Child

[Philomel]

There had been a single man the night of the riots in Akashima, by the name of Buraha Murashi, who had seen the ships leaving the harbour. He had been on port duty, and had a job, but supported the rioters for the simple reason he had friends and relatives who were starving. And that meant all the world to the quiet, lonely blacksmith.

His eyes saw the foreign ship, her anchor in the waters. He watched as various women and men went back to and fro, some looking guilty, others looking pleased. He saw the red silks dangled over the side of the hull and he breathed slowly, putting the pieces together.

It was him who raised the alarm about a non-national sea-faring brothel in the harbour. It was Buraha who said the first words that made the riot turn into one of fire and torment. It was he who cried wolf, and sent other men, who were much more angry and hungry than he was, down the wooden jetty and screaming for their lives.

When the chase for the various, so-defined 'enemy' ships began, Buraha was hesitant. He thought it was not fair going into international waters and following the ahips to their equal ports. He protested, but he was dismissed and sent to follow one of the lesser wanted vessels - one owned by the merchant Mushi that organised trade from Scara Brae. Not too far away from Akashima, so he was not deemed a major threat. Usually the rioters would have not followed the escaping boats, but for this time, with the heinous introduction of the brothel-ship honour was shamed, people were disgusted. It seemed to be the final straw for many, and whilst the imperial guard fought back for control of the city many of the rioters took to sea.

Buraha and three other men, in a small sloop, followed the Bonzai for weeks. They managed to keep them on their horizon for the majoirty of the voyage, only losing them when a large, angry storm hit the waters. For days after they were tossed around, one man eventually losing his life and many of the rations being spoiled. After the weather calmed Buraha and his two remaining comrades, Hiro and Wotari, sailed until their food ran low and their energy began to fail.

For three days and three nights they gathered fever and hunger, coming to a point where they drifted on open sea. It was only luck that they came close to an island and a fishing boat, enough to be rescued by the kind fisherman. For some time they stayed with the man in his lonely little hut, confused at the start but gathering knowledge as they did. Hiro died, as he never fully recovered, and it was only after they had buried him that Buraha and Wotari thanked the fisherman, their minds beginning to alter about their opinion on non-Akashimans.

And they made a pledge to sail home, ready to go back to their homeland and the uncertain destiny that awaited them there.

That was until they came to the harbour town on that island, and heard the rumours of an Akasiman girl and a pregnant faun who were staying in a farmhouse. After some private discussion their altered opinions fading into nothingness, and they ran, knowing who exactly who these people were, and on what ship they had come this way on.

The Bonzai.

~*~