Clash of Men

by Damon Glatz

  Lance’s face was shocked.

  Tao bowed. “I understand. Please, you may use us at your disposal when you need us.” He handed over the poker chip. “May I ask, what is your name?”

  Daisuke thought for a moment.

  “Call me Red.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six:

  The Western Wall

  Tao gave Red a nod, not asking any further questions.

  “I will return to my order now and tell them of your aid to me,” Tao said. Shaking Nicholas’ hand, he gave Red a farewell bow.

  “Lance,” he said, turning around. “I hope we never meet again.”

  “For your own sake, I would have to agree.” Lance squinted and smiled at him. Tao gave a slight nod.

  Tao turned and vanished into the dark forest, as silent as the breeze.

  “We need to leave the Northern Kingdom before word spreads about the breakout,” Red stated.

  Lance agreed. “Let’s double time it to the western gate and get out of here.”

  The group consented. They rode quickly through the nighttime forest. The thin trails were hard to navigate in the dark, Ohitekah needed to focus on Blaze to make sure he was staying on course. But even if he did fall back a step, Lance and Nicholas were right behind him. They rode all through the night, nothing but branches in his face and crunching leaves on the ground. He hoped Red knew the way to the western gate. Hours went by in silence, and Ohitekah fought the urge to fall asleep on his horse. They couldn’t stop, not now. When the sun started to peek through the leaves, they found their way back to a main road and traveled across more rolling farmland, passing distant castles. The landscape was beautiful. Ohitekah did not want to leave this place, the pink trees made of flowers and the bubbling streams from the icy White Mountains. He would remember this landscape forever.

  They traveled to another crowded village and split up again. Ohitekah used the last of his winnings to buy some food for the road, a better water pouch, a knife, and however many arrows he could afford. The walk through the town was with haste, and they talked to no one. Ohitekah wondered if he could hustle another bowman, but there was none to be seen.

  The Wall began to peek over the roofs of the town. As they walked closer, the archers could be seen standing on top. More and more samurai began to appear as they approached.

  “Word has not traveled here yet. The guard’s only care about who is entering the empire, not who is leaving, so we should be fine,” Red said quietly. The horses walked with a sense of urgency and reached the outpost positioned before the large western gate, a smaller stone fortress that looked to house a few hundred soldiers. A samurai who appeared to be in charge approached them. He gave a bow and signaled for the gates to open. Apparently, they had passed the visual test. Nothing was said as Red and Ohitekah began to move forward. Ohitekah gave a quiet sigh of relief.

  There was a loud birdcall above them and Ohitekah saw a messenger hawk soaring in the sky.

  A message from the general, Ohitekah feared. He held his breath and continued riding toward the gate slowly.

  The hawk circled around and landed on the samurai’s outstretched arm. It had a message tied around its leg. Ohitekah’s fears increased.

  “Wait!” The guard shouted. Red reared Blaze around. The guard walked up to their horses carrying the message. He looked at them one more time. “We have received word that a Vatnic and a Ronin have just escaped Shinra castle and are headed this way, you two be careful out there. Hail the emperor.” The guard bowed again and left. Sweat was pouring down Ohitekah’s back. They had made it through, but now the guards were looking for Nicholas. Red said nothing as they carefully trotted their horses through the tunnel and out the open gate.

  The plains stretched out to a blue horizon. Ohitekah’s tribe seldom traveled this far west. This area was unfamiliar territory. The tribes out here were the ones that traded with the Vatnic sailors. The golden shores were just beyond the horizon, so close, if Nicholas could just get through The Wall without messing up. The gates closed behind them. There was nothing left to do but hope.

  “This is it,” Lance began, collecting his breath. “Now please, for the love of the gods. Please. Just shut up, and let me do the talking.”

  “But what if—”

  “No! Just don’t say anything! You have lost that privilege. We don’t know if they’re even looking for us yet, just sit there on your horse and say nothing.”

  Nicholas looked down and nodded.

  “Thank you,” Lance said with a sigh of relief. They slowly rode forward to the gate. A samurai approached them. They gave a deep respectful bow and stopped the horses. The samurai gave Nicholas a long look.

  “Where are you going, Vatnic?”

  Lance leaned in. “We’re on our way to—”

  “I did not ask you, Ashlander, I asked him. What is your business?”

  Nicholas looked up to Lance before talking. Lance closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

  “My brother’s wedding is tomorrow. It’s going to be the party of a lifetime, I heard.” Nicholas smiled.

  The guard glanced down at a scroll he was holding, he looked Nicholas over once again, then Lance.

  “We are currently searching for an escaped prisoner matching your description. I am going to have to detain you until your identity can be positively ascertained.” He waved for other guards to come forward.

  “Now, you’re the fifth guard to try that on me today?” Nicholas shouted, Lance’s eyes opened in horror.

  What is he doing?!

  “I’ve been making my living here for thirteen years,” Nicholas began again. “Working my way off the streets to become an honest merchant. I haven’t seen my family once since I decided to start over in this wonderful country. Now on the day I finally want to go home, you decide to try to keep me here. Is that what it is? If the Feng Dynasty can’t have the quality products and competitive discounts of my fine furs and leathers, then no one can? Is that what this is all about? That’s it! I’m selling my shop and never coming back, see you all this winter without your handmade Vatnic coats. I would like to see how your economy handles after I close shop for good. You’re all gonna sail over and beg me to come back, that’s what’s gonna happen.”

  The guard was stunned. Lance’s jaw was dropped.

  “Ummm...” The guard thought for a moment.

  “Listen, if you let me and my apprentice through, when I come back in a few days I’ll sell you one of my best coats, half off. It’s gonna be a cold winter I hear. If you want to come to my brother’s party you’re more than welcome. I just hope you can hold your ale.” Nicholas let out a laugh.

  The guard gave an uncomfortable half chuckle and glanced around to his men. “That will not be necessary. Enjoy the wedding.” The guard stepped aside and so did the others. Nicholas nodded and walked ahead of Lance and through the opening gate.

  Nicholas came out on the other side and took a deep breath.

  “You smell that, lad? That’s the sea. Smells like home.”

  Lance was still at a loss for words.

  “I don’t know if that was brilliant or... Never mind, I’m not sure what just happened. That was luck, that’s what that was. Nothing more.” Lance said as he shook his head. “If that guard was serving under me I would have him hanged...”

  “You wish you could make a sale like I can. After all this is over I should actually send him a coat,” Nicholas laughed again. Lance smiled despite himself.

  They met up with Red and Ohitekah further away from the wall. They changed from their costumes and back into their preferred clothes and armor. It was clear Lance and Nicholas missed their armor. Ohitekah felt comfortable in the samurai robes, but being on the plains made him long for his tribal skins and clothes. He changed into his tribesman outfit, exchanged the wooden sandals for the hand-woven moccasins. Ohitekah kept his bow on his back, and his samurai sword at his side, he felt an attachment to it now. Then he let his long hair down from its bun, w
hich felt amazing, his head was strange without his hair. Red just changed his katana sheath and also let his hair down out of its bun. He put on his familiar black and red robe as well.

  “I’ll lead the way from here.” Nicholas rode his horse to the front of the group. His posture was straight and his tone was serious. Ohitekah gave him a smile.

  Nicholas cleared his throat “Thank you all for coming all this way just to help me.” Lance rolled his eyes. “Thank you, lad, for all you have done. I will make this all up to you. Soon I will kill Ivan, and avenge my father. After that, we slay the Water Mythic.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven:

  The Vatnic Isles

  Ohitekah began to feel nervous. Adrenaline slowly built in his muscles. The journey across the world was almost over. There was nothing left but to fight the enemies they had been planning for. Once Nicholas was done his missions, the hunt for the Thunder Mythic began. Then, if he succeeded, or failed for that matter, Lance and Red were going to fight to the death. Ohitekah would have to face losing one of them forever.

  What side should I take? Who was right?

  “The shipping docks are this way,” Nicholas spoke. There was actually a dirt trail leading all the way from the Western Gate to the Golden Shores. Traders going to and from the two nations must have used the trail heavily. They followed the path for several hours, passing by a few Vatnic traders who carried large carts filled with supplies to sell.

  Ohitekah felt conflicted with this area of the plains. It reminded him of home, yet it wasn’t at all. The grass was much more yellow here, not as green as the eastern plains. The breeze was also strange due to the saltiness Ohitekah tasted as he breathed it in. The wind was stronger, sometimes blowing dirt into his eyes. He had not realized the differences from east to west. He much preferred further east. It was colder here. His usual style of clothing would not last for long. After some time, the path came over a hill. Ohitekah heard Nicholas give a deep breath as he looked up. There it was.

  The sea.

  Somehow, the ocean looked even larger than the plains. There were no rolling hills, just flat shimmering blue as far as the eye could see. The yellow grass transitioned into golden sand that met the small waves of the sea. The sand provided a border between the plains and the vast ocean.

  Ohitekah had never seen the ocean before. It was intimidating. So much water, how do men not get lost forever in the infinite blue? He was afraid to cross it, especially with a giant sea serpent somewhere in there, waiting to destroy any ships that dare cross its path. He shuddered.

  In front of them was a large fishing village with wooden docks and ships. There were men and women in furs similar to those that Nicholas wore. The buildings in the town ranged in size, most were circular and made from wood. The ships at the port were long with one large sail in the middle. Men were moving crates on and off the ships. Some had furs while others had fish.

  They traveled down the trail and into the village. Nicholas confidently rode up to the docks and dismounted, followed by the rest. He was finally in his homeland.

  Nicholas smiled to Lance. “Let me do the talking.” Lance shook his head.

  There was a continuous knocking sound as the ships rocked with the waves and tapped into the wooden docks. The sea breeze fluttered the large white masts. The sounds were almost hypnotic, and despite the steady bustle of men loading ships, almost peaceful. Ohitekah could see how Nicholas fell in love with a place like this.

  “Where’s the harbor master?” Nicholas asked to a man standing behind a wooden booth labeled Harbor Master. He glanced up at Nicholas from a map he was studying. He folded it and placed it under the table.

  “I reckon that would be me, how can I ‘elp you?” He was a Vatnic and a large burly man. It was funny how well Nicholas finally fit in with the men around here. For once the others in the group stuck out.

  “I need the next ship chartered for King’s Rock.”

  “The ship with the small sail there leaves in an hour.” He pointed to a smaller boat behind them “That captain’s usual fee is five coppers a head plus the king’s tax.”

  Nicholas made a face. “What the bloody hell is a king’s tax?”

  “Where have you been, you big oaf? King’s tax! King Ivan demands a tax on most services to fund the raids.”

  Nicholas stood up straight.

  “Do you know who I am?” Nicholas asked.

  “Yeah, I do… a big oaf?”

  Nicholas drew his great-sword from behind his back. The harbor master squinted when he saw it, then he took a step back.

  “That can’t be...”

  “This was my father’s sword, the sword of the rightful king, handed down from all kings past.”

  The harbor master looked back at him, studied his face and let out a laugh. “I thought you were dead!”

  Nicholas then took a moment to study his old friend’s face which was now covered in a thick beard and new scars. “Olaf?! How are ya?”

  “Cannot complain! And furthermore… I was right! You are a big oaf!” They both laughed.

  “Olaf, I came back to challenge Ivan and avenge my father.”

  “Of course! Gods be praised! We’ll take my ship, I’ll have a crew ready as quick as I can.”

  Nicholas and Olaf shook their massive hands and Olaf quickly ran into the nearest tavern.

  “Can we trust him?” Lance asked when he was sure Olaf was gone.

  “Of course, we can! That’s my childhood friend, Olaf! We sailed together since we were lads we did.”

  Lance looked to Red, who was staring into the sea. He seemed out of place.

  Lance chuckled. “What’s the matter, old man? Afraid of a little water?”

  “I will go as far to say I am not very comfortable on ships. Out of all my travels, I have never been to the Isles.”

  Ohitekah smiled. It made sense that Red would not like the water, being a Fire Mythic. But seeing the great Shogun Daisuke afraid of something was humorous to them all.

  “Don’t worry, lad.” Nicholas nudged Red. “I’ll hold your hand.” Nicholas let out a roaring laugh followed by Lance and Ohitekah. Red scowled. Nervously, Ohitekah stopped laughing.

  Across the docks, there were men frantically preparing a large ship. Olaf was calling out orders to them. These men were not fishermen or merchants. They were warriors, some looking just like Nicholas in stature. They had long fur coats over heavy metal armor. They were armed with spears, axes, shields, and great swords. The men prepared the ship and opened the large sail. The wooden vessel looked triumphant as the white sail came rolling down the mast, transforming it into an impressive war ship.

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Nicholas shouted.

  Olaf came back to the group. “She is ready, Nicholas! We can leave now if you like.”

  “Wonderful! Let’s get underway!”

  Ohitekah had never seen Nicholas so happy before, finally in his comfort zone, about to be back on the open seas. This is where he belonged.

  They walked across a wooden platform and onto the ship. The sensation was strange. The sea was constantly moving beneath them and the deck was shifting in all directions as the waves rolled. Ohitekah fell over and leaned against the mast.

  “Don’t have your sea legs yet, lad? Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.” Nicholas appeared to have no trouble standing or walking. “If I can do it after fifteen pints of Old Angus’s Ale, you can sober.”

  “Fifteen pints?” Olaf spoke up from behind the ship’s helm, shaking his head. “We both know you could never get past twelve.” He roared.

  “That’s still more than you, ya sea hag,” Nicholas shouted back.

  Most of the crew began to laugh. The ship began to settle out of the dock and into the sea. Once it moved, Ohitekah fell over again. Lance was holding onto the railing, looking back into the town. Red was walking around the bow.

  “It’s about time someone with some actual brawn decided to take on Ivan,” Olaf said
as he steered the large ship. “Everyone who tried has been defeated. No one wants him as king, but no one can beat him either.”

  “Why not you, Olaf?” Nicholas asked.

  “You know me, never much for fighting. I’m a lover of the seas, all I do is sail.”

  The dock and village were disappearing into the distance, nothing but ocean around them. The waters were clear and calm.

  One of the sailors came up to Nicholas and shook his hand.

  “My father served your father, it’s an honor to serve you now.”

  “It is an honor for me as well, thank you.”

  “We’re all here to help you, Nicholas. You should have come back years ago. Who are your friends?”

  “They’re a quiet bunch, but they want to help,” Nicholas said, looking at Red and Lance. “They’re all skilled, just not used to sailing.” Nicholas wrapped his big arm around Ohitekah and pulled him close.

  “This is my friend, Oakenoak from the tribes. He saved my life more than once and I owe him mine. And tonight, when Ivan is dead… he’s gonna have his first ale.” Nicholas’ voice echoed through the hall.

  The crew all cheered and raised their fists. Ohitekah was not sure if Nicholas was protecting his identity, or still could not pronounce his name correctly. Either way, he was happy Nicholas thought so highly of him.

  Lance was looking into the water. The Water Mythic was out there, somewhere, deep beneath the waves. Any second now the giant monster could burst through the hull of the ship and end this whole thing before they knew what hit them.

  Ohitekah looked in front of the ship, at the line of the horizon they were going toward. What if that was a cliff? Are we sailing off the edge of the world?

  The ship sailed through the night and into the next morning. The stars were beautiful in the black sea, their patterns mirrored off the surface. It seemed as if they were sailing through nothing but emptiness and stars. Ohitekah eventually managed to become familiar with the continuous rocking of the ship. He earned his ‘sea legs’ as Nicholas referred to them. Lance was asleep under the deck, leaned against the wooden hull. Red stared out into the abyss, never saying a word to anyone.