by Lance Wilson
With that they both know that it is time to go.
Both of them walk out of the tent and right to the middle of the fifth unit area. Right away Toph pull him close and spins Attonnan to face her.
“I don’t know what Kenshi sees in you but this is my unit. These men are my life; they trust me to see them through every battle. They follow me cause they trust me. I will follow you only if I am sure that your orders will not get them killed do you hear me” Toph says in a snarl of a voice.
“I understand, they are your men not mine. I didn’t even want a unit” Attonnan says and goes to walk away.
“You may not have wanted them but you have them and they depend on you to get them out of this hell hole and back to there families” She says and with that turns and goes to walk into the tent.
“Listen, I know these are your men and that you care for them. If I have my way they will never see battle. If they have to, I shall make sure they are more then prepared. And further more I haven’t even said I would join this war. I have other things that I want to get done and I’m not sure if I can hold off” Attonnan says and grips her shoulder.
“I suggest you let me go, I should let my men know of the change.” She says and shrugs off his hand growling at him.
“I should know your name, if I take this position I just can’t call you lieutenant” Attonnan says trying to lighten the mood
“You really don’t remember me do you” She says now turning to him her face slightly flushed with embarrassment.
“I admit that you look familiar, but, I can’t quite remember. I feel a bit embarrassed.” Attonnan says turning a bit pink himself.
“Here is a hint. You used to bathe after each battle, and if you weren’t fighting you bathed at night, preferable by moonlight. You liked your soap scented of bamboo, and the oils rubbed into you scented of rose and lilac, you only took the bath and never anything more. Even though it was offered every time, and you never allowed anyone to call you lord.” She says smiling at him. That should be more then enough information for him to know her. At least she hopes he will.
“You were one of the bathers at the Hojo encampment, but how did you get here” he asks in shock.
“I left in the middle of the night. And I have to admit that I’m a bit hurt. For years I was the only one to bathe you. I had a crush on you and I never let anyone else bathe you. My name is Toph, Lt. Toph now” She says and smiles at him.
“I shall leave you then to talk to your men. If you or they wish to speak to me then I shall be there, over on the hill” Attonnan says and points over at a hill far away from the camp.
“Why so far away.” asks Toph wondering why he would want to keep himself so far from the others.
“I prefer the solitude.” Attonnan says and with a polite bow.
“Very well I shall talk to you if need be. I can tell you now that he will not take this lightly.” Toph says and growls at the night air. She knows Attonnan well and knows that he is a fine fighter, but he knows nothing of leading men as far as she knows. And who is he to take her position as leader from her.
Kenshi watches as the two of them part. He smiles and chuckles to himself as he watches Toph shake her head and start mumbling to himself and Attonnan just slink off to the hill. It doesn’t take long before he is interrupted by one of his men. He turns to see that it is Huang Zhong.
“You wanted to talk to me Huang” Kenshi says and smiles at him
“We have received word that is quite interesting, though it has no value to the war itself. There is a caravan coming this near here. It is said that it is going to the lord Mecmed of the Kainith elves. And they say it came from the Hojo clan. The men are dressed in the Hojo armor and the carriage bares the Hojo standard. I know that you are not planning a move against Fuma, Zhang told me to tell you though that you would enjoy knowing the contents of the carriage. It is said to contain the lord Feff Unagi” Huang says and watches, as Kenshi’s eyes grow huge.
“Did you say Feff” Kenshi says in shock.
“Yes, but I hardly see how that would matter. Feff and the Unagi is a withered and dead clan. There is nothing left of them. Taking the chance in rescuing him would only defeat our purpose. We dare not attract the eyes of the Hojo.” Huang asks calmly
“You think wrong dear strategist, this is just what I needed. Go to that hill, fetch me Attonnan” Kenshi says and points to the hill
“May I ask your reasons” Huang asks scratching his head.
“You will know when you bring him back to me, no go, there is no time to waist, and have the men break camp, we keep marching, if we go all night we should make Omashu by mourning.” Kenshi says and nods to Huang who growls at the idea but goes anyway.
Kenshi watches as Huang goes to the hill and soon is marching down with Attonnan, they take almost no time to get down and Attonnan bows slowly to Kenshi as he gets there.
“Tell me, what is so important that you interrupt my only time for peace.” Attonnan says calmly and smiles at him.
“Fuma is moving someone to Mecmed. I want you to intercept that carriage” Kenshi says calmly and turns his back to Attonnan. He can’t face him and keep a straight face, not about this.
“May I ask what is so important that you are sending me,” Attonnan says wondering what is going on.
“It is not important to me, but it is important I believe to you. What is in the carriage is Feff Unagi, your father” Kenshi says and turns to see Attonnan’s shocked face.
“Father” Attonnan whispers to himself.
Huang’s eyes also go huge; he isn’t sure what Kenshi is playing at. If it is Attonnan’s father then many things could go wrong. The father could sway Attonnan not to fight, the father himself may just want to rebuild to Unagi clan. Many, many things could happen and Kenshi is taking a huge risk at this.
“Which way” Attonnan asks calmly.
“South, only an hour or so away, we march to Omashu, we shall see you there in the mourning.” Kenshi says and begins to walk away.
“Kenshi, make sure that Diao Chan is standing by. If he has been with the Hojo, he will need a healer” Attonnan says and begins to dash off.
“Kenshi, you take a large risk at this” Huang says shaking his head.
“No matter, gather the men, we march now” Kenshi says and shakes his head.
He only shakes his head and begins the march. The men will not be happy, but they will do as they are told.
The caravan is just where Kenshi said, they are traveling slowly, he is sure that this is due to the fact that there are eight soldiers on the ground, three on the roof with crossbows and the driver. The soldiers are the easy part. He just has to figure out how to kill the archers and driver. He watches as they start to make there way though the woods. The plan hits him like lightning. Yes, it is perfect. With the stealth of a panther he moves up the tree and on to a branch. He crouches low on the branch his feet under him, he right hand on his blade his left hand placed on the branch as well. He waits perfectly for the right moment. The carriage passes over the trail like it is nothing. Just as the carriage passes under the branch he is sitting on Attonnan strikes. This is the Hojo clan and he knows his timing and precision must be perfect. As he hits the top of the carriage his blade is drawn and cuts through the driver. With a quickly slashes two of the archers, then spinning he slams his blade into the third. The Guards barely have time to react by the time he is on the ground. Attonnan moves like lightening, the first two are cut down with a slash to his left and right, dashing ahead he cuts down three more as he moves past them. The next are done in a matter of seconds slashing one right up the middle then spinning and plunging his sword into the second’s chest. The last man charges as his sword is in the man, but Attonnan spins swiftly and plunges his hand into the mans chest. Once he is finished he slowly takes the shirt of t
he man and pulling his blade, wipes it clean. He then sheaths it and makes his way to the carriage. As soon as his hand reaches the handle he stops and takes a deep breath. What ever is on the other side of the door, he has to be ready. His father was with the Hojo and he of all people knows how that can change someone. As Attonnan opens the door he finds what he never though he would see. It is his father, he is older now, and his face wrinkled and scared, his hair white as a ghost. His cloths are a shambles and around his eyes is a dirty cloth.
“Who, who is there.” his fathers voice says as he moves his head trying to pinpoint the sound
“Father” Attonnan says in a whisper of a voice.
“Who. Yes, yes of course my son. Mellyruna, my dear son” his father says taking getting up and moving to the entrance.
Of course. His father thinks this is his pride and joy, Mellyruna; he will not ruin it for him. Let him think what he wants.
“You are blind father, let me help you. I shall get a horse, we shall ride home” Attonnan says and lays his fathers hand on the carriage.
“There is no home, Ronin was destroyed” his father says and shakes his head
“To Omashu, it is where I have been for some time” Attonnan says moving to the horses of the carriage and untying one of them.
With a gentle hand he leads his father to the horse and then helps him up on it. It is still night but a little after dawn they should reach Omashu. They will take is slow. He will talk to Diao and see if she can’t help him. Once his father is on the horse he mounts behind him.
Attonnan rides slowly through the woods. He should have expected this, he knew his father had been with the Hojo and he of all people knows what it is like to be under the powers of the ebony hand. He lowers his head perhaps there is a way to fix what Fuma had done to him. If anyone would know it is Diao.
“It is good that you came for me Mellyruna, I have wanted to talk to you for some time. It is about me, and our family, and your mother” Feff says and takes a deep breath.
“It doesn’t matter father, just rest” Attonnan says and takes a deep breath
“No, this has to be said. You see you were never meant to be, none of you.
Attonnan stays silent. He has never heard his father talk like this. It seems there is more to this story then he ever thought.
“Years ago, when I had just reached my own rite of passage I like you went to the mountain. My father, your grandfather was the first to go see her, but that was long after he had his rite of passage, he didn’t get to go to her tell he was free. But let us stay with my story. I went to the sorceress, she told me that I would meet the elf of my dreams and I would rule over my father’s kingdom with pride and love. But I would never bare a son or daughter; I would be the last of our line. I scoffed at her and told her she was insane. A century passed and I battled in the land, uniting the elflands, our territory at least. Lords bowed and your grandfather was proud. He died when I was still young; it was at his funeral that I met your mother. She was like a vision of some goddess. We fell in love with each other instantly. Once we were wed we tried so hard to start a family, but with no luck. I remembered what the witch had told me. I went back to her, demanded that she fix it. She scoffed at me this time. I demanded even more. Told her that I was her lord since her mountain was in my lands and that she would do as she was told. It was a mistake. She told me that she would serve me, but at a price, she wanted my strongest son” he says his voice growing soft.
“You gave her me” Attonnan says lowering his head, he remembered the conversation with the witch, how she had chosen him, but nothing happened of it.
“No, never, I convinced her that Attonnan was the strongest. Mellyruna, you must stay away from him, he is not natural. He killed your mother; he is death in disguise of an elf. He is a demon, a devil.” He says gripping Attonnan’s hand with fierceness.
“Father, I know my brother, he is none of these” Attonnan says trying to talk to his father.
“You don’t know him like I do, he will kill, where he walks, walks death, you must stay away, stay away and keep your brother and sister from him. Mellyruna, I know this is a hard thing to ask of you but if and when the time comes, kill him. I tried, when he was young, I was going to kill him in his sleep, but Vulge, Vulge never left him alone. If I could have had just one hour I would have killed him. Killed him a spared us all his wrath. Cause of him the elflands fell, Mecmed sided against us, the Unagi stood alone and w were ruined, everything your grandfather fought so hard for was undone” Feff says and Attonnan can feel him tremble.
“I’m sure he is already paying for his crimes father” Attonnan says his voice quivering.
How could this be, his father saying that he was walking death and that if he had the chance he would have killed him when he was only an infant. His father only nods, he has taken that as the oath he was looking for. The rest of the ride is in silence Attonnan’s mind reeling from what he has found out. How can this be, how can it be that his own father wants him dead. Is it not enough that most of his life with him he wanted to be dead, he had almost killed himself more then one time. He father not only thought that he killed his own mother, but that he was the reason for all of the trouble the Unagi had felt, that he alone had caused all the family so much grief. No, it can’t be, this isn’t his father, his father loved him and would care. Who is he kidding, his father hated him. Perhaps when Diao fixes him he can talk to his father, tell him all that he has wanted to for so vary long. Maybe if all this is done, his father will call him son, just once.
The two of them reach Omashu just before noon and the castle gates are lowered. Right away Kenshi greets the two of them. Before Kenshi can say a word Attonnan swiftly puts up his hand.
“I wish to give him to Diao right away, he is in dire need of attention.” Attonnan says and helps his father off the horse.
“Yes of course, I shouldn’t hold you up. Diao is waiting” Kenshi says and gestures for two Guards to help the father inside.
The two Guards go to take Feff from him and but Feff quickly turns to Attonnan.
“Thank you Mellyruna, you were always what was best in me made flesh” he says and then goes peacefully with the Guards.
“Mellyruna” Kenshi asks looking at Attonnan.
“My brother” Attonnan says and begins to walk away.
“They really did a number on him. I’m sure Diao will do what she can for him, he’ll be fine” Kenshi says and walks with him.
“I know” Attonnan says, his voice only a whisper.
“You should get some rest, it’s been a long journey and many of the others are already sleeping. They moved through the night, I thought it only fair to give them the day to rest” Kenshi says looking out at the bright sun.
“Yes of course. I want to be told as soon as my father has been evaluated and when Diao had done what she can.” Attonnan says looking hard at the door where his father and some of the Guards walked through
“Attonnan, there is nothing more you can do. Just let it go. We’ll let you know everything as soon as we can.” Kenshi says and gently turns Attonnan’s head so that it is facing him.
Attonnan only nods his head. Kenshi is right there is nothing more he can do, but just waiting, he feels so helpless, like there is so much more he should be doing. With some reluctance Attonnan makes it to the barracks where he finds it full of the men that marched all night. None of them even notice him enter, they are sound asleep. Slowly he takes off his riding boot and sits on the edge of one of the cots. He knows he should sleep, the day has worn on him and he can feel the exhaustion edging to him, but no matter how much the strain is, he can’t seem to bring himself to sleep, he only sits there watching the others. Finally after minutes of silence he lays his head down on the pillow. Without warning he is fast asleep. It seems like only a second after shutting his eyes that Attonnan
is quickly awakened again. Opening his eyes he sees that it is Kenshi.
“I didn’t want to disturb you, but Diao wishes to speak with you. She has the conclusion of your fathers condition.” Kenshi says and helps him up.
Attonnan quickly gets up and walks swiftly to the main courtyard were Diao is waiting for them. He can tell just by the look in her eyes that it is not good. Making the last few steps slowly and sadly he takes a deep breath and prepares himself for the worst.
“Attonnan, I have looked over your father, my skills have done all they could, but he is not well” She says and looks down at the ground.
“Speak plainly to me please” Attonnan says, his voice only a whisper.
“Your father withstood tortures that I can only imagine. His physical damage was saver, I have repaired most of it with my healing, and he will not be able to fight in battle however. That of course was not the worst of it, he is broken mentally, and he will never be himself again. I know this is hard but he will be lost in this reality of his for the end of his days. He keeps slipping into moments of the past. He is lost to you” She says and gently lays her hand on his shoulder.
“Perhaps in time” Attonnan says hopeful, but his hope is quickly dashed out as she shakes her head.
Attonnan only stares at the ground, he knew this would be the news. The entire ride here he knew. His father and withstood all the torture of the ebony hand, no man could deal with that and remain himself. Attonnan walks past Diao and into the main chamber. The Guards see him coming and one of them gently nods down the hall knowing exactly why he must be there. It is not hard to find the room that his father is in. all the doors but that one are closed. Slowly he walks into the room and watches as his father looks up, his eyes lighting up like a child at winterfest.
