Episode 6. For hours D Rose men battled to
retake the Mizimano. The North and their allies had
retreated to the outskirts of town.
At the suggestion of Lord Tomodachi, the warriors were
sent out the key points in the city until the morning for she
Chow suggested the carnival as a resting place due to its
tactical advantage. Saku wouldn't sure what this
meant, but it seemed like a good plan.
It was her idea for the willing samurai and the entertainers to
patrol the streets until the armies could be repelled.
Outside is a strange place of request to sleep, Onichan said.
Are you sure you don't want a better dwelling?
You are the daimyo now. Onichan lifted the Lantern with
his own face on it high so Mibu could finish placing her bed
roll. The giant had placed them in a
tent not far from the stage. He realized Saku was looking at
the animal hide the tent with the look of disgust.
It is only for the night, Oni Chen told Saku.
Few hours. Did it have to be animal?
Saku asked. Oni Chen shrugged.
Really, Scott, if you wanted, you could order 20 geishas in a
Persimmon and you're upset that the tent is normal.
We've slept in animal tents before.
He didn't care then, to try to situate themselves in the space
as best they could, but the overwhelming feeling of
responsibility lingered in Saku's mind.
Giving out orders had been more exhausting than summoning
lightning, and the looks for me Boo's face while doing it tired
her. More.
Things are different now, Saku said, still looking at the high
disapprovingly. Now that I know this was an
animal with a story to tell, I can't look at it the same way
anymore. But the tent will do for now.
No more skull talk, Mibu said You will sleep it off.
The city might be full, but I'm not.
And when they realize that we might be in trouble when the
conquerors figure out they're not our conquerors anymore, Saku
walked to Mibu and gave Oni Chan a look.
He got the idea. We wake early to meet the north
of the temple on the edge of the city.
Rest well. Oni Chan nodded at Mibu and
returned to his dwelling for the evening.
Their ear had warmed once again and cicadas chirped.
Saku looked down with her fits, clist As Mibu rummaged through
her pack for rations, she found Onigiri and handed it to Saku,
who took a bite as soon as she could.
The salty plum and rice was satisfying.
After losing so much strength throughout the passing days,
Mibu pivoted towards her and bit into her own ration.
This is not of craziness, Saku said after taking a bite.
This is a gift. A gift we have been lied to
about all of our lives. What are you suggesting?
Meepu said that we were once a village of what?
Tea drinkers who could really talk to skulls and what in the
South song took this from us. But let us keep growing the tea
for some reason and no one has bothered to try it and tell you
why Would any rational nation do this?
I know you can be stupid, but I am not stupid.
They want to suppress our power, Soku said.
Have you ever thought about our schooling growing up?
It's like they wanted to confuse us and punish us if we did not
listen without resistance. So we had followed the rules
without question. They take us away from our
parents early on, the stomp out the last embers of our past.
We are a threat to them. But no more.
Hearing that, Mibu laid on her bed roll.
Her hands rested behind her head as she looked up.
She closed her eyes and sighed deeply.
I can't begin to explain how disappointed I am in you.
We had a lot of good teachers who worked really hard with us.
I never thought you would do this.
What you speak is not truth. It is sickness, and it is
despicable. Nebu reached under her bedroll
and picked up a small rock. She flung it into the night.
Why don't you believe me? You've always believed me, Saku
said. Mibu rolled to her side.
This isn't believable. That is why we must rest.
Listen to. She stopped.
She covered her mouth with her hands.
Mibu jolted up in panic and looked to her.
She stood there, silent for a moment.
I can't get mad at you. I want to show you, but I don't
want to hurt you. She sat down next to her on the
bed roll. Why is your hair standing up
like that? Mibu asked.
It's because of my powers, she said.
Powers really, Saku? Thinking you can talk to things
as power. Mibu rolled back over the face
of the wall of the tent. Bet you haven't washed it since
you set off for the trip. That's why Saku turned to the
bag she had been given with the skull flowers inside.
She wanted to look at them, but she did not want to start a
fight, Saku Combo said. I'm not sure what to do about
your friend there, but if you put me somewhere where I can
see, I can scream at you until you wake up in the morning.
That way we can get up early. Friendly.
Saku whispered. What?
Mibu said nothing. She took Combo out of her pocket
and placed him so he could see outside.
Mibu rolled over to see what Saku was doing.
She frowned. Can we put the gross toys away,
please? Kamo is my friend, Saku said.
I am too tired, Bebo said. Come back to me.
The real you, the one who understands the value of hard
work and loyalty. If you continue on like this, I
won't be helping you. Our village will not.
Either Daimyo or not, Saku said nothing.
Now hold my hand, Tibu said. She did.
Her eyes did not close. For a long while she wondered to
herself how she could prove her truth.
But her eyes grew heavy, and soon she drifted into sleep.
Wake up, Saku rose. At the sound of the screaming
skull, a sharp, blistering thud rang out.
At first Saku thought it was the wind, but realized the arrow had
struck the tent pole. Its shaft was painted blue.
Mibu Saku shook her friend and look back out.
Mibu sat up. She grabbed the bag and her
weapons. I heard commotion in the
distance, Hamo said. Mibu grabbed the Longbow and
searched the area. On the edge of the Mizimono
lights flicker. The sky gently began to light
up. With the dark blue light, the
morning sun would soon make an appearance.
Take it here. At the cries of men and swords
clashing, she reached for an arrow.
She took a step forward and signaled to Saku to be silent as
she choked down on her emotions. She's listening to the
screaming, for Chicha said. We must go help them, Saku said,
beginning to walk in that direction.
If that isn't the clans, we cannot fight them by ourselves.
Even if you think you have powers, there are too many of
them. We need to get out of here.
We can't leave Onichen, Saku said.
There's nothing we can do. Saku ran towards the sound of
the clanging stop. Mibu cried to her.
She did not listen. She hurried towards the
Mizzamano entrance, holding her Cortana high.
Mibu ran after her with her weapon drawn, Onichen and other
performers struggled to keep a bamboo gate closed.
Others and their families scattered into a chaotic
collecting of belongings. Cries rang out from the other
side. Saku put the sword back in his
seat and ran the help. Wait, only chance added.
You need to get out of here. Noriko is going to want you
dead, his massive forearm strained against the efforts of
the outside invaders. I won't leave you.
We aren't finished here. We need you, Saku said, stepping
up. Dozens of sharp twangs ripped
out from above. Errors flew over the wall.
Saku turned and saw Mibu leap into the field behind her,
missing an arrow. Narrowly.
Get out of here, he said. Mibu cried out.
We need to tell others before the entire city falls.
We can get the word out at the castle, Mibu said, fretting her
bow. Looking at the gate, Saku's eyes
drew to where the cracking sound was coming from.
With a snap, the gate broke in two.
Thank you for your kindness, Saku, said so, who met Mibu and
dashed towards the back of the fence property.
A wave of men lunged across what remained the gate.
Entertainers, A yokai at a kapa, or so they claimed to be, fought
with crude stage weapons against the northern, strongly crafted
Cortana Onich and duck his heels in, but could hold the men back
no longer. Dirt sprung up from where he
landed. A balding man in a blue kimono
with his hair pulled back stood over him.
Onichen tried to get to his feet, but it was too late.
Soku could only watch from afar as the northern samurai jab the
dagger into him. The two women found themselves
running through smoky streets heading towards the castle.
Soku breathed in sharp through her nose and smelled A bitter
and grassy. Burn.
The flowers, Soku shouted at the Mibu.
She pointed towards the smoke. She quickened her pace towards
the skull flower fields. Can you stop running into
danger? Mibu past the stone entrance and
joined Saku in the fields, who was cutting every flower she
could. Maybe a torn towards the castle.
There were also flames. Hana Saku said.
Also noticing we can't save everyone, Mibu said this is our
last hope. Then Saku picked a skull flower
and put it into her bag. The bag overflowed.
We can't, Mibu began to say, but instead, she watches her friend
obsessively place flowers in the mermaid bag.
Mibu stood horrified. The field is on fire, Saku.
Yes, she said. Hurry, take all you can.
No, Mibu said. Enough at this.
No more. You're going to get us hurt.
Saku began to stuff flowers in Mibu's pockets.
Just believe me, believe me, Mibu shouted.
You are sick. Then be sick with me.
Mibu saw smoke quickly rising ahead of them.
She took a flower and snapped it at the stem.
Then she took another. Now let's go.
The smoke followed them until they arrived on the edge of the
district. Saku stood on the street,
looking back towards the burning fields.
Flames roared high. The chatter of panic and chaos
echoed throughout the city. Men ran carrying weapons towards
the castle. What if these are the only
flowers left? Saku thought slowly of
realizing. If they are attacking Self Song
they will send Mend Fukui. We need to go find a Yasin, get
to our village. They fled the castle at a
hurried pace towards the city. They found a royal messenger and
sent words Jiro to hold the city until they returned.
They escaped into the forest, heading towards the village.
Saku and Mibu crept up to a Yashi's encampment.
They had traveled along the river there in hopes that he had
returned to it. But instead, a lone man in blue
sat on the stump, for Saku had once drunk the tea.
He drew no sword. He nodded at the women in motion
for them to sit down. They hesitated.
The man showed them the palm of both of his hands.
I am Lord Noriko, Lord Tomodachi.
I am here to talk to Skull. Women stood with their arms
crossed. Lord Nordico shrugged, but did
not seem concerned. Where is a Yashi?
Saku spoke. Place your weapons on the
ground. You have my word you will not be
harmed. Saku looked at me.
Boo, She spoke. You attack the city after
inviting us to a peace treaty? We cannot trust you.
I did not attack, Lord Noriko said.
Your own forces attacked US-led by Jiro, Ayashi and Hana.
They chose not to console you. To try to kill us in our sleep.
No. Who said they wouldn't do that?
This isn't the first time the two have done this before, Saku.
This is merely the echoes of a deal.
Poorly drafted, I have paid the cost of their mistakes today.
I knew you would come here looking for a Yashi, believing
he was helping you. He was helping himself.
You lie, Soku said. It might be unwise to lie to one
who can summon Thunder Lord Noriko said.
I only speak truth. Soku put her weapons down.
Nibu did the same, but reluctantly.
You were a creation of a Yashi, said Lord Noriko.
You were given the tea so you would aid in his cause so that
he would have an unstoppable weapon.
You happened along the way, so he chose you.
My spies believe this. You have caused many people
harm. My only intention is to do what
is right. Who said I believe you?
Lord Neroco said, setting up. I would have requested to speak
to you in person if if they had come to surrender as I
requested. But now it does not matter.
The city of Shal Song shall soon be mine.
Ayashi and Hana shall be dealt with, with care.
I am here to speak to you about your village.
Why me? Saku said.
I do not recognize Rusu as head of the village, for I did not
appoint them. They cannot be trusted, for she
was placed by Lord Yataku. That part of the world is gone.
You were trying to take what originally was my family's city
of Salsong, but this you could not have known ioffer you as
daimyo of your village. A proper council with us in the
coming months. I shall give the city time to
regain its own order. You do not seek control of your
people, but we do request the tea trade is kept open only to
us. I will give you my letter to
read to your people stating these wishes.
He handed Saku a letter sealed in red wax.
That's it. There is one matter you should
consider wisely. You in the village must destroy
all the remaining skull flowers. I shall not take them from you,
but you should consider your power and what a people might do
with it who have been sickened by lies.
You're talking about the crazy T2?
Nibu said. Is this a joke?
Is that why you burned the flowers?
Soku said Yes, Lord, Noriko said.
Because I had to. What if there are others out
there who get powers from this? Your village is no longer the
keepers of the wild they once were.
Maybe not all of your village should have that power.
You're telling me Lubu spoke. If we trade with you, you will
leave us alone. Yes, he said.
If you destroy every last remaining flower, we will
happily trade with you. But if you do not, we shall
destroy you. We shall give you time to
decide. We shall seek you when the time
is right. Do I have your understanding and
your promise to counsel with me? Yes, Soku said.
I shall see both of you again soon enough.
At that he stood and bowed. They bowed back.
He walked into the forest. Why does he believe you can
summon lightning? People said he's going to learn
that's a lie. It's not a lie, but the things
he told us just now, those were lies.
We have to get back to the village as soon as we can.
Our people are in danger.