A Hero’s Deceit

A day's time passes as Machairi travels from Notos to Central City. His mission to observe the Wiseman's actions was highly informative and successful, yet the asset to the monk spy order is compromised in his opinion. About two years ago the order's asset was implanted to observe and compromise the Wiseman's efforts. Machairi's and Wiseman's battle, Machairi witnessed the spy asset not doing as he was trained to do. Seeing that Machairi is a spy handler, for a matter of fact, his asset's handler, his asset should of came to his aide immediately when the Wiseman's attack ensued. Machairi wished to two with the Wiseman and see what skills Sai had or did not have, but his main objective was to obtain information on why the asset hasn't checked with the order in weeks.

Machairi travels slowly on foot to reserve his energy and he travels alone towards central city. His black cloak covers him from head to toe, and as always, he has his hood on over his head. He walks with his hands crossed and inside of the black cloak's oversized in the oversized sleeves. As he walks through a town, his face is unseen by passersby. Machairi never reveals his appearance to anyone, for he is a spy and assassin. Although the he left the battle with the Wiseman in retreat, Machairi rarely fails at a mission. Being a master manipulator, he allows people to believe in a win or a loss. Machairi suspects the emperor will send an envoy to receive his notes and the seeing orb he used to record the Wiseman's and Sai's activities.

Just as Machairi thought to himself the emperor will likely have Francis handle this information, he spots Francis at a pub sitting outside. He wonders how they knew he was on this route to central city and he answers himself by saying someone must watch the watcher. A smile slowly forms on Machairi's old covered face, because he would do the same if he was the emperor. For, trusting anyone, even an underling or agent, is a grievous error no one in power can make. Machairi decides it's time to great Francis.

"Hello traveler!" Shouts Machairi, "how is the grog today."

Sitting with his long sword sheathed but at the ready, Francis replies to Machairi, "It was as good as it was yesterday. You walk too slow monk, I don't think much of you anymore." Just as Francis utters his words, he unsheathe his sword and jumps on to the table.

Machairi jumps to a neighboring table and says, "Well hello traveler, having a bad day?" Francis swings his sword quickly in Machairi's direction.

Machairi leaps onto the long sword and balances himself. He boastfully and with a wider grin on his wrinkled face says, "Francis my boy, why do you always great me with a battle?"

Both men erupt in laughter and drop their offensive postures. Both men sit for a drink of grog and food. Passersby in the small-town stare at the two men. Yagers and Monks are not seen often in their town let alone at the same time. The onlookers question what just happened as the two exchanged posturing, better yet the people wonder why would two people oddly great each other in such a way.

"There is nothing to see here," Shouts Machairi to the onlookers. "Go about your day, we are just two traveling feeble old men."

The two men start to talk to each other. "So what do you have for me Machairi?"

"I bring news for the empire, news of Sai the prophesied Kaian"

"Oh Machairi, you done well on your mission." Francis takes a big gulp of his grog and a bite of his meat. "So her name is Sai? Since when has this happened?"

"She chose that name for herself because of her weapon she uses. She seems to be strong with potential and emotion. Honestly, she is too weak to take on anyone with meaningful skills."

As Machairi hands over his information to Francis, Francis' old face forms a frown. "What is this I hear of your spy asset being compromised?"

"News travels quickly in the empire," says Machairi with a grin on his face. He pulls back his hood and looks Francis in his eye. Machairi knows full well if for any reason Francis doesn't believe him or thinks he has failed in his mission, Francis will assassinate him on spot. The emperor demands full loyalty without failure from all his subjects. Especially, his elite soldiers and assets. "Mirkos is no longer an asset Francis. He isn't and won't be giving us anymore meaningful information," explains Machairi.

Francis tucks away Machairi's the seeing orb and notes into his side pouch next to his sword. The two men look at each other in the eye silently for two minutes. Francis breaks the silence as Machairi takes a sip of grog, which is a gesture from Machairi he isn't on guard. "I see. This is unfortunate Machairi. He was trained by you. You raised Mirkos as your own and taught him the monk order's ways of assassination, spying, and deceit. The emperor will not be happy to hear of this."

Machairi chomps on a piece of meat with both hands to show he isn't going to attack and oddly looks into Francis' eyes. Passively with a nonchalant tone, Machairi says, "Francis by my word, I will kill Mirkos on sight. You can tell the emperor that as well in your report."

Both men have frowns on their faces now. First Machairi gets out of his seat and bows towards Francis, for this is salute. Francis stands to accept Machairi's salute, and he extends his right arm, clinches a fist, and places it across his heart. The two men leave the pub and start to travel together towards central city. Onlookers see the two men's faces go from frowns to blank lines. Machairi covers his head with his hood to conceal his face.

Meanwhile, in the opposite direction of Francis and Machairi's location, The Wiseman and his pupils are walking towards the badlands. The Wiseman thinks back to his battle with Machairi and questions what was Machairi's objectives. He is dismayed at the fact he had a vision of Sai and Mirkos being defeated by Machairi. He tells himself he must train Sai and Mirkos more quickly than he would of hoped. Things are moving quickly, and Sai's presence is bringing unwanted attention his way.

For years the monk's have sought after the Wiseman's abilities, especially his ultimate healing ability. Machairi showing up is a sign that him and Sai are on the empires radar. They don't send their top spy and assassin into the field for trivial things. The Wiseman asks himself why did Machairi retreat? That's failure in the eyes of the empire. Machairi succeeded forty years ago when he assassinated the Wiseman's Elder Master.

Suddenly the Wiseman's thoughts are broken by Sai's complaining. "Master, while you were walking and day dreaming as you always do Mirkos suddenly broke off from our path and I haven't seen him in twenty minutes. I didn't notice because I was running and scouting for trouble ahead."

"Sai it is ok, Mirkos is good at hiding. He always has that talent."

"Master what do you mean?"

"Sai Mirkos is a good pupil and a good kid. I believe my kind acts have turned him into the person you know today, the fun-loving shrimp who is sometimes a lazy student. But a student with much potential to do good. Sai stop here, we will wait here and train while we wait here to show up."

"Master why do you have so much confidence he will know where we are at?" Asks Sai.

"Sai, my dear, it is his job to know where we are at all times," explains the Wiseman. Changing the subject, the Wiseman points towards a dark tree trunk, "See that animal over there?"

Sai looks over into a dark corner of the forest they are traveling in, and she sees a wounded boar which is near its death.

"No doubt a hunter shot him with his bow and left him to die. I don't know why some people do such things, Sai."

Sai's pale face has a look of empathy. She pulls her long blond hair to the side and thinks as she forms her question, "Can we save the boar?"

The boar dies as she asks the question. The Wiseman rolls his eyes towards the back of his head and closes his eyelids. He raises both of his arms in front of him with palms out. Sai watches her master closely. She notices her master's right palm opening slightly in the center, and she suddenly sees one white orb float from the Wiseman's hand towards the boar's body. As the white orb enters the boar's body, the boar's eyes come to life again. The boar suddenly stands and appears to be confused and with renewed vigor scurries away into the forest.

"Master what was that healing technique? It appears to be different than the healing salves you have taught me and Mirkos."

"Sai, that is the most sought-after technique by the monks and by the empire. This is my ultimate ability to give life. I fear I will have to use it soon if the vision I witness is true."

Lurking in the shadows of the forest, Mirkos watched most of his master's and Sai's exchange and conversation. He is amazed to have finally seen the ultimate ability. The other day, He thought the tornadoes lifting and smashing trees was amazing! Now, he sees his master give life to a lifeless animal. Just as Mirkos asks himself how is this possible he is interrupted.

"Come down here Mirkos, there is no need to stay up there on the treetop," says the Wiseman.

Mirkos leaps down and says, "Master what was that ability and how was it possible?"

"I learned this ability many years from my Elder Master before he succumbed to Machairi's spirit arrow attack," explains the Wiseman. "As the life left his body, he showed me the ability. Why he didn't save his own life that day I am unsure. I am also unsure why Machairi allowed me to live that day."

"Master this story is very sad, but why are you now showing us this ability?" Ask Mirkos.

"I have seen a vision of both of you being murdered by Machairi. We will encounter him sometime in the future." Explains the Wiseman. "I must train both of you faster and more distinctly to prevent my pupil's defeat."

Both Sai and Mirkos look bleakly at their master, and both nod their heads in unison.

"Sai lets warmup and train for master's lesson."

Sai nods her head up and down and extends her hands. "Let's do it."

The Wiseman spends time correcting both pupils on their hand to hand combat and approaches to battle. He proceeds to worry his pupils need realistically two to five years to even properly dodge or attack someone of Machairi's strength. He also fears the ultimate ability will have to die with him. He has always felt his Elder Master made a mistake to teach it to him. The Wiseman decided to live his life training and learning how not to be defeated like his Elder Master.

The day continues, and the pupils finished their hand to hand training. Sai sets out to forge for edible food and drinkable water for her master and Mirkos. Mirkos notices his master has been withdrawn and quieter than normal. He also notices his master has been more abrupt and short answered with Mirkos' queries. He proceeds to speak to his master.

"Master have I angered you?" Asks Mirkos.

"No, actually you have not Mirkos." Says the Wiseman gesturing to Mirkos to come closer to his position. "I am surprised you disobeyed your orders, Mirkos."

With a puzzled look on his young face, Mirkos looks into his masters weary eyes and says, "what orders master? I obey your will as ordered."

"Mirkos drop the act, you know what you were sent to do. But your good nature has come out of you my pupil," says the Wiseman with a flat tone. "In my opinion, you and Sai are destined to be heroes in this land. Be mindful of my teachings, I won't always be here to protect you two."

With more bewilderment on his face Mirkos looks at his master. He starts to cry, "master, you are all I have. You have treated me well master and my allegiance is to you now. I am sorry…."

Interrupting his pupils weeping, the Wiseman puts his right index finger on Mirkos' lips. The Wiseman tenderly explains, "Hush, no need to be sorry. I just need you to do three things going forward."

"Yes my master, what is you bidding?"

"First, maintain your honor as a hero in training, Second, protect and backup Sai always."

Mirkos abruptly interrupts, "Yes my master."

"And you can never tell Sai you are a monk spy…."

Mirkos with loud tears hugs his master and weeps in his master's arms.

"Mirkos do not weep anymore, for we oppressed people of the empire have a new hope in Sai."

Still sobbing Mirkos asks," how so?"

"When she fully awakens as the prophecy dictates, she will be more powerful than Machairi, The Yager Elite, myself, and maybe the emperor."

Sai returns from forging and exclaims, "Hey you all, what's with the sour faces. You look like you seen a ghost or something. I found some rather yummy berries! For some reason, I have a memory of enjoying berries. It's probably Queen Rousha's desires I am remembering."

Mirkos hides his tears and dries them quickly and asks, "Speaking of the queen, what will be her fate? Sai's existence looks poor on her. Master do you think the Queen will be punished."

With a matter of fact tone the Wiseman answers, "Probably will be executed, just like all threats or failures of the empire."

"No! I can't allow Queen Rousha to fall to a executioner's blade. In a sense she is the only family I got. Most people would call what I feel towards her a sisterly feeling. We need to save her."

"Sai what you are proposing?" Asks the Wiseman.

"We should save her. We can rescue her and get her out of the Kaian castle!" Screams Sai.

"Sai you're asking for a lot… A lot indeed." Says the Wiseman. "We are about a week's travel from the bad lands." He lets out a loud sigh and both pupils look at their master. "I tried to do worse tasks than rescuing a selfish monarch. Lets backtrack to the Kaian territory. Mirkos, see if you can ask around with contacts you might have when the Queen's execution date is."

Bowing dutifully, Mirkos says" yes my master."

"Master why is Mirkos being so formal? And how does he have information on the Queen's fate?"

"Sai don't worry about that and just know we will save her."

Sai eats another cluster of berries and nods her head upward and downward.