Tao of the Broken

Chapter Twelve

Note from the Author: I feel aweful it's been 3 months since I uploaded anything!  At the same time I haven't really gotten any feedback so I'm not sure what people think of the story so far, or my writing :/  Anyhow, I haven't been working on the story much either so I only have so many more chapters to post!  I'll try and to better for anyone who has read this far.

Twelve

            Eiji announced their departure the following morning.  He and Sorrel had both agreed that they would speak with Ichiro but not burden the family any longer.  It was a small and crowded home and being so near Ichiro’s family made Eiji’s heart ache for his mother.  He would be glad to see open air again.

            “Are you sure you must go so soon?  I know we don’t have much room but what’s ours is certainly yours.”  Hitomi told them, serving breakfast.

            Sorrel accepted her plate graciously.  Hitomi’s meals weren’t anything extravagant but they had proven delicious.  She ate quietly and allowed Eiji to speak for them both.

            “We really don’t want to be a bother.  We’ve also things to do.  We’re very grateful to you for giving us a place to sleep and bathe, not to mention the food.”  Eiji explained, taking a large mouthful of ham and warmed bread.

            “Is there anything else we can do, Little Brother?”  Ichiro asked.

            Eiji looked to Sorrel and she shrugged.  “Do you know of any suspicious trade vessels?  Perhaps there are caravans coming in at night from farmlands, or ships dealing business after hours?”

            Ichiro wrinkled his brow, looking to his wife.  “Will you take the children upstairs?”  Hitomi nodded and took their plates, shooing them to the upper floor.  “What sort of trade are you speaking of, Eiji?”

            “Slaves.”  He said simply.  “It’s how Sorrel came into Batur’s home.  She must have come from farmlands somewhere.  We also know there are many more like her.”

            “There are ships like you speak of.  When I used to frequent the Portly Stout we would sometimes see enforcer type men ushering cloaked figures aboard.  You know the sort of man who is heavily muscled and looking for a fight.  They could have been loading children I suppose.

            “None of those ships ever return though, the passengers at least.  They’re always taking things away, not bringing them in.  As far as I know there is no market in this port for slavery, or any skin trade for that matter.  I doubt anyone who owned another human being could hide it well in this town.  It may seem crowded to you, but it’s rather small in actual acreage.  There’d be little room to keep them discreetly if not on a boat.

            “Now, if it’s farmlands you’re looking for then you won’t have to search far.  West of here, past the wooded area, there are farmlands as far as the western ocean.  They also reach north of the same woods until the land is too dry to support crops.  Now, if you’re looking for a specific farm, I’d need a name to help you.  You’ll be searching an awfully long time if you haven’t even got that much.”

            Sorrel looked at Eiji and then down at her hands.  “I don’t have a name.  Father never asked it.  He paid her and practically threw her out if he tells it correctly.  He didn’t want to see her again; I doubt he wanted me to.”

            “Then I’m afraid that’s all the help I can give.”  Ichiro said spreading his hands wide.  “When you leave the city simply head northwest, you’ll find farms.  I wish you luck and hope you aren’t searching fruitlessly.”