by Lance Wilson
“I am” Attonnan starts but is silenced as the woman commander raises her hand
“I know who you are. Attonnan, slayer of men, once apprentice to the demon king” She says, an odd smile coming across her face.
“I was told to ride with this unit to Omashu” He says and nods his head.
“I shall have to speak with Kenshi, I was told I was getting a new captain to my unit, if you are it I wouldn’t loose you after Omashu, we have a lot of training and I would need you there in order for the unit to get to know you and be able to read you, and so you can begin to read them.” She says, her voice soft but still commanding.
“I know nothing of being your next captain. Only that I march to Omashu with you” Attonnan says and watches as the army begins to march out, each unit taking their place
“Get your horse then” She says and kicks hers into a walk, she knows on the way home they will not run the horses, there is not going to be any need for it
“I’ll walk” Attonnan says and takes a place behind her and slightly to the left.
The unit is placed in the center of the army and they march in silence as other units talk to themselves. Much of the talk that Attonnan hears around him is that of the battle and their victory. The silence of his own unit as a sign that they haven’t seen battle. How could Kenshi have a unit like this, young kids, and why would he bring them on a battle like yesterdays. He will have to talk to him about this when he can get him alone. Looking at this unit he can’t help but remember the unit he lead to Omashu, and Aang, there leader. He knew Aang since he had arrived at the Hojo palace. Aang was his friend, and he had led him to his death. He wonders if this unit will meet their deaths the same way that Aang made his. The screams of that battle begin to reverberate softly in his head. Attonnan only shakes his head to silence them. A couple of the members of the unit are taken back at the sudden movement but don’t say a word. At the front of the army Kenshi rides with Huang and the two mystics Zhang and Zhuge. Kenshi looks over his shoulder, he knows that he won’t be able to see the 5th unit, every one of them has to be a good head and a half shorter then the regular men, he thought he might be able to see Attonnan. It was Sun that told him that Attonnan chooses to walk rather then ride, he wonders why. When he saw him in the tent, something had changed in him, did he find peace while he wandered, or did he just get himself even more lost. He can only hope that Attonnan is well.
“What is it you think of Kenshi” Zhang asks his eyes piercing through Kenshi
“Things to come, and the people that need to do them” He says not entirely lying
“Yes, him.” Zhang says and looks forward again.
“Did you want to say more? You know I do not punish for speaking ones mind.” Kenshi says being honest; really he wants his opinion, insight. Zhang could have seen right into Attonnan’s vary soul, and in doing do he would have seen the wound that haunts him, and can tell Kenshi how to fix it.
“Yes I did, but I’m not sure I can” Zhang says lowering his head.
“I told you, what ever you have to say, I will not punish for it, even if I do not like it” Kenshi says and takes a deep breath.
“I’m sure Zhang is not worried about such things. I saw much as well. But what I saw. It is hard to put into words, one must think carefully to give it justice” Zhuge says shaking his own head.
“Please try” Kenshi says taking a deep breath, he is irritated but he must not be. How can they know how large a part Attonnan will now play in his grand theme?
“Power, sacrifice and pain” Zhang says and looks over at Zhuge who only nods
“Yes, I thought as much” Kenshi says shaking his head, they have told him nothing that he didn’t already know.
“Oh, you see this in him as well” Zhuge asks a bit offended.
“You do not need the second sight to see such things. I know his history and know that he is a man forged by such things.” Kenshi says looking over his shoulder once more.
“I do not speak of his past, but of present, and future, this young man is one of sacrifice and power, and in both of those will come pain” Zhuge says looking over his own shoulder to see if he can see them but like Kenshi, he cannot.
“So that is why you put him with 5th unit, though you hunger to pull him close to you” Zhang says smiling
“I cannot have him if he is to do what I think must be done” Kenshi says and looks down
Both Zhang and Zhuge stare deep into Kenshi, but he doesn’t turn away, let them stare with Attonnan back he knows what must be done, and he knows how he must do it.
“I see. I’m sorry.” They both say in unison.
“Don’t be, be happy, be proud of what it will forge” Kenshi says and trots ahead of them.
The march to Omashu lasts until late that night when the army makes camp. All the units camp together and he can see that it is the 5th unit that camps first and is quickly turned into the errand boys to the other units. Gathering things like firewood, water, and other things that the men could easily gather themselves but rather prefer to let the rookies do it for them. Attonnan however not being a part of eight the unit or even the army only walks though the camp looking around. Many of the soldiers look like hardened warriors ready for battle and bloodshed. Nothing seems out of place to him with the exception of the 5th unit. Why did Kenshi invite a group of rookies to such a battle? And if he did invite them, why didn’t he have them attack maybe he had a change of heart half way through and couldn’t bear to see them go in. if so he had the right idea. The camp is set up in no time and soon soldiers are sitting in small groups talking and huddles around a fire enjoying the heat and light. Attonnan is amazed at the speed at which night has fallen. Carefully he makes his way to the main tent that he knows Kenshi will be in there. He doesn’t even knock on the post only opens the flap and fines Kenshi sitting on his bedroll gazing out as if he were expecting him.
“I was wondering when you would make your way here. It has been a long time Attonnan” Kenshi says and stands up.
“Yes Kenshi it has” Attonnan says with a smile. This is the old friend that he remembers.
“Well get on with it, I’m sure you have questions and arguments” Kenshi says and gestures to a place by his fire.
Attonnan sits by the fire and gets a good look at his old friend. The years have not been kind to him. His hair seems ragged and untamed, not like it used to be, yes his hair was always wild, but his seems more, dirty then just unkempt. His face shows of all the strain he has been under and the spark of life that was in his eyes before seems to have dimmed. Kenshi was always a free soul and Attonnan can only imagine that being tethered to this army and the dream that wasn’t his must have been hard on him.
“Who were those at the war council meeting” Attonnan asks first. Making sure to wait on the questions about 5th unit, he wants to choose his words carefully when it comes to them.
“Zhang Jiao, a mystic and strategist. Diao Chan, his wife, and also a mystic and swords woman. Zhuge Liang, another mystic and strategist. Yue Ying, his wife, mystic and swordswoman. And of course Huang Zhong, master archer and swordsman, and strategist.” Kenshi says a bit surprised, he was sure Attonnan would jump right into the 5th unit. Maybe Attonnan has changed a bit in the years he has been gone.
“You seem to have surrounded yourself with magic, is there a reason” Attonnan asks, he has never truly trusted magic, not since the Hojo
“Yes, I know I am hunting the Hitori clan right now, but I will have to take on the Oda clan soon enough, and they are great mages there. Lord Oda himself is said to be a master mage. Surly you can see the wisdom in allying myself with those perhaps as skill if not more skilled then him.” Kenshi says and watches as Attonnan glances to the tent flap. He is sure his mind is out there with the soldiers. Attonnan has never liked war, hated almost everything about it, everyth
ing except that it presses a man to become the best at what he is, and to test his vary limits.
“I don’t trust them.” Attonnan says bluntly
“I didn’t think you would, but they are good men and they see a lot, sometimes more then I would like” he says and looks away himself.
“Didn’t like what they had to say about you did you” Attonnan says with a smile.
“No, not really, but that doesn’t matter, what they did tell me will win this war” Kenshi says and goes to stand up
“Who said I was done” Attonnan says gesturing back to the seat
“I don’t like this new side to you Attonnan. You were always straight to the point. This new side of talking in circles and avoiding things, it doesn’t suit you. So until you are ready to ask the question you really want answered then I am done with you.” Kenshi says his voice harsh and rough.
“What about us” Attonnan blurts out. Even he is surprised once it leaves his mouth. He hadn’t thought about even asking the question. Now that it has left his mouth though, it is what he has been thinking about. The 5th unit was only on the front of his mind, something to distract him.
“I’m sorry, it can’t be” Kenshi says and goes to walk away.
“So all that talk about love and that nice lecture you gave me that night, all a lie hu” Attonnan growls. So he was used again, no big surprise he should have known better.
“No, I’ll break this down so you can understand it Attonnan. I love you. I have since the day we took each other. But I can’t have you. I’m the leader of the Takunen now. I can’t be with you and have you serve under me as well. For one the men would think you are getting special treatment and that would break down the ranks. Second, there is no way I could bring myself to send you on any kind of mission that might have a risk of you getting hurt. I’m going to have a hard enough time doing that as is, if you are mine to have then it will just be that much worse. I have to have a clear head when it comes to you” Kenshi says his head down. Attonnan cannot know how hard this is for him.
“The way you talk, it sounds like you have planned this whole war around me.” Attonnan says with a chuckle, but stops when he notices that Kenshi isn’t laughing with him. He can’t be serious, that was a joke.
“I am” Kenshi says his voice soft and calm.
“What?” Attonnan says in shock.
“Attonnan, I have known for some time that you would be the key to something big, so did Takada, why do you think he showed you the maps in the war room and lead you to the same ideas of uniting the elflands that he did with me. Your no leader, I know that, your too independent, but you can be lead for the right reasons. You could win this war for you, my brother and me. You two would be unstoppable.” Kenshi says and turns laying his hand on Attonnan’s shoulder.
“You put to much faith in me, I don’t think you know what your doing. And besides, I have other plans to take care of first, I’m sorry” Attonnan says and takes a deep breath.
“Your family, yes I know all about that. Attonnan please follow me in this. You won’t be able to do anything about them tell the lands are united, with all the elf clans fighting for the scraps that Mecmed gives us you will never be free to look without running into some kind of problem. I have their names and to what clan they went. I have given orders for my army to capture them if they are found in battle, but not to harm them” Kenshi says watching as Attonnan turns around
“If I agree” Attonnan says thinking of what he has been told, it all makes sense, all but the part that the war revolves around him. It cannot work that way. However he will never be able to convince Kenshi of this unless he is on the inside.
“I would make you my second, you would answer only to me” Kenshi says and smiles
“Would I have the ability to question your orders?” Attonnan says wondering how much power Kenshi will give him.
“If you feel it necessary yes.” Kenshi says and smiles, he has him now and he knows it.
“What of 5th unit” Attonnan says knowing that he has not agreed but is sure that Kenshi will tell him everything
“They are yours” Kenshi says smiling
“That is not what I meant, I meant what are they doing here” Attonnan says letting out a sigh
“That is why they are here. I heard you were coming to us. Sun sent word; I gathered them so that you could lead them. They are young and need the guidance of a man who has seen too much war” Kenshi says and lays his hand on Attonnan’s shoulder.
“I doubt I see war the same way that you do, I doubt I ever did” Attonnan says thinking of his last unit, the one that he lost when facing Omashu.
“Attonnan, I know the price you have paid to get this far in life. I know the years you spent in the Hojo clan, I know the unit you lost to the Takunen, and I can imagine what you felt when you lost Takada. I ask only this, ride with me to Omashu, see the men; see how they still hold true to Takada’s vision. See all this and then make your decision. If you agree all you need to do is tell me what you will need and I shall make it so.” Kenshi says and smiles at him he already knows that Attonnan will agree. He knew it from the moment that he introduced him to 5th squad.
“I shall go with you as far as Omashu, but I have not made a decision.” Attonnan says and goes to walk out of the tent.
He can’t even look at Kenshi right now, how can he. As far as he knows Kenshi is no better then Fuma, using him for pleasure and then resting so much on his shoulders. He expects him to win this war but all he wants to do is leave it al behind and find his family. Find what once moved him; find those that could always tell him where he had been and where he had to go. His head is down as he leaves the tent but as he reaches the entrance he accidentally bumps into someone. Looking up he can see that the someone is the commander of the 5th unit.
“Lord Kenshi, I wanted to talk to you about my unit.” She says her voice firm and calm
“Oh and what about it. Do they not meet your expectations?” Kenshi asks calmly and sits
“Well yes of course they do, but there is something I need and that is another body. I am also missing a competent second in command; you promised me both of these by the time the battle was done. Do not tell me that you are going back on your word.” She asks now looking down at Attonnan.
As he looks over at her he can see that though her eyes are harsh and fierce at Kenshi when she looks at him her eyes are soft and bright. It is almost as if she knows him or did at one point. Looking at her now soft face he tries to think of where he might have known her but the face seems to elude him as if she is part of some distant dream that he is not allowed to remember.
“So I did promise you these things and I am a man of my word” Kenshi says smiling at her.
Attonnan looks back at his former lord with confusion. How can this be, he just gave 5th unit to him and so logic would dictate that he is the extra body. But who is this second in command, and why doesn’t he think that she is capable of leading this unit when she has the nerve to come there and face her lord in order to get what she needs
“Oh, and who are these men.” she says and looks even harder at Kenshi.
“I would like you to meet Attonnan” Kenshi says with a gesture of warmth to Attonnan.
“Is he to be that spare body I asked for” she asks calmly looking over at him. This is more then she could have asked for. Her squad is rookies and to have such a master of the blade as Attonnan in there numbers would mean nothing more then greatness for them.
“Well yes and no. He will be that spare body that you have been asking me for. He however will be your commander, I know that you asked for a competent second in command, but I’m sure you will not have a problem in lowering our own rank in order to make sure that all goes right and to see that the men follow him loyally” Kenshi says and smiles to see the shock on her face.
<
br /> He is sure that she is thinking of all the chaos that it will bring. As a matter of fact he is hoping on that vary chaos. He knows that the unit will not take kindly to following another commander and that Toph herself will have a hard time following him. But it is these exact problems that he hopes to create in order to make sure that Attonnan raises to the occasion. In order to make sure that they know he is commander and no one else he will have to tap into the leadership qualities that Kenshi knows he has. He also knows that Attonnan will never cut Toph out of her unit and that he will see to it that if she has a problem then he will do everything in his power to help. He also knows that those ideas and justice will extend to his entire unit. He has read this in Attonnan since he met him, ever since the first raid on Shimazu when he refused to accept help against the pirates. He wouldn’t sacrifice any of the regular Guards on it, he would not have another unit under his command for fear of the pain and death that might come even in such a small battle as that. But if he is given no choice but to accept the unit, then he will only train them to be the best.
“Sir, I’m not sure I understand” Toph says shaking her head.
You know as well as I do who this young man is. Correct?” Kenshi asks calmly
“Well of course I do.” She says looking back at Attonnan
“Then you know what he is capable of” Kenshi asks smiling even wider now. She will get this and quickly.
“Well yes I do” She sys looking hard at Attonnan now.
“Then it is simple. I give you him as your commander. Attonnan, I give you only this piece of advice given to me by Zhung. The commander’s place is only to look after the lieutenant. Trust in your lieutenant to keep you squad ready for you and ready for battle” Kenshi says with a smile and wave of his hand.
