Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [303]
Wataru drew back and stared at Meena’s face. “What do you mean?”
“It means that’s your future!” Meena was exuberant. “You’ll make it to the tower! You won’t have to be the sacrifice! You’ll get to meet the Goddess and complete your journey!”
Bubuho had written the letter in great haste, telling Meena the good news. They had planned this trip to Gasara so that Granny could tell him in person.
“Isn’t that great? I’m so happy! I always thought it would be a horrible shame for Mitsuru to win. It should be you, Wataru. It has to be! Granny has never been wrong before!”
Kee Keema, too, had insisted that it wasn’t over yet. You need only two more gemstones and you’re home free! Wataru would simply smile and shake his head in defeat. After a while, the waterkin stopped talking about it.
But Meena was different. She was persistent. She was all smiles and hope when she spoke to Wataru. Even when Wataru tried to steer the conversation in another direction, Meena kept things on track.
“Well, you sure look out of it,” Meena said, waving her hand in front of Wataru’s face. “Did you understand what I just said? I mean, isn’t it great news? She said she saw many other things in the crystal too. I’ll bet they’re clues for you to find the next two gemstones! Let’s talk to Granny and get the details, and leave as soon as we can. I’m sure we’ll find them. You’re going to the Tower of Destiny after all!”
In her enthusiasm, Meena jumped back up on her stool and cheered, thrusting her little fists into the air.
The innkeeper came rushing out of the kitchen. “Whatever is the matter?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Sorry.”
Wataru hurriedly pulled Meena down from her stool, holding her firmly so she wouldn’t be able to get up and dance again. “Meena… thank you, Meena.” Wataru wasn’t sure where to begin. He decided to just let the words fall out from his mouth as they would. “Thank you for worrying so much about me. I’m really grateful.”
“What are you talking about? We’re friends! And, I decided, like I said in Lourdes, I’ll be with you no matter where you go.”
Meena tensed with such excitement Wataru was afraid she was going to lift him up and dance around in circles.
“You have to calm down. There’s something I need to tell you. Okay?”
Meena’s dancing eyes stopped, though they still glimmered with joyous expectation. She tilted her head and placed her hand on Wataru’s shoulder. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy?”
“I am happy,” Wataru said, choosing his words carefully. “I still have a chance, I see that.”
“That’s right!”
“But, Meena,” Wataru took a deep breath and continued, “I can’t go searching for the remaining gemstones now. There’s something else I have to do.”
Meena’s eyes froze. “Something else? What are you talking about?”
“I’m going north. To the Empire.”
Wataru looked around the eating hall. There was nobody else around. The innkeeper was tucked away inside her kitchen.
“I’ve been given a mission, which, as a Highlander, I can’t refuse. I’m going north with the help of Jozo. Kutz is going too—she’ll be leading a team. If we achieve our objective we can come back. But it’s going to be very difficult, so I can’t say what will happen…still, I have to do it. I’ve decided.”
Wataru took three deep breaths. The two stared at each other in silence, their stares turning to glares in the uncomfortable silence. The rich smell of food from the kitchen seemed strangely out of place.
“You’re going north?” Meena asked quietly.
“Yes.”
“As a Highlander?”
“That’s right. We’re going to assassinate Gama Agrilius VII, that’s why…”
Meena laughed in his face. “That’s silly! Why would anyone want to do that? Is the South going to bring war to the North? That’s impossible! They already have the designs for the powered boats. We’ll lose.”
“This will buy us time,” Wataru explained. “If the emperor is assassinated, there will be some degree of confusion and chaos in the Empire. The Empire is a dictatorship—if they lose their dictator,