ALFRED DIDN’T LIKE THE IDEA OF running, but the alternative was just too dangerous. If they stayed where they where, the very place where they were just attacked, they would be sitting ducks and at the mercy of the man that wants to take Calissa away from them. As much as it disgusted the man that he and his daughter would have to desert that only home she’s ever known, this was for her safety and to stay ahead of the animals that mean to harm them. He made it clear to his child that they couldn’t pack anything heavy, only small things that could fit into the wagon. She understood and only took the bare essentials and a few personal items that she wanted to take with her. While it seemed logical for them to get out of there as soon as possible, Miyamoto was confident they had time but shouldn’t take too much in case the Hakken were eager to try again. The Samurai was even willing to pull his wagon again just as when he first arrived all those years ago, but Alfred believed that was too slow. To everyone’s surprise, Alfred was able to procure four horses. Two of them would pull Miyamoto and his wagon, while he and Calissa would ride the other two. They had to move quickly just in case they literally had to run for their lives. Based on that possibility, Alfred thought horses was the way to go.
“How did you get these horses?” Calissa asked.
“I bought them,” Alfred said, rather proud of himself. “I sold the house and all the furniture inside it for rather fair price since we had little time to get it done. I managed to get enough to not only to buy the horses, but we’ve a fair bit of extra money to help us travel for quite some time. I don’t mind camping out, but whenever the weather isn’t co-operating, it would be nice to get a hotel room every now and then to take shelter in. This will make it easier for is to create some distance.”
“I’m sorry you had to do that, my friend.” Miyamoto said, “It was a good home.”
“Dad, was that necessary?” Calissa asked, saddened to hear it as well.
“Chin up, kid.” Her father said to him, “Odds are we might never come back, so there’s no point owning a house here, is there?”
“I guess not,” Calissa said, as she didn’t like the idea of never coming back.
“We have to run,” Alfred reminded her, “Staying here is just too dangerous. They’d just keep attacking until they took you away, and there’s no telling who else might get hurt if they did a full-scale assault. We need to distance ourselves from the town for their own protection too.”
“I understand,” Calissa said, as she looked at the horses. “Which one is mine?”
“The white one, obviously.” Her father answered, as the least he could do was buy the prettiest horse out there for his girl. “They told me she’s quick too.”
“Sounds great,” Calissa said, as she walked over and took the reigns of her new horse and stroked its nose with her hand to get acquainted with her. “She’s very nice, thank you.”
“Let’s finish up packing the wagon.” Miyamoto said, “Make sure you’ve taken everything you can’t leave behind. Like your father said, there’s no guarantee we’ll ever return. Take another look to make sure you didn’t forget anything.”
The Samurai watched as the girl and her father returned in to search again for anything they missed the first time they packed. They returned with only a few trinkets each and stuffed into bags that were already on the wagon. Miyamoto packed all their armor and weapons, as he was going to continue the young girl’s training on the road. No matter what town or campsite they were at, he was going to make sure she kept working to make sure she was the best warrior he could make her. After everything was packed, Alfred insisted that they eat their supper at the local pub. He wanted their meal before they left to be memorable in case it was their last. They ordered the good stuff and had a good fill. Alfred looked back at his daughter and smiled at her for no reason.
“What?” She said, sensing his glare.
“This place brings back so many memories,” Her father explained, “This was the place where we met for the first time, after the doctor and I operated to pull you out prematurely from your mother’s womb.”
“That was here?” Calissa asked.
“It was,” Alfred told her, “We made this place a make-shift hospital for the wounded, but it wasn’t enough. Everyone was dead by the next morning. We had to deliver you that day to make sure the illness that took your mother wouldn’t take you with her. I’m sorry I didn’t do enough to save her, I tried so hard.”
“It’s alright, father.” Calissa replied, “What happened that day wasn’t your fault. We all know who’s to blame.”
“There are many families who share a similar tragedy,” Miyamoto reminded them, “And the Hakken are without honor or morals. When you’re ready, we’ll make them pay for what they did to many mothers. We shall avenge them all, every damn one of them.”
Alfred raised his glass, “I’ll drink to that.”
After the concluded supper, it was time to hit the road. The people watched as the two horses and the wagon rode up to the gate to leave town. Many people gathered to wave goodbye and wish them well. Some of the women ran up to Calissa and offered her food and treats to take with her on the long journey. Another lady even offered a blanket she made herself to keep her warm on the inevitable cold nights. Many of them were sad to see the girl that survived that fateful day leave, but they had to respect the decision being made by her father. There were some people unwilling to accept what was going on, as the mayor tried to stop them.
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“Alfred Higgins!” The mayor roared as he met them at the gate. “This is outrageous! Where do you think you’re going?”
“To the capital,” Alfred lied, “I’ve been called back to duty by the Royal Guard. I am to report to the Commander within a few weeks.”
“But your leg!” The mayor protested, “You’re retired because of that injury.”
“It matters not,” Alfred countered, “I will go wherever they ask me to be. I will return when I can but offer no promises.”
It was logic that the man couldn’t argue with, and by the time he realizes that Alfred was lying through his teeth it would be too late. They’d be long gone and several towns away, which was the plan all along. Even though the sun fell a few hours after they left the town, they never stopped riding. Miyamoto knew that all of them were still uptight from the encounter with the Hakken, and that they could probably ride through the night with no trouble. Sometime the next afternoon, a nap might be needed but that also meant the next night could be spend traveling as well. It wasn’t until late morning the next day that Miyamoto chose to set camp up. They found a prime spot by the river, which was ideal to let their horses a place to drink. It also allowed them to finally get some sleep with at least one person keeping watch at a time. Miyamoto took the first watch as he wasn’t as tired and let Alfred and Calissa sleep most of the afternoon away. When the two of them woke up, the samurai they were traveling with had already prepared dinner, so they could keep watch on a full stomach and keep the camp safe. The site by the river was ideal, as there was an escarpment that cut of one line of attack, and enough water to keep conditions ideal. The water was clean and good for drinking, and there was even fish they could eat if they wanted to gather them for supplies. It was agreed over supper that fish supplies might be an option the next time they do any kind of shopping in the next town. While Miyamoto was sleeping, it gave Alfred and his daughter a chance to speak with one another about what happened in town.
“Why do they want me?” Calissa asked.
“They’re unsure about you,” her father answer, “And just like people, the Hakken fear what they’d don’t understand. They are unsure why you’re like them, and where you come from. Their curiosity is getting the better of them and that makes them desperate to find answers.”
“But I want answers too,” Calissa said, “I want to understand too.”
“You will, my dear,” Alfred said, “It will just take time, but from I hear you have plenty of that to spare.”
“I’m sorry,” Calissa said, as her father realized the potential for her to life a very long life because of her Hakken abilities.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” Her father retorted, “A child is supposed to outlive their parents, now we know you’re guaranteed to do that. You have such great potential, my dear child and a chance to make the world a better place. Never apologize for the gifts you’ve been given, especially if they can be used to protect people from creatures that mean to do them all harm.”
“That’s a great way to look at it,” Calissa said, as she took a sword from the wagon. She walked over to a clear patch of grass at the campsite and her father watched on as she started to practice her techniques and footwork over and over again as the night went on. Alfred watched on with pride as he could tell by her precision how long she had been practicing these moves. She had been working on them for years and combined with the abilities given to her by that accident with the Hakken, she was going to a stronger and faster warrior than he and Miyamoto combined. She stopped halfway through her practice when she noticed that a proud papa was watching her.
“You alright?” she called out.
“I’m fine,” Alfred called back, “I think we’ll all be for a while.”
“How so?” Calissa asked.
“After seeing you work that weapon,” Alfred observed, “No one will have the nerve, or the balls needed to attack this camp. The best part is you’re still getting better and more dangerous with time. The longer they wait to come after us, the more secure I am about our ability to kick their mystical hides.”
“I’m all for it myself, but we need to be ready.” Alfred said, “And I don’t think we are when on the road and exposed.”
“Fair enough,” Calissa as she paused to look back at her dad, “When do you think that will happen?”
“Miyamoto will let us know.” Her father answered, “Until then, just keep training and it will all come together.”
“Yes, father.” Calissa said as she resumed her practice, working harder than she head earlier.
Alfred had even fallen asleep while she was working out, but the young girl didn’t mind as she was still looking around and monitoring the camp site while doing her practice at the same time. She took an occasional break, but stayed on her feet as she was afraid that she’d also doze off if she even sat for just a moment. It was the middle of the night, and the half moon was high when Miyamoto came out.
“You look exhausted,” he observed as he walked up to her, “Get some sleep. We’re going to move on from this camp in the morning.”
“Are you sure?” Calissa said, “It’s so nice here.”
“That’s the problem,” her master countered, “It’s so nice that there’ll be far too much traffic, and unknown people stopping here to camp. We don’t need the distractions, and we should make a push for the next town and rest there for a day or two.”
“Alright, I’ll get some sleep.” She said, handing her sword to her master, “I was kind of finished here anyway.”
“You’re working hard,” Miyamoto observed, “I appreciate even now you’re still as dedicated as you were before.”
“Not much else to do out here,” she also countered.
“Fair point,” Miyamoto said, “What I meant is that some people would make excuses, use the situation to slack off and take a break. But now you… this is only causing that fire in your belly to get bigger and more passionate. The Hakken are making a very big mistake and will regret the day they decided to disrupt your life back in Moonshire.”
“You bet they will,” Calissa confirmed with a little sass.
Miyamoto smiled at the thought, “There’s a decent farmer’s market in the next town. We can use it to get fresh supplies for our next leg of travel.”
“Sounds good,” Calissa said, as she went to her tent. “Good night, master.”
“Good night, little one.” he called back.
“When are you going to stop calling me that?” Calissa asked, not annoyed but merely curious to hear what he’d say.
“Never,” Miyamoto said with a smile, “You’ll always be that way to me.”
She also smiled before disappearing inside the tent. All the big samurai could do was take his spot and smile at the gifts he was given, and the hope for the future that had been restored.