The Outlander 1 12
#13 of The Outlander
Book 1 Chapter 12
12
Deadpaw and his partner Fang had returned to the Niji gate to search the bodies of the dead. The gate itself had fallen, the defenders massacred in a last stand effort. The pair were out in the killing field searching the fallen samurai for a sword identical to the Starfire katana. "What about this un?" "Na, it ain't got funny writin' on it an' the grips da wrong colour," "This un? It's red wit' funny writin' on the blade," "What about da scabb'rd," "The what?" "Da sheath yer git! Da sheath," Deadpaw shouted at Fang. "It's red but no diamonds," Fang replied. "Na worries, I found un," said Deadpaw. Behind them they heard the wearets betting and fighting with each other over the spoils of war. One rule applied; as chieftain of the tribe, Roygel had first pick of everything. He paraded up and down in Lons' samurai armour and dai-katana with wearets howling out with roaring laughter. "Suits yer Chief," said one of the tribe. "Oi never pinched armour that fits me. Don't like da colour but Oi's like da gold." To Roygel's left two wearets were fighting over a katana. "Paws off der shiny sword! Dat's mine," said one wearet. With neither beast backing down, the two wearets had a head-butting contest for the rights to own the stolen blade, with their compatriots placing bets on the winner of the fight. Both Fang and Deadpaw didn't stay to watch, instead they were on their way to see Jagee at the dojo mansion. * Jagee had removed the body of his master and gave him a mock burial attended only by Tin-Jin's monks, no dignitaries were present. As one monk lit the incense sticks another spoke a prayer over the grave. Another monk asked Jagee "Will you say nothing about your master's passing?" "He was a kind and noble creature who loved this land that is all I can say." Out of the corner of his eye the ferret noticed movement around the back of a prayer shrine. The ferret bowed to the monks and excused himself. He walked through the aisles of graves and headstones looking over his shoulder to see if he was being followed. Satisfied that he was alone Jagee confronted Deadpaw and Fang. "Well, where is it?" the ferret demanded. Fang produced the sword which was hidden under his armour. The ferret snatched it from the rats' grasp and held it with awe, "What of the vulpine?" Deadpaw returned a thumbs down paw gesture shaking his head. "At last the Starfire is mine and the end of Sandokhan. Now my power is absolute, you two have done well. When Claws' assimilation of Jima is complete I will have the pair of you serve as captains of my guard." "Thank yer ludship," said Deadpaw. "Now leave me," Jagee demanded, "if I need you again I will summon you, go!" With that the two Stormvermin soldiers ran off to rejoin their regiment. The ferret's next step would be to summon dignitaries and nobles from across the domain. Clan chieftains, other samurai and spiritual leaders would bear witness to the ascension of power. * He had gathered them all in the dojo's hall and from a balcony with Wataru and Tin-Jin at his side, he addressed the large yet disheartened and crestfallen gathering. "I know that the invasion of Jima was unpredicted and the loss of our Shogun has raked your hearts with grief. However, this is really a time to rejoice, a time that all Jima can savour. A time to rise from the ashes of this tragedy and witness the dawning of a new era. In which the Eshin Celestial Realm and the Shogunate Domain of Jima come and work together for a bright and glorious future." Nobeast cheered or applauded, they all stood completely and utterly nonplussed. Only one creature challenged Jagee, the otter Wataru, "Be careful of your words, Jagee. What you say is treason and who's going to lead us, you?" "Of course, for I wield the Starfire katana! With it, our path to a bright future is assured," Jagee replied holding the red katana aloft. Wataru's jaw dropped to the floor. "How dare you!" Tin-Jin called out, "That sword is not yours, it belongs to Lord Sandokhan!" "Oh Abbot, don't you see the truth? Sandokhan was a traitor," the ferret replied coldly. There was a clamour of strong disagreement from all, Jagee raised his paws trying to calm the crowd. "My friends, please do not be angry with me. I saw it with my own eyes. After tricking us into thinking he was dead, he returned to this very dojo and murdered his, and my own master. I found him in the act and slew him myself. Forever after today his name shall be a symbol of treachery and betrayal." Some in the crowd started murmuring amongst themselves, but Jagee had more to say on the matter, "As holder of our country's most treasured relic it is I who will govern over Mochizuki to keep the Claw at bay and to be the head of a new Samurai council. Wataru, will you be my second?" Jagee said extending his paw for Wataru to shake, but the otter stared coldly at the ferret. "I'll never join you! Sandokhan was a friend of mine and I refuse to believe that he betrayed us," said Wataru before storming out of the ferrets presence. The otter ignored all around him only wanting to be away from Jagee and the place he grew up in. When he walked out onto the top of grand stone stairs he saw the massive doors of the Niji Gate open off in the distance and the sound of heavy marching was heard in the distance. Being carried by his slaves at the head of his Stormvermin army, Ikkit Claw smiled evilly as his army trudged through his new conquest. The otter was so heartbroken that he broke down in tears where he stood, "Why do you cry brother?" Wataru looked through the veil of tears to see the otter Tsuzuku standing over him. "Tsuzuku I don't even know where to start. My country is now under the iron rule of a tyrant that cares nothing for our happiness, a great victory has been denied to us and today I lost my best friend." "Sandokhan is not dead," Wataru's eyes dried and the otter stood up straight, "You talked to Sandy, he's alive?" Tsuzuku clamped a paw over Wataru's snout, "Shh! I don't want Jagee to hear. Tin-Jin's been making plans matey, and the one thing that will ensure they go well is that Jagee must believe Sandokhan's dead." Wataru nodded in understanding, he then looked over his shoulder to see if anybeast was listening before he whispered, "Where is he?" "Away. Far, far away to the western lands to find help and when he returns we will rid our homeland of the scourge that defiles it," said Tsuzuku, placing a reassuring paw on his brother's shoulder. The two otters then left the dojo for Tin-Jin's temple to await the monk's return however Wataru couldn't shake the feeling that Jima now belonged to the Eshin dynasty. * One night out on the heaving seas around the southern tip of Lanka, Sandokhan stood out on deck of his small vessel, feeling the harsh sea breeze blast his face as he stared west. His crew couldn't help but notice that he always stared west.