Tales of the Blade
It was a cold rainy night, lightning crashing the sky as thunder fills the air. Rain falling like ice falling from the sky as two once friends stare down each other. Their eyes as cold as ice with their steels drawn to one another. Other friends trying to stop them, but not even reaching the ears of these two.
"How could you Rydek, you stabbed me in the back, you took her away from me!" said the man obviously drunk. Lightning crashes, revealing two very war drawn men with crafted swords.
"I stole no one Nitiko, no one that had any interest in you anyway. She never loved you. You would destroy a friendship over something like this? What kind of person would hold a grudge like that?"
"Shut up Rydek! I don't want to hear your lies anymore! You were against me from the start! You're a dead man Rydek, this night you will die!"
With that, Nitiko charged at Rydek. Lightning tore across the sky as their swords made contact. The brief flashes of light in the air revealed a glimpse of the battle. Both of them very skilled with their swords, both of them known for their courage in battle. This fight, however was the worse one Rydek would ever have to face. He has killed princes, kings and even innocent people on the streets, but to kill the first person he ever trusted, a person not unlike his own brother? It almost was enough to put his guard down and accept defeat.
Their blades hit furisously together as the weather seemed to accelerate the emotions. Lightning struck faster and the rain let loose.
"Don't do this Nitiko, you are my brother in blood. Yuki can not see herself with you because you are too aggresive. Please Nitiko!"
"Shut up Rydek, you betrayed your brother in blood, and payment is your life!"
With that he charged Rydek and slashed him across his chest, not deep but enough to make him bleed. Rydek dropped to one knee to see the damage to himself and gripped his sword tightly.
"Nitiko, know that I never wanted to kill you. I never wanted to see you die at my hands, but you have left me no choice in the state that you are in. I just hope that you will forgive me in the afterlife"
With that he leapt into the air and slashed Nitiko from his right shoulder down to his left hipbone. Rydek was not without his regret, for he found a blade piercing him through the side. As Nitiko's top half slide to the ground, tears fell from the onlookers face and thunder boomed in the sky. The rain was washing the blood off of Rydek's sword as his brother lie in two in from of him. He removed the blade from his side and a woman quickly rushed to his side.
"Rydek, please tell me you are ok! Please, I can't lose you again!"
"I am fine Yuki. Take me back to headquarters. Jinko has another job on me again." He laughed softly and passed out.
The rain pour on through the night as both Nitiko and Rydek were brough back to Headquarters. A man wearing a crested eyepatch and hilted two swords stood silently in front of the entrance.
"He finally lost it didn't he Yuki? Nitiko went after Rydek didn't he?"
"Yes Master Pai-li, and as you predicted if he ever did, he lost his life tonight. Xai-pi has carried him home and I Rydek."
"Such a good fighter he was. All right, take Rydek to Jinko's office and I will take care of the ceremony for Nitiko."
With that said the warriors moved.
Now outcasts to society, the Kami Onis was a band of warriors hired by the government to eliminate enemy leaders during war time. Now that wars have ceased they are just a band of mercenaries in the ruling government's eyes and have been treated as such. Nitiko, Jinko, Rydek, Yuki, Xai-pi and leader Pai-li, the most dangerous people this side of Japan, have become shadows of society. They are not traced by anyone and kill when they see fit. To be cast aside when they were deemed useless is a stomp on their honor.
The rain continued into the morning, the members of this clan were helping prepare the ceremony for Nitiko, except Rydek of course. He lie in bed, thinking of his betrayal to his brother. Granted it wasn't by birth he was his brother, but they had each others backs in every battle. It was like brothers on the field. He shed a tear thinking about the night previous.
"Hey Rydek, it's about to start." said a rather stoutly man.
"Thank you Jinko, I will be right there"
With that the stout man left and Rydek stood up.
Paying him his last respects is the least I could do for my brother, even if it was he who started this.The rain continued to fall as a wooden casket lie over a recently dug hole. The tombstone was crafted over the night. It read
Nitiko Hyusi
A brother in arms
He shall always be in battle with usThe feeling in the air, complied with the rain, was nothing short of depressed. After Nitiko was buried, the rest of the clan reflected on his death in their own ways. Master Pai-Li meditated in his chambers with the traditional incesnce burning, Jinko and Xai-Pi studied their various subjects, Yuki lie alone in her room, writing away in her book and Rydek was training all by himself. Granted he should be resting but he couldn't after this. His thoughts haunted him everytime he close his eyes, the same moment replaying over and over. His very sword slashing his very first friend outside of his family. His wound bleeding through his bandaging, but he didn't care, this was his payment for killing his friend.
A few hours went by, and Yuki joined Jinko and Xai-Pi in studying while Master Pai-Li went into the training dojo to see Rydek holding his wound.
"Rydek, you should be resting."
"Master, I can not sleep. I killed Nitiko, I killed my brother."
"No, you killed the man who you thought was your brother. He was, at that time, your enemy becuase he drew his sword to you. Drunken or not, would a brother do that?"
"Master..."
"Please go rest your body, I will help you to your room."
"Thank you Master Pai-Li."
The two of them walked in the rain back to Rydek's room. He was helped to his bed and Master Pai-Li lit a candle to help him rest. Exhausted and weak from blood loss, Rydek soon fell asleep.
He awoke to the smell of beef in the air, and as he looked around Yuki lie asleep next to his bed with a meal on his bedside table. He smiled and got out of bed, putting her in his place. He ate his meal on the chair she had brought in and let her sleep. He then walked outside to rest his mind. It didn't help, but the calmed air and slight breeze affected his mood a little. The rain had stopped so everything was covered im moisture.
"Can't sleep can you Rydek?" the voice of Master Pai-Li rang from the side of the building.
"No, I can not. Everytime I have tried I keep seeing Nitiko in two in front of me. I feel so treacherous to the clan. I feel like I have brtrayed everyone in killing him."
"Rydek, there are times when hostility makes the best man turn evil. He can turn against his own brother and smite him down without at second thought. You are still young to battle even though you have many years on the battlefield."
"I am aware of this Master. I think I need to go visit my village, or what is left anyway. It was Nitiko's idea to burn it, and after what happened there my emotions got the best of me."
"Would you like company on your journey?"
"No, I need this time to calm my head. I need this isolation to help myself get back to where I was before all of this. If Yuki asks where I am..."
"Do not worry Rydek, you are on a spy mission for me at a far away location and only your skills mt the qualifications to do so."
"Thank you Master, I give you my word that I will not take too long."
With that, Rydek went into his room, grabbed his blade and kissed Yuki on the cheek softly. He didn't know when he would be back so he took his chance while he could. Master Pai-Li met him at the gates of the establishment with a satchel of food, healing herbs, insence and bandaging.
"Rydek, the insence I have given you wards off animals when lit. If you have to leave yourself vunerable to animal attack this will assist you. Please be cafeful, I do not want to lose another warrior so soon or at all."
"Thank you Master Pai-Li."
He bowed his head to him and set off into the forest. This would be a long journey, crossing much land and perils along the way. People of lesser skill would definately have a hard time getting to where he was going, but this did not scare Rydek, for he has made this journey once before during a war. If anyone should cross his path, they would meet their end.
Not long after Rydek left, the sun started to rise. It was behind him so the shadows casted in front of him gave him the upper hand to see if anyone was following him. A warrior of his caliber pays attention to every detail, even if it seems obscure. He stopped momentarily to eat some of the food in his satchel. It was not the best food in the world, but it was food to keep him going. A few hundred yards ahead of him lie his first task, to cross a raging waterfall. Since he was towards the center of the fall, he had two options, both of which had their positives and negitives. He could climb the rock wall and use the stepping stones at the river above to cross, or he could jump into the lake below and use the heavily wooded path up the hill.
Rydek chose to climb. He rather didn't like to fall into anything from this high and chose the rocks. This gave him the upper hand on sight, for at the top it was less wooded and more level. His disadvantages, however, was that a very violent clan lie at the top of this waterfall. If he was not to be cautious, the clan would attack and he would have to jump into the lake below from even a higher height. This was not an option, so he would just be very careful.
As he reached the cliff top, he peered over the top and saw two of the Haiyubu clan members keeping watch, but not looking at the cliff. Slowly, Rydek climbed onto the ledge and drew his blade.
This has to be swift, no noise. When there are a few, there are even more close by. He crept slowly behind these members, talking about the people they tortured the night before. As swift as a falling star their heads were chooped off with no noise. Rydek quickly went for the river and jumped across. The members were on the ground dead and by the time he was across the river no one had noticed. He ran as fast as he could away from them, for the Clan rest on the same side he climbed. He ran as far as he could until he reached anotehr cliff face. Hastily he looked around for the spot.
Ah ha! there it is! He started to jump down the cliff wall. There were some petruding rocks big enough and thick enouogh to hold two people. By these means he would get down the cliff, and without falling all this distance.
After about an hour, Rydek was once again out of danger of the Haiyubu Clan and on non-risen ground. He found the river of the waterfall and got something to drink. By this time, the sun was starting to set.
I have to find shelter fast. If memory serves there is a hidden village that will accept me for the night. Where would it be though? I need to find it soon.He set off next to the river to find anything that would hint a hidden village. A few hours later he cane to a manmade ditch to supply water.
There is it. He followed the ditch until he reached and Inn in the middle of the wilderness. It was blocked off from animals and contained two guards up front.
"What brings you here traveler?" said the guard on the left.
"My name is.." he paused for a moment because if he said his name he would refused entry. They don't harbor criminals from what he remembered."My name is Hikari Ryu. I've been charting the area for a local province. Unfortunately I have lost all my records and extra inking supplies and am running low on food. I mistakenly came here and was hoping that I could spend a few nights here."
"What charter carries a sword meant for killing his own?" asked the second guard.
"One who is prepared for anything in the wilderness. No one can trust what one finds in the dark."
The guards looked to themselves and nodded. The door they protected opened slightly.
"You may stay as long as you need to Hikari. You are safe behind our walls."
"Thank you kind guardsmen."
With that he entered the establishment and grabbed a room right away. He hung his sword by his bed and collapsed to the bed. It has been awhile since he had to jump down a cliff like that.
Meanwhile, back at headquarters, Yuki has awoken to find that the bed she is sleeping in is Rydek's. However, Rydek is no where to be found. She finds Master Pai-Li sitting on a damp stump, meditating like he nomally does after a rain.
"Master, where is Rydek?"
"Yuki, I am afraid he has left. He went on a personal journey for something very important. I saw him off last night after you went into his room with a meal. He was very determined not to have anyone follow, and I did tell him I had a cover story, but I could not lie to someone who loves him as dearly as you do. I will not tell you where he is, but we have been there before."
"We have been a lot of places Master! Why would he leave me like this? He swore that he would not leave me again. He swore his life on it!"
"Yuki..."
With that she ran off back to her room and locked the door behind her. She lie on her bed crying over a letter that Rydek wrote her when he left the last time.
Dear Yuki,
I write this to explain my emotions. I have never been one to express the words that are in my head so please bear with me.
I have noticed around the grounds that you look at me quite a lot, and it makes me feel better knowing you look at me like I look at you. I see something in your eyes that I wish I could tell you. Something like a fire, but a warming one rather than a harmful one. I have also noticed that you keep turning down Nitiko at every turn, which leads me to believe this next thought. You like me as much as I want to be with you. As of late I can not stop thnking of you, and because of this I will not leave our Headquaters without you ever again. I do not ever wish to be apart from you, and I hope you wish the same.
RydekShe cried again as she held the letter close.
"Rydek, you fool, you broke your word. Now I lie here worthless without you."
Back in the camp, Rydek suddenly felt a wave of sadness. He knew it was Yuki, finding out that he was gone. He also knew that Master Pai-Li would not lie to her. He just gripped his fist and got something to eat. Other warriors of justice resided here amongst him. Knights from another land, exploring for their king. Other samurai discussed how great their master was and how their land would triumph if they ever went to war. Rydek jsut sat alone in a corner and ate his meal.
A strange woman from another land join him at his table.
"You look lonely, mind if I join you?" Her voice rang most pure as it was said. Like a gentle river flowing into his ears. He could not tell her no, so he simply nodded.
"My name is Katherine, I am an aid to Lord Gradius over there. He is the popmus a** in the white armor and the Lion's Crest on front."
Rydek simply looked over to a rather boasting man, whom as gathered a lot of attention with his 'stories' of war. Bullshit to Rydek.
"Most all of his stories are fake. He knows no one here will question them those, so he gains a rather large ego from visiting places like this."
"That is most unfortunate to be an aide to someone as that Katherine."
"It is quite a bother sometimes. Can I ask your name stranger?"
Feelings inside of Rydek were that of a confused wolf. Not knowing what to do when there lie two wounded prey in front of him and not knowing which one to go to first.
"My name is Rydek, but please do not cause a scene over it." He said cautiously.
"Rydek, the same Rydek wanted in many villages for theft and murder?"
"Yes, I am only here until I finish my meal, so please to cause alarm to the guards. I mean no harm."
Katherine gave a cold stare at him, almost as if she was peering into his soul. Rydek could not help but feel small in her presence.
"Ok Rydek, but on one condition." She said warmly
"That being?"
"You take me with you. I have an extra set of clothes I can escape with, and working along side someone as obviously skilled as yourself, I see no danger from attackers."
Rydek took a moment to think about it.
If I do not bring her, she might reveal who I am, whereas if I do bring her, she might jepordize my situation. I might be killed trying to protect her. Not to bring her means it ends here."I am waiting Rydek."
"Fine, get dressed and meet down here. I will wait at the gates. The best option for you to do is to have one sword and escape through your window. There will be a hay pile under it, so jump with no worry."
"Thank you Rydek."
With that she left up stairs to her room. Rydek returned his plate and waited at the gate, talking to the guardsmen.
"So, what kind of animals do you fend off here?"
"Animals? No, they wont come near here. It's those b*****d theives that try and break in here. Notice how all the guards have bows and arrows? Its so we can hit those bastards with them since they are too high for swords."
"Interesting. Are you skilled with them?"
"Yes, we are most proficent with them."
"How about a challenge. I will leave an apple utop that branch over there," he pointed at a rather large branch, sitting up high and in the distance, "and you hit it. If you can not, I get a bow and three quivers of arrows free of charge on your accounts. If you can hit it, however, I will personally give you both all my gold on hand, split both ways."
The guards looked at each other and nodded. "You have a deal."
Rydek was let out and he set an apple on the said branch. He climbed down and waited at the gates.
"Ok, you have your challenge. Five arrows apiece to hit that apple."
The first guardsmen quickly fired off his arrows without much aim. He fell quite short of his goal. The second guard took his time, watching the mistake of his now humilated friend. He fired and his fifth arrow struck the branch where the apple was, but did not make it fall.
"A deal is a deal. Take this to the armory and collect your bow and arrows. Thank you for lightening our day a little sir."
"Anytime guardsmen."
Rydek quickly ran to the armory, took his bow and three quivers of arrows and again went to the gates. There he found a woman, dressed in light garb, with a rapier and a bow and arrows similar to his own.
"Shall we continue now?" asked the female, obviously Katherine, but disguised fairly well.
"Let us continue on love."
The guardsmen looked at Rydek with a puzzled look.
"Did you not come alone?"
"I did gentle guardsmen, but I came in search for her as well as a place to sleep."
"Oh, ok. That happens quite alot out here. Be safe on your travels. We will accept you when you come back."
"Thank you." both Rydek and Katherine said in unison.
With that, they left the inn and went on foot north. Rydek was not happy about having someone tag along, but at least he had someone to talk to when he was lonely. That and someone to have his back in a fight with anyone that might cross their path.
Soon Katherine and Rydek found themselves inside a rather small tent, for the rain had started. It wasn't so much that they were inside together, it was the fact that Rydek had suddenly become quiet and unresponsive to Katherine.
"Rydek, you are quiet, is something the matter. It has been a long time since you last spoke."
Rydek just sat there, staring at the rain from an open tent end.
"You know, the rain is still ice to me. That night is still vivid in my head, and the rain does not help it whatsoever."
"What are you talking about Rydek?"
"The rain, you know the rain holds no secrets. It can lead an imagination deep thought. You could hear a sweet woman's tears hit the ground, or the blood of your brother slowly drip. It could tell you the screams of a madman as he yells in fright, or a little childs thoughts of their future."
"All this is well Rydek, but what causes you such grief to stare at the rain?"
"I killed my own brother in the last rain storm. He was drunk, trying to impress a girl he admired. He attacked me with no remorse and I killed him."
Rydek started to tear up a little, remembering his sword covered in Nitiko's blood as he lie in two in front of him. Kathrine sighed and moved closer to him.
"You attacked in self defense. You would not be a fabled warrior amonsts these parts as a swift killer if you let yourself die for a drunken man. You have nothing to be saddened about anymore. Your brother would probably laugh at you if he saw you in this state. Your getting sad because you won a battle, your brother would be proud of you."
Rydek just sunk low between his knees and watched the rain more, as every drop created more of a puddle, rippling like his thoughts.
Katherine sighed again and pushed him to the ground, catching Rydek off guard.
"Listen you, we are a team now. I want you to be at your best when around me, because I can't excatly protect myself in these woods. All I have are my arrows and my rapier. You know that is not enough for the men that hide behind the trees."
Rydek smiled. He pushed her arm aside and quickly stole a kiss from her
"Thank you. You are quickly becoming the strength I need to push on."
Katherine blushed and quickly turned around, wondering if Rydek was playing or if he truely meant those words. She drew her rapier and watched it reflect that in the tent, including a now smiling Rydek.
Rydek sat up as well, after a short time, and grabbed something, and chanted something to it.
"What is that Rydek?"
"This is my luck charm. Nitiko gave it to me long ago and I have carried it to every battle. It stays with me at all times. I am giving it to you for the same reason that Nitiko did me. You take this charm and never forget me, no mater what the cause. Once you are sure that you have a permantent memory of me, you pass this down to someone else you want to remember you."
Again, Katherine blushed as she took the charm. It was just a talisman with nothing sacred on it whatsoever. She put some string around it and wore it as a necklace, right inbetween her bossoms under her garb.
Night started to fall as Katherine and Rydek closed up their tent and began to sleep. The rain started to let up, revealing a red moon in the sky.
Yuki look to the sky with high hopes. She had a pack on her back and a resharpened sword. She set off into the night in hopes that she would find her Rydek, waiting to hold her in his arms again. He would never leave her again once she found him, for she would never give him a moments rest without her by his side.
As the sun rose above the dew covered land that Rydek and Katherine slept upon, birds began to sing a rather joyful tune. Rydek was used to waking with the sun, and had already packed up his things, save the tent. He allowed Katherine to sleep as he foraged for breakfast. He knew that a rather delicious and hard to find bird resided in this part of the forest, as well as berries to compliement and a fresh stream of water for drink. He quickly set out, leaving a note behind so Katherine would not be frightened of his absence.
Meanwhile, Yuki has begun her journey again after a few hours rest. Nothing would stop her from holding her Rydek again except death. She would take on all that opposed her, she had a mission that would end in one of two ways. Yuki stealthily took leaps from tree to tree, going faster then she wuld just by running. The path to Rydek's home village was not an easy one, but it only had one path to take to get there. Yuki had followed it before so she pretty much knew where she was going.
Katherine awoke to find a note on the flap of the tent. It simply stated that he Rydek would return at a later time and that he was getting breakfast. Katherine smiled and started to write in a worn journal.
Dear Diary,
Rydek is everything and more I could ever want in a man. He is elite in fighting, has a warm heart and cares more about others around him rather then himself. I could see myself bringing him back to England with me to start a family, or staying here for the same reason. I do not think I will ever leave his side, because I know he will protect me until his last breath.Rydek returned to camp with two rather plump birds, a pouch full of berries and another full of water.
"Breakfast is here Katherine!" Rydek exclaimed with happiness as he began to make a fire to cook the birds. Katherine quickly put her diary away and greeted Rydek with a smile, forgetting she was in nothing but a brassire and underwear.
Rydek simply turned a little red and smiled. "your overexposed Katherine, or you are suggesting something."
Katherine looked at him puzzled but knew as soon as a small breeze brushed her body. She quickly jumped into the tent and got dressed. Rydek started to cook breakfast.
A few days past, and Katherine began to see things in Rydek that wasn't even there. She began to picture him in a suit of armor, fending off invading countries as the leader of her people. Everytime she had these fantasies, she would forget where she was and run head on into a tree, making Rydek laugh. She would simply blush and hide her face.
Yuki past the cliff no problem, for the ninja's were in hiatus for their celebration. She soon reached the same stream that Rydek found about a week prior and followed it to the same hidden village. The guardsmen looked at her and lost their concentration. It had been a while since someone of Yuki's beauty had visited them.
"Good day. What brings your angelic grace to our humble hideaway?" asked the first guard.
Yuki rummaged through her sack and pulled out a sketch of Rydek and her.
"This man, has he been through here?"
The second guard looked and nodded.
"That's that charter. He was here a week ago, but he left with someone he said he was searching for."
Yuki looked at the men puzzled and asked what direction they headed off for. They pointed northeast and said it had been a few days since they had left.
"Also, when you find him, tell him we said thanks for the archery lesson. Tell him that we have improved and await his return."
Yuki nodded and ran off in the direction the guardsmen pointed, wondering who Rydek left with, and why he was a charter.
Rydek and Katherine soon approched a port town known as Uwes-thop. It was forgeiner ran and a lot of forgein goods could be brought here. Rydek remembered being here a few times with his master to get some herbs for a special tea.
"Oh, Rydek, lets get some tea here. There is also some clothing I want to get and a whole bunch more!" Katherine exclaimed. It had been sometime since she had laid her eyes on some english trade ships. She ran off to a local vendor, bartering for some clothing. Rydek saw this as an opportunity to leave her behind and snuck around to leave. He looked around to see if she saw him but she was so caught up in the moment of shopping that Rydek didn't even exist to her. He quickly got as far away from her as possible. The less people to witness what he had to do at his hometown the better.
Katherine finished her bartering, and realized that she was one compainion less. She looked around, but only found a note that Rydek left in Katherine's pocket.
Katherine, I will return for you later, you should be safer here. If anything else, your pompus master will come looking for you here and you can say you were kidnapped by the swift killer Rydek.
Tears hit the paper as she read this, the man she admired left her. Around this time the town began to clammer in fear from the south entrance of Uwes-thop. Yuki had arrived and she came with her blade drawn.
"I know Rydek has been here, because he is going home right now. I want to know the last person to see him, if any. If you know nothing then get out of my way." she said with vigor. She walked angrily through the town with her sword in attack ready posistion. Katherine thought for a few seconds, then approached Yuki.
"You are Yuki right?" Katherine asked.
"Yes, and I want to...." She stopped after seeing Rydek's charm around Katherine's neck. Katherine quickily realized what she was staring at, and smiled.
"Rydek...."
"You WHORE!" Yuki exclaimed loudly, making the circle of watchers back up a little bit. "Either you drugged Rydek or stole it off of him, because that charm is MINE. He promised it to me, and I know my Rydek is faithful. Now I demand you tell me where he is before I slice that beautiul whorish head off your jezebel body!"
Katherine stammered her words, but finally was able to explain the some of the situation.
"So Rydek saved you from a thief, and brought you here, and you found this after he left and you took it? Fine, just give me that charm and I won't kill you."
Katherine quickly gave her the charm and backed away. Yuki stormed out of the town and quickly left sight. Katherine gathered her weapons and with what gold she had left she bought a horse. With that horse she rode after Yuki.
"Rydek is mine, and I will fight you to the death for it."
Rydek remembered a pathway leading to his town that he and his friends created. No one could possibly know about it, and it was the fastest way to get there. The other routes would take an extra few days to get there. He crept into the hole and walked to his destionation, his home town of Guth.~~To be continued~~
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