God damn ambassadory. Ryou had been traveling through these lands for almost a month now, and nothing but bare rock and the occasional batch of dry grass had greeted him. Not that his feet were hurting from walking too long on this ground, but his behind did not take kindly to the endless irregular up and down of the wagon wheels. A street was needed, so much was certain.
Luckily, the wagon soon came upon a katyan scout party.
"Oooiii. Can you help us? I am a diplomat from Tenrai Minzoku, send to repair some diplomaticaly damage. Can you tell us in which direction Mimikozga lies?"
The head of the katyan patrol, Nasri shrugged, and only pointed vagueally south-eastwards. Also, he offered Ryou's party food. Or "food". A brown-ish brick that was impossible to evaluate by the look of it. Trying to force the green out of his face, Ryou politely refused.
At Mimikozga, Ginya already awaited him.
"Ahh, Ginya, it warms my hearth to see you. How have you been?"
"Quite well, thank you. Once again, a pleasure."
She waved him into a partially constructed building, where she then rolled out some mats to sit on.
"So, how are things in Katyan lands ?", inquired Ryou.
"Troubles and more troubles, although the issue with the Hrun has been resolved."
"Peacefully, I hope?"
"Neither peacefully or violently, in fact. There was no contact. When we released Erak, he ran off northeast into the mountains."
Ryou's face darkened a bit.
"Then I hope the issue really is resolved"
"As do I.", Replied Ginya, nipping on a glass of water. "They are resettling south, across the river, so it appears they have their own best interests at heart, rather than our worst."
"If only I could report of similarly good news. The situation in Tenrai Minzoku is going up and down like a canoe in a storm"
"Oh?"
"The war against the giants of the north is nearing the decisive battle. Whatever the result, the rest of the nation will be bound to it. Despite my eagerness to do my part in this battle, the parliament decided they can't afford my loss, so here I am, while my own hand trained men are marching northwards. Not that the inner politic situation is any better."
Ginya nodded a few times, though with a raised eyebrow. So Ryou elaborated.
"You see, this army was raised for a single purpose. To fight the giants. But now, that the war is as good was won, the question is: What to do with that army? And the current debacle on the southern borders are not helping this decision"
"Yeah, but there are loud voices in the parliament that insist that there is one more mission we have to send them on before stability is given. They might still be a minority, but the man of the Opposition, Hibiki Omura, or how I like to call him "Hebiki" is quite a man."
Ginya shuckled a bit at the pun. She knew the Hitenguan language long enough now to understand that ryou was refering to Hibiki as a snake.
"Though his viewpoint is not the most popular one, that might sooner or later change. He is the man that owns most of all information methods. The newshouters, the gossipers, the official newsletters, it's all him who controles them. Whatever waves the Katyans make, they will grow into a Tsunami before they reach Tenrai Minzoku. I think you can guess what I am talking about?"
Ginya paused a bit, not sure what to reply.
"I hardly see what more we could do to assauge the situation than we having already done."
"What you are going to do in the future, it is hard to say it matters. Everyone will see them using *this* as his glasses"
From his sleeve, Ryou drew a Katyan arrow.
"Ah, yes. Let me guess, it was in Ranpu?"
"And it's picture was drawn on newsletters all over Tenrai Minzoku, yes. And if only that was the only thing in the newsletters.The news that the Hrun have been attacked have also made the round. And most importantly, the great scoop that was published after Ranpu gave her report about the katyans in front of the parliament. Wether it is true or not, I would not go so far to condemn you for just this tiny bit of...unlucky interpretations. But the katyans have officaly been called "a potential threat to balance"."
Again, Ryou reached into his sleeve, this time pulling out a newsletter:
Under the image, the text said:
Katyans invade The Hrun:Only days after almost mortaly wounding the Hinyuudou for proposing peace between the nations of the south, The Katyan malice is pushing forwards Eastwards. The Hrun settlement only 5 spans away fro our capital, has fallen to their bloody warmongering.
Ginya couldn't help herself but snort, trying to supress her laughter after seeing this picture. It was evident the artist has never seen a Katyan or a Hrun before. Ryou however, frowned at Ginya's laughter.
"There is nothing to laugh about. So few months before the elections, this is exactly what neither the Hitengu nor the Katyans can need"
"Yes, the Hitengu definitely have no need of a leader who attempts to break into prisons and then goes home to whine about being shot."
She took a few deep breaths to recompose herself, then reached into her pouch and pulled out a letter."Found at the window of Erak's prison chambers. The original letter, and an uncensored copy."
"We have heared the contents from her herself already. All the more reasons why it is easy for the Hitengu to antagonize you. First and foremost, I apologize for Ranpu's behaviour. She is just a child who thinks that when peace is at the stakes, it has to come, whatever the costs. Secondly, she is only our spiritual leader. But in the end, it is the parliament who holds the weight of foreign policy, and Ranpu taking this kind of measures without awaiting approval from the parliament was deeply illegal. Nevertheless, Ranpu's decision has greatly influenced the people in Tenrai Minzoku, and Hibiki is building on that. Right now, the only thing that keeps them from officially forming an army to "take care of balance" is the fact that the parliament still is full with enough reasonable men to hold the opposition down, and that the elections are still 7 months ahead of us."
Ryou paused a bit to let what he has just said to Ginya arrive proper, then spoke again.
"What we need, is to give the Katyans a better image"
Ginya nodded and smiled with intrigue.
"I shudder to think what Ranpu has done with her gifts. Presumably they're not on public display."
"And here, I could really need some cooperation from your side. We have 7 months to make sure that not even the snake himself believes what he is writing."
"I am sorry. There are only five of us here other than the children, presently, and we are being worked ragged. I will spare what aid I can, however. Many construction efforts are underway. One of them is an enemy fortress adjacent to our lands. We are running a little behind."
"Well, it is not that there is nothing you can do. We could start by sending a representative to Kawareidou, so we can officialy re-establish the connections between your nations that were so quickly severed. Moreover, a public apology for the arrow that pierced the Hinyuudou, that is somethign that can't be missing. Maybe the very person who shot the arrow could do that? If he can't be found, just take a random guy and say he was the one who shot, just make sure he will not lose his temper when a tomato or two hit his forehead."
Again, Ryou paused a bit.
"Also, the Hrun. Re-innitiate negotiations. Maybe sign a peace tready. All 3 of us, Erak, you and Ranpu, all sitting on a table to sign such a contract would be wonderful. In fact, it would almost guarantee that a war between us will never happen. Gestures Ginya. This is what we need now."
"I see...I cannot abide by an apology that doesn't make Ranpu's own crime clear. I doubt we could trace who fired the arrow, and it's possible it was one of the children... Normally, Eval would make a good scapegoat, though considering that he nearly did perform an actual murder when we met in Kawareidou, that might be a mistake."
For a few seconds, Ginya pondered.
"Erak is missing, his own people do not even know whether he is living or dead. We don't feel secure in talking to them without Hitengu mediation, which was what I requested Ranpu come here for, a service she failed miserably to provide for all three of our parties."
"Ranpu is forgiving. Hearing you apologize would, without a doubt, cause her to come here to officialy apologize as well, and endure any punishment you see unavoidable. And if it is mediation that you want, if you can ask the Hrun representative, even if it is not erak, to come to Kawareidou, I will see to it that the parliament will not allow Ranpu to attent. If need be, I will personaly tie her to the bed and announce she is too sick to attent"
Ginya chuckled a bit at Ryous last remark.
"Would you be willing to stay here until we can organize a party to go with you to meet the Hrun to the south? Or, a party to go north to your lands, where you could summon a delegation from whatever other holdings they possess."
Ryou was thinking to himself for a bit, alook of worry on his face...
"Are all Katyan foods similar to the one I was presented earlier with, when I came across on of your scouting troops?"
"Similar, yes. But better. We prefer uncomplicated meals. Most is prepared on the same day it's cooked, not weeks before like those biscuits."
Ryou sighed out audibily.
"The sacrifices you make for peace....But very well, I shall stay here with you. At least your bewerages are very good."
Ginya let out a short laugh. "You liked the exploshroom? I'm impressed. Don't worry, we can take requests if there is any specific meal you'd like. Sadly, we have no fresh produce here, but there's plenty that can be done with what we have."
"As long as it is no meat, I will gladly let my mouth go on safari."
"Very well! You can have your pick of accomodations in this town, and don't hesistate to ask if there's anything you need."
Ryou stood up and whiped the dust of his clothes.
"Anything that is not dusty would do"
"Hmm. I suppose the bathhouse might come closest to fitting that need."
"Then I shall take my residence there. Phew, I am glad our conversation has been so fruitful. To be honest, I was a little afraid after hearing what Ranpu sais are quotes from your very mouth."
"She has a way of taking things out of context, I suppose."
"Yeah, no need to tell me. I only proposed setting up a leather industry a single time, half jokingly, and the nickname "Ryou the skinner" has cost me 3 elections for parlament representative in a row."
"Hmm, I did not realize your people took your aversion to violence all the way to the barnyard."
"Yes, and I actually hopes it stays that way."
"You'll recieve no complaints from us. We enjoy hunting, but raising animals for food does seem a bit... off."
While the two of them were talking, Ryou's servantsbegan to unload the wagons into the bathouse. By the look of it, he took his entire furniture with him. Ginya grinned at the sight.
"Ah, it helps to be prepared!"
"Oh, this is just my travel-furniture. Well then, if you will excuse me, I had a long travel, and would like to rest. If you need anything, Kaede here will have an ear for you."
Ryou pointed out a young Hitengu girl of approximately 15 or 16 years of age, and striking beauty.
Ginya nodded, gaving Kaede and appraising look. Kaede noticed that look, and nervously tried to escape Ginyas eyes.
"I will return to my duties then. Welcome to Mimikozga."
Author
Topic: Battle of the Gods IV (Read 71768 times)