3. Hanako Meets The Locals

Hanako woke to a gentle rocking.

Lying down, she brought her hands up to her face and found they were shackled to a long chain which snaked around her legs.

From her position, she could see the driver's profile. It wore a mask, similar to that of the Plague Doctor, but this one was decorated with golden branches, and the shoulders were more or less covered in crow feathers.

The wagon passed under an archway and came to a halt.

By the way the driver moved its head, it seemed to be engaged in an animated conversation with people to the side.

Suddenly, two green heads peered over the side. Judging by the ornate helmets, crowned in feathers, they appeared to be sentry guards.

After confirming the prisoner, the guards looked at each other and disappeared back out of sight.

The wagon rattled on.

Passing through the village, Hanako was able to get a good look at the village. It was similar to those from Renaissance times, when buildings were half-timbered in black and white. Except here, the houses were painted in a sparkling Emerald hue.

So much green. It’s giving me a headache. 

The girl was never going to accept the fact that her head was now a swirling Tornado wreathed in mist.

***

Eventually, the wagon stopped in the square and the rear door unbolted.

Hanako was forced into the mud and outside the biggest house, where she was forced to wait while the Driver called out to the occupant.

A haughty-looking woman in a powdered wig opened the two centre windows and began a line of dialogue. Hanako noticed how the Driver was like a lawyer pleading his case to a magistrate, and soon her fate would become all too apparent.

The large woman slammed the windows, and Hanako was handed over to a couple of burly-looking guards, who took her by each arm.

The crowd opened a clear path to a thick pole, blackened by fire and surrounded by a nest of dry wood. Hanako could feel panic set in and tried to struggle free, but her arms were clamped down solidly. She wanted to dig her heels in, but the tips of her toes were dragged behind. For the second time in so many months, she would be burned alive.

***

A broom handle was suddenly flung from the crowd and tripped one of the guards. The other guard spun and unsheathed his sword with a sharp rasp. Hanako could see Isaac move from the dull-eyed crowd, his arms raised high.

As this was going on, a regiment of guards slipped past the onlookers and formed a ring around the Plaza, pointing spears at the intruder.

Isaac moved over to Hanako and gently pulled her up by the top of her arm.

De Cesaris!” An old voice cried out from the other end. “What do you think you are doing?”

The voice sounded rough like tumbleweed wrapped in sandpaper. It belonged to that of a stranger, dressed in Wicker armour. The head was concealed under a large dome, made of the same material. “You know the rules. All potential threats are to be tried.”

“It's a little girl, just a tourist who got lost.”

“Even so, rules have to be obeyed.”

“Rules made up by bed-wetting psychopaths, who dress up their moral outrage in a cloak of intimidation and control. Everyone puts up with because they lack the stones to speak up.” A collective gasp went up from the crowd. “Oh, shut up! You know I’m right.”

“So I’m weak, now?” The Stranger said.

“No, I just think you know your place.”

“I’m a Dog?”

The Stranger unsheathed his katana with its shimmering white blade.

“Come on, Puffles, no one has to die here today.”

“ Don’t try it boy, you know you can’t win.”

“I was talking about the girl,” Isaac said. “Aren’t you tired of all these lunatics running around with blood on their hands and pretending they are the moral victors?”

“Save your complaints for the hearing.”

“We all know which way it's going to go; power begets madness. History has taught us that the corrupt and insane are put in charge, for what? So we may look back and wonder how it got so bad. How did we come to fear such weak-minded fools?”

“Sermons are for Sunday, lad.”

“Then I asked to be burnt as well,” Isaac said, with a shrug. “For I refuse to be damned with this lot.”

There was a pause in hostilities. The crowd looked on, gormless as any other that waited for an execution.

Puffles sagged his shoulders and gestured for the Old Knight to come over.

Still holding onto Hanako, Isaac crossed the yard.

“What are you trying to achieve here?” Puffles asked, lowering his voice. “You can’t change the system by appealing to these Bumble-headed simpletons.”

“It’s you I’m trying to appeal to. You have seen so many innocent people thrown away, where do you draw the line?”

Puffles shifted uncomfortably.

 “I have to admit, I grow weary of all the senseless death.”

“So let us go.” Isaac said. “I will keep her at the castle; you will never see her again. Not while that thing is out there. On my life.”

“Don’t think I won’t hold you to that.” The Old Man said. He sheathed the sword and addressed the crowd. “As Head Warden, I am invoking the ‘Three Labours’. It’s an old law, but it still stands; unless someone wants to contest the ancient trial upon which Perdita is built. Come on. Which brave soul will step forward and plead their case?” He was met with an uncomfortable and confused silence. “No? Alright then.” The Driver squeaked out a protest. “Yes yes, but like you said…we have rules. And every year, someone gets the chance to prove their worth. This individual is that someone.”

Isaac led two horses out from the side.

“Thanks, Puffles.” He said.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, the crowd is getting restless.”

“Their blood lust has been denied. They’re going to be restless for some time.”

“I can’t take you anywhere.” The Old Man said, mounting his horse.

~What’s going on?~  Hanako signed.

“You’ve been awarded a stay of execution,” Isaac said. “Assuming you do as you’re told.”

~Can’t you just let me go? ~

“We’ve already seen what happens when you go off on your own. Trust me, this is the best way.”

Hanako nodded wearily and let him place her on the horse.

“When you Hens are done clucking, we have to get gone.”

“One other thing, she is completely deaf.”

“Now, how the hell am I supposed to make that work?”

Isaac smiled. “Don’t worry, I have a plan.

***

The journey took them over mountain roads and rivers that came up to the horses’ bodies. In a vast, endless prairie, the long grass was dipped and rolled by a passing breeze.

Taking a break in the middle of a Valley, Isaac dismounted, while Hanako remained on the horse. He offered a flask, but she refused.

“I forgot, sorry.”

~You said I can get back home? How?~

Isaac bit into an apple and looked around.

“Right now, you are mostly flesh and bone, except above your neck, which is …complicated. In order to be restored completely, you must visit the Throne room and beg the Empress or offer your services. Of course, the Throne Room is very hard to pin down, none of which you can access without an invitation.”

Is there a way of finding it without an invitation?

The Old Knight scraped a hand through his greying hair and thought a while.

“There was a rumour about a shortcut, known only to the most ancient of scribes.” He said. “Bearing in mind, I got this from a witch, who was somewhat deep in her cups. Anyway, she mentioned something about two Beacons.

Where?

“Unknown. It could be at the bottom of the sea or in some brooding crypt sealed with forbidden magic. Either way, it will be tough to get to. These woods are unforgiving and the ‘Headless-Nameless’ can appear in any shadow, including your own. You’ll never know until it’s too late.”

***

As night fell upon the lands, they stopped outside at the neck of a wooded area and set up camp next to a craggy rock face.

“Excellent.” He said, helping Hanako down. “We made it in time.”

~So what now? ~

“For now we make camp, because tomorrow you will have to climb this mountain.”

The girl saw how the rocky monolith disappeared into the clouds.

~This mountain? ~

“That mountain, yes.”

~What about ropes? ~

“No ropes, free-hand.”

~What?! That’s insane! ~

“It’s kinda the point,” Isaac said. “A challenge designed to be unwinnable. Don’t worry, you will have two weeks, so best get started soon.” He threw a dagger down at her feet. “Here. You will need this.”

~ I am not going to kill anyone.~

“Okay.” Isaac said, patiently crossing his arms. “Here’s how it works: You refuse the task, you will be executed. You give up. You will be executed. Run away and get caught, guess what? This is the only way you will see next month.”

~It’s not fair. None of this fair. ~

“Yeah well, that’s what happens when you put idiots in charge. Go find some firewood.”

~What about the Headless-Nameless? ~

“It won’t come anywhere near here.”

~Why not? ~

“Because it knows better.”

***

In a shaded clearing nearby, Hanako got to work pulling out the biggest branch for firewood. Left alone, her mind began to wander and pick at things that didn’t make sense.

The journey gave her time to think, time to reflect and question who was really on her side.

The novelty of being transported to a strange new world had worn off, and she felt trapped by scary creatures and two men she wasn’t entirely sure about.

It was the reason she fled the castle in the first place. She had heard about ‘Stranger Danger’, so how was this any different? Who were these weirdos, and why were they dressed in armour? They could easily turn on her at any moment. Maybe this was their idea of a false sense of security? What if they were attackers or cannibals? What if they ate the rest of the people inside the castle? That’s why Isaac rescued her, to have her for himself!

She angrily attacked the ground, digging a hole.. This was not over.

Noticing a shadow, she scampered out of the way, wielding the branch in front of her.

Isaac carefully raised his hands.

“It’s just me.” He said. Hanako kept her distance from the branch and backed into a corner. “I see you’ve had a change of heart.” Hanako knocked some loose slates off a boulder. The Old Knight picked up the jagged tile and gave it a look. “This could have been an assailant, and you wouldn’t have known.” He said. “You must always be wary of your surroundings.” Hanako ignored him and kept the branch up. It was getting harder to keep the stick poised at an angle until exhaustion took over and she dropped it onto the soft grass.

~Whatever you are going to do, just get it over with.~

“I wasn’t going to do anything,”

~For now, what about later? ~

“Later.” Isaac said, picking up the branch. “And what comes later?”

~You are going to eat me.~

“Cannibals? That’s what this is all about?”

~Don’t laugh! I don’t know what you are capable of.~

“I rescued you from a monster and an angry mob, who wanted to set you on fire. I hoped that gave me a little credit.”

~I still don’t know who you are.~

“I understand,” Isaac said. “You’ve only just arrived, and suddenly a bunch of strangers turn up out of the blue.” He unsheathed his hunting sword and wrapped a bare hand around the blade. “On my oath as a Warden, no harm and no indiscretion will befall you, on penalty of death.. And the Empress sees all.” He ripped out the blade, letting pools of crimson seep through the gaps in his fist. Hanako stared, paused momentarily and grabbed a nearby leaf and placed it in Isaac’s palm. “I take we are alright?” The girl shrugged. “I guess it will have to do. Now get some rest, for tomorrow you have a mountain to climb.”