The Heritage

Chapter 8

Jak began by thanking the man for his hospitality, drawing an approving nod from all around the table and then related everything that had occurred since their arrival in Caval. When he was done, the men spoke in their strange guttural language among themselves, sometimes heated and sometimes with amusement. Jared remained fascinated. The leader, introducing himself as Haito Osakawa, examined the map Jak produced and acknowledged that he was familiar with the location.

"We have discussed what you said and we agree that the animals belong to you, however, one of our member believes you would have stolen them back if we had not caught you."

"No! No, we would have come to your door." Jak assured. "My people are not in the habit of just taking things."

The man spoke again to his companions and as he did, Jared caught just a fleeting glimpse of a shadow passing across the far end of the room. He turned to catch a brief glimpse of a flowing garment as it disappeared behind a screen. Curious, but afraid of offending the men, he shifted slightly sideways, pretending to stretch his leg and affording him a better view of the room. The man turned back to Jak and stated that it was agreed they should have the horses back with a small payment for their return. Jared knew they had little money and was about to turn and protest when the shadow emerged from behind the screen, stifling his words.

There was a burst of angry words from the old woman and the leader stood from the table issuing a harsh command bringing silence to the room. He held out one hand and the figure stepped meekly forward.

"This is my daughter, Kysoo. She has behaved badly in front of guests."

Jak and Jared scrambled to their feet, nodding and bowing heads, protesting any harm in her action, and introducing themselves.

"I am Captain Jak Staff of the Dominion of Terrault, and this is my friend and companion, Jared Croft from Moraine." Kysoo bowed nervously, glancing up at her father. Jared gaped openly at the young woman, bedazzled by her elegant beauty.

"I am honoured, Jak-san... Jared-san." Her voice sounded like a silver bell to Jared; he nearly tipped forward watching her.

Haito absorbed Jared's fascination and directed his daughter to return to her area of the room. "We have not finished our negotiation."

"I'm afraid what little money we brought with us was lost in the sea save a few coins we will need for food and such. Is there some other favour or service we might perform to satisfy the return of our animals?"

Haito considered him for a moment then turned to the others and held a long, gruff conversation; the same man seemed to disagree but the others all nodded their assent. "We have a solution that will serve both our needs well. You will sleep here tonight and in the morning I will tell you our plan."

*****

Jared held his breath as he watched the woman over the back of his pony. Kysoo, dressed in a tight wool jacket and wide-legged woolen pants, carried the two buckets to the paddock gate, unaware of the stranger's presence. He remained silent, studying her porcelain features and the impossibly deep black of her eyes. She set the buckets down and began scooping handfuls of feed and spreading it among the chickens that picked their way cautiously around her feet.

Huge billowy clouds sailed majestically across the sky screening the morning sun and throwing the paddock into sudden shadow. Kysoo crossed the paddock toward Jared and he was afraid if he frightened her she would cry out, bringing unwanted trouble from her father.

"Good morning, Kysoo." He ventured softly, pleased that she gave only a small jerk before locating him behind the pony and bowing shyly.

"Good morning, Jared-san."

"I hope I didn't frighten you, I was... I just came out to-to..."

"I'm happy you found your pony, he is a fine animal."

Jared blushed and patted the animal's nose. "Yes, yes he is. I haven't owned him very long and I thought he drowned in the sea."

"You were both fortunate indeed to survive, Gaspar the Pirate is a deadly and cruel man."

"You know about him?"

"Oh yes. My father has battled him for years for right of way on the sea. Gaspar is far more cautious when he sees one of our boats sailing." She put a hand to her throat and blushed slightly as Jak entered the paddock, smiling at their sudden discomfort.

"Good morning, Kysoo, I can see your presence has brightened my young friend's day already." He controlled a smile as he began tending to his horse.

"Oh! Oh, good morn- Jak-san... I-uh..." She dipped her head and scurried from the paddock, forgetting the rest of her chore.

"Captain!" Jared hissed. "That was uncalled for."

"My, my, somewhat thin-skinned fellow aren't you." Jak laughed.

"You embarrassed her."

"Think past it, Jared, we have more important concerns ahead of us." Jak said sternly, changing his tone as Haito and two men came from the hut. "Good morning."

Haito gave a short nod and cast his eyes over Jared. "This is Motaka," he steered a young man to the space between them. "You will take him as your guide to the place on your map in return for the animals."

Jak blinked. "That's it? That's all you want?" He looked at the young man who stared back passively.

"That is not the payment. The payment is taking my daughter to a place where her mother is working and see that she arrives there safely."

"But we are supposed to be going-"

"It is on your way," Haito cut in.

"I don't see how this repays-"

"Enough!" The command made everyone flinch. "This is the arrangement. This you will do." Haito spun on his heel and marched back to the hut, returning almost immediately with Kysoo. "You have your horses, blankets, food, new clothes and weapons. My daughter is ready to travel- now."

Motaka crossed the paddock to a small shed and returned with another pony, a smaller one than Jared's. Kysoo bowed slightly and allowed her father to help her up into the saddle. Haito handed the reins to Motaka and uttered a few guttural commands before turning back to Jak and crossing his arms-waiting.

"I guess we go," he said, mounting his horse and sidling it toward the gate. "What about uh- him, doesn't he ride?"

"No." Haito stepped back to allow them all to pass.

"Fine." Jak spurred his horse and trottedout of the paddock followed by Jared, Kysoo and Motaka. Once out on the villagestreet, Motaka began a fast-paced run ahead of the riders.