Chapter 13

On the long and winding road that Clint and Tsubomi previously used to reach Tricot when the Creation Event occurred in Tricot. Tsubomi and Kaylin are deep within the countryside of Penheim and nearing the board of Tricot.

As they walk down the road in their shared silence Tsubomi stops walking and looks at the side of the road.

“Lady Roses, I want to stop and check something over that hill.”

“Um, sure I don’t really have any reason to say no, but may I ask why?”

Tsubomi starts walking towards the hill. “When Clint and I traveled through this area last time we saved a couple from some bandits. Just a little curious is all.”

As they make it up the hill the visage of a house, warm and comforting appears. A man is outside chopping firewood. When the man notices the two women he immediately puts down the axe and yells for someone obviously inside the home.

As Tsubomi and Kaylin approach the homestead the woman they saved ran out of the home. “We never thought we would see you again. Where is the man you were with?”

“He’s still in Grace Harbor. This is my junior Kaylin Roses. We are actually heading back to Tricot on a mission.”

“Well you two are welcome to stay as long as you wish.” The woman begins to walk back towards the entrance of the house.

“We really can’t stay. Thank you for the offer though.”

The woman looks back at Tsubomi, “I understand but do you think that you can at least afford the time to have some food with us? I’m working on lunch right now.” The woman looks like she is ready to plead with Tsubomi. “It would mean so much to myself and my husband if you allowed us to repay your kindness, even if it’s only making sure you are properly fed.”

At the mention of food Kaylin’s stomach began to make a rather loud protest at the idea that Tsubomi would say no. Tsubomi sighs and drops her shoulders. “Fine, we can stay for some food, but we will have to leave right after.”

*****

As the woman of the property is diligently working on their soon to be meal, Kaylin and Tsubomi are lounging on the home's attached porch.

“I’ve been wondering something. Why did you and Clint take us both in?”

Tsubomi looks out and thinks of her next words carefully, “What you mean to ask is why take you in right?”

After a moment of silence Tsubomi answers, “We didn’t really have much of a choice did we? Pretty certain we would have put you down if we didn’t agree.”

“Also manifestation of a Spectral weapon by a person’s will power is a rare thing. The guild and especially Lord Ekhart would have interest in such a person.”

The smell of meat frying permeates the environment as Kaylin contemplates asking another question. Tsubomi looks at her for a brief moment before letting out a sigh. “Yes Ms Roses? You have another question for me?”

“Did you ever get to meet my brother?”

“Ah you finally got the courage to ask the burning question. Sorry to be a disappointment, however I have never met him. The only thing I know of your brother is what the official report said of his expedition and the subsequent disturbing rumors.”

Kaylin wonders whether or not Tsubomi believes them. Then as if Tsubomi could read her mind she adds, “Truthfully I don’t believe the rumors.”

“You… Don't?”

“No. I have full faith in Lord Ekhart and if he had faith in your brother and his character then I have no reason to doubt in him either.”

“Thank you Miss Tsubomi.” Kaylin says meekly.

“Don’t!” Tsubomi turns to her and stares her down with an ice cold glare. “My goal is to serve Lord Ekhart and help him to achieve whatever he decides upon. If you and your obsession with proving your brother's innocence gets in Lord Ekharts way… I will not hesitate to cut you down myself. Do you understand me?”

Kaylin nods gently in agreement. Tsubomi stands up and starts to walk towards the door. “Come along Lady Roses. It smells like lunch is nearly ready.”

*****

“Lady Yulinka, pick up the pace damn it.” This is the third time since leaving the capital city of Grace Harbor that Silas has gotten onto Yulinka.

The excitable researcher simply runs up and catches back up with Silas and Clint. Each time Silas gets onto her she protests with a pout on her face. “Lord Graves, Can’t I just gather a few samples of the flora of this region for my research?”

Silas, already agitated and in a pissed off mood berates the scientist, “This isn’t some research expedition or whatever the hell you would call them! My family is in trouble! We have to hurry.”

Silas turns his wrath on Clint next, “Clint why did you agree to take this… liability with us?”

Clint sighs, “I should have left your high strung ass back at HQ! Silas you have to be considerate of Yulinka. She has never left Oksana until now. Hell when Alban brought her to Grace Harbor they used the Caverns as a means of travel. All of this is quite new for her.”

Clint then turns his gaze to Yulinka. “Yulinka please be more considerate of Silas’s feelings and sense of urgency in this matter and stay near us.”

Yulinka, still pouting, says she understands.

“Now then on to the subject of this trip. Yulinka any ideas what to expect from this surface level creation event?”

Yulinka’s pouting face shifts to one of uncertainty. “I have some theories but nothing conclusive. The truth is that in all of record history no event has ever taken place on the surface.”

She continues, “I do have enough data to state that there is at least a eighty two percent chance that a Cataclysm class entity will appear.”

“Then we have to move even faster damn it!”

Clint grabs Silas shoulder to stop him from running ahead of them. “Slow down kid. First of all there is no way Yulinka can keep up if either of us went full steam ahead. Second, the guild should already be making preparations for a full scale evacuation of the city.”

Yulinka, now looking noticeably shy and melancholic, speaks up, “I’m sorry Silas. For being a burden on this trip. It’s just that we really need to gather as much data and information from such a unique phenomenon.”

Silas shakes his head. “No Miss Yulinka, I understand. We just have to get there as soon as we can.”

Clint lets go of Silas after sensing him calm down. “I promise whether it's myself or the rest of our team, we will make sure your family is safe. You have my word.”