125 Two Sides (1/2)

Once Uchu had left the guards behind, he was presented with the infinite splendor of the stars above. Relieved, the hardened warrior let out a long sigh of relief.

Finally Uchu had left the confines of Rapra Castle behind him. Finally he could breathe.

”Let's get out of here,” he said towards the rat who still followed along his every move.

”You know, brother, there was no reason to be so hung up on leaving right away. Leaving in a crowd could have been much safer,” Guachimine remarked and followed Uchu along the streets of Sillu Island. This close to the castle, the new town had not been built yet, and so the two marched through empty, dark streets, flanked by half-finished houses.

”Nonsense. You didn't hear that king before? I mean, I don't like the guy too much, but there's no way he'd kill me, not here.”

Even though the king would do his best to preserve his own reputation and guarantee Uchu's safety, the indifference and vicious stares from the nobles had done a lot to gnaw at his confidence. Not to mention the cannon shot.

”Because of his reputation?” the rat guessed. ”While that may make sense, there is always the chance for him to pretend an accident.”

”Another misfire, you mean?”

”Just so.”

Uchu shook his head in response.

”No way. He can't run a stunt like that again. If he does, none of the other lords are gonna come here any more. How will the great king play merchant and sell his overpriced trinkets then? Plus, I have my doubts that he was the one who fired that cannon in the first place.”

”Brother, you would not believe the story that king has told, would you? Believe that Epunamo did it?”

”Why not?” Uchu said, as he looked to the ground, where the water of the Mayura River reflected back the moonlight up above. ”I mean, that king hasn't got a good reason to kill me in the first place, except maybe that head we brought him. Still, the way I judge the guy, he doesn't seem much like the sentimental type either, you know? Our dear brother, on the other hand, came here with a plan. You said it yourself, Epunamo doesn't act without thought, so you didn't think he just brought those damn pistols to look pretty, did you?”

Although he had first been annoyed by his brother's habit to always walk a step behind, at this point Uchu had accepted it as one of his traits. Considering the way the rat had been treated by his brothers all this time, it wasn't too surprising that he would want to make himself invisible.

”That's... while that might be the case, we should still consider a cooperation with Epunamo. He is our brother after all. When all of us focus our strength, we can oppose the western lords with their king as a group. In this way, you get time to show your strength and gain favor over Epunamo. Once our conflict with the west is over, you can replace Epu and take father's seat in Cashan for yourself.”

”What, you mean show off during war? I can do that.”

With a dark grin, Uchu thought back to the days of his youth, when the warriors sent by Iqtana Villca – the man who called himself his father – would torture him in the name of 'training'. No matter how hard his brothers had worked in their youths, the bandit was certain that not one of them was this prepared for a war.

Sunk into thoughts of his distant past, Uchu even forgot about his little brother's existence. Uncomfortable, the rat traipsed after the leader he had chosen for himself. At this point, he would still be unsure about his own decisions, and about his older brother's capabilities. However, the bandit was in no mood to placate the rat who was still as good as a stranger to him. Only a call from Guachimine brought him back to Uchu's consciousness.

”Who goes there!?” the rat squeaked, but Uchu was only annoyed by the outburst. In front of them, Uchu could see a fat man in a simple, gray robe trot towards them. For most of the evening, the roads had been pretty empty, as the lights of the commoner banquet in the distance attracted them like moths. However, encounters with one or two strays weren't all that surprising. Thus, Epunamo gave his little brother another love tap on the shoulder, to make the brat wince in pain.

”What are you doing? It's just some fattened peasant. What's with your skittish attitude?”

Confused, the bandit stared at his brother, who had beads of sweat streak down his pale face, while his eyes chased shadows in the darkness around them. Maybe this much was to be expected. After all, no matter how sly and nonchalant he always pretended to be, the little brat was still nothing more than a pampered noble.

After everything that had happened today – the assassination attempt, their secret talk with Epunamo and the tense conversation with the king – they were now on their way back, but still surrounded by enemies on all sides. For Uchu, this sort of situation was nothing new. He was used to this kind of terror. However, for the brat it must have been too much excitement all at once. Like any good brother would have done, Uchu gave his little bro a mighty pat on the back, to show his presence and ease the youngster's nerves.

”Not to worry, this isn't the worst scrap I've gotten myself out of. Let's just get out of here and then-”

”Watch out!” Eyes enlarged, Guachimine stared past Uchu and raised his finger in horror.

*Crap, careless!*

He could see the stranger move towards them before. He could hear the footsteps get closer. He should have noticed that something was wrong. Beating himself up wouldn't help any, so Uchu decided to act instead. As so often in his life, his instincts – and his grit – would have to come and save his life.

*No time to turn.*

With a mighty leap, the bandit grabbed hold of his stunned brother, before he dragged both of them to the side, just out of the way, somehow. At the same time, a bang confirmed his suspicion. As if hit by an invisible fist, Uchu's right hip was thrown off to the side, and dragged the rest of the body with it. Confused and disoriented he rolled, without control. He could feel the pavement hit against his shoulder, his hip, his head, his shoulder again, until hit something hard stopped his tumble.

Somewhere along the way, he had lost his little brother, but that didn't matter much for now.

*First, who's attacking? Can't make a choice otherwise.*

Still confused, he ignored the ringing in his ears and found the sky. Up above, the stars and the moon shone down on him with their cold indifference.

*Useful. Stars are up.*

Indifferent himself, Uchu found his orientation as he felt the wall in his back. The attacker would have come from the other side, the side he had been flung from. In mere moments, he had found the source of the danger.

The commoner still stood there in his dirty gray robes, hood up to hide his face, but now he saw the smoking muzzle peek out of the attacker's sleeves.

*Bastard!*

Another pistol, just the same as the weapon which had almost killed him during his duel with Epunamo. When the attacker loosened his fingers, the pistol slipped from his grip and towards the floor. Before the now useless weapon had hit the ground, the assassin had already drawn the next one, an axe this time.