Chapter 2: Pardoning of Sin

Ishikawa, Nihon

Thanks a lot Jaff! Now all I can see and hear is him! He tried his hardest to bring that Khalina Prophecy to pass. Twice!

Jaff should be thankful that the bastard was gone!

Ugh! I needed to calm down. Take a deep breath, inhale the refreshed, damp air, and forget all about Zaki.

The streets were filled with people again, even this late in the evening. It’s a good thing the rain had let up, too. I was so ticked off with Jaff, steam would probably be rising from my head right now.

That’s when I heard them; a small group of men ganging up on one of the peddlers. One of them had a knife at the old man’s throat, demanding money.

I looked around for a soldier, someone to run those bandits off. No one. Oh well. I was in the mood to kick somebody’s butt; might as well be them.

A few well timed warps and satisfying strikes took them down before they knew I was there. I really enjoy this too much.

“...the Hell.did you come from...?!” asked one of the bandits, wobbling to his feet.

“Why don’t you get going while you can still walk?” I suggested.

“I don’t know who you think you are, but this is our town,” he said, anger growing in his voice.

“Bonko!” One of his gang grabbed him by the arm. “It’s that guy from the Great Storm,” he said. “We’d better do what he says, man!”

Bonko was hesitant to agree, and after a moment he said, “You’ve made yourself an enemy! For life!” Then he turned and ran away with his gang.

“Children these days! If they only knew how hard it was to get these things!” the peddler grumbled under his breath. He then turned to me. “Thank you, good spirit! I heard you were back in town. I’m Suro.”

“You’re welcome, sir.”

“You know, after you left and just when life was returning to normal the city was attacked again. Not by monsters like before, but by our neighbors.”

“Really?”

“Yes, yes. Some of the surrounding cities took it among themselves to isolate Ishikawa. Cutting us off from supplies, food; if we didn’t have our own land to farm we’d be in a real fix.”

“But...why’d they do such a thing?”

“Oh, they think Ishikawa is cursed because of what happened. They want nothing to do with us out of fear of misfortune falling upon them. So, few goods in; few goods out. If Yamato can’t change their hearts, we may be forced to leave the city for keeps.”

Ah, is that why he left so suddenly?

“I’m hoping for the best,” the peddler continued. “That’s all we can do, right? Anyway, I need to pack up my produce and head home. There’s not that much foot traffic after dark and the misses should have a meal prepared for us.”

Great! How long was Yamato going to be away? Dealing with those other cities would probably take a while and I’m anxious to get rid of Damnation. I wonder... “ Sir, can I ask you something?”

“Ask away!”

“Have you heard of a soul cleansing ritual around these parts?”

“Soul cleansing?” He sounded perplexed.

“I think it involves, something like, bathing in a pool on a mountain somewhere. Does that sound familiar?”

“Oh! You mean the Pardoning of Sin. Yes, I’ve heard of that. It was popular generations ago, but not so much nowadays.”

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Okay, now we’re getting somewhere.

“As a matter of fact, my mother-in-law’s parents both took part in it before marrying so that their offspring would be as pure as possible,” said Suro. Then with a big grin on his face, the peddler leaned closer to me, poked my arm with his elbow a couple of times and added, “But between you and me I don’t think it helped much.”

It was hard not to smile just a little after that remark. “Is she still around? I’d like to know more about the cleansing.”

“She’s back at the house. You can come and speak with her if you want. Let me finish loading the wagon.”

“Great! Let me help you with that!”

After loading Suro’s wagon we were on our way to his place. Finally! I almost couldn’t contain my excitement! Once I found out all I needed to know, I’m heading there as soon as possible!

Your days were numbered Damnation!

It was a short trip to Suro’s home which was one of a few houses grouped together in the area. Lanterns were generous with their light, illuminating many stone paths. A woman stood in the doorway of Suro’s place sharing a welcoming smile.

“I’m home, Kinta!” Suro waved.

“With a guest, I see,” Kinta replied.

“This is Aiden, the good spirit that saved Ishikawa before. I told you about him.”

“Oh! I should have guessed by his hair and all. Nice to meet you Aiden. Will you be staying for a meal? It’s not much but I can fix an extra plate.”

I had a feeling she hadn’t made enough for three. “No, ma’am. But thanks for the invitation.”

“Is your mother up? Aiden wishes to speak with her.”

Kinta shook her head and I was crestfallen. “Her sister, ( you know, Yara ) fell ill. She left earlier to see what she could do for her.”

“Ah, I hope it isn’t too serious,” Suro said, dragging a load off the wagon.

Kinta looked my way with inquisitive eyes. “What did you want to speak to her about, Aiden?”

“He wanted to know about that cleansing ritual your grandparents used to do,” Suro explained. “Are you staying in Ishikawa long, Aiden? I’m sure my mother-in-law will return shortly.”

“I’ll be here for a few days,” I replied as upbeat as possible, despite being let down again. “I’ll help you unload, mister Suro.”

“Thanks! I’m ready to eat! Kinta, what are we having?”

And on that note, I tuned them both out. Not much else to do but shove all of this stuff in their shed and get out of here. I kept my head up the whole time, smiling and pretending to be happy.

No need for them to know how I really felt.

“Stop by my shop sometime this week, Aiden,” said Suro. “I will ask the old woman to come by and tell you what she knows.”

“I’ll do that. Thanks!”

***

Stay positive, Aiden. Go back to the castle and get some shut eye. Try not to create another Damnation rune in your sleep.

A quick warp and I was back in my room at the castle. Jaff should be snoring up a stampede by now, or so I thought. Of course he proved me wrong.

I found him standing on the balcony which was brightly lit up by several wall lanterns. I don’t know what they use for oil in Ishikawa, but the lanterns here give off the brightest lights I’ve ever seen.

Even with his back to me I could tell he was holding something; a weapon maybe? A bad feeling fell over me all of a sudden. Is he going to...?

What’s he thinking?

Was I too hard on him earlier? “Jaff, what are you...?”

I paused, waiting for him to respond. “I was...I was wondering when you were going to get back,” Jaff said, eventually turning to face me with a sheathed sword. “The guard brought some of your father’s belongings while you were out, Aiden.”

Why was his voice cracking?

He freed the weapon from its sheath and showed it off. “This was the sword Yamato gifted him.”

“Father was a swordsman?” That’s a pretty long sword with a wicked curve like I’d never imagined. And now that I have seen it, creating one just like it would should be easy.

“Indeed he was. I...had forgotten how good he was, too,” Jaff said, returning the weapon to its elaborate cover. “Anyway, I..I think I’ve been here long enough. I need to go home.”

Huh? “Why?”

He cleared his throat and lowered his gaze. “This trip has stirred up a lot more emotion than I expected. I need some time alone.”

“Oh. I understand.” But I kind of didn’t. “Do you want to leave now?”

“Yes, yes. Before you see your uncle sobbing like a newborn.”

“Ok. Jaff? I’m sorry about snapping at you earlier when you asked about,” I began then he pulled me in for a surprisingly tight hug. We never hug. Well maybe not never, just not so spontaneously.

Was he getting this emotional over father’s sword? I never would have expected this to hit him so hard.

“No matter what happens between us, Aiden, I’ll always love you.”

“I know. I love you too, Jaff,” I replied, sending him on his way before I started choking up too!

See you when I get back, uncle.