself. This is quite an adventure. You just sail to Kyo-To-Shi and scare the shit out of Kurohoshi’s forces there. We will deal with the man himself. Besides we have much to gain from this. All that we have lost and more Dafidd. Tis not to be sniffed at,” Thom declared cheerily, but Aledd noticed the shake of his hand as he pushed the pistol into his belt.

  “After you Karasu my friend,” Devlin offered and held his hand towards the door with a short bow of his head. He made to follow but Aledd blocked his way holding an ammunition belt towards him.

  “Don’t forget this,” the big man said. Thom took it with a grin. Still the First Mate did not move.

  “What is it Dafidd?”

  “Is she worth it Thom?”

  “Yes, I think she is. Now, you are in my way,” Devlin replied irritated.

  “And you think they will accept you if you risk your life again? They have not so far. Why is this different? You could be killed or worse. Think about it man. Stay with us. You can still help them without risk to yourself,” Aledd pleaded.

  “I made a promise Mr Aledd. Just carry out my orders and if I do not return then break the news gently to my mother,” Thom returned his voice soft. “Now please, let me go.”

  Aledd sighed and stepped aside.

  “I will see you in Kyo-To-Shi my friend,” Thom shouted back at him as he strode away his armour of bamboo and steel clanking as he went.

  “May Lord Abyssi watch and protect you, you bloody fool,” Aledd muttered under his breath.

  FIFTY-FIVE

  As a blazing late summer sun reached its zenith the grey frigate manoeuvred into the bay at Kyo-To-Shi. The numerous fishermen in their boats stopped casting or drawing their nets and gazed in fearful wonder. Their astonishment at the return of the awakened warship turned to outright terror as they watched her slowly heave to, drop anchor and level her huge guns at the city. They still did not quite believe their eyes until the thunderous booming of her arsenal sent them diving to the floor of their boats with their arms covering their heads. They were aware of a sinister whistling whine followed by a deafening roar of explosions as the shells hit their targets. They quivered amongst their catches as one salvo followed another and they prayed to their Kami that their families might be spared.

  One brave soul lifted his head during a brief lull and gazed through the blue haze around the ship, the smell of cordite assailing his nostrils as it drifted landwards. As the smog cleared he saw the flag fluttering at the frigate’s stern. It bore the crest and colours of the Oyama family. His fear turned rapidly to hope as he watched the yellow and red flag catch the breeze and lift. He stood up in his boat and shouted.

  “We are saved! We are saved! Lord Oyama returns.”

  His fellow fishermen dared to raise their heads above the gunwales of their vessels and seeing the colours dared to hope also, but another salvo sent them reeling to the floor once more and the city was consumed by fiery smoke.

  Aledd was concentrating the bombardment upon the white castle and its surrounding buildings. It was where Hiraiwa had confidently decided the soldiers and ruling elite would be billeted. However, he had to admit to a gnawing regret as he watched the shells plunge one after another into the glorious architecture of the palatial building.

  “It only building. It can be remade,” Mizuki said as she noiselessly joined him on the bridge. He bowed, acknowledging her status and admitted his surprise at seeing her above decks.

  “Your brother would be angry. Tis dangerous up here,” he objected lamely feeling awkward in her presence.

  “No danger here Mr Aledd,” she smiled at him and he could understand why his Kapitan was so enraptured by her. She was truly beautiful in an almost unearthly way.

  “Too noisy below. I would like if you allow me to stay here,” she added.

  He could not argue. He nodded his consent and hoped that Marrel or Densall would hurry back to the bridge and save him from being alone with this lovely creature.

  She watched the bombardment of her home city without emotion and it intrigued him. He had thought she would lament its destruction, but she stood with calm detachment almost as though she enjoyed the sight. She turned towards him as another salvo hit its target her face lit with exhilaration. He was astounded.

  “I shock Mr Aledd? You think, how you say, unwomanly?” she challenged.

  “No, I…er…. I am surprised that is all. I did not see you as a fighting woman my Lady,” he stammered and sighed with relief as Stefan climbed onto the bridge.

  “My Lady,” Marrel acknowledged and bowed. “Do you not wish to go below?” He too made the mistake of underestimating the young woman.

  “No Mr Marrel. It is too noisy and I feel I should be here. This is my city. Those are my people that cower in yon boats. If they see me here they might gain strength. Either way I want to be here. Waiting below like a caged bird is intolerable. My brothers are fighting for our family’s survival; these people are dying to secure the freedom of the majority. I cannot go below and wait for it all to be over. My place is here. You cannot persuade me otherwise,” she answered assuredly in her own language.

  He smiled and bowed his head.

  “As you please my Lady,” he turned to Aledd. “We are running out of ammunition. There are shells in the starboard magazines but they are locked off. Why is that?”

  “The Kapitan said they were unsafe. I think a lot of the shells are spoiled and unstable. He did not want to risk an explosion. How long do we have before we are out?” Aledd replied.

  “There is enough for another five or six salvos that is all. Will it be enough?”

  “It will have to be,” the First Mate answered with a shrug.

  “It will be,” Mizuki interrupted causing both men to gape at her. “They fear for lives. Many dead and wounded. Leaders in panic. I think you can finish bombardment, people will carry on what you start. They ready for revolution. Ship give strength.”

  “How do you…? By the holy Gods girl, it was not Karasu who saw Kurohoshi’s advance, it was you. You are Sennjo?” Stefan ejaculated in Westlandish and looked around him rapidly although there were no other Ashiman on board excepting his wife and children.

  “Yes,” she acknowledged.

  “Sennjo? What is that?” Aledd demanded.

  “Gifted we would call it. Gifted and in no mean measure either. Our fair Lady Mizuki would be revered as a High Priestess back home. Here, she would be reviled as a witch. Majo they call it. They would cast her out. She must have kept it secret for years.”

  “You attack Mr Aledd,” Mizuki interrupted. It may have been a mistake revealing herself to these two men, but she thought not. She suspected that they would be her allies as they did not share the prejudices of her own people.

  Aledd gave the order to resume firing.

  FIFTY-SIX

  Furuki Jun knew they had the advantage of surprise when they first became aware of Kurohoshi’s army. Whereas the Samurai under his command were silent and rode with care, not wanting to make too much noise, the Warlord’s men were not so disciplined. Like all tyrants, Kurohoshi underestimated his enemy. He had not even considered an attack until he was safely ensconced inside the city. He had presumed, wrongly, that Oyama was still too weak to fight, that he would regain his strength first and then try and lay siege to Kyo-To-Shi. And so he and his men rode through the forests chatting and carelessly letting their horses trample through undergrowth, snapping twigs. A group of the soldiers were singing a bawdy drinking song and others laughed at their tuneless attempts. Kurohoshi, at their head, smiled with the confidence born of power.

  On hearing the approaching soldiers Furuki held his hand high, signalling his own men to stop. Hayato rode up to him and waited for the great general to make a decision.

  “They are very close. Less than one distance I would say, though they move slowly. We should split here.
I will stay while Hiraiwa takes fifty men to the left and Taku another fifty to the right. If we are careful they will ride directly into the waiting trap and we can encircle them,” Jun whispered.

  “But they out number us two to one Jun,” Hayato argued.

  “Yes, but they do not know we are here. And with all the noise they make, they will not, until it is too late. The trap will be sprung. We must kill Kurohoshi. Without him they will have little direction and they will fall.”

  Hayato agreed and the command was passed back through the ranks of men. As ordered, Hiraiwa and Taku peeled away from the main group ready to outflank the approaching enemy. Thom urged his horse to Lord Oyama’s side, Karasu holding onto his waist a little too tightly for comfort.

  “Hell, Karasu. You are squeezing the breath out of me. Relax man. You will not fall,” he urged quietly and pulled up next to Furuki and Hayato.

  “What now?” he asked all too suddenly aware of his inexperience in land-based warfare. He felt uncharacteristically vulnerable and his heart pounded from a flood of adrenalin.

  “Go to the back of the column Karasu. If anything happens to me, you are the heir to Kiki Province. We cannot risk both of us dying. Ask Thom to stay with you,” Hayato spoke to his brother not wanting to waste time trying to communicate with the pirate.

  “But I came here to fight!” Karasu protested.

  “Do as I say!” the young Lord snapped.

  Sulkily Karasu explained to Thom. The latter made to protest but thought better of it. He turned his horse around and they headed back but, once out of sight, he directed the animal sideways into the undergrowth and doubled back.

  “You not think he will see us?” Karasu questioned unable to hide his excitement.