Womanish Lady

Chapter 28:

   It's been three days since Fuyaiyah rode off. She wants to honor Her Teacher's last words that told her to leave the Kingdom entirely. Before she did, however, she took a newspaper that let her know that the Princes had left in full search of the Archery women.

Now that she had no other place to return to, Fuyaiyah was keen on finding Nali and joining her group. So she went to the last location she got to meet her.

"Now, let's see what we can find." She whispered aloud as she dismounted Bon-bon.

There wasn't anything in the outside, so Fuyaiyah went in the old building. She didn't expect to find anything, but to her surprise, on the meeting table of the third floor, there was the red garment the Queen gave her, and an official magenta uniform that the Archer Women wore, nearly folded, and a note from Nali.

"So you did come back, Fuya! Great! I'll lead you to where we are! I'm late to meet up with the other women to write this to you.

As you know, we're a secret group so I can't tell you exactly where we are, but I'm leaving a riddle:

"Stable dwelling in destroyed grounds."

I know you'll figure it out soon - I wanna see my beautiful baby sister!"

Her heart ached and her body filled with warmth. She also wanted to see her dearest eldest sister. Fuyaiyah took off her maid garments and put on the magenta uniform under the Queen's red garment.

Days later, she walked with Bon-bon into the deserted Village of Harmony. Fuyaiyah's heart never stopped throbbing since she got there. But she tried to ignore the damage all around her and went up the nostalgic hill back home.

Compared to everything else, her home was in good condition - stable. There was nothing that stood out on the first floor, so she went upstairs to her old bedroom.

There was another piece of paper on Nali's old bed.

"This is the last piece of paper. I'm sorry I can't be direct - in case someone else finds this.

Remember the postcards I sent you? Recall the last one! When we visited a small town. From the gate of our village, if you keep going northeast, you'll get there.

There's someone we love and trust there waiting for you. But depending on how long you made him wait, he may approach you wrong.

But he'll lead you to me, so behave!"

Fuyaiyah did not quite know who was waiting for her, but for some reason, she smiled.

She followed Nali's last instructions. She kept northeast, which had her to through a long plain. Eventually, she saw a small village.

The village was so small, that she dismounted Bon-bon and walked through it.

Still not clearly knowing who to look out for, Fuyaiyah stopped to feed herself and Bon-bon.

Suddenly-

-"Hey! You know you're keeping someone waiting, but you still think to feed yourself?"

Fuyaiyah jumped out of her chair and turned around.

Norekeito and his horse walked up to her. Fuyaiyah's eyes went wide. Years had passed, and Norekeito looked like a completely different person.

"Norekeito?"

"What?"

Norekeito from years ago was very bright, smiled often and had sparkly eyes. But the one standing before her showed no signs of having smiled in a long time. His appearance, attire, and demeanor was unfamiliar.

"Hmm? Why are you crying? Don't tell me you feel guilty?"

"Where did your bright smile go, Norekeito?"

His heart melted at her tone. He looked away.

"It disappeared. The first moment we heard the village got destroyed, and all of you guys were taken."

Fuyaiyah was so happy and, simultaneously, so sorrowful seeing her brother-in-law. Norekeito sighed and hugged his sister-in-law tenderly.

"You can't smile? Even after seeing me again?" She cried.

He put his chin on her hair.

"So many things sapped my ability to smile. And seeing my favorite Fuya cry is nothing to smile about." He hugged her tightly and released her. "Now, let's get you and Nali reunited."

Fuyaiyah nodded and wiped her tears. "Sorry. I was overwhelmed for a moment. Yes, I really want to see my sister."

They began to leave the small village. Norekeito had Fuyaiyah ride on Bon-bon while he walked with both horses. She laid on her horse and observed his unchanging tense face.