People watching outside the restaurant, it amazed Inka how much experience of the outside world she had missed - the different costumes and cultures. How she wished she could share this with Lupa.
"Wearing a frown like that could scare off potential suitors," Kyou teased, poking his head through restaurant's dividing curtains.
How long had he been watching her? Inka shrugged. "I am not in a rush to join. And your overwhelming presence is enough to scare everyone away."
"Touché," he chuckled amicably. "Come on, the shop owner was kind enough to draw us a map. The riverbank is just a few miles north from here. We should reach before the sun sets."
Leaving Yan behind, Kyou hitched a ride from a passing farmer on a horse cart. From atop the haystack, they enjoyed the windy breeze and rustic scenery of country life. Kyou started when the witch's head fell against his shoulder. He tensed, not knowing how to react. So he sat rigidly, feeling awkward yet he didn't want to wake her up.
The farmer chortled. "Ah, what a sight for sore eyes. Young people in love."
For the first time in his life, the Emperor of Xi stuttered. "N-no! You're mistaken. We're just travelling together."
"Hmm, that's a shame because you make a handsome couple," the farmer remarked. "And your young lady looks special too."
It was pointless to repeat that Inka wasn't 'his'. "Special, huh?" Kyou murmured, his eyes dropping to the head snuggled comfortably against him. He wouldn't admit it but, there was something wonderful about having her there. Strange how it felt more intimate than sex. He wasn't even this nervous when he fucked his first woman. No one else had had the privilege of sleeping on his shoulder.
"Yes, when I was a young boy my mother used to regale me with tales of the Great Catori warrior. A descendant of the Ashina tribe, she was the only female warrior of her time and probably the first who fought alongside her Chieftain and husband, Akecheta. Catori means spirit in their spoken tongue and she was the embodiment of her name. Catori was born with unique silver hair and eyes that naturally set her apart from her comrades. Thus, she was shunned. Her tribesmen were afraid of what they couldn't understand. Their indifference never bothered the young woman and if it did, she never showed."
"Catori worked hard to earn her tribe's acknowledgement and respect. The only person undeterred by her physical flaws was the Chieftain's son, Akecheta. Akecheta claimed she was extraordinary, and he wanted her for himself. Though he had proposed marriage many times, she refused, insisting she would marry him after she has earned her place. You can imagine how frustrated Akecheta was and how helpless he felt watching the love of his life struggle to find acceptance. You see, Catori was an orphan from the moment she took her first breath. Her father was killed in battle and her mother died after giving birth. Without a family, Catori constantly sought for a place to call her own."
"And did she?" Kyou asked despite himself.
"Eventually. A long time ago, Shiryuu experienced the worst drought in history. All the rivers dried up and the crops withered. Severe dehydration killed half their livestock and traders became scarce. The Chieftain was at his wit's end and he didn't know what to do. One day, a passing trader was attacked by a starving animal and Catori saved his life. To thank her, he told her about a hidden well beneath a treacherous cave. Those who entered the cave, never returned."
"Let me guess. She went to find the well?" Kyou remarked dryly.
The old man laughed. "Indeed, she did. Young man, your young lady must be strong willed too."
Kyou's lips twisted into a sardonic smile. "More like stubborn and predictable."
"Catori left the village without telling a soul in search of the well. Everything was fine until she ventured deeper into the cave and stumbled upon a bottomless wide ravine. There was no way to cross it except to fall to one's death. Catori stood there, figuring a solution when she heard tiny feet scampering in the dark. Bringing her light to the source of the sound, she discovered a small hole in cavern wall, just large enough to fit a child. Born with a petite figure, Catori managed to crawl through to the other side. Following a narrow passage, the air grew lighter, and cooler. And then she found it, a pool of crystal-clear water. There were no words to describe her elation. Catori returned to the village and announced the good news to the Chieftain. Immediately, the smaller womenfolk and children were gathered to help transport the water. The hidden well helped the tribe sustain through the dry season until their God blessed them with rain."
"What happened after?"
"Why, the tribe members viewed her as their saviour! The Chieftain gave his son and Catori his blessing and they wedded. Their brood of unruly children became the next generation of the Ashina clan. The Great Catori's endeavours did not end there. Alongside her husband, she helped to improve the clan's livelihood and fought in almost every war. But then again, she was famous for her unusual colouring, just like your maiden."
The little witch mumbled incoherently, her nose nuzzling his neck. That simple gesture shot a frisson of desire straight to his cock. What was this feeling, he wondered? It was terrifying yet pleasant – not just lust.
"This is as far as I can go, young man," the farmer pulled to a stop at the town entrance. "You will be able to see the river once you enter the town."
"Pardon me, sir but do you know where I can find Saru, the ferryman?"
"Are you planning to cross to the bordering islands?"
Kyou straightened so abruptly he jostled the sleeping woman beside him. "Bordering islands?"
"Yes, there are island clusters cutting into Donggu from across river. It's common knowledge to the locals."
"Are there people living on the border islands?"
"Yes, a small fishing village but the area is mainly surrounded by the island's rock mountains."
"Thank you sir, for your help," Kyou said earnestly. "We will be getting off now." He proceeded to shake the witch. "Wake up."
"Are we there yet?" she mumbled groggily, cracking an eye open.
"I'm leaving you behind," he threatened, hopping off the wagon.
Wiping the sleep off her face, Inka chased after the Emperor, quietly cursing him. The farmer's eyes twinkled humorously as he watched the bickering couple. "It seems Catori's spirit has been reincarnated into this lifetime. Our Kingdom shall be reborn again."