Reunion and Decisions

The commander looked on as the rest of the patrol finished their search in the surrounding area the following morning. The grounds were still muddy and wet, but when Prince Minamoto's party didn't return that night from their mission, a patrol was sent out at first dawn to search the surrounding area. It didn't take long before they found the two slain guards, leading to multiple uncomfortable questions.

"No sign of the Prince," one of the guards reported. "We've confirmed these were the two guards who were assigned to act as the Prince's escorts and backup. However, their manner of death isn't like anything most of us have seen before. Definitely killed by a sharp strike across the body, but there isn't a man alive who could inflict wounds like that with a single stroke."

"A magical blade might," the commander mused. "And the Prince was carrying one of the most powerful such blades in existence."

"Are you suggesting...?" the second in command challenged incredulously.

"Virtually no other blades in the Empire are capable of such strikes, and no mages were present that we know of. If we do find such a powerful mage, then that would change things, but until that happens, we really only have one suspect," the commander reluctantly concluded.

"M-maybe the soldiers got in the way of the duel?" the second suggested. "Or the blade was stolen by the infidel who used it on the guards before escaping?"

"If the infidel had gotten a hold of the blade, the blade wouldn't have done a thing," the commander reminded everyone. "Also, any sign of diviner Ogawa or the prisoner he had brought along?" He paused then shook his head after receiving a negative answer from the surrounding search parties. "Send word out that everyone who was in this party who is now missing should be considered suspected of treachery and brought in as enemies of the State!"

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"...glad that you made it back along with rescuing Lady Chiba. However, bringing the Emperor's heir..." Jun greeted the three girls as they made their way back into the camp. They were initially challenged when extra people had been brought along, which required additional explanation before they were allowed to enter.

"I told you, that was in her past life," Akiko explained. "Masako and I are practically sisters. Anything you can say to me, you can say to her, just like Keiko."

The council of Jun, Hiroshige, and Hiromi looked on with doubts. They had placed all their faith on a single warrior, not a trio, and especially not around the reincarnated Emperor's son.

"Look, if nothing else, she's been in the capital city for months," Keiko pointed out. "Can't we at least share information? That will prove she's on our side."

There was a moment of quiet before Hiromi came up to Akiko and Masako. "Of course, we're glad that you've managed to reunite with your friend. I remember Sergeant Takeda saying how you two were originally wanting to charge right into the capital to rescue her, but we just didn't have that capability. It seems Destiny has a curious sense of humor that both sides of the conflict are seeing their future lives so intertwined. Perhaps it's Fate after all that both souls are tied together... enemies in one life... friends in the next..."

Hiroshige and Jun both looked at each other before the former sighed, "Fine, if you vouch for her, then of course we'll accept her. For starters, if we can free Sergeant Takeda and the other leaders who were captured a few months ago, that would a huge win for the resistance. But even with Lady Minamoto's help, I doubt getting into the capital city dungeons is going to get any easier. After what was done, I don't think you'll be welcomed back quite a warmly as you were before."

"That's not where you should be worried about.  The men you're talking about won't be there much longer," Masako corrected. "They were scheduled to be transferred to Murshard Isle sometime in the next week or two."

Everyone around the table went pale at the news, with Akiko and Keiko looked puzzled. "Is that good news or bad news?"

"A little of both, I suppose," Jun explained. " Murshard Isle is one of the Empire's most remote prisons. Basically, once they've finished their business with any important prisoners at the capital, high priority prisoners, assuming they aren't executed or sent to slave camps, would be sent to the Isles. It's located in the most dangerous loch at the northwest borders of the Empire. There're fewer guards than the capital of course, but it's far more remote, with the only ways in or out being wyvern flights, ferry or mystical transport, all which are heavily controlled by the Empire's forces. Even if we did find a way in, getting a whole group out would be..." he trailed off.

"Um... before we go on, there's something we need to talk about in private," Keiko prompted to Akiko and Masako, much to their surprise.

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Akiko, Keiko, and Masako came to a stop at the edge of town away from prying eyes as the sun came setting into another evening. "OK, I think we can speak privately here. What did you want to talk about?" Akiko asked.

"Remember that conversation we had a couple of months about what our long-range plans were? Well, we're back together now, so the question has to be asked... is this our fight, or are we going to find the nearest portal and head back to Japan?"

"Look, I don't know what you two were talking about before, but your people don't even seem to want me around so..." Masako offered.

"Can you blame them?" Keiko interjected. "We see you as Masako, but they see Masahiro, son of their worst enemy."

"OK, that's just what they're telling you," Masako retorted. "Don't forget, the three of us just got here. None of us have actually lived here more than a few months. They're asking us to help them make drastic changes in their government? Can't you see how wrong that is to be doing without actually knowing what we're doing?"

"What? You lived with the Emperor for a few months and you're the expert?!" Keiko demanded.

"I never said I'm the expert!" Masako countered. "But I'm not the one trying to upend their whole society without doing my due diligence either!"

"OK, cool off, both of you!" Akiko pressed, then sighed. "OK, let's take a step back. Masako's right... we're strangers here in this land. We need to be careful about anything we do; that's just being responsible. But Keiko's got a point... what we've seen here... the people who've turned to us, even the Empire's own soldiers who've told us how bad things are... We have to decide whether we want to do what's best for us... or do what's best for this world. Either way though, it has to be all of us. We came here together. We've found each other again. So, no matter what, we stick together, like we always have, through thick and thin. If we decide we've had enough, then we'll find a way home, and well... we'll just have to explain to our hosts that they'll have to find another leader. But if we decided to help them... try to be the heroes they seem to think we're prophesized to be... then we'll do it together... one for all, and all for one, like we've always done."

There was a pause as the girls looked at one another. Keiko sighed and nodded. "I say stay. I don't think I could look your kid in the eye and tell him his dad's going to abandon him and live with myself," with a wink.

Masako did a double take, "W-wait what?"

"W-we'll bring you up to speed on a few things," Akiko added with embarrassment.

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"Sorry about that," Akiko said to the rest of the party after coming back to the main conference room. "We had to clear some things up after our separation. So where were we on rescuing our leaders?"

"That's about the size of it," Jun summarized. "We've been able to accomplish a lot these past few months, but these people still represent our most senior officers and experienced people, not to mention a lot of political leaders are being held at the Murshard Isle. Rescuing them would allow us to reach out to a lot of people throughout the entire outer barony networks and inspire the masses to rise up."

"Does that take precedence over stopping the Empire from finishing Project Aetheria," Akiko asked.

Hiromi nodded gravely. "Both are extremely important. Arguably accomplishing the first would make the second easier. However, if we fail to accomplish the second before the fortress is complete, then the first might not matter. The outer baronies won't fight what they don't believe can be defeated."

"Did you ever hear about this Project Aetheria?" Akiko asked Masako.

"Sorry no, for the most part, most of my time was spent acclimating to the Empire's culture," Masako shook her head. "I wasn't put in charge of any top-secret military plans."

"How about we beat it out of that priest we brought back with us?" Keiko suggested. 

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"I know it's been rough for you," Akiko offered, bringing Masako to a room in the Fireside town. Jun says we're going to be on the move in the morning. He doesn't want to be here any longer than that because we're way too close to Fort Magish, so we're out of here at first light. I know it's not like living in a palace, but..."

"Please, don't remind me," Masako assured. "It's just good that... we're back together again, like we're supposed to be, and... thanks for not giving up on me. Hearing that you guys were wanting to charge back in, even unprepared, means a lot."

Akiko put her hand on Masako's shoulder and pulled her close and the two of them embraced. "We're going to get through this together... like we always have."

Once Akiko was gone, Masako slowly unclipped her sword out from her sword belt. "There, there... the bad man is gone," she whispered, as she lovingly stroked the sword, pulling it close to her face. In her mind, the sword's song was a soothing melody that resonated with her heart. "We're still together. Nothing's going to change that, I promise... no matter what... "