Before the Battle

Family Name 13/17

From the moment the boy told me Maya was here, I realised how big a problem we had. My friend wouldn't have come all this way in the snow on an icy road for a social visit.

Suddenly, Shira's theory, which I had thought of as something out of the realm of speculation and fantasy, became frighteningly real. Maya's worried face only confirmed my worst fears.

After the inevitable social necessities like introducing my mother and sister, we were finally alone in the empty dining room.

Although my mind was on other things, I couldn't help but notice my mother eyeing Maya with satisfaction and nodding her head in agreement. I was a little worried that she had gotten the wrong impression, thinking that Maya's hug and welcome kiss were more than just a friendly gesture between us.

"So you know about the Third Division," the young doctor said grimly, after I had briefly explained everything that had happened over the past day.

"Shira is right, unfortunately. Mika Marat is behind it," she confirmed our darkest suspicions. She took her mobile phone out of the pocket of her jeans, and before I could explain that it was useless here, she found a photo of a document on it.

She shoved the screen in my face. "I found this in the Council records."

"The warrant to search the house of Maiko Morvai on suspicion of conspiracy against the new Republic and collaboration with Imperial supporters," I read, my stomach clenching with worry. This looked bad.

"It's almost three weeks old."

Three weeks. That's how long they'd known about my mother. And all that time, they'd just been waiting for the right moment.

"And the Third Division? What are their orders? Did you find anything on that?" I asked.

"Mika and his unit have been ordered to check your mother's house. The Captain has requested that the Third Division, now returning to Kashima, accompany him. He explained that there was a risk of conflict with the Imperial factions in the area."

Well, great. That bastard.

"When was this decided at headquarters?"

"Probably last week, while you were enjoying your little rendezvous with Shira," she said, not even trying to hide the accusatory tone.

"You know, I don't want to argue, but this was to be expected with your work attitude," she scolded me. She seemed quite upset about the whole thing and needed to take her frustration out on someone.

"You're right, I'm an idiot," I repented. "But it happened. There's nothing I can do about it now. If it makes you feel better to tell me 'I told you so', go ahead."

"I told you," she shot back. "And not just you, I told Shira too.

Maya was quite upset, but she had every right to be. So I kept quiet and listened to her lecture.

"I'm used to you acting like a lovesick schoolgirl, but I was hoping Shira would understand. Unfortunately not."

Maya finished her speech when she noticed my younger sister peeking curiously into the dining room.

"Mother wants to know if she can set the table for lunch and if Maya will eat with us," Tamiko spoke up, looking at us again with a curious expression on her face. She was probably hoping to overhear what we were talking about.

"Thank you, I'd love to eat with you," the young doctor smiled.

My sister seemed genuinely pleased to have a guest, and I was surprised at how quickly she took a liking to Maya.