In the time of Oharu
The Second Volume November 1936 to November 1937
Chapter 2
by Mr. David R. Dorrycott
Spontoon Island created by Mr. Ken Fletcher. Used with permission.
Songmark and other characters (See Appendix A for complete character listing)
created by Mr. Simon Barber, used with permission.
December 31st, 1936
Several respectable, and (publically) not so respectable furs now stood around a sand table somewhere on Meeting Island, carefully studying what it contained. “This can easily go very, very wrong” the ferret known as Albert Sapohatan reminded the female bobcat standing next to him.
Elizabeth, his wife, took a sip of her coffee before answering. “They know” she admitted. “They were made well aware that. Should they be captured and taken to international waters there is little we can do for them. A lifetime, a short one at that of slavery in Kuo Han. If they are lucky. Still husband of mine, were I unmarried I would be there myself. To stop this animal. Yes. It is worth the danger they place themselves in. Elsa, your schedule?”
A small spitzmouse looked up at the call of her name. Elsa Hoffman was known as a sometimes guide, most times snoop by the public. She was also The Committee’s public agent in this room. “Within twenty minutes last longboat will withdraw. That’ll leave all eighteen women ‘lone on Moto’s Revenge. They already settin up tha one night grass shelters where they expecten tha sleep. Materials for tha bonfire have already been collected. Within tha hour Oharu will start our ceremony. Which” she looked up at the ferret, “Appears aint fake after all.”
“Weapons” Albert asked curtly.
“Whatever firearms they wanted” the spitzmouse admitted. “Firing positions located last week, cleared ahn marked. By twenty minutes after ‘leven there be nah one within tha campsite other than Oharu.”
“Why her” Elizabeth asked. “It’s the most dangerous place.”
“Siammi says that tha priestess has tah dance until sunup. In this case ‘til tha firing starts. There’s three hidie holes near tha fire she can jump intah an’ pull heavy mats over herself. It’s tha best we can do, considering tha ‘ritual’ that somehow slipped intah Granite’s paws. She don’t see ah priestess dancing around tha’ fire she’s gonna suspect something.”
“Three Moons has slipped her moorings” Avonaco Dal announced. He was listening to earphones placed in his rather large and floppy ears. “Rumor is she’s headed to Konigi Island. Odd, considerin she’s carrin coal and Konigi Island just took delivery of several hundred tons last week.”
“She’ll have tah swing North East with tha current this time oh night” Elsa mentioned. “Tha’ places ‘em directly opposite Moto’s Revenge. Taking average speeds intah account...” She swallowed. “Oh ten-thirty, give take ten minutes. Another quarter hour tah row in worst case. They may get there tah early. Better warn ‘em.”
“Right” Dal agreed. He reached for a normal telephone, quickly asking for radio LONO. Soon a special request would be announced and a rather hated bit of American music played. There was a battery operated radio on Moto’s Revenge. They could only hope that it would be on when the song played.
Sometime later on the slightly larger than one acre plot of scrub, coral and sand called Moto’s Revenge a young woman ran up to an older mouse. One currently wearing nothing but a grass skirt. “LONO is playing East of the Sun” she reported in Spontoon, having come to a stop next to the mouse. She’d already seen that back several times but it still drew her eyes.
“There is time” Oharu Wei replied. “Simply advance all things one hour. When the sun sleeps, you know your place.”
“Yes Honored Mother” the younger raccoon answered, turning to race back to her assigned task. She was to listen to radio LONO for specific tunes. She was a native, was still in High School. After this night she would return home with a tale of glory, or find herself in chains headed for an auction block. In her youth she couldn’t yet be certain which future excited her more.
Oharu though knew which possibility had to occur. She looked around her. Two students from Songmark, all the instructors would supply for this mission. A half-dozen high school students and as many failed Songmark applicants. Girls who had hopes that their actions here tonight would rise them in the waiting lists for openings. Sadly they were mistaken, though the mouse was completely unaware of that. She alone was oldest, fully seven years older than the next woman on Moto’s Revenge. Oharu felt that her own worth as a slave would be little, perhaps not enough for Granite to bother taking her. Again she was mistaken, for as there were standing offers for a third year graduate from Songmark, those offers for a full Spontoon Priestess were higher still. Much, much higher. Unknown to the mouse her own worth was as much or more than all seventeen woman with her.
Molly Procyk and Liberty Morgenstern sat together under one of the smaller grass shelters, their chosen weapons laying carefully in their laps. “I do not understand why we were chosen” the coyote said to her companion. “Are we then better than our peers?”
“Nah” the Chicagonite answered. “She see’s somethin. Ah hope its her death. Ah had plans fer tonight. We’re just guards tah make sure these girls don get hurt by some nosey European.”
Liberty looked closely at the doe beside her. “She did not tell you? I heard, unofficially, that this may be a trap for the ship Three Moons.”
“Three... Granite!” Liberty moved back from the expression that came to Molly’s face. As tough as she was, it was an expression that sent fear through her heart like a sword through a grapefruit. Though truth was she knew what had happened to Molly, all the second years knew after all. Secrets like that simply couldn’t be kept. Not having experienced anything like it herself, at least not that she remembered though she had watched a copy of that horrible film Liberty had never quite understood just how much hate such a thing could build within a person. Instead of continuing the conversation, and to keep that deaths head grin from facing her the coyote quickly decided to attend to her own weapons.
Aboard the Three Moons Captain Shiba Granite was carefully studying the local charts. Any approach to Moto’s Revenge would be impossible for her deep draft vessel, especially filled with bunker coal from Alaska that was intended for delivery to Wake Island. They would run aground about a mile from the island at best. Explaining why they were in that area with all lights out was a story she had no intention of telling. “Parks” she called. “Lay forward. I want constant soundings.”
“Aye kaptan” the rugged wildcat answered, pausing only long enough to grab a well used length of knotted rope, a four pound weight bound to one end.
She then turned to her navigator. “Albert. Lay us a course where we can anchor outside territorial waters. When we make our escape I have no intention of letting any Spontoon patrol boat to have a legal claim on us.”
“Aye mam” a thin, battered dachshund repeated. “Outside territorial waters. How many remain aboard mam.”
“Segal’s information says maybe fourteen and a priestess. Eighteen tops. We’ve barely that fourteen aboard, not counting ships cat. Three aboard, yourself in charge, cook and engineer. It’ll take everyone else to subdue that group.”
“Gonna get all of ‘em” her navigator asked.
“We will grab all who are not injured. Any who are, and I’ve no intention of doing this peacefully, there is that tidal whirlpool.”
“Lotta maidens. Han’s gonna pay us ah lot from this run.”
“Aye Albert, and a priestess as well. Remember what Lei has offered for any live priestess’s, Miko’s or Nuns. That man has a dangerous hobby, but he does pay in gold. She’s going to be worth as much as ten maidens, more if she’s who Segal claims. Now if you need me I’ll be catching a nap with the ships cat in my cabin. Your in charge.”
“Aye Captain.” Albert watched his Captain leave, admiring the sway of her well developed hips. He wasn’t the only crewfur to have ideas about their Captain, but ideas they remained. Good Captains who shared equally were rare, male or female. One who didn’t care where the money came from were even rarer. One day though... He licked his lips. “When aye ship out. Yes Granite, ay’ll taste you then. Maybe Ay’ll even keep yah as mah own ships cat.”
He had no idea how many had tried that, and failed.
On Moto’s Revenge Oharu had fallen in to the rhythm of her dance, her hips swaying slowly as she chanted to music playing softly from a hidden radio. Granite and her crew had almost grounded before she was fully aware of them. Then abruptly aware her dance faltered for only a step. She was the true bait after all. Those girls hidden about her were stage dressing. Meant to fool any spies who might have warned their target. It was up to her to keep appearances until all were off their little motorized boats. After that, if she didn’t hide there was a very good probability that she herself would be killed. By her own people if not Granites. Counting steps the mouse edged towards the nearest shallow foxhole awaiting her.
Shiba Granite studied the scene before her through field glasses, though the distance wasn’t more than a hundred feet. A single native priestess was dancing slowly to music, a mouse. She could be the one Segal had thought, or simply another mouse. Still she was a Priestess, those fur markings were unmistakable even in the firelight. Soft music was coming from her left. Since no one was visible there it had to be coming from a battery powered radio. She knelt, studying the grass lean-tos. Some moved slightly, as if those within were a bit more active than they should be. Other were silent. Dark. “Couldn’t keep their drink” she whispered to her closest men. “Follow tha plan. Don let tha Priestess speak, she’s dangerous buh you hurt or kill her, ah leave you here. Lets move.” With not too much sound the eleven ragged furs eased forward.
Liberty watched silently, unmoving in her chosen position. If that group thought they were being silent they were fools she decided. Each clink of metal upon metal, each scuff of a boot on coral screamed their existence to any with ears. Why any second year Songmark girl could sneak past that group and never be heard. For the first time she understood just how good her education was. ‘You pay highly for the best. Nothing good in life is free’ came a stray thought. Being against her political training Liberty pushed that thought aside. Molly would be aiming for Granite, so she selected a rather nasty smelling weasel in the back of that pack.
Shiba Granites first warning she was in a trap was when the Priestess dove to the ground. Seconds later gunfire erupted from various places on the little islet and not one of those places was a straw shelter. Her own men started returning fire almost instantly as first one, then another straw shelter blazed into flame. Shiba though was an old paw at such ambushes. Almost instantly she knew that they had no chance. With those towering flames they stood out like beacons. Taking only a moment to fire her revolver at a barely seen shape she turned to run for her boats. “Away” she screamed. “Away to the ship.” As she ran towards her men a hot fire billowed in her stomach. A bullet that could only have come from one of her own crew.
Molly had taken what she thought was the best position, only to be proved wrong when one of the rigged shelters blazed into glory. Instantly her prime target vanished behind blinding light. Cursing her foolish choice the doe cracked off one shot with her Mauser where she thought the hated woman was, then turned her attention to removing all the other threats. Yet, for a long few seconds she swung her sight over to the hole where Oharu lay waiting. In her optics that humped shape of a woman’s body was easy to pick out. Letting her cross hairs settle on what had to be Oharu’s chest Molly let her finger caress the trigger. A single shot. No one would know. No one could know. An accident. They happened in firefights after all. She would rid herself of Granite and that Sapphic Priestess in one night. For three long seconds she dwelled upon that thought, then swung her weapon up to fire on a bear who was about to fire his weapon on that same form. Without a sound the bears body flung backwards, his head shattered by Molly’s explosive round.
As with all fights everything important was over in a few short minutes. All that was left now was to clean up. Forms lifted from the earth. Some injured, most not. As girls walked through the fallen ships crew occasionally a single shot rang out, but overall it had been a very deadly battle. Molly finally discovered Shiba Granite sitting on the shore, her legs splayed out as she leaned against one of her longboats. To the doe’s disgust Shiba looked up, recognizing her.
“Hello little kitten” the vixen whispered. “I’ve missed you.”
Squatting next to the injured woman Molly examined her. “Stomach wound” she reported. “What you deserve.”
“And more than that” Shiba admitted. “I can’t feel my feet.”
“Spine. What happened to your accent.”
Shiba tried to smile, instead grimacing in pain. “Young Lady, I am dying. A Boston Lady simply does not die with a course false accent on her lips.”
“Boston. Figures. Knob hill righ?”
“Correct. The very top of that place. Before you ask why I am what I am I will tell you. My father enjoyed young girls. Especially his daughters. I gutted him one night while he slept in my bed. It changed me. He wasn’t even drunk.”
“My dah abandoned me” Molly admitted. Carefully, with all the malice in her heart the doe placed her weapons stock onto Shiba’s stomach, applying pressure. Shiba turned white, gasping in pain.
“You will make an excellent pirate” she managed through her pain.
“After what yah did tah me? Yah deserve this.”
Shiba slowly regained her breath. “And more yes. You should skin me alive. It is quite painful as I have observed. But my sweet love, what I did to you? Oh my dear child. Go to my ship. Observe the ships cat. My love for you kept the crew from doing that to you as they have to so many others before you.”
“Love? Yah forced me” Molly cursed.
“Once” the vixen admitted. “But the once. After. After you came willingly. You experimented. I was satisfied with the one way. I was satisfied only to hold you within my arms. You found all the other ways. Not I. Dear sweet Molly, many of the things we did were for me the first time.”
“I... I...” Molly shoved the harder, enjoying the way Shiba’s face contorted in pain. “Ahm no sappho” she informed the woman loudly as she stepped away, leveling her weapon.
“See.. Ships... cat...” Shiba gasped. “Then... tell... me... I.... forced.” She coughed. Blood black in the moonlight coming from her mouth. “Six..six..six... Read... diary. I.. Love... you. Now.. shoot” she gasped.
Instead Molly turned her back on the vixen, walking to another boat. Liberty quickly joined her. “Where are you going” the coyote asked.
“Tah tha ship. Tah find tha proof she offered.”
“Your going to need four paws” Liberty offered.
Dozens of Spontoon navy personnel were already aboard Three Moons when the two women finally arrived. For a moment over a dozen weapons were pointed at them, then carefully turned away as both boarded. Molly felt apprehensive about being aboard Three Moons again, but she was armed this time and she had a companion she could trust. To a point. Knowing her way it was a short trip to Shiba’s cabin. There she found three men trying to open the safe. “Out” Molly commanded.
One look at the doe’s face, and the face of that coyote backing her up. That one look was enough. They were paid to crack a safe, not die. They were not even regular police. Besides there was madness in that young girls eyes.
Hours later Molly stepped out of Shiba’s cabin, a rather frilly yellow covered book in one paw with Liberty walking silently behind her. “Ships cat?” the doe asked, her face telling those who looked that she was not to be argued with. Silently the group of men waiting parted. There was movement, then a large female snow leopard crashed into the surprised doe’s body, knocking her back into the arms of a barely ready Liberty.
“Meowwww” the creature said, licking Molly’s face.
Shocked Molly almost dropped her book. “She’s Chinese” she managed before shaking off the filthy creature.
“She is mindless now Miss Procyk.”
Molly looked to the voice. “Antonius von Toews” she announced. “Lars hates yah.”
“As he should. We do stand upon different sides after all. That book?”
“Diary. Private. Mine.”
“I must see it.”
Quietly Molly opened her blouse, not caring who saw what in her current emotional state. Shoving the book under her blouse she buttoned it closed. “Rot in Hell” she answered. “Com’on Libs, we’re leven.” No one attempted to stop either woman though Molly was forced to push the ‘ships cat’ away from her several times.
Upon returning to the islet Molly found Shiba still alive, though by now she had been moved close to the fire. Oharu was attending her, doing something strange that Priestess’s on Spontoon seemed able to do for dying people. As the doe approached Oharu stood to block her way. “For all I love you. You will not further harm this woman” the mouse warned.
Molly looked down at the mouse, for Oharu was more than a head shorter than herself. “Yer gonna stop me?”
“I will.”
Something about that voice warned Molly. She had heard that tone from her fathers best torpedoes. That calm, seemingly disinterested tone of the deadly competent. It was a warning, one she was no fool to challenge. “Kay. Wanna talk wit ‘er.”
“She is close to leaving this world. You have little time. Harm her not.”
“Won touch ‘er” the doe agreed. When Oharu stepped aside Molly dropped to her knees next to Shiba, taking a moment to motion everyone away. Though she watched the priestess move to just out of hearing range she still watched carefully. “Read yer little book”
Shiba’s eyes flickered open. “kitten” she whispered. “you returned. Thank you.”
“What yah wrote about Lars...”
“no lies. not in that book. all others have lies.” Shiba’s eyes flickered towards the waiting Oharu. “she loves you even more than I.”
“About tha ships cat.... Thank you.”
“for saving the one woman I ever loved?” Shiba coughed, blood splattering Molly’s blouse. “my pleasure. care for her. she cannot live without someone. you are the only person I have ever loved Molly. the only person.” Shiba coughed again, her body twisted in agony. Then she lay motionless. Standing Molly walked over the body, walked back towards those boats waiting to return her to Songmark. She ignored the blood on her blouse, the book still within it. There was much she had to think of but right now. Here, was not the place to dwell upon such topics.
January 2nd, 1937
Two long days later Miss Devinski called Molly into her office from her shared bungalow with Maria. When the doe arrived it was to find a female bobcat waiting, a leather case in her paws. “Miss Devinski?”
“Is not here. I am Mrs. Elizabeth Kathleen Brighton-Sapohatan. I carry some weight on these islands. Beyond that of my slowly spreading tail. I have for you a paper, a contract and an offer.”
“Ahm not for sale.”
“Oharu warned me of about you. Not as though I needed such a warning. She also asks a question.”
“What.”
“Why didn’t you shoot her when you had your weapon upon her chest.”
Molly felt icewater wash over her soul. “She knew?”
“My dear Miss Procyk. She is after all a Priestess. She knew. She expected it.”
“Tell ‘er I don know myself.”
“Very well. That aside, please sign this.” She produced a single sheet of paper, laying it on Miss Devinski’s desk.
“Is?” Molly asked.
“Ownership papers for the freighter Three Moons. Of course all cargo has been removed to other ships, all papers and non-ships property are gone as well.”
Molly stared at the paper. “Ships cat” she whispered.
“In a special hospital. We hold out no hope. A Priestess of some knowledge has examined her. There is nothing within that skull one could remotely call a person. Whomever she once was, she was destroyed completely.”
“Oharu?”
Elizabeth looked at her paws a second. “Might be able to find something. It is one of her specialities and above all Priestess’s she has the most experience. As she did with Henrika, she might return a little something. Enough to seed a new personality. Are you asking her to endanger her life, her soul for you?”
“Ah might.”
“Miss Procyk. Don’t be a fool. You ask that, you owe her. More than you think. For what a Priestess gives must be repaid to the balance. Wither that Priestess wants payment or not the spirits will demand it. Never having experienced such, you may not believe any more than I once did. After you will believe. Trust me young lady. You will believe. And you little gangster, cannot pay that bill. Now, do you want Three Moons or do we sell it to someone else.”
“Why me. Ah mean, why give it tah me?”
“Because you are the most injured party still alive. Ships cat cannot be considered, it is not competent to more than care for itself.”
Taking a fountain pen from her pocket Molly pulled the paper to her, signing quickly. “Nah what?”
Picking up the paper Elizabeth waited until the ink dried, then slipped it back into her case. “You will get an official certificate of ownership within a week. Spontoon has an offer. We need ships. Freighters. We are offering to long term contract your ship. We will maintain, crew, bunker and sail your ship for a yearly sum payed to your account of...”
Molly’s jaw dropped at the stated amount. “Ah... That’s...”
“Not enough?”
“No no no.... It’s just... What’s tha catch?”
“You do not set foot aboard her until our contract is over. No agent of yours, especially your man Lars or his people ever set foot upon her. Nor do you ask what we do with her.”
“Ah can live with tha. Buh change ‘er name.”
“Acceptable. You have one in mind?”
“No. Nah at all. You pick.”
“Very well. Miss Devinski?” The office door opened and Songmarks unmistakable hound entered. ”She has agreed to contract her ship to us. You will of course, as her Guardian have to co-sign this contract. Would you like to read it?” Elizabeth held out the contract.
Miss Devinski looked at over four inches of paper in front of her. “Your honor that is what you told me?”
“Miss Devinski please. I burn Molly, Oharu burns me. I’ve no desire to wake screaming from my dreams any more than I already do. It is good that your student knows the truth about her second benefactor now. It will make many peoples lives a lot easier.”
Taking the offered papers Miss Devinski started signing. “How much did you win” she asked as she turned pages.
“Eight hundred thirty one shells, seven crowies” Elizabeth admitted.
“Wah” Molly gasped. “Yah was betten. On wha?”
“Three things” Miss Devinski answered as she signed another page. “One, would you discover the truth before Oharu told you. You did not. Two, would Oharu tell you before a certain date. She did, barely.” She stood, holding the pen out to Molly. “Three, that you would or would not kill her that night. You did not.”
Taking pen to paw Molly began following her instructors lead, signing below Miss Devinski’s name. “Wha tha odds ah marry tha mouse” she asked.
“Three hundred and ninety seven to one. Against” Elizabeth answered. “Want in on that action? Deadline is two weeks after you graduate. I have a thousand saying you won’t.”
“Nah. Got Lars. Let ‘er pine. Ah think ahm beginning tah understan things, but ahm no Sappho.” She paused suddenly. “How much Beryl has on tha bet and which way?”
“I cannot release that information Miss Procyk. I am certain that you understand the why?”
“Yeah. Though ahd love tah burn tha mouses paws what with her constant scams. Even iffin it cost me. Damn near cost us Tatiana she did. Ships cat. Call her Megan. Megan was ah frien of mine back in Chicago. Always readin, till she was gunned down eating at ah restaurant readin ah romance novel. Not her fault tha Fat Boy Slim was eatin at tha table behin her. He lived cause she took tha bullets mean fer him. Ah made sure ‘e dinah see tha morning. She was ah good fren. Ahn yer offer?”
“A running start. Should you ever need it.” Picking up her contract Elizabeth started for the door. “Oharu bought that for you Molly Procyk. Not Lars. Personally, I’d gut you where you stand if it came to that. Miss Devinski will explain what you now hold. Just remember this, only one fair running start. Never two. Watch your friends. Not all are.”
She left, shutting the door behind her. Molly though looked to Miss Devinski. “Ah know what she meant. A fair runnin start. ‘Ell, that’s more than anyone else ever offered me inna long time. Ahn ah ain’t sappho.”
Miss Devinski sat at her desk before she spoke. “Miss Procyk” she snapped abruptly, causing Molly to come to attention in spite of herself. “I now have in one year two women tailfast to native women. One was dragged out by your pet Priestess for two days. A married couple both attending this school at the same time, one being a card carrying mad scientist from Cranium island. A student that starred in a violent sex film as the aggressor. And now a ship owner. You Miss Procyk, before you return to your break, will now explain to me why my life is so complicated. And don’t you dare marry that Priestess. I have too much money riding on her surviving your departure to chance losing just because you now know the truth.”
“I...I...” Molly swallowed. “I don’ know.”
“Then make something up. I’ve already eaten and visited the ladies room. Classes are out so we have all day, don’t we. Remember. You will be graded for originality.” Leaning back in her chair Miss Devinski carefully placed her feet on her desk. That her skirt slipped up her legs was unimportant, this was not Nikki after all. Amused she watched as her student fought to come up with a story.
Oharu was waiting in the water taxi when Elizabeth returned. Stepping in the bobcat nodded to the taxis pilot, settling down near the Priestess. “She’s more beautiful than your drawings, if that’s possible” Elizabeth reported as the taxi turned towards Meeting Island. “She is well. A bit confused but not a danger to you right now. I think that she’s calming a bit.”
“She is never danger to me” the mouse corrected. “I am danger to her.”
“Women in love. I’ll never understand us. Have you read that diary Granite left her?”
“No. I cannot read script” the mouse admitted.
“Shiba really did love her. Kept her from being broken like that Chinese girl, and a lot before her. Odd life, how some people don’t understand what they have until its too late. Would you like to know Shiba’s real name?”
“It would help” Oharu admitted. “I do pray for her.”
“Elizabeth Diane Rose Cabot.”
January 6th, 1937
Oharu was sewing when Saimmi arrived at the Glen. Looking up the mouse smiled as her superior settled down on her favorite log. “Water?” she asked, preparing to set her handwork aside.
“No thank you. It isn’t really that kind of visit” the feline replied. “Though I have duty for you tomorrow night. Please continue your sewing.”
Accepting Saimmi ’s words Oharu returned to her work. It was a dress, though one not meant for her size or species. Nor did she much like the charcoal grey color. “Your family” the mouse asked gently.
“Much better. Losing Huakava was expected. Yet even so she was a close family friend. I have come to tell you that I am certain that the Songmark girl Helen will join us, of this we are most sure. She will be an excellent addition to our family. My brother is indeed lucky. I only wish you would decide.”
“Amelia?” the mouse prodded, ignoring the blunt question.
Saimmi hesitated. “You are aware that there is a shadow over her?”
“As you have informed me. Yes” Oharu agreed.
Saimmi looked around her. What had been an overgrown, nearly forgotten natural bowl had been transformed. Under Oharu’s paws, with help from the three teenagers who had accepted her as their teacher and the Songmark girl Tatiana Bryzov it had changed. Gone were the ancient growths. Nearly in the bowls center, where a great pool of turbulent water much once have been a massive splinter of stone rose straight up. It was so vertical that it couldn’t have been natural, nor had it been as Oharu had discovered quite by accident. Though eroded by millennium, it had once been an obelisk. Along the Northern wall an ancient temple’s ruins rose. Cleared of overgrowth, debris and shattered stone it seemed to be watching all that occurred below. That Oharu had begun restoring that temple sometimes bothered Spontoon’s newest High Priestess. They had so long made a point of not disturbing that which was from before. But Oharu had faced a fragment of the great darkness, had faced it and survived. Not won the cat knew, for had there been a full battle Oharu would have been shattered as a fragile wine glass thrown from Mount Kiribatori. After such Saimmi would never be able to find it within her to refuse Oharu anything. “You have been busy” she noted as she returned her attention to the woman before her. A woman from another nation, who had thrown herself fully into supporting Spontoon’s High Priestess without question.
Oharu looked up from her pawwork, glancing around. “They like the sunshine” she reported. “I do nothing you would not do, if our places were reversed.” She looked squarely into Saimmi ’s eyes. “I am certain” she finished softly, before returning to her sewing.
“I see. So now you see the future? What next, mind reading? You will replace me, bend all things to your own will?”
“Saimmi. I will never replace you. I can never replace you. I will never refuse your slightest wish. I cannot see the future any better than you can. Even then you are the more often correct.” She laid her paws in her lap, looking up to the clouds above. “Mind reading. I have never known anyone who could. I believe that to be a myth meant to frighten those of small minds. In truth, when I speak with Tatiana and you out of body it is the spirit plane we inhabit. Even then I am no more able to discern your thoughts than you are mine. All that is different is we understand each others words, thoughts and ideas perfectly.”
Saimmi laughed gently. “There is more than that, but yes, I believe as you do. That the entering of another’s mind cannot happen. At least, not until we encounter someone who can.”
“That will be disquieting. Saimmi. You have come as a friend, not my superior, my teacher. What truly lies upon your heart?”
“Amelia, and you.”
Oharu’s forehead wrinkled at those words. “I have no interest in Amelia nor she I. All we have in common is you, your family and our religion.”
“And Molly” Saimmi finished. She pointed at several odd patterns of needlework within the grey cloth. “Isn’t that dress for Molly?”
“Molly is no longer a part of my life. My soul yes, my life no” the mouse denied. “This dress is for Tatiana. It is a gift. From a Priestess to her daughter.”
“I see. That explains... But what makes you think the Russian will need such strong protections? I would expect you to expend this much energy and more for your doe. But one who has no interest in our religion. Please explain.”
“Saimmi . It would please me greatly if you did not follow this path to its ending. This is a request from sister to sister, not a demand.”
“A... Not to follow... All right” the cat agreed. “How long though have you been working on this for your daughter? Two days, three? Without sleep, because we both know what you do must be completed in one single pass.”
Managing a laugh Oharu stretched, her back popping as her proud chest stretched the cloth of her too small Kimono almost to bursting. “I am not that good of a seamstress. Three and a half days now, yet I am almost complete. Long before sunset I will be finished. What bothers you about Amelia?” She reached again for her needle.
“Lars, who has both her and Molly under his spell.”
“Molly loves Lars. Whatever he has placed upon her she has allowed, of her own free will” the mouse announced. She began sewing again, each stitch short, precise. Slowly, as the cat watched yet another pattern emerged. Once the last stitch was in nothing could break that binding. Nothing but the dress being burned completely to ash, with its wearer still within it.
“I note that there is not much cloth in this dress” she observed. “You are doing to her what you did to your Annette?”
“Tatiana has beautiful legs” Oharu admitted. “Even though she is now my daughter I like seeing them. I like others seeing her beauty. She must wear this under other clothing in time. Had I done this for Annette there would be much less cloth.” She looked up, an odd expression on her face. “Much less cloth. As it would be for Molly, were she to accept me. Please continue.”
“Tatiana has no interest in you” Saimmi noted.
“Unless I order her too” the mouse agreed. “Which I have, on only one occasion, when she responded somewhat eagerly. She needed to know. It is though I offered something she needed, yet feared to admit that need unless forced. Please do not be disturbed by what I am doing. I think perhaps she simply prefers to be ordered into such, though she engaged me that night more eagerly than I would have suspected. Tatiana is my daughter now, I would not touch her again. Not that way. Not ever. There is another for her. One she has already chosen. Then there is a male in her future, after the coming darkness. She will make a fine mother, she will have many children. Yet she... Why do you ask such things?”
“What the stag has done, he controls them. Had you that control over them both would be delighted to marry you. Is this right? You now know the secret Molly better than anyone on these islands. Perhaps better than herself since Krupmark.”
“For Amelia I do not know” Oharu admitted. “For Molly... Perhaps it is best. She runs from what was done to her as I ran. She is frightened because she found that she truly wanted almost all of what was done. She hates me for cause, for I am the same to her eyes as that Captain. I am as dangerous to her as that Captain. Should I touch her just so she would fall into my arms as she did that Captain, and enjoy anything I might do. That she runs into the arms of a rather handsome stag is normal. That he has placed upon her such control that she will not leave him...” She paused, carefully changing her pattern a bit. “Almost all males are frightened of losing what is given freely to them. They must control with iron paws all things. This is not something I may approach. That she now hates me I am able to live with. To interfere with her life in such an manner. No, she would despise me. Saimmi. My sister in truth. I could not survive such pain long.”
“There is a difference between the two of you my sister” Saimmi observed. “You faced your demons. True it is that you had the training to do so, yet even with such training it was difficult. I know this because you have told me so, and I have only caught you in one lie since we first met. I ask only that one day you help her face her Demons. Lars I accept is her own to deal with.”
Oharu’s needle paused for two breaths before continuing. “I have lied to you. How?”
“You said that Molly was no longer part of your life, that you could live without her” Saimmi explained. “That I know is a lie, as do you. Deep within that endless heart of yours. If it were the truth Annette would be here now, in your arms. Not sleeping alone in her home on Casino Island.”
Oharu laughed, a giddy laugh fueled by exhaustion and something possible more dangerous. “Annette” she gasped finally. “There is another for Annette. My younger self saw that. Before we became one she told me herself. We were not meant to be, though we both so wished it to be such. I would have known were I lying to myself my sister, especially then.”
Standing abruptly Saimmi silently walked away, walked down to the great needle of stone and its Shinto style shrine. Stood before that shrine without speaking for some time. Perhaps she was studying the shrine, learning what differences truly stood between Shinto and Polynesian beliefs. Perhaps she was communing silently with that which slept within the stone. Or perhaps she was simply looking at nothing. Whatever her reasons it was quite some time before she returned, settling down in her preferred place. As she did a small form laid a wooden goblet of water beside her, one of the students Huakava had urged Oharu to accept. Saimmi noted the deference that young teenager gave her teacher, and the greater deference she gave Saimmi herself. “Were we ever that young” she asked before sipping her drink.
“You perhaps” the mouse admitted as she held up the dress to study it. “I gave up my childhood at nine. It was the only way to keep from being introduced to more eligible young boys.” She returned to her sewing, ignoring the incredulous look her superior gave her.
“You became a Miko just to get away from boys?” Saimmi asked, wonderment in her voice.
“Of course not” the mouse giggled. “I would not have been accepted for such a petty reason. I became a Miko because... because I needed to become a Miko.”
“Interesting. My young Priestess has learned how to pull her superiors chain.”
“It is a very short chain Great Mother” Oharu admitted.
“Perhaps I should see about finding a chain for you, or a leash” Saimmi retorted. She noted the almost instant shudder of revulsion that came to Oharu’s body at her words, was about to call back her words when the mouse answered in a near hollow voice.
“If my neck a collar you must find, a leash to my life you need add. I will accept. Great Mother. I will deny you nothing. Not even my gift.”
Setting her cup aside Saimmi wondered how to reduce her slip, a slip that had been meant as humor. That her Priestess had a madness still she knew. All had some madness, but few knew theirs. That the touch of rope across her wrists brought evil memories back, that the feel of anything about her neck could bring nightmares. These the mouse never spoke about. Yet it was a High Priestess’s responsibility to know all about those who served her and Oharu was as open a book as any she had ever met in this matter. “I would never lay rope across your neck” she apologized softly. “I am sorry.”
“Unless you had no choice Great Mother. Then you will do so without a second thought. I would allow it, no matter the madness it would eventually bring me.” Carefully Oharu cut her last thread, slipping the needle into her remaining spool of near invisible silver wire thread that had to have cost her dearly. “If you need ever bind me, do not pretend you do not know my shame. Great Mother. If I must be bound then I must be bound. These islands, their people. They must come first always. I am but a servant, one easily replaced. I have taken these islands, their people as my own. I will never deny them anything. I could not.”
“Not so easily replaced as you may believe. You know Molly may bind you.”
Turning her face to meet the feline’s gaze an expression of soft wonder came to Oharu’s eyes. “You do not understand? She has already done so. In such a way no rope, no leather, no chain could hope to equal. I am your servant until I die. I am her willing slave forever.”
Standing she held the dress before her, if dress the near nothing could be called Saimmi thought. From the waist up it was of the newest cut, though slightly modified in a way that Saimmi thought might pass for acceptable in any future age. It was below the waist that even she felt slight embarrassment. Cloth was slit from hem to waist creating two panels, and neither panel would ever cover enough. “She will be wearing matching undergarments?”
“They would show. It would ruin the effect. She will be wearing trousers of course” Oharu explained. “Though while wearing this no demon would notice her, or be able to approach her even should it be pointed at her. I think that it would be difficult for me to make Annette wear such in public. Tatiana perhaps never. Unless I ordered her too.”
“Though possible with the otter?”
Oharu smiled at some private thought. “Had I let her fall in love with me she would wear anything, or nothing. Whatever I had asked. Perhaps that is one reason I pushed her away. I do not much like slavery. I has its place, yet I do not like it much.” She held up the dress again. “Even that granted willingly from the heart. Though I seem to own the occasional slave for a short time.”
Saimmi giggled in amusement. “You will order the Russian to wear that, won’t you.”
“At the Lotus yes. She must wear it for much of a night that it will become hers. That it will understand whom it must serve.”
“You will see Amelia?”
“You will send her to me, or should I seek her?”
Saimmi stood, her right paw sweeping out to encompass the entire Glen. “It would be better should she come here. I will send her when it is time. And when she is complete again, when she may marry my brother in the light, when I no longer have any fear of a tainted sword within my scabbard. Then I will send you Molly. For what you may do to help her.” Moving towards the now spotless stone stairs that led out of the Glen Saimmi suddenly stopped. “Oharu.”
“Yes?”
“Are you the same woman you were in Hawaii?”
Pausing to fold her completed garment Oharu mulled over that question, searching for the truth within it. Finally she looked back up. “No. I am not the woman I was as a Miko. I am not the woman who was shattered aboard the Burat Maru. I am not the woman who washed onto these shores. Great Mother I am not the woman who left here to follow another’s commands in Hawaii, or even the one who stood before that jury pleading for her life. I have grown, I have purpose. I am not even that woman you sent to Krupmark, so I have changed.”
“Then perhaps you are the woman Annette is meant to love. Think upon that. Be ready that day when Amelia arrives, for she will need you at your best. I think you will have a great battle with Molly, she will not want her freedom. Yet for my family’s safety, for Spontoon’s safety she must have it. We will speak again, soon.”
“Saimmi ...”
Pausing, one foot on the stone stairs Saimmi turned to look back. That one word had shifted the atomosphere from Superior to servant to sister to sister. “Yes?”
“I wish my ashes spread here. Is that possible?”
“Speak to me of this when we are old and grey my friend. Still yes, you have served well enough for that. Perhaps even a tear or two. Why, there might even be a small drum for your passing.”
“Sarcasm is not a polite way to answer a serious question.”
“That question” the Feline answered sharply. “Deserves such. Molly will not be your death. This I promise you. Though if you again change someone without my leave as you did that adventuress I may well roast you over a slow fire myself.” For some reason Oharu’s response caused the feline to laugh, though hours later she couldn’t understand why. How could such a simple word make her laugh so much she wondered. After all, all Oharu had said was...
Ow.
January 7th, 1937
At the American Consulate Millicent found herself again in the group of young people without portfolio, as they termed themselves. It was, she now discovered much more fun to be invited than a gate crasher. She was making friends, though not the kind of friends that she would trust with the combination to her clothes locker. Certainly never state secrets. They were all nothing more than trainees she decided, though the German and Russian girls seemed much more competent than a trainee. The Russian, a skunk who called herself Comrade Astyafyeva, certainly did not seem to be much comfortable around Millicent.
“And why should she” a girl asked from behind the cat.
Turning around smoothly, but not too quickly Millicent looked into the eyes of a German otter. One who’s name, she barely remembered, was Jarvinia Schwarzkopf “Should she not what” Millicent asked, knowing that she had spoken no word.
Jarvinia glanced towards the Russian skunk currently speaking with the two hunters, those being the American and Japanese males who seemed to feel that every female, even Millicent was theirs to take. “It is in your eyes. Why will she not talk. To you. Is simple. Tatiana is N.K.V.D. agent. To interfere with such is to open arms to death. She is Party member yes, but not N.K.V.D., so wish to live long life. So stay away from you.” The otter drank from her glass, watching the tableau before her as two boys tried to one up the other into the skunks good graces, and hopefully her bed. “One will not fail. Zoya told me week last that she has orders. Bed both. Learn what can. Try best. She is but playtoy for her Controller. Not very bright mind but nice girl.”
“And you have bedded her of course” Millicent asked, in the same tone as if she were asking the weather report.
“Dah. Once. She is not imaginative. Not know much. I play, release. Not my choice.”
Millicent almost laughed at those last three words, covering it by sipping her drink. ‘Sip’ she remembered her Tatiana explain. ‘Do not drink. Make to last hour, else become drunk.’ Tatiana did not like her drunk, she missed things. “Not your choice to release the poor little thing” she asked. “Or not your choice to take her in the first place.”
“To take” the German admitted. “I do not like skunk. Smelly. Course fur. Not comfortable to be with.”
“You should have kept her Jarvinia. She will one day freely wear someone’s collar. Why not your own? She is pretty.”
The German snorted, having to take a moment to catch her breath. She had been drinking when Millicent made her statement. “As you wear Tatiana’s collar” she asked. There was this time real interest in the otters voice.
“No” Millicent answered. “As a pet wears its masters collar. Or” she looked into the otters eyes. “Mistress. I think that you might enjoy such.”
“There you wrong my English friend. That is not my enjoyment.” She suddenly started, nodding to an elegantly dressed mouse who had just entered the room. “That is Jinghua, she is Chinese consulate.”
“China, or Kau Han” Millicent asked lightly.
“Is no real difference, but is China proper. She is daughter of mid rank employee. They send when must show flag. Ambassador very ill. Old. China not much support Spontoon Consulate. Only one party year at that place.”
Millicent sniffed her drink, looking at the elegant young lady who now approached the American Ambassador. “So. And who’s eye has she captured” she asked. Gossip was gossip but it was also information for her people after all.
“Once was Russian boy. He vanish when swimming one night. None since.” Jarvinia shrugged lightly under her near uniform styled dress. “Is not safe to swim certain areas Spontoon.”
Millicent nodded in agreement. “I have been so warned. By my people of course. It is part of our standard orientation instruction. She is sweet, and has just passed a note to the Ambassador.”
“So see. Wonder what is.” Jarvinia deftly traded out her empty glass from a tray of full ones as a waiter passed by. “Not much known from Chinese. Are in deeply with Kau Han or not. Other things many people want, need to know.” She suddenly snickered softly. “Want make bet?”
“Bet? Jarvinia, being with you this much is all the gambling I fear that I can afford. After all, you will one day shoot me.”
“Jah. Is true. One day may shoot at pretty, and very bold English girl. But certain Russian spy then rip my heart out. I think I miss. I like living. But have bet.”
“And that being” Millicent asked.
“Bet that bold young English girl not able interest China doll.”
Millicent lowered her drink. “I am not an agent Jarvinia, I will not be one. You, yes I am aware of what you are my German friend. But do not place me upon that high step.”
Turning to the upset English feline Jarvinia lifted her free paw, a paw that happened to be out of sight by any other as they were near the curtains. It rested gently upon the felines stomach. “No, you not agent. This we certain Millicent. Or I no longer talk with you. I make bet. You not able make China doll interested in you before night is over. Is bet between friends.”
Millicent, following Tatiana’s instructions to never let a chance pass by leaned into that paw. “And the stakes my dear Jarvinia?”
“Unders” the German answered. “Loser give winner unders before leave American Consulate. Is little bet yes?”
Millicent’s eyes opened the wider. “You, my otter friend, do not wear such.”
“Ja. Is truth. Then what?”
Boldness overcame Millicent again. A boldness that she still did not yet understand, one that had come only after her instructions began at Madam Maxines. “You. My bed. Tonight. Should I win.”
“High stake” the otter admitted. “Why?”
“I am hungry and my dear sweet Tatiana has no pass this weekend.”
“Must think first. It high stake” the German answered. She backed away. “But China doll not spend all night here.”
“As the Americans say, Put up or Shut up” Millicent whispered, taking a step that again brought the two very close.”
Jarvinia simply breathed for a few long, very long moments. Then nodded yes. “Bet” she agreed. “I not have to pay I know.” Then she turned away and went to join others of their group.
Setting her half full glass on a stone table Millicent scanned the crowd, eventually spotting the Chinese girl. Losing her own unders would not prove embarrassing, not when the winner would be Jarvinia. She was beginning to like the German, even knowing what the otter had to be. But taking the better girl down a peg was certainly worth the effort. Walking through the crowd she approached the slightly older mouse, waiting her turn to introduce herself. It was the bet on her mind, not the mouse’s obvious beauty when she introduced herself.
January 18th, 1936
Oharu stood as Saimmi arrived at her home, automatically turning to reach for her water bottle. “That will not be needed” Spontoon’s High Priestess announced even as the mouse’s fingers touched aged bamboo. “I will speak with you as my Sister. Not as your High Priestess.”
“I will listen” Oharu agreed as she sat again on her steps. “I have been waiting my sister.”
“Good. Time enough has passed that we make speak of this now. As I do remember, you abused my trust in you. Did you not? You harmed Kansas Smith because you could. Did you not?”
“Yes Great Mother. I did this.”
Saimmi chose a smooth patch of a log to settle on before continuing. “Sister, not Great Mother please. If I come as Great Mother you will most likely be cast down. It must be as sister.” She waited until the mouse nodded in understanding before continuing. “Oharu, I asked you to obtain the stone and return with it. You were to determine if the book in my fire dream was real. If so, return with it also. No matter the cost.”
“There was a price I could not pay” the mouse admitted. “A price beyond my purse.”
“Yes. I have spoken with my students. I have spoken with the Songmark. I know the facts from them, yet was Maria’s life worth breaking my trust?”
Oharu rubbed her paws together. “Maria was coin I would have paid without care, had at that time I been able” she admitted. “All the others as well. But Molly was not. When the bullet struck what I held something awoke. Before that bullet fell to the floor I was fighting for my sanity. I almost failed. I am thankful that Maria had my blade ready. She would have done as I asked. I could see that in her soul. She is a brave woman. She is better than I.”
“I think not better” Saimmi corrected. “Her heart, her bravery is why I suggested her too you my sister. If the stone awoke there must have been some bright light, more than a simple lantern or electric torch. It is true that there is light created when a bullet strikes a hard object. Could it be that small a light was intense enough to wake the stone?”
“Light” Oharu asked with confusion. “From simple lead and copper? I do not understand.”
Saimmi sat quietly for a while, thinking. As she did certain things now started making sense, when she approached them from an odd angle. “Oharu. What were your grades like in school” she asked suddenly.
“When I left third year to help mother with father, after my oldest sister vanished, I was near the top of my class” the mouse admitted.
“Third year... Oharu. Why can you read and write your own language so well, yet not know that a bullet strikes sparks.”
“A Miko needs to be able to read, write and draw” the mouse explained. “I had excellent teachers. Firearms were not of any interest to me”
“What is ten times fifteen?”
Oharu swallowed, looking away. “I do not know for certain” she admitted. “I think perhaps. One hundred and fifty?”
“How much does an American ton weigh. A British ton. What is the lightest element. How many pages are in a standard ream? Which is heaver, a ton of gold or a ton of feathers.” Oharu though failed to answer any of the questions, simply looking down at her paws. “You are illiterate, aren’t you” Saimmi asked.
“I can read, I can write. I am able to do small sums. It is all a Miko or wife needs to know” the mouse countered. “Though now I know I may never be a wife. For Molly has refused my heart.”
“That last aside for now. In Cipangu yes you are correct. Here, no. You couldn’t know that using the stone to save Molly would wake it, could you? For all you are, for how proud that Huakava was and I am in what you do. How proud we all are, you couldn’t tell the difference between a peck and a pound. Could you.”
“No Great One. Am I to be cast out because I am uneducated?”
Saimmi shook her head no, forgetting Oharu’s eyes were downcast. “Not Great One. Not quite yet. Still sister” she reminded the mouse before her. “No, you will not be cast down. I will simply add to your duties. You will attend my mothers home three evenings a week, those days that you work at the McGee’s until the next school year, to learn how to do those things you cannot do. Next year I will see that you attend school, though how the children will take a full grown adult. A priestess at that in their class. It will cause me some amusement. Perhaps I might find a tutor for you. You will do this until you finish at least a seventh grade education. You will also continue your other duties. In the least this will keep you from having time to think of your lost doe. Oharu. So well you have covered your lack of education no one suspected. Now I must know. How many Miko’s are highly educated?”
“Perhaps half” Oharu admitted, though this new weight of duty now pressed so heavily upon her. She felt her shoulders bend dangerously under this new weight. “I violated your trust.”
“Unknowingly. Had you known you would have still placed yourself between her and that bullet. Wouldn’t you.”
“Yes. Not the stone. Myself. No matter how many duties you give me, no matter Moto’s Revenge my dreams will always be haunted by her.”
“Perhaps as High Priestess then I should arrange a bottle of date wine for you each night as well. Or you could become that drunken beach bum, having no dreams to worry you. Still it is as I had thought. No one yet knows, though I have seen several possibilities in my fire. As your sister I must know, for my heart burns with curiosity. What did you actually do to Kansas Smith. What harsh punishment did you give her?”
Oharu did look up now. “None” she admitted. “It is not in my nature to do so without cause. I had fought the stone and won because it had only a little awakened, even though it drew Smiths’s bullets too itself. I guess that it was in attempt to waken further. I was angry yes, yet I cooled that also before I touched her.” She paused, wringing her paws uncontrollably. “Not though, before I told Molly my true feelings. I cursed myself at that moment. Not Kansas Smith. I threw away Molly forever.”
“And you did what to Smith” Saimmi asked yet again.
“I gave her the body she has so desired since she was a child. As I told you before”
“You... Gave her... She is not a man now. Is she?”
“No Great One. I would never do that. She is still very much a woman.”
“Kansas has a manly body, her mother is... Oh no Oharu. You really didn’t do that.”
“I needed time Saimmi. Time for Molly to finish her schooling. For her to be ready to meet Smith on any field, under any conditions. I changed none of what Smith is. What she knows. She still is the same woman. Still has the same knowledge, the same skills. It will simply take her time to become comfortable in her new form and then it will return to its original in one year. Unless she desires to remain as she is now. She must make that choice.”
Saimmi giggled. Turned away from the older woman, then lost control and started laughing while Oharu sat in silence. Finally the feline turned back, managing to hold a semi-stern look on her face again. “You will change her back of course.”
“I cannot Great One. Though I gave a limit to the change, to reverse it before then. I think that it may be beyond my abilities. I do not think that any could again do this to her after her year of torment is over. Her soul will be armored against such. I drew upon the stone to do that, thus it marked me. Something inside of me shattered when I did so. What I do not yet know. A wall, a strength, I do not know. I feel it even now, yet not being native to Spontoon I have no such natural ability to use it from a distance. I would have to accept the stones gift yet again in any case. That I will not do ever unless you order it. It knows me now, it will be waiting. I could not win a second battle. I do not wish to become another soul held in bondage by such evil. Not even the thing within Half Ration has the power to return her to what she was, though it most likely knows where such can be done. For a price.”
“Then she will have to find another way if she does not wish to wait the year. Oh Oharu my dear sister. Even when you curse you give what they truly want. Every bar she knows of, every dive, every low class... In such a body. You have ruined her. At least until she can rebuild her power base. She’s going to come after you and Molly. You know that.”
“Would she? Knowing what I have already done? Uncertain that I could do worse, or certain perhaps that only I may return her to what she was?” Smiling the mouse stood. “All she can do is kill me. If Molly doesn’t do that first. She has already told me that she will. May I offer you water Great Mother?”
Accepting that they were no longer talking as sisters Saimmi accepted what must be. “I would like that. There are other things we must discuss. Less amusing things. We must know how you have changed to start. Not only since Moto’s Revenge, but by drawing upon the fragments powers. I must know if you are corrupted in any way.”
Looking up at her superior Oharu bit her upper lip. Her burden had, at those words suddenly become too much for her to bear. Her strength began to fail, though no outward evidence yet showed. Her training faulted as those stresses began to prove too great for her. “Is it too late to become nothing more than a drunken beach bum” she asked seriously. There was a difference to her voice. A weakness not heard before.
Saimmi thought about that question. It had been a serious question and as such demanded a serious answer from her. In truth Oharu had been overly used since becoming a priestess. Saimmi herself had retreated for a week after her own Cranium Island trip. A trip that had not truly changed her or caused so much pain as Oharu’s Krupmark trip. Huakava had been known to take months of retreat. Upon Huakava’s death Saimmi had taken half a month to herself. That Oharu asked such a thing so suddenly, and she could feel a difference in her servant. A weakness she had not felt before.
Abruptly Saimmi remembered another thing Oharu had told her. That she had left school at nine to care for her family, that she had become a Miko at eleven. ‘She has never had a true childhood’ the High Priestess suddenly realized. ‘She endures, but only because her soul is so strong.’ And the sound of her voice. So different. Her decision then came easily as she realized Oharu had finally reached her breaking point. A point Saimmi had known she must discover, yet had hoped was still steps further away.
“I am placing too much upon your shoulders. I see that now” the feline admitted. “I think it is because you never complain. I forget your age, that you have served others long and well. That you have never had any time to yourself. Not even a true childhood. This is not good for any priestess. Very well Oharu. For at least the next month you are to be nothing but a beach bum. I will assure that anything you may need will be available. When that month is done. Then we will talk again.”
“But my duties” Oharu countered as she realized what she had asked for. “My students.”
“Will be cared for. Daughter. I had forgotten. There comes a time when all of us need release. If, when this time is done you wish to remain a drunken beach bum I will still be honored to claim you as my sister. I cannot afford to destroy your spirit. I have need of you, I have need of the three who went with you. I need Maria and Molly as well. And others. Do you know why?”
“No Great one” Oharu admitted.
“Spontoon needs warrior priestess’s in the future. Amelia and Helen are to be the first. We have not had any since purifying these lands. Very soon in the future we must have them again. No more than a pawful of years I think. Though I cannot say that Saffrina will remain. I am certain that Helen will. Amelia I believe will retain her ties to us as well. Maria has shown another talent we truly need. Not we priestess’s, but certain others. Molly. We both know what she has to offer. Even though she came so close to death that night. Oharu my sister. Had you not begged on your knees to me for her she would not be breathing at this moment.”
“They will work for a certain never to be named ferret, lest doing would cause our tails to fall off” Oharu whispered without emotion. Her lack of emotion warned Saimmi what was coming, yet gave her no clue as to what to do about it.
“You’re a card” Saimmi laughed, trying to forestall the fall she now knew would come, but not when. “Yes him. His wife wants Molly. Not like you do, she certainly has no interest in females. Other than perhaps you. It is my understanding that when she was with you she wavered. My sister, you could turn almost any woman to you, should you open yourself to them. No, not for her body. But because of what she is. What she can do. Daughter we are a proud nation. Militarily weak yes but proud. We would be damned fools not to accept every seed that drifts upon our shores. Seeds such as you. You I need to send places. To do things no one else can. To face that which others hesitate to think of. Such as the purifying a certain site on South Island. You will be for me what Americans call a trouble shooter. If I burn out your heart now, then I will loose more than I can possible hope to gain. Also. I would be happier if you would cease seeing any Songmark girl for a while. Even Tatiana.”
“All” the mouse asked obviously surprised by the request. “Even my daughter?”
“Tatiana repaid her debt some time ago. I will allow her to visit here until your return. After that, she will go elsewhere. Songmark is now forbidden to you until this years class has finished.”
“I..” Oharu swallowed. “Why must I lose my daughter” she asked softly. Her voice was wavering, sounding like sand between two pieces of glass.
Taking that warning Saimmi relented, that much. “Very well. Tatiana I grant you. I would be fool to step between mother and daughter. Even though that relationship is but adoption, not blood. Oharu, there are certain needs you must be ready for. Certain things you must be ready to do. There will be no more trips away from Spontoon either unless I send you. This is understood?”
“The reason. No. The command. Yes. I will obey you, always.”
Saimmi accepted these words, turning her gaze to the great splinter of stone below her. “It accepted your explanation for Macao. It would not accept your refusing my command about Songmark. From this moment on you may not even speak to an active Songmark student other than Tatiana, or if in an emergency until this class has ended. Not without my special leave. Is this fully understood?”
Tears threatened to escape from the mouse’s eyes. Denied. There would be a reason, just not one she would understand until much later. Nodding her acceptance, for her voice threatened to fail her, she suddenly sat to gather herself. “I do not need a month off now Great One. I would have nothing to pass my time. There is too much waiting for my paws touch.”
Saimmi shook her head no. She knew what she was demanding would be hard on the mouse. Very hard. But it had to be done and for a very good reason. “You will understand full by next Winter. I promise you.”
“Winter... Molly will be gone. May I at least watch her leave?”
“You may. From a distance. Oharu. You have become much too involved with Songmark. Even to dealing with that ancient temple that is still hidden there. I will find another for that work. It is important work yes. It must be done yes but you place too much upon your own back. I fear that your back will shatter from your load. You must have time to rest. I truly regret that I must demand this. Your book truly is much too important. Therefore that becomes your primary responsibility. This Glen secondary, the shrines you care for come last. I cannot allow your spirit to break. Please believe me, this is not punishment. Not in any way is this punishment. If is a gift from myself to you.”
“Yes Great One. I think I understand. Must I be gone a month” the mouse asked. “I have so much to do. My books, rituals, so much to learn. So many priestess’s yet to meet, to learn from. My Hula lessons....”
Saimmi smiled gently, reaching out to enfold the surprised mouse into her arms, pulling her against her own body. “It is precisely that. You have no time for yourself, have you.” She was surprised at how much it felt like holding a child. Oharu had folded against her. Letting Saimmi’s strength enfold her so completely did she trust her.
“No Great one. I need no time for myself.”
“You are the worst liar I have ever heard of” the feline chided. “We all must have time for ourselves. Every priestess takes a day, a week away from her duties now and then. Even a year. You will not be allowed to be any different. Now, do you have a swimsuit?”
Oharu looked up from her position pressed against Saimmi’s chest, a rather comfortable position she hated to admit. “On Main Island? I have come to be comfortable in my fur. At least here. I would never enter the ocean in any case.”
“There are still tourists, now and then. Sun is good for wounded backs, its warmth loosens injured muscles.”
“If a tourist approaches me I will show them my back.”
“You would, wouldn’t you.” Releasing her charge Saimmi glanced to the hut. “You have a bit of clothing for Titania to wear, correct?”
“Yes. It would never fit me and she would miss it.”
“You have something like it for yourself?
“Several have been left as gifts. I have never worn any of them.”
“Pick one. Your going to wear it out on the beaches old woman. And if I once hear that you are sober I am going to spank you until you cannot sit down.”
Slowly stepping away from her superior Oharu found her thoughts confused. “I have duties” she offered again.
“I know where there is a whip” Saimmi countered, observing the shudder of distaste that ran up her companions body. “A month as a wasteful beach bum, or the whip. Your choice.”
When Oharu returned from her hut she was wearing an over bright sarong meant for the tourist trade. “Oh tell me who left that” Saimmi gasped, shielding her eyes as though from a bright light. “I’ll gut him myself. With a dull fish knife. Find another. Please.” When the mouse returned again, now dressed in a much tighter, but less eye burning dress Saimmi nodded her acceptance. “Good. Now get thee to a bar, find a girl and enjoy yourself. Hula lessons are allowed, but only the non-religious ones. Oharu...”
“Yes Great one?”
“Saimmi, for the month at least.”
“Saimmi” Oharu repeated easily. “If I am not drunk, you will spank me?”
Standing to assume a pose of hurt Saimmi looked down at the shorter mouse. “You question my promise?”
“It is a promise?”
“Yes.”
Oharu giggled like a little girl, catching Saimmi by surprise when she abruptly spun around on one paw. She had never head Oharu release a sound so innocent, or seem so free before. “I’m not drunk Saimmi.”
It was like listening to a very young little girl Saimmi realized. She should have done this long ago. “Get out of here” the feline ordered, her laughter following the mouse as she ran up the Glens stone steps. Watching Oharu go, Spontoon’s High Priestess understood that her decision was the right one. It would delay certain things. Oharu’s heart would still fall, and soon. But maybe this way it would not be an unrecoverable fall. For the doe Molly had truly destroyed the mouse without even trying. Of course refusing Songmark for a time would hurt her, for a while. Then she would understand. For being at Songmark was cutting deeply into the mouse’s soul, as long as that doe was there. Saimmi looked around the Glen, noting the three apprentices at their duties. Perhaps making Songmark taboo for life might be a better idea. She would dwell upon that thought later. Had the mouse not admitted her love to that doe. Had Molly not threatened in front of witness’s to kill the mouse. Had Oharu not begged Saimmi herself for the does life. Then her actions wouldn’t have been required. Yet she had, Molly had, and thus they had both pushed Spontoon’s High Priestess into a tight corner.
A delay in that book. Undesirable, still the delay was acceptable. There was also this. If Oharu had not earned a month completely to herself no one ever could. Besides, it had been worth it to find the child so long repressed. “I will rearrange her duties” she decided. “She has taken too much upon herself, that will be corrected. That, and I still need to find her a tutor” she decided. “One who will come here, and not be seduced by that which is the mouse’s rich soul.”
Standing Saimmi walked to the three teenagers. “Leokau will be here in the morning. Again she teachers you for a month, or more.” She watched them, their stance, their eyes. “Oharu would be proud of you. Continue.” With a last look around Saimmi, High Priestess of Spontoon left the Great Stone Glen.
Less than a day after having been forced into relaxation the Cipanguan born priestess known as Oharu Wei was already seriously bored. Not bored in the sense that she had nothing interesting to do. But bored in that she missed her duties. Missed her recording of Spontoon’s rituals. Missed tending to the shrines. Missed visiting with other priestess’s. Missed her art. That last though she had remembered a cure for. Thus, after visiting Butterfly McGee’s resort on Casino Island she had obtained some of the money held for her. During her visit she had also discovered that little of her art remained to be sold. What did remain was the less desired pieces. Her duties had taken away her time for art, unless that art was involved directly with her religious work, or the Great Stone Glen’s ancient ruins.
Now the mouse sat on a stone breakwater, carefully sketching out the lines of an impossibly painted aircraft covered with strange beasts as it lay bobbing in the water. Whomever had created the design had been mad she decided. Still it was something unusual, and tourists loved the things that were unusual. Her sketching though was abruptly interrupted by the sounds of hard soled boots striking stone cobbles. Boots that stopped just behind her. A jingle of metal upon metal gave her a clue as to whom might be behind her.
“Officer?” she asked softly, not quite certain.
“‘m sorry mam” the male replied in English, apparently having missed that she had spoken to him in Spontoon. “But this here is private property. ‘M afraid tha owner wants you tah leave” a strong male voice answered. At the same time a whiff of errant breeze brought her the males scent. A scent of polished leather and otter, probably young by the strength of it. Not an officer she had met before obviously, those being almost all canines.
“I see” she responded. “Should I ignore your warning?” She was sitting on a breakwater next to a European run restaurant, one popular with the tourist as it served nothing but European foods and drink.
“‘m sorry mam. But I will be forced tah arrest you. Tresspassin. ‘Slaw you understand.”
Smiling to herself, for though she was still speaking the local language her visitor had remained speaking in English Oharu decided to see how far this would go. After all, other than her surrender on Meeting island she had never in her life been arrested. Of course this young man couldn’t read her fur patterns, seeing as she had combed out all her delicate work other than the pattern on her left cheek that must remain, that day Saimmi had sent her away. With her back to the officer, her cheap sarong and now released long hair covering her scared flesh he had no clues from behind. To his viewpoint he was facing a late season tourist, female, who was inadvertently breaking a very minor law. Carefully closing her new sketch book Oharu slipped her charcoal pencil into a brand new belt holder. One that carried many more such pencil’s. Then she made a last critical mistake, believing that when he saw that one mark that he would understand, and that everything would return as it had been. “I am sorry officer. I much enjoy this view. I think I will remain here the day.”
‘M sorry too miss. ‘M afraid I have to place yah under arrest. Will yah come peacefully or must ah drag yah?”
Smiling to herself Oharu stood, her back still to the young officer the mouse felt apart from reality. It was suddenly as though everything that happened about her was unreal. She was falling and had no understanding of what was happening. Thus her fall would be full. “I much prefer not to be beaten again” she admitted. That part of resisting arrest Oharu was certain she did not wish to experience. One such period of beating was enough for a lifetime.
“‘hen if you will set yer book doin, please place yer paws behind yah.”
“My book” she asked as she followed the officers instructions, careful to keep her back to him, though she had turned her face to see him. It also made her marking completely visible. It should have ended the confrontation immediately, as he could not help but see that badge. That marking which screamed to all what she was. He though didn’t seem to notice it, or seeing did not understand.
‘ll carry it. No fear, nothin will happen tah it.”
When the cold iron cuffs snapped about her wrists Oharu realized her mistake. She was bound. She was....
Oharu’s soul, having lost the strength of her hearts support on Moto’s Revenge at Molly’s words, failed. Landing on her knees with a scream of anguish that nearly stopped the young otters heart Oharu Wei felt her universe fall in upon her. She never saw the natives running up, or a certain very angry wolf explaining physically, and in no light terms to the police officer his mistake. Never felt the iron cuffs removed. She felt nothing. Not even the trip to South Island hours later with Spontoon’s High Priestess holding her like a broken doll.
All mortals have limits. Oharu Wei had finally stepped beyond her own.