Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [249]
Wataru looked over at Meena. He felt flustered, or excited—he couldn’t tell which.
“As one might expect, the government has not given us its blessing. In fact, the senators have gone so far as to say that they regret our decision to release the order without proper authority. Word has it that the Senate meets on this even now, though we will have to wait for the results of their deliberations.”
“The senators? Useless bunch of bureaucrats,” a woman nearby swore under her breath. She spat out the word senators as though it were a particularly bitter morsel.
“The Senate’s in Zakrheim, the capital of Arikita,” Kee Keema whispered to Wataru in a low voice. “Zakrheim is landlocked—so there’s no port. There are no factories or mines there either. It basically exists just for the politicians. Representatives from each country live there, and the Senate itself operates for about half of the year.”
Wataru was wondering what they did for the other half of the year, when Boré Kim Nan’s voice caught his attention.
“Of course, our branch chiefs have reason enough for their decision.” He looked around at the crowd. “Friends, last night, the Goddess came down to our branch chiefs while they slept. She was the one who told them of this threat to the peace in the south. That is why they moved so quickly, without worrying about possible retribution from the government.”
Wataru could feel Kee Keema inhale deeply. His eyes were glistening. “This is truly a miracle…” he muttered. “For the Goddess to appear…”
He was about to prostrate himself on the ground, when Meena gave him a sharp kick in the back. “Stop. Stop, Kee Keema! We’ll fall off!”
A stir went through the other Highlanders. Around them, the wall of people crumbled. Some of them knelt, others bowed their heads to the ground. Without exception, they seemed to all be as moved as Kee Keema.
“We are warriors in the service of the Goddess Creator. The time has come for us to make good on our promise, and act in such a way as to bring honor to the descendants of the firewyrm.”
At those words, a great cheer rose from the crowd. Wataru could feel the enthusiasm rise in a storm around him.
At Boré Kim Nan’s direction, the Highlanders broke into teams to divide up the work that needed doing. Everyone was excited and talking quickly. Some teams mounted straightaway and rode out on the high road.
“What should we do? Maybe join one of the road patrols? Or we can help with the search here in Lourdes,” Kee Keema said, anxious to get started. He paced back and forth, still carrying Wataru and Meena on his shoulders.
“I wonder why they think there’s a chance the fugitive will come to Lourdes?” Meena said, her arms around Kee Keema’s neck for support. “If all he wants to do is go north, then there’s no reason for him to come through here. He should go straight for Arikita. I wonder where he’s coming from, anyway?”
“He said in his announcement they didn’t know,” Wataru noted. “But it makes you wonder. Maybe it has something to do with whatever it is he’s stolen?”
“That’s right. Maybe he needs the help of a starseer here to read them or something?”
If that were the case, their first priority would be protecting Dr. Baksan, Romy, and the other scholars.
“Let’s stay here in Lourdes and help with security,” Wataru was saying, when Captain Ronmel approached, his men behind him. Wataru and Meena slid from Kee Keema’s shoulders to the ground.
“Captain…”
Captain Ronmel nodded toward Wataru. The captain was a tall man, but still he came up only to Kee Keema’s chest. “It seems like big trouble is afoot. Keep an eye on your young Highlanders.”
Kee Keema bared his teeth, suddenly angry. “Wataru’s tough. You don’t need to worry about him, Captain.”
Wataru tugged at Kee Keema’s leather belt, worried at the sudden harsh tone in his voice. Meena was looking at him too, her blue-gray eyes open wide.
“We’ll