Flower of Bulann

Chapter 14

Kuan dispatched the last of the stable guards with Tanahashi and several maiden guards aiding him. He had taken only a couple of the maiden guard, deciding that Vior and the gate team under Rassan would have more need of them.

"Hold the stables," he told Tanahashi before mounting his horse.

Taking Windrush he rode for the gatehouse, the greater number of their forces having been sent to capture it.

He arrived just in time to hear the alarm gong being sounded, the sounds of battle evident as he rode in, charging forth and cutting down a guard as he passed by.

Several maiden guards lay dead amongst the Hyenta guards. And though he had known there would be casualties, it still made him sad to see women killed.

Rassan thrust his spear through the final guard on the gatehouse, he and the remaining maiden guards lifting off the gate bar and pulling the large iron-studded gates open.

Satisfied that their escape route and means to do so were secured he rode back to the stables in time to meet Vior, with Kinna in his arms and his diminished team.

"Brother, mount up. The alarm has been raised and we must flee now. Once the palace guard arrives we will be cut down" he called out, his brother nodding and placing Kinna on the saddle of his horse before mounting.

She clung to him tightly with a blank look on her bloodstained face. Tai'ishi and Tanahashi brought extra horses, Ovinna rode with Tanahashi and Kuan lifted Hinata to sit before him, the young handmaiden blushing as she held tightly. Riding out first, the maiden guard went to secure their escape.

"How did the rescue go?" he asked Tai'ishi, the red-clad demon's weapon thick with congealed blood.

"It was butchers work, lord Kuan. The lady Kinna was not prepared for such scenes" he replied as they rode after the maiden guard with Vior and Tanahashi.

They reached the gates as the gongs rang out all around the fortress, Rassan and the remaining maiden guard mounting the extra horses with the injured riding with the able-bodied. And, though no one wished to, they left their dead behind, hoping against hope that they would be burned and sent to God up in heaven.

Their group galloped out into the night, members of the maiden guard taking torches from the walls to light their way.

Entering the town they stopped briefly, collecting a wagon that had been left for them. Arranged no doubt by Jaefan as his last act of help to the lady Kinna.

Rassan jumped onto the bench before cracking the reins. The torchbearers taking the lead as the villagers cowered in their homes from the noise shattering the peace of the night.

"Should we let the lady Kinna sleep in the cart?" Kuan asked, watching as she held onto Vior tighter, pressing her face against his armour. 

"I do not think so, my lady is... fragile, at the moment. Perhaps when morning arrives?" he postulated, but Kinna shook her head and began to cry.

They rode through the night without incident, for they had to put as much distance as they could between Kinna's father and themselves.

Kuan yawned widely as the first rays of light began to shine over the horizon, Hinata's small frame breathing gently up against him, she was a beautiful girl and he considered taking her as a wife once things settled down.

They were heading north now, towards the principalities and unclaimed lands. From there they would have to decide where to go next, though with Vior's past and Kinna's heritage it was unlikely they could expect little hospitality from the great lords.

"Could we find a safe haven with your lord father, lord Tai'ishi?" he asked, though he expected a flat out rejection and if he did not, he would know he could not trust the demon warrior.

"All of you? perhaps, but the lady Kinna would not... nor would lord Vior once their lineages became known" Tai'ishi warned, thinking through his response reasonably and carefully.

Then Tanahashi and Rassan agreed that the same problem would happen regardless of where they tried to find safe harbour. Though should they stay within the unclaimed land? conflict and battle would be inevitable due to their number. 

They stopped in the small village of Hanabe to rest, the fresher maiden guard taking the first watch as their group slept in a barn. The owner all too obliged to aid the Hyenta family after a costly bandit attack.

Kinna refused to let go of Vior while awake and even as she slept, being away from him wracked her with nightmares and tears.

"Is there any hope for my lady?" Hinata asked him, holding Kuan's hand as they observed her sleeping in Vior's arms.

"I hope so," Kuan said honestly, for he didn't know, he'd never seen anyone like this before.

"Give her time" Tai'ishi butted in, resting an arm on a support beam as he watched them. "I have seen such looks on the peasants who are pressed into service. Most normal people are not conditioned for war, you see, miss Hinata."

The handmaiden nodded along, hoping he would elaborate and provide a quicker solution to bring Kinna back.

"Many never recover, the doctors call it the trauma of the mind. Us warriors, call it cowardice. But it is real and debilitating. I wish your lady a speedy recovery."

Tai'ishi walked away unceremoniously and Kuan felt surprised at the brutal-looking man's knowledge and understanding of the world.

"Does that mean my lady will be fine again soon?" Hinata asked him.

"Yes, miss Hinata. I am sure she will be" he lied, the handmaiden hugging him with gratitude.

"Then I shall be happy again, my lady has suffered so much these past few days," Hinata told him and Kuan held her to him, was this perhaps what Vior felt when Kinna held him close?

Kuan sat down beside his brother as mid-day rolled around, Kinna now sleeping soundly with Ovinna and Hinata. Tanahashi, Rassan and Tai'ishi joining them.

"What will we do now, my brother?" Vior asked, though his voice was weary.

"We will head north still, perhaps we will find protection with your mercenary friends?" Kuan suggested though Vior shook his head.

"We cannot trust them. They are loyal only to money, and Kinna's father will pay much to get her back and for our heads" Vior told them, voicing their own thoughts as his eyes slowly closed his tiredness beginning to overwhelm him.

"Worry not, lord Vior. We three will aid you and your brother until we can be assured of the lady Kinna's safety" Rassan said, clasping Vior's shoulder in solidarity.

"Indeed, it was part of our deal with Jaefan," Tanahashi added as he stood up and stretched.

"You should rest up, lord Vior. We shall depart in a few hours, and you must be in a fighting condition" Tai'ishi told him before casually walking away as he was want to do.

Kuan could see how tired his brother was, dark bags forming under his eyes. Having Kinna be in such a state was clearly taking a heavy toll upon his mind and body.

Vior soon fell asleep, Kinna's handmaidens laying him down beside Kinna. His arm instinctively embracing her, protecting the woman he loved even in sleep. Ovinna and Hinata smiled, and Kuan stood back after covering them with a blanket.

Vior and Kinna were finally together.