That very day, Tora began her journey towards the northern border. It took her ten full days and nights to reach the town near her destination. The golden ray of the sunset glowed on her lower face as her hood shaded her eyes from it. She pulled the strap of her ride, drifting it to a full halt. Staring down from the edge of the brae, Tora seemed to imagine the liveliness of the town. It has been five years since the war ended and this particular town was one of the places that first to inflict the highest casualties as the enemy nation first invaded the northern border.
But now, from the view of her standpoint, she could see torches slowly brightening the whole town as the dusk came close. This progress of the town, Tora, was satisfied that it slowly returned to normal. Hence, the reason she constantly focused on their borders to avoid repeating history.
Moreover, the northern border was the closest to the neighboring country that they waged a war with. Hence, Tora particularly watched over this place. After all, even if their enemy would attempt to attack the other borders, they wouldn"t succeed as the military forces in those areas were higher than the north.
There are still warriors that were under training to increase their forces so that they could strengthen this border instead of weakening all borders to aid the north. Regardless, the victory she led as a daimyo/lieutenant and set her the t.i.tle of the general had increased their nation"s morality, and their enemies would have to think twice before attacking their kingdom again.
"Kaze, let"s go visit the town." With a smile, Tora said before her horse, Kaze let out a loud nicker before it turned and gait and then it galloped like a wind towards the town.
By the time Tora, together with her steed Kaze arrived at the town, the night was already in and only the torches from the soldier"s surveying its vicinity welcomed her. Tora trotted her pace before she stopped at the entrance of the town that was being guarded by a group of elite warriors.
The moment the soldiers saw her figure drew closer, looking all mysterious with her face covered with a hood. Just looking at her, the elite warriors that were stationed in the said town turned hostile.
They seemed to smell her intimidating aura as they were elites that sensed if someone posed a threat or not, and Tora had her inconceivable aura seeped throughout her very being.
"Who are you?" One guard had his hand on his sword"s handle and by the looks of it, one wrong answer from her, he would slash her to pieces. Surely, the security in this area had tightened.
Even if the intruders weren"t from outside the border, they believed that some soldiers of their rival kingdom were left hiding after their failed attempt to invade this country. Hence, since the border town was the nearest place to cross and escape to return to their country, they had to be sharp to everyone that entered the north — even with merchants and travelers.
"My, my," Amused by the hostility, Tora murmured before she hopped out of Kaze. Tapping its fur, she didn"t turn to look at the guard that was questioning her but searched for someone else.
There, on the other side where darkness lies, with no fire to give it some light, Tora slowly removed her hood before she grinned. Since the torches gave her the dim lightness, the person she was looking at from the dark immediately recognized her and her steed Kaze.
"At ease. Salute to the General." With that note, a man wearing an all-black suit came out from the dark with his hands" raised. Seeing that the Warlord or lieutenant gestured them to ease, the guard loosened his grip on his samurai before he bowed his head in silence. However, upon hearing his lieutenant"s later remarks, the guards flinched before widening their eyes.
This woman, she"s the famous general? The Hero of the war five years ago? Surprised by the sudden visit of the general who wore nothing fancy and only has her horse as her companion, the soldiers bowed their heads with their fist on their chest.
"Good to see you, Arakaki." Smiling, Tora watched him drew closer and stopped several steps away from her.
"Your Grace," Saluting, Arakaki was about to kneel to the person whom he believed as the true ruler of this kingdom. However, he was stopped when Tora spoke.
"Stop — no need for formalities." Waving her hands off, Tora shook her head sideways. "I came to check the border. I intend to do it unannounced, albeit I see the patrol indeed toughened." Sighing, she muttered as her plan to check if Arakaki had being lazy but to no avail, he wasn"t.
"Be at ease, I ought to take a rest tonight in this town before heading to the border."
"Then, I will—" Nodding, Arakaki was about to offer his company and prefer the best inn in the town where she could rest comfortably. After all, the journey from the capital to this town would take twelve days.
But, knowing the general, she must have traveled with little rest. Plus, with Kaze as her ride, it probably took her at least ten full days and nights to reach here. He guessed accurately.
"No. Proceed with your patrol. I can find myself a place to stay for the night." Guessing what he was thinking, Tora refused. "Also, don"t let the townsfolk know that I am here. I"ll be leaving Kaze in your care, though. Is that alright, Kaze?" Turning to her horse, she patted his side.
She wanted to take Kaze with her and find him a stable to rest. However, with Kaze"s kind, he would surely be too noticeable. Moreover, she could trust Arakaki to look after him for the night and throughout her stay in the town.
Kaze nickered as its tail moved sideways as if it understood her. With that, Tora smiled before she turned to Arakaki and nodded her head, showing that Kaze would behave.
*****
Entering the lively town, the traces of the war five years ago left little trails. The townsfolk, with some guests like merchants and travelers, filled this small town. Inns were brightly lit with torches as the jeered of drunken men resounded in the air.
Hearing her stomach growl as she has no proper meal for the past ten days, Tora licked her bottom lip, sniffing the aromatic scent of meat. It led her to an open-air restaurant. As she entered, there seemed to be a commotion inside. Curious, she tiptoed and saw two men arm-wrestling.
"Will you challenge him for a free meal?" Just as the man won, a small girl around ten years old perked up at her, which slightly made her jolt to the side.
"Ha?" Peering at the little girl bearing a sparkling pair of eyes, Tora knitted her brows.
"That master will pay for anyone"s meal if you beat him in the battle of arm"s strength!" Churu, now on a child"s form that looked entirely different from her, giddily said. By the tone of her voice, she wasn"t asking her to join but hoping she would.
"Free meal?" Furrowing her brows, Tora turned to the person who won. Upon setting her eyes on him, it quite surprised her. She thought that the most handsome guy in the country was the emperor, but she thought wrong.
The guy with his hands in the air as he cheered for his victory with utmost happiness and pride was as das.h.i.+ng as the emperor hence, it caught her interest. Partially because of his good looks, but also the vibe she was getting from him.
"Only a fool would let go of the opportunity of getting a free meal." She grinned and headed towards the crowd. After struggling to squeeze herself in, Tora finally reached the seat where the challenger sat earlier.
Without saying a word, Tora plopped down and position her arm. But, the man before her seemed startled as he blinked his dark eyes numerous times — as if surprised to see her. She just raised her brows, gesturing him if he would accept her challenge or not.
"I want a free meal. I"m hungry and I don"t have a single bronze with me." She said, lying on her last remark without batting an eye.