Home away from home

Chapter 21

Home away from home

One day till the founder’s festival…

They moved amongst the trees with ease. Leaping from branch to branch, not disturbing a single leaf in the process. A young boy took the lead, while a young girl followed behind.

“What is it bro?”

She followed behind her twin brother who said nothing in return. Instead, he glanced back one time. Making sure she was right on his tail.

“A large group has broken my sensory barrier and are approaching the Den. I want to scout ahead and take a good look at what is coming before I report it.”

He came to a stop atop a tree branch, his forward motion dispersing through the branch and trunk of the tree. His sister mimicked his movements. Coming to a stop and waiting for her brother’s next move. There was a moment of silence between the two, as they surveyed the situation. A smiled creased across the young boy’s face as he watched the group that broke his barrier.

“It can’t be, is that Locke, and Ki?”

She jumped from her position and joined her brother on the branch, wanting to get a better look at the group approaching.

“Who is that with them? Do they have sis with them?”

The younger sibling was anxious, curious to see the people that made up the group.

“Shisa remember your training, but yes that’s them, I don’t see Shima with them though.”

Shisa lowered her eyes, and her sudden burst of energy shimmered.

“So, they haven’t found them yet.”

Disappointed that her older sister wasn’t a part of Locke and Ki’s entourage. He jumped down from his vantage point, landing in front of Locke and Ki with a thud. Atif was the first to get defensive, ushering Lily behind her, with Haiden and Autumn realizing what was going on soon after. Locke, who piggybacked a depleted Russo, stopped and grinned. Holding his arm out to ease the group’s tension, he and Ki stepped forward. The young man stood straight and made eye connect with them.

“Landy, I’m surprised you and Shisa are here.”

“With the festival a day away its all-hands-on deck. We are here with mom; her and are helping with the effort.”

“Your mom is here?!”

Locke was surprised.

The young man was hesitant to speak further, looking at the strangers that stood behind Locke and Ki.

“Hi Ki, you guys have any news on Shishi?”

Shisa walked over to Ki, pulling at his forearm, leading him forward.

“Who are they?”

Landy walked along side Locke, keeping stride with his elder. Locke looked at Landy, then over his shoulder at Autumn and the others.

“Good friends, Ki and I couldn’t have gotten here in time without them, that is for sure.”
“What’s going on Ki?”

Autumn, who was the closest person to Ki, picked up her pace so she was matching his strides.
He turned his attention from Shisa to face Autumn. Her scars caught him off guard, but he played it cool and answered her question.

“We have arrived at our location, the one we told you guys about.”

Ki laughed, keeping Shisa and her various questions at bay.

“Don’t worry we are with family now.”

Autumn continued to look in Ki’s direction as he interacted with Shisa. The assortment of people came to stop when numerous members from Locke and Ki’s faction made themselves visible. Looking upward into the trees, Locke watched the leader of the scout team jump down from the cover of the treetops.

“, my friend, I didn’t expect the sect to send you out.”

“They didn’t, I volunteered to be here in preparation for whatever the rebels may have plan.”

“Just in case of the fallout.”

Locke was keen on the information his close friend was giving him.

“Exactly, I wish it was different, and I could help you guys bring Kezonto home. But let’s not waste time out here, we can talk more at the Den.”

Locke and company pushed onward toward the Den. The extended members of the brother’s village leading the way. The scout team returned to their duties on ’s command, leaving him to usher Locke and the others to their destination. Along the way, Locke and Ki Caught up with . Explaining the situation with the ladies and kids, going into details about their journey up until this point.

“They are well organized, I’m glad they are on our side.”

“To say the least and so close to Busaya who would have guessed.”

Haiden chimed in on Atif’s observation throwing in her own two cents. The three ladies talking amongst themselves, keeping a small distance between them and the group ahead of them. After a short walk, the morning sun once filtered by the shade of the trees. Beamed down on the group as it exited the forested mountain range, finally getting a view of the massive dome that was Busaya.

“There is no way, that can’t be, is it.”

Atif was speechless, and Haiden wasn’t fazed as they looked toward Busaya and the eastern ocean. The ocean surface sparkling with the reflection of the sun. For Autumn there was a small sense of familiarity, and it bothered her. She said nothing while Atif, full of excitement, flooded Haiden with questions. She tuned it out, looking deep within herself, looking for what was triggering her. But the more she dug the more the rage started to build.

Soon the conversations happening around Autumn all ceased. As intense feelings of negative essence started to surround them. looked at Locke and Ki in disbelief. The three men who were familiar with this type of essence were quick to look around and observe the others.
Lily and Russo were having a hard time breathing, while Atif and Haiden were shivering and overwhelmed by negative emotions. That’s when Locke noticed Autumn, lost, staring off in the distance unaffected by the negative essence.

“Essence corruption?”

was confused, and Locke had no answers for him when he looked his way. But he knew something had to be done. Knowing Autumn, Locke knew this wasn’t in her nature and had to be doing this unconsciously, so he had to act fast. Atif unknowingly beat Locke to it, when she tried to get Autumn’s attention by grabbing her arm.
Autumn violently freed her arm from Atif’s grasp, catching all involved by surprise.

“What do you want Atif!”

she lashed out releasing the negative essence, snapping out of her rage fueled trance. Autumn caught herself and realized her unconscious actions.

“Atif, I sorry I don’t know where that came from.”

The normally energetic Atif was subdued, in all her years with Autumn she herself had never experienced this type of outburst from her. Autumn looked around, all eyes were on her, she was confused and a little embarrassed. Buster, lily’s dog who had been well behaved and quite the whole journey. Nestled his head against her bare leg, reassuring the young tamer.
Ki looked at his older brother, shocked by the sudden development. Locke looked on watching Autumn apologize to no end. The exchange between the sisters ended with a hug, and Locke Shepard the group forward. Walking along the mountain path, they arrived at the mouth of a cave. With taking point, they wandered into the cave and started traversing the vast cave network. The further they advanced into the cave network, the distance between them and the sun’s natural light diminished. In its stead, the depths of the cave became illuminated by makeshift lanterns that lined its walls.
After some time, they came across a set of guards playing cards. One of the guards, a massive man in religious garbs, placed his cards face down on the table separating him and the other guard. He looked up, facing the directions of and the others.

“So, are you finally calling it a shift? You have been out there for the past three days straight.”

The large monk smiled as his partner turned his attention away from his cards, taking a good look at the people with .

“Who are they?”

He questioned.

“These two, they are Lilac’s sons Locke and Ki, the others are guests, friends of theirs that helped them along the way here.”

explained to the guards, who straightened up in their chairs at the mentioning of the name Lilac. The smaller of the two guards looked past , focusing his attention on Locke.

“So that’s THE Locke, what are the chances of that.”

Locke was bewildered, so much so he had to question the guard, confused by his statement.

“Well, it’s not every day that you personally meet the two candidates for head of the sect.”

“You can’t be serious.”

Ki couldn’t believe what he was hearing, while Locke kept a stone face.

“So Salamance is here as well? What about Solis and Gamma?”

“Yeah…they are all here, let’s just say, your case for head of the sect got a lot stronger.”

“What do you mean by that?”

The guard grew silent and took over the conversation.

“I’ll explain everything later, please you’ve had a long journey its time you rest up and get something to eat.”

Walking past the guard station the group pressed on, following the lanterns that lined the cave walls. Soon Natural light started to seep into the cave tunnel once again. Stepping out of the tunnel, the entourage of new arrivals marveled at the vast Lake before them. The den, the sister village of Rosa. Situated in a dormant volcano, the massive lake was the result of decades of rainwater collecting in the volcano’s conduit. Around the lake dwellings serving many purposes were sculpted into the volcano’s rock face. Staircases of solidified magma connected the various levels of the village.

“Shisa, why don’t you take the ladies to the bathhouse and help them get settled in. Landy, I want you to go and fetch Ming, inform her about the new arrivals. Once you finish up with that, report back to your post.”

Gave his orders to the siblings and they did as they were told. Shisa, along with the ladies and buster made their way toward the village’s bathhouse. While Landy ran off in another direction in search of Ming.

“Now, you two, come with me.”

“Let me drop this one off somewhere to rest first. He has been through a lot.”

nodded his head.

“Where we are going is a perfect place for him to rest up.”

he said nothing and followed as he ushered the men toward their next destination. Leaving the main area of The Den. Walking along the level that encircled the lake the men ventured past the dens many warriors and citizens. They looked in admiration as , and the others ventured into a tunnel entering a large interior on the other side.

“You can put him down over there.”

pointed to a cot that was situated in the corner of the room. Locke placed the sleeping Russo down gently on the cot. Throwing a blanket over the young man before turning around and catching up to Ki and . Pushing aside the curtain, created a pathway for Locke and Ki. Locke stepped through first, then Ki and finally .

He let the curtain fall behind him, the soft fabric draping over the entrance of the room.
Two men sat at table in the center of the room, visibly battered. Their eyes shifted, and they turned their heads, taking a good look at the group. The men set down their chopsticks beside the wooden plates in front of them. The young waitress serving the men lowered head and bowed forward.

“Please, don’t.”

Locke gave the waitress the slightest of smiles, gently placing his hand on her elbow. He raised her up with a simple gesture, reestablishing her posture. She backed away slowly, she couldn’t help herself, she lowered her head slightly and smiled, walking away. Ki pay no mind to the waitress and Locke, focusing his attention on the two men’s injuries. One of their noses was broken and his body severely bruised. The other had deep lacerations around his neck with his body equally as battered as the other man’s.

“What happened to you guys, who did this?”

Locke and Ki took their seats at the table as they waited for Solis and Gamma’s response. They looked at each other, but neither of them spoke a word. The awkward silence was broken, when behind Solis and Gamma, resting on a cot with a nursing dressing his wounds Salamance answered.

“We found Kezonto and Shima…”

Salamance rose from the cot, sitting on the edge of the bed. He pushed away the nurse as she failed to keep the man in bed.

“We even got a drop on Shima, but he was too much, they were too much.”

Salamance lowered his head, Gamma balled his hands into fists, staring at his half-eaten plate. Solis looked on, observing Locke and Ki gauging their reactions.

“We finally laid eyes on them just outside of Coastal Garden. From there we tailed them to an abandoned city block, being sure to stay outside of Shima’s range.”

“So, how did you manage to follow them from more than fifteen miles out?”

Ki questioned, as the waiting staff returned, this time carrying plates of food and drinks for them. When the waiting staff left the conversation continued, this time Solis answered the question.

“It’s thirty miles plus now, but one of them in the group has a bad habit of smoking, we just followed the scent. We learned that Shima only uses her abilities when she is alone or only Kezonto is present. So, we figured our only chance was during the day and while they were traveling.”

“The important question is, how the hell are you guys here? How do you know they were heading to Busaya?”

Salamance painfully stood up from his bed and hobbled his way toward the table taking a seat with the other men.

“We didn’t, we met a group of young ladies and joined them on their journey here. But now that I do, what can you tell me.”

Locke took the time to clear the air, doing his best not to give up that Shima was his source.
was shocked, the whole time he was here and Kezonto was just beyond the dome, and he was none the wiser. He regained his composure and kept his mouth shut, absorbing the information as Salamance gave it.

“Over the past couple of months, they have been running with a rebel group called Deathwatch.”

From what I gather they punched their tickets to the rebel operation with the shit they pulled in Coastal Garden. They also got this other guy, doesn’t seem to fit in with the others. Probably using him in some type of capacity.”

Ki was taking in all the information, most of it wasn’t new to him or Locke for that matter. Shima had gone into detail about most things in the various breadcrumbs she left behind for the brothers to find. He picked away at his plate, savoring the hearty tastes that reminded him of home.

***

“Were going to have teams disguised and moving along the parade succession to keep an eye on the situation as it develops. As well we should consider putting eyes on high-ranking members of the government as safeguards. Only if the manpower allows for it of course.”

The bald warrior finished pouring a set of three teacups. Placing the pot down on the table ever so gently. Placing his weathered hands on the handle of his cup he raised it. The other two ladies sitting at the table with the old man did the same. The older of the two ladies, softly blew on the surface of her tea, opening her eyes she looked at the man across from her.

“As long as the proper amount of manpower is allocated to the evacuation measures. You have my permission to use what remains as you see fit.”

“Thank you, Ming, I will begin the preparations as soon as possible.”

“Tooka, have you given my offer any consideration.”

She took a petite sip of her tea, placing the cup down on its saucer. Tooka smirked, then let out a little chuckle. He too placed his cup down, stroking his long goatee, he took a second to answer.

“Give up my position as commander and join the council. Just the idea of having to sit around and listen to you and the others talk politics makes my bones ache.”

Ming rolled her eyes while the other woman who occupied the table with them chuckled a bit. Hiding the fact, she sipped her tea timidly the whole time feeling the burn of Ming’s side eye.

“I gave you the offer out of respect, as my older brother. I’m giving you the opportunity to do things on your terms, don’t make me have to make the decision for you.”

Tooka’s eyebrows scrunched together, and his eyes narrowed.

Ming didn’t flinch, the moment was fleeting as he sipped his tea and remained silent. His facial features eased as he placed his cup down once again.

“I’m turning down your offer for the same reason I turned down father’s. You were always the better leader, and the best suited to sit in THAT seat. But his Old fashion ways, he never saw you for your talents you possess. So, with all due respect Priestess Ming let me go down a warrior, not some old man withering away on a cot.”

For a moment all you could hear was the occasional tapping of glass on glass. As the group casual sipped their tea.

“Shisha, As Lilac’s proxy how do you feel about the situation?”

Ming shifted her attention from her brother and focused on the other woman in attendance. She didn’t know what to say, she didn’t want to be in this position to begin with. But Lilac trusted her to be here in her stead, a trust she wouldn’t allow herself to betray. She was about to speak when the curtain to the room was pushed aside and her son Landy appeared.