Kaguta - Or, Ankūro - The Warrior, The Thief and The Killer

20

Saiban

Two goats butting horns.
Neither understands at all,
That no-one will win.
- Zōinō.

Saiban could tell at a glance that this woman knew how to fight. The way she didn't even stiffen in shock as Nesukē placed the knife about her throat. How she never turned her eyes from him. The relaxed, but ready, posture. Any other person, man or woman, would no doubt have already dropped that spear, or started to fight.

He had to treat this situation with a delicacy that he did not have an abundance of, or they could all find themselves surrounded by warriors from the fortress. He raised his hands, far away from the hilt of the Sansui short sword. Over the woman's shoulder, he saw the question in Nesukē's eyes and he shook his head. Now was not the time to release the woman.

"I know what you're thinking, but if we wanted you dead, or captured, you would be." He didn't move, only holding that woman's eyes with his own, searching to see if she understood him. "I think we're all here for a similar reason. That fortress. Now, we could fight, and I don't doubt you'd give us a hard time, but how about we do something unexpected? Why don't we talk?"

She said nothing for the longest time and Saiban worried his lack of skill at talking had ruined everything. Back in All-Home, he had little reason for diplomacy. His people followed him because they knew his strength and his intent. This woman, with the wicked scar across her throat, did not know him in the slightest.

"Talk." The word came out in a hoarse whisper, no doubt a consequence of that scar.

That felt like a good start. With slow movements, Saiban pulled the short sword from his sash belt between his fingers and laid it behind him. Then he sat on the ground, holding out a flattened hand, inviting the woman to do the same. She, too, dropped the spear and, as Nesukē slipped the knife away from the woman's throat, she sat down, also.

"I am Saiban." He gave a slight nod of the head and placed his hands upon the knees of his crossed legs. "Nesukē and I are thieves, and we don't feel any need to justify ourselves for that. However, we were betrayed and we need to find out why. The answer lies in that fortress. Now you."

"Kō." Her eyes didn't move, but Saiban could tell she paid attention to Nesukē moving into sight and taking her place on the ground. "I seek my brother. He was captured and I believe they hold him within that fortress. A Sansui named Shinoū Sataro took him and I followed him here."

Saiban nodded. As he had thought, their paths had crossed for similar reasons. He chanced a glance to Nesukē, but she gave nothing away behind her emotionless features. Now he wondered what they could do with the addition of this woman, this Kō, who looked as though she felt she could take on the entire fortress alone.

"We have watched this fortress for many days and, I am afraid to say, you will find getting inside not an easy task." He watched the woman as he talked and noted how she assessed both him and Nesukē without giving anything away. "We are good thieves, among the best, I dare say, but the fortress is built well and they have constant patrols. I'm willing to hear any plans you have."

"I attack. Kill everyone in my way and take my brother." It wasn't a boast, as far as the woman seemed concerned. She believed she could do it. "What you do is your problem."

"Attack, so?" He chuckled. Not at her self-confidence, he respected that, but at how simple it all must seem to her. "And how do you propose to beat the thirteen Sansui that currently occupy that fortress."

"Thirteen?" The woman jumped to her feet and Saiban held up his hand, stopping Nesukē from jumping to her feet, too. The woman looked out of the trees towards the fortress walls. "Thirteen."