Chapter 291

Chapter 291

The urgent Sending arrived the moment Akanai sat down for dinner, a most unfortunate turn of events. Repressing a tired sigh, she closed her eyes and massaged her temples, lamenting her earlier indecision. Since embarking on this journey south, shed taken all her meals facing the Bridge as a way to feel closer to her family, but a few days earlier, she realized she wasnt being fair. While Mila and her husband were north at the Bridge, Li Song was south on a jaunt with the boy to see Ping Yaos giant turtle. Such a foolish thing to concern herself with, which direction to face while eating, but Akanai still spent several minutes agonizing over the decision before each meal. Today, she opted to face west and watch the setting sun while keeping her entire family in mind.

She was growing soft in her old age, but such was life. Shed much rather stay home and spend time with her family instead of marching south for what could be the final war against the Defiled. As a young woman, the prospect of open warfare against the Enemy would have filled her with visions of honour, glory, and adventure, dreaming of advancing her career and winning favour for the People, but as Chief Provost of the Sentinels, her outlook was far less optimistic. The battles ahead would be bloody and hard-fought, with armies numbering in the millions clashing on the flat, open fields of the Central Province. In a war of such epic proportions, her 15,000 Sentinels, were but a drop in the bucket, lives easily spent for little or no gain.

How many of her people would make it home alive? Though the Emperors invitation was a sham and his intentions clear, Akanai had no choice but to comply unless she wanted to live in a world ruled by the Defiled. Should the Central Province fall, the North, South, and East would soon follow. Their only hope for victory was to band together and face the Defiled threat, but given her experiences the last time she visited Central, Akanai wasnt too optimistic about their prospects. There was little chance shed be given an opportunity to affect the outcome either. Though she held a high rank, as a woman and demi-human, she was likely to be overlooked and excluded from command, if not outright mocked and marginalized.

Riding Kankin out of camp, Akanai smouldered with anger as she imagined the barbs and derision shed soon suffer. She could hear them now. 'A Lieutenant General in command of a paltry 15,000 mounted archers wanting to weigh in on matters of importance? How absurd.' She had the authority to command 360,000 troops, but shed brought less than a twentieth of her full complement. No one would care about the 10,000 Sentinels left behind to guard the Bridge, though mostly cadets and retirees. Few would even notice the Saints Tribulations Mountains had a population little over a million, which meant 2.5% of its population had succeeded in becoming Martial Warriors, more than double the Empires estimated 1% average. No, all this would go unnoticed and her Sentinels numbers would be seen as a joke or shed be accused of shirking her duties.

Akanai prayed whoever held command would see the value of her Sentinels as scouts, archers, and skirmishers instead of simply throwing them into the meat grinder. With luck, the Emperor would appoint proper soldiers to lead his army, warriors like Nian Zu or Du Min Gyu. If not...

As much as Akanai loved her country, she loved her Sentinels more and refused to see their lives squandered by some high-born fool or small-minded bigot.

Since riding full-speed out of camp would raise a scare, Akanai kept Kankin moving at an easy trot, the aged quin still full of energy despite the long journey. He should have long since retired but Akanai still couldnt bring herself to replace him, the temperamental quin holding a place near and dear to her heart. Upon reaching the outskirts of camp, she directed Kankin into the shadows and used her Chi to Conceal their presence before breaking out in full gallop. Military Law dictated she remain in camp while the army was in transit, but circumstances dictated otherwise. She only hoped there werent any bored experts paying attention to her movements, lest she be brought up on charges of dereliction of duty, or worse, desertion.

After riding for a quarter-hour, Akanai came across Jochi waiting where the message said hed be, nervously picking at his quins fur. Idiot, she Sent, startling the young elite as she came out of Concealment. What is your mission?

Giving her a hasty salute, Jochi replied, Uh, join Falling Rains retinue, Chief Provost... Lieutenant General... Maam?

Wrong. Fixing him with her best glare, she rode up and loomed over him, inwardly delighted by his look of terror. Your mission is to guard Falling Rain. The boy is my Grand Disciple, grandson, and future son-in-law all wrapped in one, yet here you are shirking your duties yet again.

Blanching in fear, Jochi whined, But Im following his orders... He needed someone to quietly Send a message and he dont have many Senders. Besides, hes safe as can be, tucked away in secret while me brother watches him, I swear it.

True enough, but Akanai wanted to hammer home the importance of protecting the boy. Oh? Like he was safe inside Sanshus walls, or surrounded by Yuzhens army? You should know better than most, trouble is drawn to the boy like a fly to honey. If he comes to harm and I find out you brothers are to blame, it would be in your best interests to flee to the ends of the world and pray I never find you. Now, bring me to him. Im curious to see what new trouble he's stumbled into.

Nodding like a chicken pecking grains, Jochi turned his quin about and took off, pushing the poor animal as if the Father Himself were chasing them. After reminding him to Conceal himself, Akanai followed behind in quiet reflection. Jochi and Argat were both talents in their own rights but sorely lacking in self-discipline. A damned shame too, if not for their lackadaisical attitudes, they could one day rival the pup or possibly even herself considering their abundance of natural talent, but sadly, talent only counted for so much. Rarely would there be a genius as diligent and dedicated as the boy or the pup, and without hard work, geniuses were doomed to fall behind their peers. As they were now, despite being a decade older, Jochi and Argat werent even a match for Tenjin and Tursinai, much less Alsantset or Gerel.

At least Akanai could count on Alsantset to keep Rain safe. Such an earnest and persistent girl, able to keep up with Gerel while also raising her children, Sarnai and the pup raised her well. And those twins, so obedient and adorable, Akanai quickly grew addicted to their cries of great granma. A pity she hadnt adopted the pup two decades earlier and been there for Alsantsets childhood. Diligent and talented though she might be, the tiger-eared beauty grew wide-eyed and thick-skulled every time Akanai drew close, overwhelmed by admiration and hero-worship.

Spotting a flash of white in the treetops, Akanai slowed Kankin and turned about, whistling to greet the watcher. Bounding out of the treetops, Sarankho landed lightly and arched her back in a stretch, displaying both her fancy silk vest and the fat duck clamped between her jaws. Chuckling in amusement, Akanai shook her head in disbelief. The proud wildcat huntress was so well fed she cared nothing for wild game, carrying it around like a trophy to display. After giving Sarankho her deserving praise, the wildcat discarded the duck which was promptly snatched away and devoured by Kankin, showing the stark difference between pet and companion.

The boys pets were the strangest addition to Akanais new family, but she was happy to welcome them all the same, even if they were a bunch of lazy, silk-shirt wearing, good-for-nothing idlers.

Leaving Kankin to enjoy his treat, Akanai sent Jochi ahead and followed Sarankho on foot, knowing the wildcat never strayed far and would lead her back to Song. Whatever trouble the boy was in, it couldnt be too pressing since Rain asked for her instead of the pup. Reluctant as she was to admit it, her prized Disciple was far better equipped to deal with any faction disputes the boy might have gotten them into, a man of fame and influence after being recognized as Nian Zus successor. Bittersweet to be surpassed by the pup, but her wounded pride was nothing compared to the satisfaction of seeing him succeed.

Minutes later, Akanai watched Sarankho strut into a clearing with head and tail held high before taking a seat next to Song who was brushing one of the chubby bears. Cocking her head, Song welcomed the wildcat with a rare smile. No present today, Sara? You glutton, keep this up and youll grow fat and lazy like your brothers. Sarankho made a noise of contentment and closed her eyes as Song continued brushing the bear, humming one of the boys nonsense songs beneath her breath.

Seeing her daughter in such high spirits warmed Akanai's heart. She wished Song could always be like this, but the girls wounds would be long in healing. Clearing her throat so as not to surprise her apprehensive daughter, Akanai strode out of the clearing with a smile. It pained her to watch as panic and terror flashed across Songs face and even more to see it replaced by feigned apathy as the sweet girl retreated into her shell. Putting the bear aside, Song shot to attention and greeted Akanai with a salute, her ears flicking left and right with scared indecision. Opening her arms for a hug, Akanai stopped in place and waited for Song to come to her. Hello sweet daughter. Mama missed you.

Exhaling with relief, Song ran into her arms and embraced her tightly, though Akanai noted the girl still didnt smile. Hello Mama, she said, adding no I missed you, or happy to see you, not even questioning why Akanai was here. It was hard to tell if Song truly loved them or was merely doing what was expected of her. Though shed improved much in these past months, Song was still too reserved and afraid to step out-of-bounds, knowing her good treatment could be taken away in an instant. It might take years to convince her otherwise, but Akanai could wait until Song was comfortable being herself.

Giving up on massaging her temples, Akanai embraced the pain of her growing headache. So, what did you call me here for? How was she supposed to fix this?

Err... well, see... Ping-Ping, thats the turtles name, she uhh... keeps following me around for reasons unknown. Returning to her side, Rain Sent, Well, I think I know why but Ill explain later. Switching back to speaking out loud, he continued, Anyways, her guardians were happy to follow her around after they realized I wasnt forcing her, but once we were about to leave the province, they said I couldn't go. Weve been camped here for two days waiting for you to catch up. I dont think we should kill them, theyre just trying to look out for Ping-Ping.

Understanding dawned on Akanai and her headache disappeared in an instant. Idiot boy, he couldnt kill them even if he wanted to, and why would he? This was a stroke of fortune. Had she even an inkling this might happen, shed have sent him to see the turtle months ago. Most likely, it had something to do with the drop of Heavenly Water, but she never would have expected the turtle would notice it inside Rain. Mm. I understand. Go tend to the turtle, I will speak with the Protectorate. Striding towards an empty clearing, she turned to face the strongest response to her probing. No, these people are trying to hide so she should seek out the weakest and therefore most well-hidden. After finding her target, Akanai clasped her hands in a salute. This one is Lieutenant General Akanai of the Bekhai, Chief Provost of the Sentinels and Herald of the Storms. Who might I have the honour of addressing?

Hmph. The hidden figure came into view as he dropped his Concealment and Akanais stomach twisted into knots as she studied the familiar, sun-tanned man. Disguised as a common woodcutter, the mans straw hat hid what Akanai knew were ears exactly like Milas, triangular with red and white fur. His long, luxurious white eyebrows and beard trembled as he scolded her without regard for either of their statuses. Lieutenant General, pei. Chief Provost, pei. Herald of the pei! In this lords eyes, you will forever and always be the little scamp who led my people on a merry chase for the better part of a month because she had nothing better to do.

Swallowing her trepidation, Akanai bowed properly while inwardly cursing this old man who refused to let bygones be bygones. Greetings, Venerable Guan Suo. It gladdens my heart to see you again.

Bullshit. Refusing to give her face, the cantankerous old bastard sneered in disdain. No need for your flowery words, the Divine Turtle can not leave the Province. Since shes taken a liking to the boy, then he also can't leave, end of story.

By all means, Akanai said, gesturing at the turtle who lay dug into the dirt. Bring her away or stop her from following, but the boy has been summoned by the Emperor himself. Rain must leave, and soon.

Bah. A girl her size goes wherever she damn pleases, and shes smitten with your boy. Spitting into the dirt at her feet, Guan Suo glared at Rain. Damned brat. Shouldve killed him when I first laid eyes on him. Marked him as one of yours but I didnt figure him for the Falling Rain. Likely still considering killing the boy, Guan Suo asked, His reputation, is it deserved?

Hiding her excitement, Akanai nodded. All of it and more. My Grand Disciple is a-

Bah, a yes or no is all Im looking for, no need to gloat. Pulling out a pipe, Guan Suo packed it tight and sparked it, taking small puffs as he delayed the inevitable. With a tired sigh, he threw his hands in the air and turned away. Call him over.

Standing in silence after Sending for Rain, the seconds stretched into eternity as Akanai waited for him to arrive. Damned boy, when your Grand Mentor calls, you should come running. When he finally arrived, Akanai signalled for silence and put her arm around him, doing her best not to tremble with emotion. With his back still turned, Guan Suo continued puffing away at his pipe, keeping silent for long minutes before speaking. Where the Divine Turtle goes, we go to protect her. Falling Rain, the Protectorate requests to join your retinue.

Seeing his frown, Akanai almost smacked the boy out of sheer panic, worried he might offend the temperamental Guan Suo, but Rain kept his mouth shut and looked to her for guidance. Smart boy. Nodding, she urged him to answer quickly, and he did. Sure, I guess.

That will be all.

So relieved things went well, Akanai grabbed the boy and brought him away. Pinching his still frowning face, she Sent, Why so sour? Are you not satisfied?

Whatever you think is best, Grand Mentor, its just... Theyre just joining to protect the turtle right?

Yes. And the turtle follows you around, so the benefits should be clear.

So they arent going to take orders, but I still have to pay for their food and shelter. Ill probably have to give them armour and weapons too, I cant show up with a bunch of woodsmen in my retinue. Im not paying them a wage though, if they wont take orders then...

Shaking her head, Akanai rolled her eyes and smiled at Rains miserly ways. Wealthy beyond all imagination yet here he was complaining about paying for food, shelter and wages.

All in all, a small price to pay for your own personal Ancestral Beast bodyguard.

Chapter Meme