My family got me cat-shaped fidget squishies for my birthday and they’re the greatest thing ever
Chapter 72: The Ambassador
Achiyo disembarked from the ship into the Doman Enclave and looked around in amazement. It had changed greatly since she had left so abruptly on the eve of Doma’s liberation. Within the low protective walls there now rose a multitude of new buildings, and she could hear the sounds of yet more construction – sawing, hammering, foremen giving orders. A few fishers sat on the docks, though their efforts were in idle pleasure – further down the dock was an actual fishing boat unloading its silvery cargo.
The Garlean ambassadors had made pleasant remarks along the entire trip, praising the architecture, and the industriousness of the people, and lamenting the destruction of war that the industriousness sought to mend. They seemed genuine enough, especially the third-eyed Garlean with the glasses, who nearly fell out of the skiff at one point peering at a distant manor on the shore. Young Asahi frowned at him, and the Garlean – Maxima, he introduced himself – stayed put after that.
Further into the enclave, Achiyo saw more changes. There was an aetheryte now, for one thing, but a couple of the houses sported brand-new brightly coloured paper lanterns. There was a young woman running around with a clipboard, making notes about all kinds of things, and giving orders to workers, merchants, and officials alike. A girl walked by with a tray full of decorated sweets, and Achiyo’s mouth watered to see their playful shapes. She’d love to bite the head off one of those Namazu… She thought they were cute, whatever other people might think, but it would also be fun.
There was still work to be done, of course. There were still many dilapidated structures around, and the pavement was cracked and overgrown in many places. But it was a start.
There was a scream, and Achiyo turned sharply at the sound – and then braced herself, as her friend Tori glomped her. “Achiyo-chan! You’re back! Oh, how dare you leave without saying goodbye!? After you went and nearly killed yourself for our sake in all the fighting! How could you!?”
“T-Tori-chan,” Achiyo stammered. “I greatly regretted my impulsive departure, believe me – but the Scions were needed back in Eorzea.”
Hien was watching with amusement. “I had forgotten how close you are. Indeed, the way Lady Tori railed against me upon delivering your farewell to her, I would rather have been facing proper battle again!”
Asahi and his compatriots were also watching with an interest that embarrassed Achiyo. “Tori-chan, I apologize.” She struggled free of her friend’s embrace to give her a proper bow. “I have returned, and if Hien can spare me, I will be happy to spend the time with you that I shamefully neglected to do before.”
“Oh, Achiyo-chan, you’ve always been so proper,” Tori said. “I suppose it’s because they are here-” and she glared at Asahi and company, who just smiled. “Well, they can spare you for dinner, I’m sure!”
“You may be excused,” Hien said facetiously. “I am hoping you will be able to attend our actual talks, but the ambassador has come a long way – we shall not speak on matters of import tonight. Tonight shall be for dining and resting.”
“Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated, Lord Hien,” Asahi said. “I will not deny I am eager to speak with the Lady of the Eikon-Slayers, but we will have other opportunities, I’m sure. And I am honoured by all my hosts.” He made a bow that took in not only Hien, but also Alphinaud, Alisaie, R’nyath, and Tam.
“Come to the Kienkan when you are ready to retire this evening, and there will be a room ready for you,” Hien said to her.
“Then I will see you tomorrow,” Achiyo said, and Tori linked her arm and dragged her away.
“Oh, Achiyo, I’m so glad you’re back and you can see everything we’ve been doing! Isn’t it great?”
“Where are you taking me?” Achiyo asked, a little anxiously.
“Oh, just to the Ten Thousand Stalls! It’s quite a marvelous place – it’s like a buffet, the way all the stalls are lined up, and you can order different foods at each one! You must try Inano’s pork kakuni. It’s my favourite. It was all Kozakura’s idea, I think!”
“Who is Kozakura?” Achiyo asked, trying to keep up mentally as well as physically. Tori was rather taller than she was.
“Ah, she basically runs the Enclave! Or the Shazenkai, which is the group responsible for the restoration and development of the Enclave, anyway. I’m one of her accountants. We just started building a school for the children! Think of it – my Nakasuke and Nigayo can finally learn their literature and arithmetic in a proper manner, and little Moto when he’s older. It won’t be anything like we went through with oodles of etiquette and dance… Although we’ve managed to restore several honoured clans to their rightful place, Lord Hien isn’t at all interested in having the court system like when we were young. And I think in this reborn country, that’s probably the right decision. Ah, here we are.”
Achiyo stared at all the food stalls. “So many…” The scents of a thousand dishes came to her nose and she inhaled, hungrier than even before. “I hardly know where to begin.”
“Feel free to look around!” Tori said, nearly bursting with glee. “Inano’s stall is right over there, if you’d like to try the pork.”
“Where are your children now, by the way?” Achiyo asked, walking past the stalls as if in a dream. She was overwhelmed by choice. She wanted it all, but though she had a good metabolism as a warrior, she feared she did not have the stomach for that much food.
“Ah, playing with the other enclave children in the garden. Well, what will be the garden. A garden is rather low on the priority list, as you might expect. It’s all right! They know to come home when the lamps start being lit.”
“Very well,” Achiyo said, smiling. “Then let us eat without care. Let me buy for you, to apologize for my dreadful behaviour before.”
“Oh, Achiyo-! Well… all right.”
To see Tori looking so happy again, after the miserable state she’d found her in only a year before, it made all her hardships worth it for Achiyo. They chatted about a hundred things, as if they were girls around the tea-table again, though Achiyo did not know any of the people Tori wanted to gossip about. Tori was ecstatic to hear that Achiyo had a wedding date, and demanded details of clothes and ceremony that Achiyo was quite unprepared to give. She and Aymeric had only discussed such things in general terms, so she had decided she would wear an Eorzean wedding gown, and Aymeric wanted to find a place in the Ishgardian ceremony to put in a Hingan-style wedding toast, but that was about it. Perhaps Hien could bring Tori with him when he came to attend…
They on occasion got up to get more food and drink, and when Achiyo came to the inarizushi stall she started in surprise, staring not at the delicious bean curd-clad rice, but the dishes they were presented on. “Excuse me,” she said to the stall owner, “where did you obtain these dishes?”
“Ah, the pottery lady who lives near the carpenters,” said the stall owner. “Very nice, aren’t they? Would you like some inarizushi?”
“Yes,” Achiyo said. “And the pottery lady’s address.”
“Someone you know?” Tori asked.
“I think so,” Achiyo said. “If it is her… I am glad she is alive.”
“Shall I take you to visit her after dinner?”
“No! No.” Achiyo waved her free hand, the other holding a plate of sushi. “I need to… prepare myself.”
“I don’t understand, but… all right,” Tori said. “Just don’t get so caught up in politics that you forget!”
“I won’t forget,” Achiyo assured her softly, then changed the subject. “What are those paper lanterns for? Was there a festival recently?”
“Oh, those! No, not exactly; they’re samples from the paper makers. You see, Kozakura wanted to establish a quality trade industry right away…”
She returned as directed to the Kienkan to sleep, well-filled and actually slightly tipsy, and might have slept late in the morning if a servant had not knocked on her door to bid her get ready for breakfast with Lord Hien and his guests.
After the breakfast things had been cleared away, there they all sat on zanbuton cushions in Hien’s hall. Hien was on a little raised dais in front of a beautifully painted decorative folding screen, and below him were Achiyo, Alphinaud, Alisaie, Tam, and R’nyath on one side – Chuchupa was goofing off at the harbour with the sailors and fishermen, naturally – and his few nobles and samurai and Yugiri on the other side. And across from him, the three Garlean ambassadors.
“On behalf of my delegation, I offer you my humblest thanks,” Asahi said smoothly. “Never did I imagine that I would meet the gallant and noble Lord of Doma himself, nor be welcomed into his magnificent hall.” He was rather overdoing it; Achiyo remembered the splendour of Doma Castle. The Kienkan was well-decorated, but it was comfortable, not dazzling.
Hien was no longer smiling as he had been the day before. “You’ll forgive me if we forgo the pleasantries,” he said bluntly. “You say you are come to negotiate peace. Unless I am mistaken, such negotiations are typically conducted between sovereign nations. I was not aware that the Emperor had recognized Doma’s sovereignty.”
“His Radiance has yet to do so, that much is true,” Asahi said, and Achiyo could sense Alisaie stifling a sardonic sigh. “Know, however, that he has expressed willingness to cede Doma to her ancestral masters and treat with her as a friend. Since the days of Emperor Solus, the Empire has aggressively expanded its territory. While you may not agree with our founding father’s policy of expansion, I believe there is room for discussion on the matter of his lifelong goal – to rid the world of eikons.”
Hien was silent.
“Eikons are a blight upon this star,” Asahi went on, and laid out his case – that if Doma and the Kojin would never call upon summoning primals again, Garlemald would acknowledge them as sovereign. This was complicated by Asahi’s own admission that there was another faction within Garlemald that would eagerly go on the offensive at every opportunity.
Achiyo allowed herself to flow past the meanings of the words, more interested in watching Asahi’s face for signs of double meaning. He spoke well, and soothingly, and… she was already giving Yotsuyu the benefit of the doubt. Should she not extend the same grace to her step-brother? But her attention was dragged back abruptly after Asahi, proposing an exchange of Doman conscripts for Garlean prisoners of war, added casually: “Naturally, any exchange would include the acting viceroy.”
“Yotsuyu?” Hien said blandly. “What makes you think we have her?”
“Forgive me, my lord,” Asahi said. “Was it not your wish to speak plain? Let us not play games. I desire only to work to our mutual benefit. The Optimates tried – and failed – to take my sister by force. I would succeed by peaceable means, thereby strengthening my party’s hand. ‘Twould be a lie to say I would not also be glad of my sister’s safe return.”
“A fellow plain-speaker,” Hien said, though Achiyo thought she detected a twitch of eyebrow. “How refreshing. Very well. Your proposal has merit, but I will need time to consider it. In the meantime, you shall be our honoured guests.”
“You have our gratitude, Lord Hien,” Asahi said, and stood and bowed formally, along with his two aides. “We shall look forward to your answer.”
Alphinaud stayed with Hien to advise him, but the other Scions gathered on their own. “What do you think of him?” R’nyath asked Achiyo.
“I think he is sincere,” Achiyo said. “Whether he has the power within the Empire that he claims… of that, I have my doubts.” It was too good to be true on its face, and she did not trust the Empire even if she came to trust Asahi in time. “And you?”
“I mean, he’s pretty cute,” R’nyath said, stretching lazily. “I don’t trust him yet, though. I know ambassadors have to be smooth talkers, but he’s a smooth talker, you know what I mean?”
“I’m not sure I do,” Alisaie said. “But I am glad you’re not thinking entirely with your other brain…”
“Hey!” R’nyath stuck his tongue out at her.
Alisaie rolled her eyes back at him. “I fully intend to be suspicious of him until such time as everyone agrees he is trustworthy… or until he does something which requires stabbing.”
They all looked at Tam, who was holding his flask of whisky and not looking at any of them. “Well?” R’nyath said.
Tam looked down at them. “Hard to read, which could be a natural mannerism or an ambassadorial feature but not a good impression on me under these circumstances. Could go either way. Trying a little bit too hard, even for someone in his position. I’d not take him at his word until all’s said and done.”
Well, if the others were in agreement… and Tam thought it important enough that he gave his honest opinion without much prompting… maybe Achiyo should not be so quick to believe in this man. It would be nice if he were believable, though… Logically, there were good people in the Empire, there must be… even though she hadn’t met many of them. Cid didn’t count, he had left. Regula van Hydrus had been honourable, at least… and he was dead. “You really think he is cute? With that hairstyle?” It was so… severe…
R’nyath flushed. “I’ve seen worse. You needn’t worry. I won’t be hitting on him. I somehow get the vibes that he’s… supremely unavailable. Also…”
“Oh gods, who is it now?” Alisaie said.
R’nyath folded his arms with a pout. “Well, maybe I won’t tell you, then.”
“Is it Tori?” Achiyo asked. Tori might be a widowed mother of three, but she was still about the same age as R’nyath, and had had a reputation as ‘the cute one’ when they were training together.
“No,” R’nyath said. “It’s the girl who runs the enclave. She’s super cute. But also super busy. We’ll see. What if I make myself really helpful…?”
“Good luck,” Alisaie said sardonically. “Though from what little I’ve seen, she will definitely appreciate more help.”
R’nyath grinned. “I appreciate your blessing, Lady Alisaie. And with it, I shall be off. Have a good day, everyone!”
Tam also wandered off without a parting word. Achiyo and Alisaie looked at each other. “Is there anything you would like to do?” Achiyo said. She did not want to seek out the potter yet, and Tori was busy that day.
“Anything but listen to my brother ramble on,” Alisaie said. “For want of a better suggestion, what say you to a brief tour of the newly liberated Doma? The nearby villages, anyway? I’d be interested to hear how the people are faring in their own words, and it’s not as if we’ll be missed here.” She looked over Achiyo’s shoulder. “…Or will we?”
Achiyo turned as she heard approaching footsteps, and found Yugiri there. “Achiyo, a moment, if you would.” Asahi stood behind her, smiling cheerfully.
“Yugiri, Asahi-san,” Achiyo said, and bowed. “You have some business with me?”
Asahi came forward and bowed on his own behalf. “Business? No. Pleasure, my lady. I merely wished to exchange a few words with the famed slayer of gods and champion of Eorzea. It is truly an honour.”
Achiyo had been faced with effusive adulation before, but never from a Garlean – even if he was a diplomat. She needed a moment to adjust. To buy herself that moment, she bowed again. To which Asahi automatically bowed back.
“Such heartfelt admiration,” Alisaie murmured. “One could almost forget that you’re an envoy of the Empire.”
“Oh? Is that so strange?” Asahi asked her, laughing. “We may have stood on opposing sides in the past, but I see no contradiction in lauding the woman who would do battle with our common enemy. And lest you forget, this is my homeland. It would be remiss of me not to at least thank her for containing the threat posed by the Kojin’s vile eikon.”
In her inexpert opinion, Susano had not been particularly vile, except inasmuch as he drew aether from Hydaelyn as any primal did. But Achiyo bowed again. It was a formal situation. Much bowing was required. “You are welcome, Asahi-san. I could not do it alone, of course, and only play a small part of the whole. Credit must go to every one of the Warriors of Light.”
“Naturally,” Asahi said, bowing again himself. “But they are not present, and you are their leader, the Silver Lady. But I did not ask to approach you only to offer my acclaim. As we speak, Lord Hien deliberates over my proposal, and I would take this time to see the land I once called home. Though Lady Yugiri is certain to be a jovial escort, the excursion would be all the more enjoyable for your company – and safer besides.”
Yugiri? Jovial? Achiyo glanced over at Yugiri’s rigidly neutral expression. “…The ambassador has the right of it,” Yugiri said at last. “He is not like to come to harm with you at his side. Will you join us?”
She had nothing else to do this afternoon. “It would be my pleasure. Alisaie, will you join us, or do you have other plans?” There was no reason to drag her along with a diplomat if she didn’t want to.
But to her surprise, Alisaie nodded. “I will join you as well. There is naught else to do until Lord Hien has reached his decision, and I can think of no finer way to learn more about the current state of Doma.”
“It’s settled, then,” Asahi said. “The four of us shall make a brief excursion through Yanxia. Might we start at the town of Monzen? I would see what has become of Doma Castle.”
The journey was awkwardly silent at first, as they went by boat from the enclave to the docks at below Monzen. Yugiri was being watchful, Alisaie disinterested in conversation, Asahi apparently did not want to force conversation, and Achiyo… did not know what to say. The weather? It was hot at this moment, but with that autumnal feel that promised a chilly night afterwards.
“Do you miss Doma, living in Garlemald?” she asked at last.
Asahi gave her a cheery smile. “A little. ‘Tis true that there are great wonders there, great conveniences of technology. Moreover, I am oft too busy to think of it, and I am not discontented with my work. But when I have a moment, I do find myself thinking fondly of the land of my birth. It is difficult to find good Doman food in Ilsabard, and the weather is poorer, nor do they sing the same songs.”
It was a little too speech-like for her liking. His face was sincere, but his words seemed… not quite from the heart. “You would seem the very best choice for an ambassador of peace. Should a treaty be signed, you will be able to visit whenever your heart calls you.”
“True, though as an officer of the Empire, it might have been that I could be stationed here when Doma was yet a Garlean province. I did begin my military career here as a common soldier, actually.”
She felt the idea of Doma being a Garlean province in a hypothetical alternate future was bait, and did not take it. “Have you been long from Doma?”
“Some years,” he said. “My family moved to Garlemald some time before Lord Kaien’s uprising, which was fortunate for them – had they remained, they might have been suspected of being traitors to the Empire and disgraced or executed. As it is, they live quite safely and comfortably in the capital. And there is where I also went when I was promoted, to join the diplomatic corps and learn the art of their craft. I had not ever thought to be treating with my own homeland, but what a marvelous opportunity!”
“What do you see in the Empire?” Alisaie demanded. “What makes them appear better to you than letting nations self-govern?”
“From what I understand,” Asahi said, as they docked the boat and got out, “the north of Ilsabard was quite quarrelsome in centuries past. When Garlemald took control of the region, it was a relief to the common folk, who were weary of their masters endlessly warring over the same old things constantly. Finally, they could settle, and farm and trade, without worrying that a war would suddenly destroy all their hard work. For many of them, the fact that their new ruler was not the same as their ancestors’ was of minor concern.”
“I see,” Achiyo said. It sounded very idealized. But he had certainly simplified it for their benefit. “But surely you understand that not all lands are like that.”
“Are they not, to some degree or another?” Asahi said. “Why, in Eorzea, do not three of the Eorzean Alliance daily clash at Carteneau? It may be only mock battles, but battles they are nonetheless.”
“I think rather they might be called extended training exercises,” Achiyo said, rather dryly. “All know that the disagreement shall not be settled by force of arms.”
“Whatever you may call it, it is a sign of disunity, is it not?” Asahi said. “But come, I am not here to convince you to join the Empire, though if you did it would give me much pleasure. I only wish to see the places here held fondly in memory.”
He surely did not know. He must not know how the people had been mistreated, abused, starved, orphaned, murdered, enslaved by the Empire. If he did, there could be no way he would say such things.
They reached the top of the hill, and Asahi started in shock. “Nay… Can this truly be Monzen, home to the cream of Doma’s samurai? I had heard that Yotsuyu intended to send some few of our automata here, but only by way of warning. It should not have come to this…”
“She rounded them up and had them put to death,” Achiyo murmured. “My friend, a samurai’s widow, escaped by mere hours.”
“Her savagery served only to incense the people and spur them to rise up in protest,” Asahi said, shaking his head. “It was folly to think such methods of governance could ever prove effective.” He sighed. “The sooner we can begin to make amends to this senseless destruction the better. Securing supplies and support for the reconstruction effort should not prove difficult – once our nations are formally at peace, of course.”
Achiyo wondered privately if the Empire would manage to twist such supplies and support into some sort of debt to hold over Doma. She trusted such a notion even less than Lolorito’s investment into the Saltery in Ala Mhigo.
“…Yes, of course,” Yugiri said after a pause. “If you would have a better view of what remains of the castle, we must proceed through the ruins.” She gestured, indicating a route that would avoid most of the Magatsu Kiyofusa and other creatures that lurked in the shadows of shattered walls.
Alisaie whispered to Achiyo. “I don’t believe for one moment that he came to see the sights of Yanxia. The question is: what did he come for?”
Achiyo could not answer her.
Yugiri led them up to the foot of the broken bridge. On the other end of it was an empty, battered ring of stone, the remains of the outer defensive walls. No proud crimson tower rose above it now. “Lord Hien would often come here to gaze at the castle. He was but one of many to take inspiration from its majesty.”
Asahi shook his head again in sorrow. “It is a travesty. A travesty. I remember the keep being so beautiful. In the light of the setting sun, one would swear it was aflame…”
“It is indeed a doleful spectacle,” Yugiri said blandly. “Mayhap we will rebuild it one day… when we have finished helping our people to rebuild their lives.”
Asahi smiled at her. “Spoken like a true Popularis. The needs of the people must of course come first. Speaking of whom, would you be opposed to my seeing how they live firsthand? The village of Namai is but a short journey from here, if I’m not mistaken.”
“…By river, yes,” Yugiri said. “If you will follow me, I will ready our boat.”
“The people there will not be happy to see you,” Achiyo warned him. “Yotsuyu was not the only one to act with cruelty in this land. It was only a short while ago that men and women in uniforms like yours demanded the greater part of their harvests, abducted their neighbours to ensure obedient behaviour, and beat them harshly for the smallest of perceived slights.”
Asahi cast his gaze down. “Your words speak to shameful conduct on the Empire’s part. But independence has allowed them respite from such indignities?”
“It has,” she said. “And you are with Yugiri, and Alisaie, and me. They know us and trust us, so they will tolerate you, and they will respect that you are an ambassador.”
“I had no fear for my physical safety, and… well, I am not unused to looks of hatred and scorn,” he assured her. “The Optimates are not shy about expressing their disdain.”
“It might be different coming from people who were once your own,” she murmured.
“And you, Lady Achiyo, you are of Hingashi, are you not?” he asked. She had asked him about himself; she supposed he was returning the favour.
“I am,” she said. “I am the daughter of a Hingan samurai. I was orphaned and raised by an Eorzean.”
“You seem very knowledgeable about Doma, however.”
“Yes. Due to various circumstances, I was trained as a lady in Doma Castle. And afterwards, I traveled Yanxia for several years before departing for Eorzea.”
“Where you gained great fame slaying eikons, one after another, quelling such blights upon the land with great ease.”
Achiyo made a slight smile. “Not a one of them was easy, not even Sri Lakshmi, who is a goddess of beauty and not of war. Without each of the Warriors of Light working together, all from different lands and with different skills, we could not have felled half of them.”
“And yet even great armies would balk at the challenge,” Asahi said. “There are eight of you, are there not?”
“That is the number we found works best,” Achiyo said. “You have only met a couple of us, but were there a primal, we should assemble with alacrity.”
“Naturally, I don’t doubt it. And now, I think I heard you are engaged to the Lord Commander of Ishgard?”
It was a little bit like cold water down her back, to think that news of her engagement would be talked about in Garlemald. Of course it had been very publicly announced, and Aymeric was extremely high-profile, but to think that people whom she thought of as her enemies knew something so personal to her… Well, that was probably all they knew of her personal life. “It is true. The Scions aided Ishgard in ending the Dragonsong War, and we grew close during that time.”
“I offer my congratulations,” Asahi said, smiling warmly at her.
“Th-thank you,” she said, flustered. A Garlean, commenting on her engagement – even if he was a Doman-Garlean. How could she escape this conversation? Or at least this topic? “Though I do not know why it should be important to you…”
“Well, mayhap one day the Empire shall come to an accord with the nations of Eorzea as well, and it would be only wise to be on good terms with one of the Champions of Eorzea, doubly so if her husband is one of its leaders,” Asahi said. “But peace with Eorzea is not my sphere, and probably never shall be, for I am of Doma. Still, we meet as friends today, and so I offer my best wishes to you.”
She bowed – he bowed – and she pulled back to walk more closely with Alisaie. “How do you fare?”
“This excursion has proved to be more relaxing than I expected,” Alisaie said. “Despite your arguing.”
“I apologize,” Achiyo said to her. “There is no escaping politics this day, I think.”
“No, no… I expected that, in truth. I suppose I can only hope a visit to Namai itself will remain free of drama.”
They had come to the boat, and as if in answer to Alisaie’s complaint, Asahi mostly kept his comments confined to the beauty of the river and its banks, the fish in its waters, the birds and dragonflies flying by. Undramatically, they came to the next dock and set out up the bank on the road to Namai.
Someone screamed. “Get back! I’m warning you!”
“Someone’s in trouble!” Asahi exclaimed, and with barely a glance at them, ran ahead. Achiyo kept pace with him, and as they came over the rise of the hill, her eyes widened to see Isse and his little sister Azami, surrounded by Red Kojin mercenaries. Isse was in front of Azami protectively, but he had no weapon-! They both looked terrified.
Asahi had outdistanced Achiyo with his longer legs, and slid into position between them and the Kojin, drawing his katana smoothly. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“Aye…” Isse said, disbelieving.
“I’m scared,” Azami whispered.
“It’s all right,” Achiyo said, catching up, sword and shield ready. “Asahi-san is an ally. We shall defend you.”
“What do they want with you?” asked Yugiri, taking her place beside Achiyo. Alisaie took a position on the other side.
“Yugiri?” Isse exclaimed. His voice shook and he stammered. “And you lot too? I… I-I don’t know. We were returning from the enclave when they came at us.”
The Kojin were not backing off, raising their weapons threateningly. “It seems they won’t go quietly,” Alisaie said.
“And neither will we,” Asahi said calmly – and sprang forward like white-clad lightning, katana glittering.
The Kojin leader met him, parrying with his hefty mage’s staff. “Kill them all!” he ordered his underlings.
“I will defend Isse and Azami,” Achiyo said to Alisaie and Yugiri. “Fight without fear for them!” Yugiri and Alisaie nodded, and Yugiri flung some throwing knives before reappearing behind a Kojin; Alisaie took her casting stance and began to throw spells of her own. Achiyo turned to face a pair of archers in the back, catching their arrows on her shield and casting Holy Spirit back at them. Alisaie’s spells were deadlier, fouling the archers’ aim and killing one of them immediately.
Asahi had claimed the attention of the Kojin leader, and would not let it go, though his pristine uniform was getting lightly singed in the process. “I will not let you harm these innocents!”
The Kojin knocked him aside and growled at his underlings. “I grow tired of these games. Where are our reinforcements!” Asahi picked himself back up and hurled himself forward again.
Isse was hugging Azami to his chest so she couldn’t see the fight. “Don’t worry, Azami. I won’t let them hurt you.” Then he looked up and squeaked as four more Kojin burst out of the bamboo right next to him, swinging their katana.
Achiyo sprinted in front of them, bulling one of them over with her shield, hip-checking Isse out of harm’s way, parrying the closest two in quick succession. There did not seem to be more archers right now, so she could focus on keeping the attention of these newcomers.
“All this for two children?” Alisaie said, darting in to slash with her rapier at Achiyo’s opponents. “What do they even want with them?”
Another crash from the bamboo, and Achiyo turned to see another four Kojin emerging. Where were they all coming from!? This was a bit many even for her. Perhaps they ought to call for reinforcements of their own…
Even as she thought that, there was a whoosh from the sky, and a blast of fire erupted from the ground near the newcomers. When the blaze cleared, there stood Tam, lance at the ready.
“Ah, I wondered where you went,” Alisaie said. “Thank you for coming.”
Tam made a slight bow, and then spun his spear, thonking the butt end of it into a Kojin’s head. Achiyo ran to an open space and cast Flash, distracting all the Kojin, bringing their attention on her. “Were you following us?”
“Not at all,” Tam said. “I knew you were out and about, but I was at a bit of a distance when I heard all the yelling. Hence my late arrival.”
Asahi was getting boxed in, despite his speed and agility, pushed back from the Kojin leader. The Kojin mage began to cast something big… “Now! Aim for the younglings!”
That was directed at the civilians-! “You shall not touch them!” Achiyo cried, casting Cover on Azami. Would that she could cast it on two people, but Isse would understand. Alisaie, Tam, Yugiri and even Asahi ran to join her, to dissipate the impact of the spell with their combined aether.
A deluge of water fell upon them, nibbling the edges of their aether, but Yugiri caught Azami before she could be swept away, and Asahi braced Isse. But Tam-! He stood frozen, eyes wide and unseeing, unbreathing in the middle of the battlefield. Achiyo ran forward to cast Flash again, to keep all eyes away from him. “Tam!”
She heard a gasp, and then words in Tam’s unfamiliar language she’d never heard before, something that the Echo translated to ‘cursed lake’. “I’m back. Did not expect that.”
“Glad you’re all right,” Alisaie said, casting healing spells all around before switching back to lightning. “Asahi, on your left!”
“My thanks, my lady!” As if determined to take on the world single-handed, Asahi plunged forward, cutting down two Kojin with quick, efficient slices. Only the leader stood before him, who raised his staff – one of Yugiri’s throwing daggers bit into the thick hide of his shoulder and the spell went wide. Then Asahi slashed him, jumping aside before the shelled bulk could land on him. Achiyo and Alisaie, with Tam working interference, soon finished off the remaining Kojin before they could flee.
Asahi looked at the now-quiet battlefield and took a deep breath. “That seems to be the last of them.” He wiped down and sheathed his katana, brushed some dirt and ash from the sleeves and front of his uniform, and turned to kneel before Isse and Azami, peering past Isse to try to catch Azami’s eye. “You have nothing to fear, child. You are safe now.”
Azami slowly crept out of hiding from behind Isse’s arm. “Thank you, sir…”
“You are very welcome,” Asahi said with a warm smile, and Azami responded with a brilliant smile of her own.
“You’re not a bad guy at all! You were so brave, jumping out to defend us like that!”
As she chattered to Asahi, Isse looked at Achiyo and the others. “You saved us again. Thank you. If you’re ever passing by our village, look us up. You’ll always be welcome.”
“It is always a pleasure, Isse,” Achiyo said. “Shall we escort you home?”
“I’m sure we’ll be fine from here,” Isse said. “But thanks.” Such a long way they had all come since he had turned them out of Namai in fear and anger on their first meeting. He held out a hand to Azami, and she held on to it, and they turned to head home.
“Thank goodness we arrived when we did,” Asahi said, smiling after them.
“Indeed,” said Alisaie, frowning to herself. “But what could have prompted the Red Kojin to stray so far from the Ruby Sea?”
Asahi looked at the Kojin bodies. “I presume these are the sellswords hired by Yotsuyu? If so, the answer is simple: desperation. Bereft of Imperial employment, they seek other means to line their coinpurses. Another sad legacy of the Empire’s mismanagement.”
“The Empire to which you have sworn allegiance,” Yugiri said sharply. Tam slowly covered his mouth with a thoughtful hand, looking at the bodies.
Asahi offered her a rueful smile. “Must you always be so pointed? If we are to bring about lasting change, we must look beyond narrow allegiances. You have every right to doubt me, but in time I hope you will come to see that we share a common goal. You and yours have fought fiercely to change the Empire from without, but if we are to end the cycle of conflict, the Empire must change from within. Am I wrong?” His dark eyes were clear and guileless.
Yugiri faltered and looked away.
“On that, you speak truth,” Achiyo said. “True reform can only come from within.”
Asahi nodded to her. “I knew you would understand. You have witnessed such change firsthand, after all, during your time in Ishgard.”
“It was not easy, nor painless,” she murmured. “Archbishop Thordan would not change. Many died, some of whom we loved dearly. I hope for your sake that Emperor Varis is more open.”
“I thank you.” Asahi looked again at the Kojin bodies littering the road. “Dear me… I had hoped to convey my views on our nations’ shared hopes under more peaceable circumstances. Yet this regrettable little interlude did afford me a chance to see two of the great Warriors of Light in action, especially the famed Silver Lady, and few Imperial soldiers can say that. At least, few who lived to tell the tale.” He grinned at her. “Well, after that, I believe it may be time for us to return to the enclave.”
“Return, my lord?” asked Yugiri in surprise. “But what of Namai? You seemed so eager to observe the villagers going about their daily lives.”
“To be frank, I still am,” Asahi said, looking in the direction Isse and Azami had gone. “But it is getting late, and while a man in Imperial uniform might be accepted in the broad light of day, I suspect that in the evening twilight, still scuffed from battle, amongst families having dinner, I would be less so. Fret not, however. Thanks to all of you, I have seen a great deal more than I otherwise would. And with any luck, Lord Hien will have finished considering my proposal by the time we return.”
“Very well,” Yugiri said. “Perhaps we may return on the morrow.”
Asahi inclined his head, and they set off back to the docks. Alisaie leaned over to Achiyo. “Quite the swordsman, isn’t he. I wonder, did the Empire train him to kill before or after appointing him ambassador…”
“He must have studied it for a long time,” Achiyo said. “Why?”
Alisaie shrugged. “Ah, it’s nothing. Did you see the sincerity in his eyes when he spoke with Azami? I feel strange saying this, but… what if he truly has come to sue for peace?”
“It would be very heartening indeed,” Achiyo said. “Tam, what do you think?”
“No, I won’t be swayed yet,” Tam said. “One day doesn’t mean you know a person.”
“All right, fair,” Alisaie said. “But a record of good behaviour has to start somewhere.”
When they returned, Tam went to stroll through the bit of the enclave that was supposed to be a garden at some point. He wondered if it really needed it. From what he’d seen of formal Doman gardens, they were a bit… stylized. All this place really needed was to introduce a few more flowering plants and then about a decade of growing wild, and it would be just fine.
But they didn’t think like that, did they. Everything had to be ‘just so’ within the bounds of civilization, just like in Lilemlen. One of the drawbacks of his prince’s land… though for a short break without going too far from the action, it was adequate. He bent over to look at a little shrub.
“Rhododendron floribundum,” came a voice from behind him, and he looked up to see what he had already heard – the Garlean Garlean, Maxima, was approaching him. “Sorry. The ecology of Yanxia is one of my interests.”
“Along with the rest of Yanxia, I think,” Tam noted. The guy was always staring at something or another, like a kid surrounded by shiny objects.
The Garlean grinned sheepishly, pushing his glasses up his nose. “I’ve always had a curiosity for this part of the world, though this is my first time actually visiting. It is my great hope that if an embassy is built here, that I may be assigned to its staff. Ah, I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. I’m Maxima quo Priscus.”
He was scruffy, and awkward, and much more pleasant to talk to than Asahi. But that didn’t mean that Tam wanted to talk to him. “Tam. Sounds like you’re pretty convinced that that will happen. Or else you like daydreaming.”
Maxima shrugged, kneeling beside the shrug to look more closely at its leaves. “The latter, I will admit. I have great hope that peace will be established – I do not believe the Empire’s stipulations are so far-fetched – but whether the people here would wish for an official embassy… The Empire works for the betterment of all. But I see the fear in these people’s eyes… Mistakes have been made.”
So he was a little blind… but not completely. “So why aren’t you leading this mission?”
“Because while I have long studied Doman culture, that is hardly the same as having lived Doman culture – as Tribunus sas Brutus has done for much of his life. But I am content to be his aide. I am still a part of the mission, even if not its head. It is a great honour for me.”
“Right.” Tam checked his escape options. They were very limited. He could just dragoon-jump over the wall. But Maxima was way too nice for even Tam to be that rude. “So why are you talking to me?”
Maxima pushed his glasses up his nose again. “Er, well… you were looking at a rhododendron floribundum. I suppose I got a little excited to tell someone what it was. But if it’s a bother…”
“You’re a good kid,” Tam said. “I just don’t like talking to people. If I see a good conversationalist, I will send them your way.”
The Garlean looked like he didn’t know how to take that. “Thank… you?”
“Exactly,” Tam said, and dragoon-jumped over the wall. Now he just needed to extricate Alphinaud from info-dumping on Hien and send him to the garden…
Achiyo and Alisaie were invited to have dinner with Hien – without Asahi and the ambassadors, who were ostensibly under Yugiri’s supervision still. Tam had wandered off again, and R’nyath and Chuchupa were out in the enclave. Alisaie leaned over to her as they entered the hall. “Judging by the sparkle in Alphinaud’s eyes, their discussion was riveting. How sorry I am to have missed it.” Achiyo chuckled at the sarcasm, and Alisaie grinned back.
Hien welcomed them back, and asked what they had done on their outing with Asahi. She told them, and Hien and Alphinaud made concerned noises about the Red Kojin. But then Hien turned to her with a teasing eyebrow. “But tell me – and don’t be modest – was Asahi truly the first to leap to the youngsters’ aid?”
“Ah, well, yes-” She had not thought about modesty, she had only told the plain truth.
“He was,” Alisaie said, backing her up. “I was quick to doubt him when we first met, but his desire to save them seemed quite genuine. It’s possible he truly believes what he’s saying.”
Hien nodded and grew serious again. “You said before, of Yotsuyu, that you doubted yourself as a judge of character. But now you have seen him, conversed with him casually, even fought beside him. What do you make of the ambassador?”
Achiyo thought. She did not want to commit to an opinion, one that might be wrong. Yet… “He may very well be an honorable man.”
Hien smiled ruefully. “Oh, how I would love to believe that. An ally within the Empire could change everything. It could give us a real chance at peace.” He shook his head and drank more of his soup. “Regardless of his aim, I am resigned to playing his game. For now, at least.”
There were two parts of the proposal to consider, the primals and the prisoners. Alphinaud explained that preventing the Red Kojin from summoning Susano again should be straightforward enough.
“And what of the prisoners?” asked Alisaie.
“They will be exchanged as agreed, and I will give full credit to Asahi for the success of the transaction,” Hien said. “If there is aught we can do to help the Populares garner favor, I mean to see it done. But first, I have some unfinished business to attend to. Would you all come with me?”
They had largely finished eating, and as Hien stood, they followed suit. “Yes, of course, but… what manner of business?” Alisaie asked.
Hien looked grim. “A past mistake which I would see put right. One which has weighed heavy on my mind…”
He led them down corridors to the very back of the house, and slid open a plain rice-paper door. There sat Tsuyu, happily chewing on dango, as Gosetsu sat beside her with a cup of tea cradled in his massive hands.
“I had her brought here in secret while the three of you kept our guest company,” Hien said to Achiyo. Then he very deliberately drew his katana and held it at Tsuyu’s neck. She flinched backwards, dropping her dango, and Alphinaud and Alisaie jumped.
“The world has not been kind to you, it is true,” Hien said coldly. “But that does not excuse your sins. You should be at the bottom of the river. Yet here you are, the living, breathing proof of my failure. A failure for which I would now make amends.”
Tsuyu stared at him agape, her eyes pleading. “What did I do? I don’t remember. Was it really so terrible? Tell me, please! What did I do!?” She sounded on the verge of tears.
“You speak of sins, my lord, but at whose feet do those sins lie?” Gosetsu asked in a low voice, still staring into his tea. “With the soldiers who committed the crimes, or those who commanded them to do so? With both, I would say, for all have a conscience, and all must choose. But with no memory of who she is or what she has done, what sin remains to be cleansed?”
Hien looked at him without moving his sword one ilm. “You ask that I show mercy?”
“I ask why the heavens saw fit to deny me my rest,” Gosetsu said. “Why Yotsuyu was spared not only death but the bitter memories of her life.”
Hien stared at him for a long moment in silence. “You truly think it the will of the kami…” He looked down at Tsuyu cowering… and sheathed his sword. “If so, her life is not mine to take. It is yours to safeguard. Come the hour of the exchange, if her memories have not returned, she may remain here in Doma to live out her days as Tsuyu. But if they do, the Garleans shall have their viceroy. Though the people will protest, they will come to accept my decision when they have been reunited with their loved ones.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Gosetsu said gravely.
Hien nodded, and left the room, gesturing for Achiyo, Alphinaud, and Alisaie to follow him.
“I had no idea Yotsuyu’s return weighed so heavily on your mind, Lord Hien,” Alphinaud said softly, as they walked down the corridor.
“Hien-sama,” Achiyo said, and Hien looked at her warily, for she was addressing him as lord, prince, king, not as a friend. “I have a thought.”
“Speak your mind,” he said, but she could tell he was upset that she was being formal.
She only hoped he would not be more upset to hear her suggestion. “She could be sent to Eorzea. There, she would frighten no one, for no one would know her. The Scions could take care of her, even if her memories returned.” If she were to live in Doma, she could not be kept hidden in the back of a manor indefinitely. No one would be happy about that, and it was not fair to ‘Tsuyu’ who would not know why.
Hien did not answer for a long moment. “And yet she is our responsibility. Exile is not necessarily a solution, for her or for us. What causes you such concern for her?”
She could not but give him a sad look. “Because I could have been her.”
Her whisper froze them in their tracks, and Hien stared at her in surprise. She had forgotten he did not know.
“She is what I could have been, had my life taken one turning different. She has never known true happiness, not once in all her life. I found mine, but to find it I had to leave. Now that she is a blank slate, she has a second chance like few might ever find. Perhaps Yotsuyu does not deserve happiness… but I think Tsuyu does.”
Hien sighed heavily. “I see. Well, then. But she is bound to Gosetsu, and I do not wish to lose him again so soon. Speaking of which, did he not seem strange to you?”
“I couldn’t say if Yotsu- I mean, Tsuyu’s predicament is the will of the kami, but Gosetsu certainly seems convinced,” Alisaie said.
Hien shook his head. “His sympathy for Yotsuyu apart, I mean. I know his powers of endurance only too well, but after all he has suffered, even he should not be on his feet. He puts on a brave face for our sakes, but it would not surprise me if he lacked the strength to raise his blade. …Though I suppose if he and Yotsuyu are to enjoy a life of peace and quiet, he will have little use for it. It falls to us to shape that future. One in which he need never again set foot on the battlefield.”
“Indeed,” Alphinaud said. “We shall do all we can to further that goal.”
“Then there is little question why he did not wish to teach me the way of the samurai,” Achiyo said. “He has fought long years. Let him rest.”
“Exactly,” Hien said. Then blinked at her. “You have interest in learning the way of the samurai?”
She gestured dismissively. “It is an idle fancy… I have inherited my father Tamehiro Kensaki’s blade, and a blade unused is useless. But no matter. Now need not be the time to learn.”
“What of the ambassadors?” Alisaie asked. “When will you answer them?”
“Tomorrow morning,” Hien said. “We all came to a conclusion, but I would still like to sleep on it. And it would be rude to inform them and then bundle them out of Doma this same evening like unwanted rubbish.” He smiled and parted from them. “Good night, my friends!”
They met again in Hien’s throne room as they had on the previous day, only now the Scion representatives were only Alphinaud, Alisaie, Achiyo, and Tam – she hoped Chuchupa and R’nyath were enjoying themselves outside, whatever they were doing. The door opened, and the ambassadors entered, bowed to Hien, and sat.
“My apologies,” Hien said. “Our deliberations took longer than expected.”
“Think nothing of it,” Asahi answered. “The time afforded me the opportunity to go on a rather rousing excursion through Yanxia. You have reached a decision, then?”
“We are willing to cooperate with you in combating the eikon threat, and also in the exchange of prisoners,” Hien said. “Assuming you accept our conditions, of course.” Asahi gave him a questioning look. “As you know, your sister is in our care. Due to certain complications, however, we are hesitant to release her into your custody.”
“Complications?” Asahi asked, rather suspiciously.
“She was inside Doma Castle when it collapsed,” Hien said. “Though she survived, she remembers nothing of her past life – not even her name. To clarify, she is in our care not as a prisoner, but as a vulnerable citizen of Doma.”
Asahi frowned. “Are you saying you refuse to release her?”
“Not at all. If her memory returns before the appointed hour.”
“And if not, what exactly…? You will accommodate her here in Doma?”
“Well, I sincerely doubt she will be of any great strategic value to the Empire,” Hien said dryly. “She spends her days daydreaming of dango.”
Asahi sat up straight, jaw dropped. “Dango…? …How dreadful.” He sighed and took a moment to collect himself. “Very well. In light of our recent… misstep in Sakazuki, it seems only fair that I show you the same understanding you have shown us. …Though I do have one, small request. Regardless of Yotsuyu’s value to the Empire, she is yet my sister. Before I leave, might you permit me to speak with her in private?”
“Of course,” Hien said, still wry. “Perhaps you could even bring her a plate of dango. She would be most pleased. Yugiri will see you to her chambers.”
Gosetsu came back to wait with them all in the main hall, to give the reuniting siblings privacy, but he soon became anxious. “Forgive me, my lord, but… has he not been gone overlong? Perhaps I should-”
Hien craned his neck to look at him, arms folded casually. “Calm yourself, Gosetsu. I understand your concern, but we have to wait. He deserves that much.”
At that moment, the side door reopened, and Asahi, Yugiri, and Tsuyu came in. “I am sorry to have kept you all waiting,” Asahi said, his face resigned. “Thank you for your understanding. Long did I dream of this reunion, but never did I imagine it would be so joyless. A part of me hoped your stories of her condition were just that. But alas, it is as you say.”
“Tsuyu… Do you remember anything of this man?” Gosetsu asked anxiously. “Anything at all?”
“I… No.” Tsuyu answered quickly and bowed her head.
“I am a stranger to her,” Asahi said. “That much was clear to me from a single look. I leave her in your care.”
Hien nodded. “As you wish.”
“Now, if you will excuse me, my superiors are long overdue a report,” Asahi said. “They will be elated to hear of our agreement, of that I have no doubt. As for the exchange itself, once I have obtained the relevant permissions, I will arrange for your people to be relieved of their various duties, and sent here to Yanxia. This will take time, of course…”
“Of course,” Hien said. “You may rest assured your soldiers will be well cared for until your return. We will also begin taking steps to better counter the threat of the Kojin and their eikon.” He gestured, and a low desk was brought out, on which was drafted some sort of formal agreement on some of the Enclave’s new luxury paper.
A few minutes later – it was a very simple agreement, no more than written confirmation of the verbal arrangements they had come to – the papers were signed. Hien turned to Asahi again as they each collected their copy of the papers. “Before you take your leave – there is one other matter… I am informed it was you who took the lead in rescuing two young Domans from a band of Kojin sellswords. I have not yet had the time to thank you properly.”
Asahi shook his head modestly. “Please, there is no need to thank me. I only did what anyone would do under the circumstances. Fortunately, I was in good company at the time. The blight of the Red Kojin is of the Empire’s making. Were it not for our transgressions, those children would not have needed saving. The people of Doma have suffered enough, my lord. And I promise to do all in my power to spare them further pain, be it at the hands of the Kojin, or indeed the Empire.”
How Achiyo’s heart rose to hear those words. Asahi had been acknowledging the Empire’s culpability and cruelty since his arrival, even while claiming personal ignorance of it, but it felt even better to hear him pledge that it would not happen again. Of course, he was only one person in all the Empire, no matter how much influence he had as an ambassador. She did not trust that the Empire would abide by Asahi’s word. But it gave her hope.
Hien nodded again. “I pray the Emperor will see things as you do. There may yet be hope for us all.”
Asahi bowed formally to Hien, and looked at Tsuyu. “Until we meet again.”
Together, Domans, Scions, and Garleans took the boat down the One River until they came to where the Garlean gunship was still parked on the riverbank.
“If only our previous encounters with the Empire had been this cordial,” Alisaie muttered to Achiyo. “Here’s to the future, I suppose…”
“We have made them take us seriously,” Achiyo said, smiling at her. She was ready to relax. She had hardly been needed for most of this, but it was kind of Hien to keep her involved. Perhaps they were one step closer to a world in which she need not fight ever again.
“I wish you a safe journey,” Hien said, when they reached the gunship.
“This has been a most enjoyable visit,” said Asahi, smiling as always. “I look forward to our next meeting. Maxima, would you take the others and see that all is ready for our departure?” Maxima saluted and with the other officer, entered the airship. Asahi glanced at Achiyo, and at Hien. “I simply cannot leave without first giving thanks to the Silver Lady for accompanying me through Yanxia.”
Hien looked at Achiyo, and she nodded. He owed her no further thanks, but she would not mind saying goodbye to him. Asahi gestured to Achiyo that they should step aside from the others, and she went with him with a smile of her own.
He glanced to the side a little to see how far away the others were… and his entire face changed. A horrific snarl creased his features, and Achiyo’s smile dropped as if he had slapped her.
“Mark me, savior of the savages,” he hissed in a low growl, looming over her. “There will be a reckoning.”
She was speechless, staring – where had this come from? Why? How?
“Everything you are – your power, even your face – it vexes me.” He could barely contain his emotions, his voice strained to a harsh growl with the effort of keeping it low enough not to alert the others.
“Why?” she whispered. Her mind was blank. Ah, she was not a good judge of character – yet again she had been betrayed. Her fists clenched, her tail stiffened, her heart thudded in her ears louder than his words.
He saw, and the glare morphed into a demented, spiteful grin. “Go on. Lash out like the beast you are. At an emissary. And jeopardize the newfound peace between Doma and the Empire. My lord was destined to lead us unto a glorious new age. Your light is nothing to his radiance.”
He took a half-step away, and still she stood frozen. “I will cherish this moment – lock it away within my heart – until the day we meet again.”
An Echo. Burning buildings. A pair of Imperial footsoldiers – one was wounded, lying against a pile of rubble – the other was Asahi, crouched exhausted on the ground, his hair lank with the sweat of battle. He looked up and saw Doman warriors closing in through the smoke, ninja and samurai, weapons raised. “You’ve nowhere left to run, traitor!” shouted the leader of the group.
“Ignorant savages,” Asahi snarled defiantly. “Killing us will avail you naught. For every Imperial you cut down, a thousand more will come. Abandon this foolish endeavor and surrender. You may yet serve our righteous cause.”
“How dare you speak of righteousness!” answered the Doman warrior. “You who forsook kith and kin to serve conquerors! Be glad I grant you this mercy.”
They charged- Asahi braced himself, shutting his eyes- and a sudden sharp blast of pure force knocked the Domans aside into a groaning heap on the ground. Asahi stared in wonder.
“What in the…?” Domans and Asahi looked, and saw a figure through the murk. Tall, lumpy, horned… Achiyo felt her blood run cold even though it was only a vision.
“Reinforcements? …No, just one. Cut him down!” ordered the Doman leader, as they scrambled to their feet and found their weapons.
They charged. Achiyo wished she could stop them. They died in quick succession to Zenos’s gunblade.
Gunblade…?
Asahi stared with stars in his eyes, his mouth hanging open. He got to his feet and hurried over as Zenos calmly dropped his gunblade, walked over to the fallen Doman leader’s katana, and picked it up to examine it. “Thank you. Thank you, sir!” Asahi gasped out, breathless with relief and admiration.
Zenos completely ignored him, giving the katana a swing. “This one is… promising.” He glanced dismissively at Asahi, and the other, injured soldier. “Who remains to offer us resistance?”
“A… a host of rebels led by Lord Kaien hold the enclave across the river,” Asahi stammered out.
“Lord Kaien.” He sounded intrigued and bored.
The king of- th-the former king of Doma, sir,” Asahi volunteered. “They say he is one of the greatest swordsmen alive.”
“Is that what they say.” Zenos walked away, into the smoke and the fog, and disappeared.
“Who… was that…?” Asahi gasped.
“Surely you jest?” answered the wounded soldier beside him. “That was Zenos yae Galvus, legatus of the XIIth – the crown bloody prince! I’d heard he was strong, but that… that was frightening.”
Asahi’s mouth opened in a perfect O shape, his eyes filled with adoration. “That was… Lord Zenos…?”
Achiyo came out of the Echo to see Asahi’s back vanishing into the gunship, which took off into the incongruously sun-lit sky.
Chapter 73: Ripples
Author’s note: My friend showed me the Asahi rant cutscene with her Hrothgirl, it was hilarious. : ) It’s almost as good as doing it with a Lala.
Asahi is a fascinating character, if you poke him – he appears, through the plot, to be genuinely a member of the Populares (his wiki, anyway, says that the Emperor put him in charge of the diplomatic mission before Elidizenos gave him secret orders to screw it up) – and he’s also a manipulative little monster who hero-worships a psychopathic murderer and wants his abuse victim back. Though perhaps he only sees the Populares as an easy ticket to personal power and has been masking the entire time, learning to speak the language of progressivism and egalitarianism even if he doesn’t believe it himself. It’s also interesting to contrast him with Fordola, whose parents were no less loyal, whose personal belief in the Empire was no less steady… and who despite also becoming an officer in the military, never got half the respect that Asahi did. (My friend suggests that Fordola wanted to bring her culture into the Empire, which made the Imperials uncomfortable, and Asahi didn’t hold onto his birth culture (calling Domans ‘savages’ in that Echo cutscene, for instance) so he fit in more easily.) Though she probably got more of Zenos’s personal attention, if we want to make Asahi jelly…